Gary May

Dr. Gary May brings a unique background and perspective to the subject of strategic planning for small businesses.  He grew up working in a family wholesale distribution business, May & Company, Inc.  Joining the business full time after graduating from Duke University with a degree in business, Gary helped lead the company to consistent sales and profit growth over an 18-year period.

In 1985, the family sold the company to McKesson Corp., a national distribution firm, and Gary returned to school to complete his masters and doctorate in Human Resource Development at Georgia State University.   While in school, Gary continued to work for McKesson in the areas of training, leadership development, and strategic planning.

In 1994, Gary joined a senior executive team assigned to turn around a McKesson division.  As Senior Vice President and Chief Learning Officer (CLO), he was responsible for facilitating the strategic planning process and leading change through the integrated use of performance technology, training, communications, knowledge management, and organizational development.  After a successful turn around and sale of the division, Gary retired in 2000 to teach, research, and consult.

Gary is currently Professor of Management in the School of Business at Clayton State University, a senior unit of the University System of Georgia.  He teaches Strategic Management and Leadership Communication at both the undergraduate and graduate level.  His consulting practice focuses on working with small businesses in the areas of strategic planning, communications, and leadership development.  His research has been published in respected journals such as Personnel Psychology, Business Communication Quarterly, The Journal of Business Communication, Human Resource Development Review, Advances in Developing Human Resources, and Journal of Management Education.

Gary is an active member of a number of professional associations, including the Association of Professional Communication Consultants, Association for Business Communication, Academy of Management, and Strategic Management Society.  He has received numerous awards, including the School of Business Meritorious Award for Teaching, the School’s Outstanding Professor Award, the University’s Alice Smith Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence, and the School of Business Faculty Fellows award.