Erol Kelter
"The leadership experience of being part of a team and the courseware associated with the program allowed me to effectively translate my experiences and apply the knowledge of leading a team of over a hundred active-duty Air Force personnel. The data analytics proved helpful as well while adjudicating fiscal requirements for the upcoming budgetary constraints that were facing my unit.”
Weekend Executive MBA
Industry:
Prior Education:
United States Air Force Academy
MS, Operational Warfare and Design, 2022
Reflections
My wife is an active-duty Air Force officer and we are expecting our first born shortly. The support I have received from Fuqua program managers has been outstanding. The balance between the program requirements, my professional requirements, and my personal commitments has been a challenge. However, I have made a concerted effort to strengthen my time management skills and frequently communicate with my wife, supervisors, and the program managers to successfully find an appropriate balance.
Before Fuqua
I served as the Director of Staff for the 61st Airlift Squadron. I directed a team of 10 executive personnel and managed tasks for 150 assigned personnel, including evaluations, appraisals, decorations, awards, permanent change of station, formal training, and professional military education.
After Fuqua
I will continue to fly for American Airlines as a First Officer while exploring entrepreneurial activities. I aspire to maintain my aviation currency and lead at the corporate level, leveraging my MBA as a future senior executive for American Airlines.
My Five Best WEMBA Experiences
- Duke Basketball Final Four Experience--being part of Team Fuqua during Coach K's final run was unforgettable!
- Career Management--I took full advantage of the Career Management offering within the program and attended various conferences throughout the US.
- Coach K Distinguished Speaker Event--Mentorship manifests itself in different ways and it was a blessing to hear from one of the greatest to ever coach collegiate basketball.
- Every in-person residency. They are just amazing!
- The two team-building activities at the beginning of Terms 1 and 3--These exercises allowed me to develop my relationships with my new teams and truly get to know them.