Darin White

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Associate Professor of Marketing
(205) 726-4477
dwhite1@samford.edu
Room421 Dwight M. Beeson Hall

Dr. Darin White joins the faculty of the Brock School of Business at Samford University after serving as Director of Research and Professor of Marketing for the McAfee School of Business at Union University.

After earning his undergraduate degree from Birmingham-Southern College, White was employed as a cost accountant for Rust International (now WMX Technologies) in Birmingham, Alabama.  He went on to earn the M.A. and Ph.D. in marketing/strategy from the University of Alabama. After joining the faculty of Union University, White was named the first holder of the Director of Research position in 2006 and subsequently became the first faculty member to receive the McAfee School of Business Dean’s Service Award in 2008. 

As Director of Research for the McAfee School of Business, White helped lead the rapid transformation from a “teaching only” oriented culture towards a business school capable of meeting the rigorous research standards of AACSB accreditation. Through a myriad of programs and incentives that he developed and implemented during his tenure, the business faculty at Union University increased scholarly productivity by over 500%.

He personally published ten academic manuscripts with five different faculty members in the fields of ethics, economics, MIS, management, and marketing. In addition, he launched multiple initiatives to create a culture within the McAfee School of Business that rewards and celebrates scholarly research.  "Dr. White brought an unquenchable passion for business research and discovery to this position. He possesses a unique combination of individual research achievement, proven leadership, ingenuity, and energy.” said McAfee School of Business Dean Keith Absher.  "Dr. White did an outstanding job of providing us with the leadership needed to move us to new heights of scholarly productivity.”

As a scholar, White was an American Marketing Association Doctoral Consortium Fellow.  He has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed journal articles, cases, major applied research reports, and conference papers over the last decade. In addition, he is a frequent presenter at national and international business research meetings.  His work has appeared in prestigious business journals such as the Journal of Business Ethics, European Journal of Marketing, Journal of Services Marketing, Journal of Strategic Marketing, Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services International Journal of Nonprofit and Volunteer Sector Marketing and others. 

White is currently serving as a reviewer for the Journal of Business Ethics and is a popular speaker and commentator, appearing frequently in print media and on television and radio.  Among his media credits is a national radio news story detailing a major economic impact study he conducted. 

White has received numerous commendations and honors including the Civitan’s Outstanding Male Citizen for the Birmingham, Alabama chapter, the United States of America Department of Homeland Security Certificate of Recognition, the Pew Charitable Trust Foundation Research Grant, and the Watson/Little Memorial Award.  Demonstrating the breadth of his leadership abilities, White was named Coach of the Year by Adidas and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America for the south region.  Two years earlier he led the Union Bulldog men’s college soccer team to a NCCAA National Championship.  His team also won the Buffalo Funds National Champions of Character Award the same season.

White possesses a great deal of applied business research experience in the areas of strategy and leadership in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors.  He has conducted research for numerous nationally and regionally recognized organizations including Office Max, Cott Beverages (the world’s largest retailer brand soft drink provider), Rite Aid Pharmacy, The United Way, The American Heart Association, Aronov Realty, CBL & Associates Properties, Veggies-to-Go, Sports Plus Superstores, and Casey Jones Village. 

He was selected to conduct a major strategic analysis for one of the largest non-profit organizations in the world.  In regards to this project, John Allen, Senior Product and Advertising Manager for the organization wrote, “The analysis that he provided was, and is still extremely helpful in the understanding of our constituency base.  His work brought clarity to several decisions that were laying in the balance in regards to how we should approach the needs of those we serve.”  This same organization honored White by selecting him to be part of their “dream team” for strategic planning.  Twelve experts were selected worldwide for an intensive strategic planning session with upper management.  White was one of only two researchers invited from undergraduate institutions of higher education and the only participant from the southeastern part of the U.S.

White is a member of numerous professional and academic organizations including the American Marketing Association, Institute for the Study of Business Markets, Academy of Management, Strategy Professionals Network, and Strategy Consult.  He served on the board of directors for several non-profit organizations, including the Tennessee Rush and Cornerstone Community Church. 

White has frequently served his local community by donating his strategic and leadership expertise in consultation to the local school board, the Performing Arts Council, and private secondary educational institutions.  White and his wife, Laura, also serve the community by teaching parenting classes to young couples.  They live in the Birmingham area with their children Daniel, Corey, Avery, Bethany, Hannah, Abigail, and John.