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Published: January 23, 2019

Ashley Furniture’s Gene Lunger to Speak at UT Monday, Feb. 4

On Monday, Feb. 4, The University of Tampa will host Gene Lunger, executive vice president of retail operations (Ashley Homestores) for the global manufacturer Ashley Furniture Industries, as part of the Sykes College of Business’ TECO Energy Center for Leadership Speaker Series. Lunger’s presentation titled, “The Power of a Growth Mindset,” will begin at 4:30 p.m. in the Crescent Club on the ninth floor of the Vaughn Center.

Ashley is the world’s largest manufacturer of furniture, and the No.1 home furnishings retailer in North America. Lunger’s responsibilities encompass licensed store operations, business development, and licensee marketing and retail education.

With more than 30 years as a home furnishings retailer, Lunger’s approach to leadership has been influenced heavily by a lifetime of adventure in the outdoors, stretching and growing his personal comfort zone while climbing mountains across the U.S. The lessons learned at altitude give him a unique perspective on life, business growth, survival and success in a wildly evolving retail environment.

The TECO Energy Center for Leadership Speaker Series is dedicated to bringing outstanding leaders from the private, government and nonprofit sectors to campus to discuss business topics and corporate strategies with students and members of the community.

This event is free to registered students and guests. Reservations are required as there is limited seating.

For more information, contact Whitney Vance, coordinator of College of Business operations, at wvance@ut.edu or (813) 257-3782.


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