The Academy of Economics and Finance announced that Mr. Justin Redfearn McLain will be the J. Anderson Davis Lecturer at the 51st annual meeting to be held in Chattanooga, on Feb. 14. The conference is taking place at the Chattanoogan Hotel starting Thursday, and ending Saturday, Feb. 15. Mr. McLain’s keynote will begin at noon on Friday, Feb. 14.
The Academy of Economics and Finance creates and disseminates of knowledge in economics and finance through encouraging theoretical, empirical, applied, and educational research as well as faculty development through its teacher training program. Mr. McLain will speak to the members of the Academy about the practical application of what is taught in academia to real life business with the focus on the signifiance of educators’ personal impact on students.
Mr. McLain has an impressive track record as a community leader and business executive. Over the years, he has collaborated with the College of Charleston’s School of Business on projects such as first ever endowed faculty award for service leadership, business community outreach programs in entreprenuer education, the Student Investment Program, microfinance study abroad programs to Honduras/Dominican Republic, and student mentoring. Mr. McLain is often on campus as a guest lecturer for graduate and undergraduate business classes, sharing his insights on career development, entrepreneurship, business strategies, and leadership.
As Duart Mull’s Managing Partner, Mr. McLain is responsible for directing the investment activities of the funds held in its trust. McLain’s duties include: evaluating new investment opportunities, overseeing the activities of the outside fund managers, directly managing the firm’s private equity placements, enhancing the enterprise value of Duart Mull’s portfolio companies through active strategic involvement, and fostering investor and community relationships.
In addition to his position at Duart Mull, Mr. McLain is executive chairman of Endeavor and serves on boards for numerous corporations throughout North America and several academic and philanthropic organizations. Mr. McLain is a member of the Southern 7 chapter of The Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), serves on the AngelPool Southern Region Judging Committee, and is actively involved in mentoring and investing in entrepreneurs.
Mr. McLain has been repeatedly honored as a Fast 40 company leader as well as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist, and was named as one of Atlanta’s Top 25 Entrepreneurs by Business to Business Magazine.
Mr. McLain is a member of The College of Charleston’s Foundation Board, serving on its Audit, Finance, and Investment Committees. Mr. McLain also serves on the Board of Governors of The School of Business at The College of Charleston, including serving on its Nominating & Governance Committee and the Student Development Committee. In 2010, The college honored Mr. McLain with the Howard F. Rudd Business Person of the Year Award.
Mr. McLain earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, with a minor in Economics, as well as a Bachelor’s in Biology, from the College of Charleston. He was also a scholar of Asian languages, with a dual language focus in Mandarin Chinese and Japanese. Currently, Mr. McLain maintains residence in Atlanta.