Mays honors 2014 Outstanding Alumni for their impact

Mays Business School recognized three of its most prolific graduates during the 23^rd annual Outstanding Alumni Banquet. Two of the honorees — Kevin McEvoy ’79 and Robert Jordan ’86 — received their MBAs from Mays, and Susan Reese McFarland ’83 received a bachelor’s degree in accounting.

When introducing the outstanding alumni at the banquet at Traditions Country Club, former Mays Dean Jerry Strawser noted that they all hold dear Texas A&M University’s Core Values. “These are the values they personify both in their personal lives and in their business lives,” he said. “They have all excelled in the business world and have given back mightily to their communities.” All three credited the business school with molding their characters.

McEvoy said for every story about negative business practices, there are “scores more of good, decent people standing up for their values.” Texas A&M teaches those values, and carries them out every day, he said. “Cynics say the American dream is dead. But I see the American dream alive and well, and I see it working for my children.”

McEvoy is president and chief executive officer of Oceaneering International, Inc., an advanced applied technology company that focuses on deep water engineered products and services for the oil and gas industry. The Houston-based publicly traded company employs more than 12,500 employees worldwide.

McEvoy graduated from Brown University with a biology and geology degree, and his 40-year career in offshore-related endeavors began in June 1972 upon entering the U. S. Navy. On active duty for four years, he was engaged in diving, salvage and submarine rescue duties. After leaving active duty, he earned his MBA from Texas A&M University in 1979.

McFarland said the value of her education at Texas A&M — a bachelor’s of business administration — has far exceeded her investment. The value comes not just from the academics, which are strong, but also from the opportunities offered to students. “The culture of involvement is what really propelled me and got me ready to work beyond college,” she said. “I had an opportunity to do so much — organizational skills, communications, problem solving and working with people. I entered the workforce prepared to approach anyone and do anything, with no hesitation.”

McFarland is a graduate of the Stanford Graduate School of Business Executive Program and is a Certified Public Accountant. She started her career as a senior auditor at Deloitte & Touche, then worked for more than 15 years at Bank One Corporation. She was executive vice president and CFO of Fannie Mae. Now she serves on the board of Exeter Financial Corporation and chairs the Audit & Risk Committee.

Jordan received a bachelor’s in computer science and an MBA from Texas A&M. He began his career at Hewlett-Packard as a programmer and a financial analyst. Currently, he serves as Southwest Airlines’ executive vice president and chief commercial officer, and he serves as president of Southwest subsidiary AirTran Airways.

Jordan recognized his family and friends at the banquet, then he thanked Marketing Professor Stephen McDaniel for his influence while Jordan was a student. “I still remember your advice and counsel about having balance in my life, and not getting too caught up in what my career would look like,” Jordan said. “These are not the most important things in life. I am glad you taught me that.”

ABOUT MAYS BUSINESS SCHOOL

Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School educates more than 5,600 undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students in accounting, finance, management, management information systems, marketing and supply chain management. Mays consistently ranks among the top public business schools in the country for its undergraduate and MBA programs, and for faculty research. The mission of Mays Business School is creating knowledge and developing ethical leaders for a global society.