Cindi Napier ’93, MBA ’95

“It really was an incredible experience to attend Radford University while Maya Angelou was a visiting professor,” says Cindi Napier ’93, MBA ’95. “Maya Angelou once said that ‘people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel,’” explains Napier. “I use this quote daily to help create experiences that are timeless and memories that last forever for our group guests at The Greenbrier.”

As Director of Group Sales for The Greenbrier, Napier leads a team of regional managers who work to bring groups of 10 to 1,000 to the world-class resort located in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. “I work with corporate groups, organizations and associations to bring retreats, conferences, reunions and everything in-between to The Greenbrier,” Napier says. “We host over 500 meetings per year.”

Napier’s employment with The Greenbrier sprung from a rather unfortunate event. “I began my career selling life insurance in Lewisburg, West Virginia,” she explains. “I was working with the human resources department of The Greenbrier on a group insurance plan when our office burned down.

“I had no idea what my next step would be. The next thing I know, I was being offered a position with The Greenbrier. I saw it as a great opportunity to make a career change, so I decided to make the leap.”

It has been nearly 20 years since Napier took a leap of faith, and she has not regretted it once. “It has been a wonderful career. I have met so many wonderful people from all around the country. There is such a family atmosphere here – it truly is a joy to come to work every day.”

Her time at Radford University can help explain how Napier had the self-assurance to begin a new career after her original had ended so abruptly. “Radford University’s size allowed me to become involved in different interests,” she explains. “The people there gave me the confidence that I would not have received elsewhere.”

The size of the university and the intimacy of its education was exactly what made Radford University appeal to Napier. “I decided that I did not want to be just a number when going to college, but I also did not want to attend a small school,” Napier says. “I loved the size of Radford University as well its student-to-teacher ratio. Yet the school still had the amenities of a larger university.”

As a Highlander, Napier became active in various activities and organizations, including the Student Government Association. There she would work side-by-side with Dean of Students Bonnie Hurlburt. “She was an amazing leader and role model for me,” Napier says of Hurlburt.

As her education entered its post-graduate phase, Napier had the opportunity to work with another of Radford University’s esteemed faculty, finance professor Clarence Rose. “As a graduate assistant in my MBA program, I worked with Dr. Rose. He was truly an incredible mentor and leader. I gained valuable real life experience working for him. “

“As an undergraduate business student, he encouraged me to continue my education and I am so thankful that I did,” Napier continued. “He gave me the confidence to follow my path and helped guide my career.”

Reflecting upon her time at Radford University, Napier only regrets that she has not been back to the University in a few years. “I have heard the new College of Business and Economics building, Kyle Hall, is phenomenal.

“Radford University was, and still is, the ideal learning environment.”