Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance

David A. Thompson Distinguished Scholar of Applied Investments

Ph.D., Finance (Collateral in Economics), University of Tennessee
MBA, International Business, Appalachian State University
B.S., Finance & Banking, Appalachian State University
B.S., Risk Management & Insurance, Appalachian State University 

Teaching:

FIN 3680 - Intro. to Finance

FIN 4535 - Financial Modeling & Valuation

FIN 4620/2 - Investment Management I and II

FIN 4850 - FinTech/InsureTech

FIN 5850 - Global Perspectives in FinTech & InsureTech for Graduate Students

Professional Recognition:

2025 UNC Board of Governors School/College Excellence in Teaching Award

2023 Walker College of Business Sywassink Award for Excellence in Teaching

2020 Walker College of Business Sywassink Award for Excellence in Research 

Recent Media Contributions:

What does 2025 hold for interest rates, inflation and the American consumer?

Market trust at stake: What the Supreme Court’s ruling in SEC v. Jarkesy means for investors

When can we stop worrying about rising prices? The latest inflation report offers no easy answers

2024 economic outlook: Can a recession be avoided?

Economic lookahead: As we ring in 2024, can the US economy continue to avoid a recession?

Sam Bankman-Fried was convicted of fraud following the collapse of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX. Here’s what investors need to know

Small businesses seek to avoid possible credit crunch as Federal Reserve raises rates once more

Small businesses 'holding up pretty well' despite high inflation, tight credit

US regulators avoided a banking crisis by swift action following SVB’s collapse – but the cracks it exposed continue to weaken the global financial system’s foundation

Cryptocurrency—has the bubble burst?

Dramatic collapse of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX contains lessons for investors but won’t affect most people

Research Interests:

Corporate Finance, Corporate Governance, Executive Compensation, Political Influence in Finance, Entrepreneurial Finance, and FinTech

Selected Publications:

“A Game of Thrones - Dynamics of Internal CEO Succession and Outcome,” (2022). European Financial Management.

"When CEOs Adapt: An Investigation of Manager Experience, Policy and Performance Following Recessions," (2021). Journal of Corporate Finance.

“Financial Consequences of Reputational Damage: Evidence from Government Economic Incentives,” (2021). The Financial Review.

“Political Sensitivity in the U.S. Bond Market: Evidence from Government Contractors,” (2020). Corporate Governance.

"Executive Compensation and Political Sensitivity:  Evidence from Government Contractors," (2019). Journal of Corporate Finance.

"Determinants of Disclosures of Alternative Pay Measures and Their Role in Say on Pay Approval," (2017). Managerial Finance.