It’s not easy getting home insurance when you live on the North Carolina coast. The threat of future hurricanes - and the damages past ones have wrought - has rates climbing, with no end in sight.

Last year, the Brantley Risk & Insurance Center organized a symposium which examined just that issue. It generated some discussion in newspapers and magazines.

Now it appears the state is ready to take action. According to an Associated Press report, “Every insured homeowner in North Carolina could shoulder the cost of rebuilding if a massive hurricane hits under a deal taking shape in the Legislature.”

A Walker College professor, active in the symposium, is quoted in the story.

The measure would allow insurance premiums to rise by up 10 percent on every residential and commercial property to pay the Beach Plan’s claims after a massive hurricane or tough storm season.

“This is shifting the cost of insurance coverage from coastal residents to the remainder of the state,” said David Marlett, chairman of Appalachian State University’s Department of Finance, Banking, and Insurance. …

Some insurance companies have dropped North Carolina customers out of fear of having to cover the Beach Plan’s losses.

“I’d say the current system’s not working. It needs to be fixed or we’re going to lose insurers in the state,” Marlett said. “If the coastal residents are not going to be paying adequate rates, this is the best you can hope for.”

Appalachian State MBA students during a trip to China

Brothers Clayton, Chester and Sam Allen know the value of studying abroad. Each traveled oversees while students at Appalachian State University.

The brothers want other Appalachian students to have the same opportunities they experienced while on a study abroad program, so they have helped establish the Allen Family Study Abroad Scholarship Fund that will provide awards for 10 students each of the next five years to Appalachian students enrolled in study abroad programs in the Walker College of Business. Preference will be given to students participating in international entrepreneurship courses. The first scholarships will be awarded this fall.

“Traveling to Spain and Scandinavia while I was in school gave me invaluable perspective,” said Chester Allen ‘05 MGT, a real estate advisor for Grubb & Ellis|Thomas Linderman Graham in Raleigh. “I am so excited to be in a position to help other Appalachian students experience what I did,” he said.

The Allens each took business courses through Walker College, which houses the Center for Entrepreneurship. Center for Entrepreneurship Director Bryan Toney taught Clayton and Chester. “The Allens have a good entrepreneurial sense,” Toney said. “I recall their success in business endeavors while they were here – they purchased, transported, and sold Christmas trees for profit in the Raleigh-Durham area.”

Clayton Allen ‘03 MGT works in sales for Madix Store Fixtures in Richmond, Va. Sam Allen is a senior marketing major at Appalachian and plans to graduate in December.

Walker College recognizes the importance of an international study experience and encourages students to participate in study abroad. Last year, more than 150 Walker College of Business students participated in an international study experience.

In 2008 rankings by The Chronicle of Higher Education and the Institute of International Education, Appalachian was in the top 10 of master’s degree granting institutions in terms of the number of students studying abroad.

Last summer Appalachian State erected a large, unique-looking solar panel outside Raley Hall. Student input was used in its design. Recently the company which built the panel, East 77 Contractors, posted a video pointing out an amusing resemblence.

Ged Moody, entrepreneur-in-residence within Walker College, has been named university sustainability director at Appalachian State. He will be responsible for coordinating the university’s progress toward the goal of being a world leader in sustainability. He begins his duties July 1.

The position was established as part of Appalachian’s strategic focus on promoting and modeling sustainability and alternative energy projects that are supported by the university’s Sustainability Council.

The News Bureau has more details.

Moody earned a master’s degree from Appalachian in appropriate technology in 2008. During 2009, he was entrepreneur-in-residence in Appalachian’s Walker College of Business where he taught entrepreneurship fulltime while working to promote green business activities for the university and the region. In addition, he has worked with non-profit and community-based efforts to develop and promote various sustainability and green initiatives in the High Country community.

Business opportunities with South American countries - including potential opportunities with Cuba - highlight a series of five public workshops organized by Walker College and the U.S. Commercial Service.

The U.S. Commercial Service (USCS), a unit within the U.S. Department of Commerce, will have representatives in Boone one Friday a month beginning in July to speak with interested parties.

