Lincoln Memorial University School of Business doctoral student Maria Haun, of Knoxville, gained a seat in the 10th class of the Greater Knoxville Business Journal’s 40 Under 40.
The Greater Knoxville Business Journal 40 Under 40 honors 40 individuals younger than 40 years of age who are leaving an imprint on the Knoxville area through their professional and philanthropic efforts. The group of individuals range from physicians, lawyers, bankers, entrepreneurs and more.
Haun serves as the chief marketing officer at Commercial Bank. In that role, she has managed a rebranding for the bank. Haun has developed a new logo, tagline, mission statement and expanded community outreach. Under her direction in marketing, Commercial Bank has sponsored the annual Phillip Fulmer Golf Tournament to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley, The Philip Fulmer Roast benefiting Second Harvest, the American Heart Association in Tri-Cities, Alzheimer’s Tennessee and supported WWE wrestler Kane’s anti-bullying campaigns in schools through the Kindness Revolution.
“I’m proud because what we set out to do as a team for Commercial Bank is being accomplished. With the rebrand, we focused on the good that Commercial Bank does because that is the heart of the company and every employee that works here,” Haun said. “If I am being recognized for such things, it is because we as a team are accomplishing them, no one person can do it on their own.”
Haun began her career as an assistant regional manager for DeVry University in 2000 where her talent for marketing developed. While there, she gained experience in rebranding companies and leading corporate marketing strategies for a range of businesses. She ran her own marketing consulting business prior to joining Commercial Bank in May of 2015. The bank tasked Haun with exploring a new brand and building a stronger market presence in the communities of East Tennessee and Kentucky.
Haun earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing from the University of Tennessee, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from LMU and is currently pursuing a doctorate of business administration from LMU.
The School of Business faculty is proud to see Maria’s career achievements recognized by the Greater Knoxville Business Journal,” DBA Program Director Jacob Fait said. “She has dedicated herself as a lifelong learner. It is exciting to watch her take lessons and theory from our DBA program and apply them to her work at Commercial Bank.”
Marketing was not always in the plan for Haun, who aspired to be a cardiologist before realizing her dream came with a very emotional side of medicine and she switched gears to concentrate on her creative background. “I have always been creative with drawing, painting murals, designing floral arrangements and enjoyed interior design so I decided to look into something that could use those talents” said Haun.
Haun is a MarCom Platinum Award recipient (2016), MarCom Gold Award recipient (2013, 2016), Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals member, American Marketing Association member, Graphic Design USA member (2013), and a AMA Crystal Award finalist (2013).
Future goals for Haun include finishing her own book on marketing strategy and completing her doctorate in December of 2018. With the degree from LMU, she aspires to teach others to be proactive in their management, business strategy, marketing and company growth. Haun currently resides in Knoxville with her husband, Robby, and three daughters, Sydney, Kendyl and Blakely.
