The University of Tennessee Southern is proud to present the Speer Distinguished Entrepreneur Series, an initiative designed to connect students, alumni, and the broader community with successful entrepreneurs. This series will feature accomplished business leaders sharing insights from their entrepreneurial journeys, with events held three times a year beginning in Spring 2025. The series is made possible through the generous support of the Speer family and additional university partners.
This event will take place on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, featuring distinguished entrepreneur Don Denbo. The lecture will be held at 5:00 PM in Gault Auditorium and will be live-streamed for stakeholders who cannot attend in person. The event is free and open to the public.
About Don Denbo
Denbo is a serial entrepreneur with a diverse portfolio spanning recycling, railroads, restaurants, software, and hospitality. He is the co-founder of Commercial Insurance Associates (CIA), one of the nation’s leading property and casualty insurance firms, where he continues to serve as Executive Chairman.
Beyond his business success, Denbo has a rich and varied background. He enrolled at the University of Tennessee in 1967, excelling academically while also playing football for the Tennessee Volunteers. During his time on the team, UT achieved a 28-5-1 record, an SEC Championship, and a Sugar Bowl victory. He was a Rhodes Scholar finalist and a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete.
Denbo holds a Ph.D. in economics from the London School of Economics and has been published in The New Yorker for his poetry. He has also been a well-known radio personality, hosting the popular show “Football Finals”. Most recently, in 2024, he made a generous contribution to establish the Denbo Center for Humanities and the Arts at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
The Speer Distinguished Entrepreneur Series is designed to provide UT Southern students, alumni, and the local business community with the opportunity to interact with industry leaders. Lectures will be recorded and made available on the UT Southern website, allowing long-term accessibility and continued learning opportunities. Future events will be scheduled for early Fall, mid-Winter, and late Spring each year.
For more event information and updates, please visit our website at utsouthern.edu. Livestream of the event may be accessed by clicking here: https://qrco.de/DESDenbo.