Appalachian State University recently launched The Hickory Leadership Forum, with a focus on “Leading with Compassion.”
The first event, featuring business and corporate leaders, was held September 16 at the App State Hickory Campus.
Dr. Sandra Vannoy '94, '96, dean of the App State Walker College of Business, moderated the panel of local business and corporate leaders:
- Brad Lail, vice president of Hickory Furniture Mart and hotelier
- Guy Holbrook '96, executive vice president of sales for Century Furniture
- Lori Alala '90, equity partner at Broome Insurance
- Darrell Johnson, senior vice president of First Horizon Bank
- Robert Lackey, CEO and owner of Imagine One Companies
The panel explored the need to understand and empathize with employees while guiding an organization toward common goals. They agreed that balancing compassion with productivity involves clear communication, setting realistic expectations, and leading by example. Specifically, the panelists encouraged emerging leaders to engage locally with non-profits and volunteer opportunities to build community and empathy. The four-part series aims to connect current and emerging leaders in the local community through panel discussions exploring what it means to lead with compassion.
The event is sponsored by the Chancellor’s Innovation Scholars Program in partnership with the Art of Compassion, a Hickory-based community initiative whose mission is to “inspire and promote compassion, kindness and love for others through education, arts and entertainment.”
Register Online for Future Hickory Leadership Forum Events
Future panel discussions will feature education leaders (Oct. 21, 2024), health care (Feb. 17, 2025) and community and civic initiatives (March 24, 2025).
App State students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to attend these free events, but registration is required.
About the panelists
Dr. Sandra Vannoy BSBA '94, MBA '96, moderator
Dr. Sandra Vannoy has served as dean of the Walker College of Business since February 2020. Under her leadership, the college launched a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity and an online MBA. Previously serving as associate dean for graduate programs and research, Vannoy was instrumental in implementing a Master of Science in Applied Data Analytics program in 2016. Vannoy joined App State's faculty in the Department of Computer Information Systems in 1998 and is a two-time App State alumna, holding a BSBA and an MBA from the Walker College. Vannoy earned a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Brad Lail
A fifth-generation resident of Catawba County, Brad Lail graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He currently serves as vice president of Hickory Furniture Mart and has played key roles in several hotel projects that have bolstered the local economy. Over the course of 16 years on the Hickory City Council, Lail helped shape the city’s growth and development. Lail also serves on the board of the Hickory Conover Tourism Development Authority and is an appointee to the North Carolina Board of Transportation, where he helps steer the state’s infrastructure and transportation efforts.
Guy Holbrook MBA '96
Guy Holbrook is the executive vice president of sales for Century Furniture, with 30 years of experience in the high-end furniture business — working with retail stores and design partners throughout the United States and Canada. Prior to joining Century in 2016, Holbrook was vice president of sales at Belle Meade Signature for five years, after having served for 16 years as vice president of sales at Classic Leather. Guy graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.S. in economics and from Appalachian State University with an MBA.
Lori Alala BSBA '90
Lori Alala received her BSBA from Appalachian State University, with a double major in risk management and insurance and real estate and urban analysis. Alala became a partner at Broome Insurance in 2013, after several years of serving in the Hickory community in the life insurance industry. Alala has served on numerous industry boards, including roles with the North Carolina Department of Insurance Life and Health Agents Advisory Committee and the local chapter of the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals, where she has been recognized as an Honor Council recipient and Leading Producers Round Table Soaring Eagle. She has also served on the Brantley Risk Management and Insurance Board at App State. Additionally, she has volunteered with numerous community-based organizations, including YMCA of Catawba Valley, the Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministries Board, the City of Hickory Business Development Committee, the Catawba Valley Chamber Foundation and the Hickory High Parent Teacher Association.
Darrell Johnson
A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Darrell Johnson is senior vice president of First Horizon Bank, where he focuses on providing business and commercial banking services.
A resident of Hickory since 1986, Johnson serves on the boards of multiple community organizations and nonprofits, including YMCA of Catawba Valley, the Catawba County Chamber of Commerce, the Hickory Public Schools Foundation and the Children’s Advocacy and Protection Center. Johnson is also involved with Carolina Caring, the Exodus Foundation and the Salvation Army.
Robert Lackey
Robert Lackey is a graduate of Elon University, with a B.S. in business and a concentration in marketing and accounting. Lackey is the owner and CEO of Imagine One Hospitality, a group of restaurants with locations across the Carolinas and Tennessee. In his role, Lackey oversees management initiatives, finance and partner relations and strategic corporate direction, in addition to acting as liaison between board members and key employees.
Lackey is also CEO of Hickory-based Protect Plus and Protect Plus Air Holdings.
From left are Robert Lackey, Brad Lail, Lori Alala '90, Sandra Vannoy '94 '96, Darrell Johnson, and Guy Holbrook '96
Photo by Jackson Shoe