Working with Appalachian’s Walker College of Business, USCS will offer seminars and discussions of country-specific opportunities. They include:

- July 10, a visiting delegation from the State of Ceará in Brazil will join the USCS representatives for a session about opportunities in that state and a presentation by Appalachian faculty on the university’s methane recovery efforts from landfills in Brazil

- Aug. 14, a session will cover trade currently permitted with Cuba, as well as possible changes in trade restrictions

- Sept. 11, opportunities in Chile and Argentina will be highlighted with a special focus on wine production and the viticulture industry

- Oct. 9, a session will coincide with Appalachian’s Global Opportunities Conference

- Nov. 6 focuses on international entrepreneurship in conjunction with the 8th Annual Carole Moore McLeod Entrepreneur Summit

All events will be held in the fourth floor conference room within Raley Hall. Programs begin at 9:30 a.m.

With an international network comprised of trade specialists and commercial officers, the USCS serves the needs of domestic exporters and helps them succeed in overseas markets by providing expert counseling and advocacy; producing research on overseas markets; promoting products and services in overseas markets; and finding international partners.

Individual, one-on-one consultations regarding trade finance assistance or additional international business expertise can be requested online. You can also contact Greg Sizemore at or 704-333-4886 ext. 229.

For information on the public sessions offered at Appalachian, contact Walker College Assistant Dean Dr. Marty Meznar at 828-262-2057.

The Brantley Risk and Insurance Center, based within the Walker College of Business, has received a $12,000 grant from State Farm Insurance Companies Good Neighbor Citizenship Grant program.

“The contribution from State Farm will allow the Brantley Center to continue to support student and faculty professional development,” said David Marlett, chair of the Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance. “Students in our program are encouraged to sit for exams that lead to professional designations in the field, which can be quite costly.

“The funds from State Farm will allow the Brantley Center to reimburse students for their exam fees and study materials. It will also support student and faculty travel to conferences focusing on risk management and insurance.”

Through the Good Neighbor Citizenship program, State Farm and State Farm Companies Foundation commit resources to help raise the achievement levels of teachers and students.

The Brantley Risk and Insurance Center supports the insurance program within Walker College by increasing the level of student involvement with the insurance industry. It supports the teaching function for the insurance major, encourages research on insurance topics, and provides a vehicle for on-going interaction with the insurance industry through continuing education programs, executive-in-residence appointments, internships and placement of graduates in the industry.

Michael Wilfong ‘05 MGT, who works as a real estate agent with Keller Williams Realty, recently received Charlotte’s Best 5 Star award for Client Satisfaction, The 2009 ALC Board of Directions position, and sixth in Union County Top Sales Associates.

Mike Wright ‘90 FIN, currently serving as Yosef Club President for 2009, recently purchased a franchise from Ameriprise Financial and serves as an independent financial advisor in Salisbury.

Meredith McBurney ‘03 MGT has been promoted to trust officer with BB&T. She joined the bank in 2007 as a communication specialist in BB&T’s Institutional Services department.

Diana Vuksic-Harris ‘01 FIN has obtained the Associate in Insurance (AIS) designation from the Insurance Institute of America.

Jeb McRary ‘09 ECON received a Masters in Business Administration from The College of William & Mary on May 17, 2009.

Kern Campbell ‘02 MKT is proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Lindsay Quinn Campbell. She was born on May 6, 2009 in Raleigh, and weighed 8 lb., 9 oz.. Ashley (Mom) and Lindsay are both doing well. Big sister Avery is very excited to have a little sister.

Richard Stroupe ‘98 ITOM and Tina Stroupe are proud to announce the birth of their third child, a baby girl, Olivia Jean Stroupe. She was born on May 1, 2009 in Reston Va., and weighed 7 lb., 6 oz.

You can read more Class Notes - and submit your own with photos - in the Gold Book.

Lt. Col. Donald Jim ’81 MKT is back home after four tours of duty, the latest in Iraq. The proud Marine returned stateside several days ago, but had no interest in just milling about the house. He and his wife took to the road. This week they are in Boone, one of Jim’s rare trips to his alma mater (He enlisted soon after graduating).

