RADFORD – Melissa S. Rosato, director of business development for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series sponsorship and a 1995 alumna of Radford University, will be the keynote speaker for the Radford University SunTrust Distinguished Speaker Series March 19-20.

Rosato will speak about her experiences building business-to-business relationships with Fortune 500 companies involved in NASCAR. She will also provide an overview of the Sprint Cup Series and how the business is activating sponsorship.

As director of business development, Rosato leads Sprint Nextel’s efforts to foster business opportunities with corporate sponsors, tracks and teams in the NASCAR community. She also works with technology experts in developing various ways to bring fans a step closer to their favorite drivers. As a result, products such as FanView have been created featuring live, in-car video feeds. The product was named a TIME Best Invention in 2006.

Rosato is actively involved in the Autism Society, utilizing her business relationships to help raise money for children diagnosed with autism. She is also a founding member of the NASCAR Fuel for Business Council. Rosato earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing from RU where she remains an active alumna, participating in the President’s Advisory Council.

To learn more about the SunTrust Distinguished Speaker Series and to make reservations, please contact Mary Weeks at (540) 831-5382 or mweeks@radford.edu.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008
9 a.m. and again at 5 p.m.
“The Race to Connect: the Business Horsepower Behind NASCAR”
Public Lecture
Bonnie Auditorium

10-11:30 a.m.
“A Winning Job Search”
Roundtable Discussion with RU Students
Career Center, Walker Hall

12-1:30 p.m.
“Learn to be a Winner”
Luncheon with RU Students
Hurlburt Combo Room 249/250
Please contact cpund@radford.edu for complimentary tickets. Appropriate dress is required. Hosted by Delta Sigma Pi and Collegiate Entrepreneurs

4-4:50 p.m.
“Professional Corporate Selling”
Delta Sigma Pi Club Meeting
Waldron 223
Open to RU students

Thursday, March 20, 2008
8-10 a.m.
“The Race to Connect: the Business Horsepower Behind NASCAR”
Breakfast Meeting Presentation
The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center
Downtown Roanoke
Complimentary meal and parking are available.

All events are free of charge. The SunTrust Distinguished Speaker Series is hosted by the RU College of Business and Economics and is supported by a commitment from SunTrust. Past speakers have included Terry Hansen, head of retail at Google Inc.; Bobby Griffin, entrepreneur and owner of Griffin Enterprises; Gregory Miller, chief economist of SunTrust Banks Inc.; and Bharath Kadaba, vice president of media engineering at Yahoo!