William M. Sheedy, a West Virginia University alumnus who is an executive with Visa USA, is the latest confirmed speaker in the 60th Anniversary Celebration lecture series for the WVU College of Business and Economics.

He will address the University community and the general public Nov. 3 at 2 p.m. at the Waterfront Place Hotel.

As Visa Group President, Americas, Sheedy oversees the company’s client relationships with card issuers, merchants, merchant acquirers and third-party processors in North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean. He earned his bachelor’s degree in finance at WVU’s business school.

More recently, he served as president of North America and global head of corporate strategy and business development. Prior to his leadership role in Visa’s corporate restructuring in 2007 and successful initial public offering in 2008, he was responsible for expanding merchant acceptance and consumer usage of Visa, while providing oversight of areas responsible for industry cost and revenue studies, merchant incentive programs and improving the point-of-sale operating performance of Visa products. Sheedy has also been key in supporting Visa product and brand strategies as well as other initiatives that are critical to realizing Visa’s long-term growth potential.

“It is a privilege to have such a well-respected member of the international business community speak during our 60th Anniversary Celebration lecture series,” said Dr. Jose V. Sartarelli, Milan Puskar Dean of the College of Business and Economics. “What makes it even more special and meaningful is that Mr. Sheedy is a member of the B&E family.”

Sheedy joined Visa USA in May 1993. Prior to joining, he spent three years with Ford Motor Company’s First Nationwide Bank, where he was responsible for asset and liability planning and profit/expense forecasting. He earned an M.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame.

Along with Sheedy, the “B&E at 60 Lecture Series” includes Steven Leer, CEO, Arch Coal; Christine Poon, Dean of the Fisher College of Business at Ohio State University; Sheedy; and Kelly King, CEO of BB&T. Leer will speak on Sept. 20 at WVU’s Erickson Alumni Center at 6 p.m.; Poon will speak on Oct. 17 in Lecture Hall 459 in the Business and Economics Building on WVU’s main campus; and King will speak on Nov. 7 at WVU’s Erickson Alumni Center at 10 a.m.

“We are happy to be able to celebrate our 60th anniversary by providing speakers with such incredible achievement, and who will inspire various audiences at West Virginia University. We are in the process of scheduling speakers throughout this year-long celebration, speakers that have exceled during their outstanding careers,” said Sartarelli.

For a complete schedule of events for the WVU College of Business and Economics 60th Anniversary Celebration, go to www.be.wvu.edu .

-WVU-

mm/09/09/11

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CONTACT: Patrick Gregg
patrick.gregg@mail.wvu.edu or (304) 293-5131