VERMILLION, S.D. – During troubled economic times, Chuck Gallagher isn’t afraid to share his story of success – and how he lost it all. Gallagher, a business executive and motivational speaker, will be a guest of the Beacom School of Business of The University of South Dakota Business Ethics Symposium on Monday, April 27 at 7 p.m. in the Wayne S. Knutson Theatre.
University of South Dakota Business Ethics Symposium
Gallagher, a former CPA who lost everything because of poor choices, will present the program “Choices: Negative Consequences, Positive Results” where he will discuss some of the decisions he made in his attempts to make a better life for he and his family. Gallagher eventually lost it all, spent time in federal prison, but has found success again by making the right choices – personally and professionally.
“My lecture deals with issues of business ethics, particularly the choices we make in life and the consequences that follow,” says Gallagher. “Having been a successful CPA in the 80s, spent time in federal prison in the 90s and risen to the level of senior VP in a public company in the 2000s, I can speak from experience that I’ve lived with negative consequences thanks to some very stupid choices I made. But I’ve also had some incredible positive results based on the choices I made after spending time in a federal prison.”
Gallagher’s message is sure to resonate with students who are seeking answers on what it takes to be successful in today’s business world despite the presence of poor ethics and negative consequences. Ultimately, he explains, it’s about students differentiating themselves – positively – from their peers.
“I’m the poster child of what not to do,” he admits. “Ethical issues aren’t always black and white. If you want to be successful, ask the question ‘what are you doing to differentiate yourself?’”
A professional speaker, business entrepreneur, and sales executive, Gallagher has led a $40 million sales region with 125 sales representatives and started his own training business with projects in 30 states. Gallagher currently helps employees increase their sales results and skills while realizing the ramifications of their ethical choices. In addition to addressing students and audiences at colleges and universities throughout the United States, Gallagher also shares his business ethics message with business-related and health care related organizations.
“Choices: Negative Consequences, Positive Results” is made possible by the Beacom Opportunity Fund and the Arthur A. Volk Symposium. The Beacom Opportunity Fund provides resources for initiatives that promote the Beacom School of Business’s students and programs. Funding from the Volk Symposium affords opportunities for the business school to bring together students, academicians, and business leaders for discussion of current topics of interest. For more information about “Choices: Negative Consequences, Positive Results,” please contact the Beacom School of Business at (605) 677-5455.
A photograph of Gallagher is available for download at www.usd.edu/urelations/images/Chuck_Gallagher.jpg.
About The University of South Dakota
Founded in 1862, The University of South Dakota is designated as the only public liberal arts university in the state and is home to a comprehensive College of Arts and Sciences, School of Education, the state’s only School of Law, School of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, the accredited Beacom School of Business and the College of Fine Arts. It has an enrollment of approximately 9,200 students taught by 400 faculty members. More information is available at www.usd.edu/press/news.
