Executives from HSN, Autonation and Kohler to Speak at UT’s Fellows Forum

The leaders of HSN Inc., AutoNation USA and Kohler Co. are slated to speak at The University of Tampa Fellows Forum on Wednesday, March 5, at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Ferguson Hall. A continental breakfast will be served at 7:15 a.m., and the program will run from 8–9:30.

Speakers include Mindy Grossman, CEO of HSN Inc.; Mike Jackson, chairman and CEO of AutoNation USA; and David Kohler, president and chief operating officer of Kohler Co.

Grossman oversees a $3.3 billion direct-to-consumer retail portfolio that includes HSN and the Cornerstone portfolio of home and family lifestyle brands. A 35-year veteran of the retail and apparel industries, Grossman joined IAC, HSNI’s former parent company in 2006 as CEO of IAC Retail. She took the company public in 2008, transforming HSN into a lifestyle network offering an exciting array of products, personalities and experiences.

Jackson joined AutoNation in 1999, and under his guidance the company set milestones that stand as testimony to his vision of the company as standard bearer for a more customer-focused, transparent and contemporary business. Before joining AutoNation, Jackson served as president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA.

Kohler oversees three of Kohler Co.’s four worldwide businesses — Kitchen and Bath Group, Global Power Group and Interiors Group — as well as Corporate Technical Services. Kohler Co. is a privately held global manufacturer and service provider with 52 manufacturing locations worldwide and more than 50 brands. Kohler first joined the company in 1988 and was named to the executive management team in 1993.

The forum will be moderated by Stacie Schaible of WFLA News Channel 8.

Tickets are $40 and may be purchased at www.tampachamber.com, or The University of Tampa at (813) 253-6220. Proceeds from the event go toward the Board of Fellows Endowed Scholarship, which supports students in the Sykes College of Business.

Since 1987, the Fellows Forum has been the annual flagship event for The University of Tampa Board of Fellows, bringing nationally-recognized executives to Tampa to share their business experiences. Last year’s forum attracted more than 1,000 attendees. This year’s presenting sponsor is Verizon. Platinum sponsors include Crowe Horwath, design styles architecture, the Tampa Bay Business Journal, Beck, UBS, Brown & Brown Insurance, P&J Printing Co., Hill Ward Henderson and the Straz Center for the Performing Arts

For more information, contact Alexandra Silence, UT director of community relations, at (813) 253-6200 or asilence@ut.edu.