He stopped by the dean’s office to say hello. He was making good on an invitation made almost three years ago, when Rob Robertson ‘96 CIS (then with the Appalachian alumni office) spoke with him during his tour at Camp Fallujah, Al Anbar Province, Iraq.

Jim said he was just about to leave the office when my last e-mail popped up. He works the evening shift at an office there and it was 10 p.m. his time. He thought he’d give me a quick call before heading home.

Given the recent reputation Fallujah has attained, I was honored that an American hero serving there now would take the time to call. Jim said his days are spent in the office reading and writing, and he thought a call “back home” would be a nice way to end his day.

He said it’s been a great while since his last trip to campus. I insisted he stop by and say hello next time he’s in town.

Thank you for your service, Donald, and thank you for the photos. Come home safe.

He’s home now for good - he hopes. Jim says there is a possibility he could be sent to Afghanistan, but is unsure. Regardless his enlistment ends in 2010. Thank you again for your service, and thanks for saying hello. It was an honor.

(From left) Brad Sparks ‘97 ‘98, expedition leader Robert Swan and Appalachian junior Derrick Rehn.

As a student at Appalachian State, Brad Sparks ‘97 ACC ‘98 MS ACC developed a taste for travel. It started with a trip to England, then intensified after his involvement with the Holland Fellows Program. Soon he was off to other countries, such as South Africa.

His latest trip took him to the most southern place on the planet - Antarctica. Along with Appalachian student Derrick Rehn, Sparks was part of the Inspire Antarctica Expedition 2009, a program which brings together an international team to witness first-hand climate change and promote renewable energy sources.

Appalachian Today has a report online from the trip, including video.

Sparks had never been on a plane before he journeyed to England as an Appalachian student in 1995. Before graduating, he traveled twice to China as a Holland Fellow in the Walker College of Business, as well as to Australia. Those experiences led to an international career that has included work as a consultant in South Africa and Bangkok, and travel to Dubai, Malaysia, Canada, Singapore, Australia, Brazil and Japan for his current company.

“My international experience was among the longest-lasting impacts of my Appalachian education,” said Sparks, who earned his bachelor’s degree in 1997 and a master’s degree in accounting in 1998. “Having that cultural exposure and an increase in global awareness has been pivotal to my career.”

Walker College offers a variety of international trip and programs, including a major in International Business.

Two experts on international trade, one from state government and another from a relief organization, will be the guest speakers during the second High Country Global Opportunities Conference. It is scheduled for October 9 at the Broyhill Inn on campus.

The opening keynote speaker will be Jean Davis, director of international trade with the North Carolina Department of Commerce. She will open the conference discussing “Green Opportunities in the International Arena.” The luncheon speaker will be Jeannine B. Scott, senior vice president with Africare, a private, charitable organization assisting Africa. She will talk about “International Opportunities in Africa.”

Davis oversees the International Trade Services office with the state commerce department. According to the office’s website, “In 2008, we assisted 408 North Carolina companies with export development and in many cases helped these businesses position themselves for future international growth. Our total state exports grew 7.3 % to $25 billion.”

In an North Carolina Economic Development Guide, Davis discussed some of the successes her office has had.

“Most importantly, we attend over 30 trade shows around the world and invite our North Carolina companies to join us to learn about the market and meet potential buyers,” says Jean Davis, the division director. “We find that getting our companies on a plane with us to be part of a North Carolina booth at a big trade show in China, for example, is the best way for them to understand the market, build relationships and launch an international marketing plan.”

Scott has been the vice president of Africare since May 2003, according to her bio.

Prior to joining Africare, Ms. Scott founded America to Africa Consulting, LLC, providing business development and advisory services. From 1998-2001 Ms. Scott held an appointment from the U.S. Department of Treasury as Advisor and Alternate to the U.S. Executive Director at the African Development Bank Group (ADB), where she helped to shape U.S. positions on Bank Group policy and programs. Before receiving this appointment, Ms. Scott served as a staff member of the African Development Bank from 1992-1998.

The High Country Global Opportunities Conference is open to the public. Event registration is now open.