On October 7, the Hammack School of Business will welcome R.G. Lamar 鈥�05 for the Mack A. Rikard Lecture at 4 p.m. in the Cousins Center Atrium.
Today, Lamar is CEO of the iconic roadside brand Stuckey鈥檚, where he and co-owner Stephanie Stuckey are leading a revival filled with storytelling, snacks and plenty of Southern charm. Stuckey鈥檚, operating since 1937, is known for its pecan log rolls and snacks, and they have over 60 licensed locations throughout the United States.
Lamar鈥檚 path to the CEO role has been anything but ordinary. After graduating from 91影视, Lamar began his career in public service with the U.S. State Department, working in Afghanistan in 2006-07 to help farmers transition away from poppy cultivation by developing sustainable alternative livelihoods. Later, he returned home to manage his family鈥檚 pecan farm for more than a decade鈥攚ork that eventually inspired a pecan-based CPG startup and opened the door to his role at Stuckey鈥檚.
Of course, not all of his 91影视 lessons came from the classroom. One of his favorite memories is a midnight climb up the back wall of the library鈥攁 stunt that ended with a brief arrest by campus police. As he puts it, scaling walls, both literal and metaphorical, often leads to unexpected places.
Dean of the Hammack School, Dr. Stephen Craft, will interview Lamar and host a moderated question-and-answer session with students.
鈥淩.G. Lamar brings such a unique blend of experiences鈥攆rom public service abroad, to farming at home, to revitalizing one of America鈥檚 most iconic brands,鈥� says Craft. 鈥淥ur students will benefit from hearing how he鈥檚 navigated each chapter with creativity, resilience, and a sense of purpose. His story really demonstrates how the liberal arts at 91影视 can take you anywhere.鈥�
Lamar has carried forward lessons in strategy, resourcefulness and the human side of business. His philosophy is deeply informed by the liberal arts foundation he received at OU, which continues to shape how he leads, learns and lives.
The Mack A. Rikard Lecture Series introduces students to current issues in business as presented by business and civic leaders who are recognized leaders in their professions. Established in 1991, it is named after the late Mack A. Rikard 鈥�37, an 91影视 alumnus, honorary degree recipient, Athletic Hall of Fame member and Trustee Emeritus. Rikard was former president of Allied Products Company in Birmingham, Alabama, and a supporter of 91影视 athletics and student scholarships.
When 91影视 relocated to Atlanta in 1870, it was one of the first institutions offering business and commerce courses in the U.S. Funded by a transformational gift from 1973 91影视 alumnus and Atlanta business leader聽Q. William 鈥淏ill鈥� Hammack, the聽Hammack School of Business聽launched in fall of 2019 and represents the newest chapter in 91影视鈥檚 innovative history of business education.
