Members of Howard Payne University’s chapter of Phi Beta Lambda, an international business honor society, recently attended the PBL 2016 State Leadership Conference at The University of Texas in Dallas. Five members advanced to the PBL National Leadership Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, June 24-27.

Those advancing to nationals are Hannah Ball, junior from Justin, second place in information management; Allan Chehadi, senior from Austin, second place in Job Interviews; Jessica Harris, junior from Brownwood, second place in Management Concepts; Jody Loudamy, senior from Goldthwaite, second place in Business Presentation and third place in Entrepreneur Concepts; and Rachel Mahagan, senior from Georgetown, first place in Administrative Technology and second place in Computer Concepts.

Harris, Loudamy and Mahagan also competed at the 2015 PBL National Leadership Conference held in Chicago, Illinois, with Mahagan taking sixth place in the nation in Computer Concepts.  Travis Moraga, sophomore from Little Elm, also competed in Chicago last year, but was unable to compete this year due to scheduling conflicts.

In addition to representing HPU in competitions, students had the opportunity to attend skill-building workshops.

“I’m really excited about the national conference this year,” said Loudamy, who serves as the chapter’s vice president. “We didn’t know what to expect before, but now we are ready.”

Phi Beta Lambda is the university division of Future Business Leaders of America, the largest career student organization in the world. Each year, the organization helps more than 200,000 members prepare for careers in business.

Mike Daub, associate professor of accounting, serves as the chapter’s adviser.

“I’m very proud of all of our Phi Beta Lambda members,” he said. “They represented HPU very well and I look forward to seeing them compete at the national competition.”

According to Daub, the mission of Phi Beta Lambda is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs.

“I appreciate the goals that PBL has put into place to work toward fulfilling that mission,” he said. “One of these goals is to create more interest in and understanding of American business enterprise which coincides with our School of Business aim that ‘Students will gain an understanding and appreciation for the American Free Enterprise System as the force that has made possible the opportunity and realities of growth that American business has experienced.’”

Pictured above: Members of HPU’s chapter of Phi Beta Lambda (left to right) are Jody Loudamy, Mike Daub (adviser), Jessica Harris and Allan Chehadi. Not pictured are Hannah Ball and Rachel Mahagan.