The focus of the presentation will be succeeding with competition, changing management, team building and meeting customer needs.

Born in Cleveland, Gade earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and a master's of business administration in marketing from Ohio State University. In his early career he served as an executive vice president for Associates First Capital Corporation and developed and managed Internet activities, corporate marketing, new business initiative and strategic acquisition.

Currently Gade is the senior vice president of merchandising and marketing for 7-Eleven.

His position involves leading the teams that develop new products and programs, improving the company's product assortment and leading the strategic marketing initiatives including advertising and promotions.

"I think business students should come hear Michael speak because he has a lot of insight from his experience and after the speech there will be a question-and-answer session where he will be able to answer questions regarding strategic marketing, 7-Eleven topics, advertising and subjects of that nature," said Amy Evans, marketing person for the College of Business Administration.

Gade believes that the business world is more competitive than ever.

"The demands of a senior executive or any young growing and developing executive are almost unreasonable," Gade said.

"It has become a world of up or out; a world where you are ranked A B C D and D's are forced out, et cetera."

Gade currently serves on the NT advisory board for the College of Business Administration, and he will be an adjunct to lecture in the marketing department next year lending this lecture to give students a chance to preview his style.

"The most exciting thing about working in the business world which coincides with the scariest factor is change," Gade said.

"And the fact that I get to mentor and watch talented young executives grow, develop and succeed."

Gade said that students should come to the lecture because it will be relevant to other industries, very thought-provoking and fun.

Profile: Michael Gade

* Earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and a master's of business administration in marketing from Ohio State

* Currently, Gade is the senior vice president of merchandising and marketing for 7-Eleven

bjr0027@unt.edu

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