Covenant College presents the second annual Brock Lecture Series on Authentic Christian Leadership, on Thursday, Jan. 24, with keynote speaker Steve Reinemund.
The Brock Lecture Series provides the opportunity to focus on biblical perspectives and applications in business and commerce. A day-long event, it includes a plenary lecture by a nationally recognized Christian business leader and other focused events for the Chattanooga business community as well as Covenant College alumni, students, and faculty.
The 2008 Brock Lecturer is Mr. Steve Reinemund, retired CEO and chairman of the board of PepsiCo. Mr. Reinemund exemplifies the meaning of authentic Christian leadership in the marketplace. He has lived out this core value both in the corporate world and as a volunteer for many organizations.
The public is invited to attend the plenary lecture by Mr. Reinemund at 11 a.m. in the chapel.
A 23-year PepsiCo veteran, Steve Reinemund served as the company’s chief executive officer from 2001 to 2006, and as chairman of the board until his retirement in May 2007. Prior to his roles as chairman and chief executive officer, Mr. Reinemund served as PepsiCo’s president and chief operating officer. He started his career with PepsiCo in 1984 at the Pizza Hut division, serving as Pizza Hut’s chief executive officer from 1986 until 1992.
Mr. Reinemund is a member of the board of directors of American Express, Exxon, Johnson & Johnson, Marriott, and the United States Naval Academy Foundation. His previous community service includes being chairman of the National Minority Supplier Development Council, chairman of the National Advisory Board for The Salvation Army, and chairman of the Corporate Board of Advisors for The National Council of La Raza.
A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy (1970), Mr. Reinemund served five years as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. He received a master’s of business administration from the University of Virginia (1978), and has been awarded honorary doctorates from Johnson and Wales University and Bryant University. He and his wife, Gail, have been married for over 30 years and have four children.
The Brock Lecture Series is an annual lectureship in honor of Dr. Frank Brock, former business executive, former Covenant College president, and founder and president of the Covenant College Foundation.
After serving as a hospital administrator in the US Air Force, Dr. Brock joined the family business, Brock Candy Company, the South’s largest candy manufacturer. He served as executive vice president until his departure in 1985 to join Brock Consultants, which helped improve company sales and profitability dramatically.
Dr. Brock then served as president of Covenant College from 1987 until 2002, when he was succeeded by Dr. Niel Nielson. During Dr. Brock’s tenure as president, the College experienced unprecedented growth in academic standing, enrollment, campus development, and Chattanooga presence. From then on Dr. Brock has continued to serve Covenant as president of the Covenant College Foundation, the entity he created to build Covenant’s endowment.
Dr. Brock and his wife, Dottie, have three children and 20 grandchildren.
The Brock Lecture Series is intended to celebrate and promote the Biblical emphasis on individuals being salt and light in the culture in pursuit of their vocation.