For the second year in a row, Greenville Business Magazine named Dr. Steven Nail, dean of the Anderson University College of Business, to its 50 Most Influential list for 2021.
Each year, Greenville Business Magazine selects 50 of the most influential men and women for making a lasting difference in the Upstate. The list is compiled following nominations from the community and research from the magazine’s staff.
“I’m very humbled by it and honored and somewhat surprised to be named—particularly to be named twice to the group,” Dr. Nail said. “I appreciate the fact that Anderson University had the confidence in me to lead the College of Business and its programs, including the Kim S. Miller Family Enterprise Institute of South Carolina. Most importantly, I’m thankful to the many leaders, mentors and friends who have contributed to my success over the years.”
Dr. Nail began his career with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) as an investigator and then an attorney. He then moved into the private sector, working as a general counsel/VP labor and employee relations at Michelin North America, and Hubbell as vice president of human resources. Dr. Nail also led a group of HR thought leaders for approximately 10 years. This select group of HR professionals that once met on a quarterly basis stepped up their frequency to weekly meetings when the COVID-19 Pandemic hit. Dr. Nail is gratified for the HR thought leader group’s supportive role in keeping abreast of best practices to help companies get through the pandemic.
Since taking the helm of the College of Business nearly six years ago, Dr. Nail has overhauled the business degree programs, expanded the number of business partnerships from 20 to more than 200 and organized numerous events for the area business community. He also initiated the Kim S. Miller Family Enterprise Institute of South Carolina and hired Brad Bechtold as its director. The Miller Institute assists family businesses in navigating the obstacles that stand in the way of sustaining those businesses over multiple generations. He also serves on several boards of businesses and nonprofit organizations.
Dr. Nail also co-hosts the Survive HR podcast, which has a growing audience across the U.S. and countries across Europe and other places. The podcast offers encouragement to HR professionals, shares cutting edge HR practices and keeps abreast on legislation and regulations that impact HR professionals and their companies.