Frank Butler | Professor, Researcher, and Co-Host of The Busyness Paradox
Frank Butler (PhD, Florida State University) is the Richard X. Zhang Endowed Professor in Business and Faculty Director of the Veterans Entrepreneurship Program in the Gary W. Rollins College of Business at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
He teaches Strategic Management, the capstone course for undergraduate and graduate business students, and Project Management, the capstone for undergraduate Management majors. He also leads the strategy capstone in the college’s executive education leadership program.
Frank was the first faculty member in the college to create faculty-led study abroad programs, taking students to Mexico and Germany to study international business. He is a strong believer in experiential learning and received the Think Achieve Faculty Award in 2014 for his work in this area.
Research and Academic Contributions
Frank is an active researcher focused on understanding how organizations can unlock greater potential and performance. In 2017, he received the Rollins College of Business Outstanding Faculty Research and Creative Achievement Award.
He has contributed to more than 40 journal articles, book chapters, conference papers, and invited presentations. His work has appeared in outlets such as Harvard Business Review and Business Horizons, as well as leading academic journals including the Journal of Management and the Journal of Business Research.
He currently serves as an associate editor for Organization Management Journal and Sustainability.
Consulting and Professional Work
Frank applies an evidence-based management approach to his consulting work. He partners with entrepreneurs, small business owners, nonprofit leaders, and senior executives on a wide range of challenges.
His work includes developing business plans, advising on corporate strategy, and supporting strategic change initiatives. He also delivers training on strategic planning, fundraising, and board governance for both nonprofit and for-profit organizations.
Industry and International Experience
Before entering academia, Frank co-founded an IT networking business while attending the University of Georgia.
After graduating, he worked for Kreg Corporation, a software firm focused on decision support systems for hospitals. He was later selected for a yearlong study abroad program in Germany sponsored by the U.S. government and the German Bundestag.
During this time, he interned with PC-Ware Information Technologies AG in Leipzig. The internship became a full-time role, where he worked in international sales and partnerships for two additional years.
In this role, he helped build global sales programs, developed international partnerships, and supported acquisitions and post-acquisition integration efforts. These experiences ultimately led him to pursue doctoral studies in strategic management.
After returning to the United States, he worked for BearingPoint on the Cingular Wireless and BellSouth merger before beginning his PhD at Florida State University.
Boards and Advisory Roles
Frank currently serves on the Board of Directors of EIRSystems, Inc., a startup focused on improving the e-prescribing process and reducing prescription drug abuse.
He also serves on the advisory board of Solas Bioventures, a venture capital firm focused on early-stage healthcare technologies, and on the advisory board of the UTC SMILE Fund, an undergraduate-managed investment fund with more than $600,000 in assets.
Personal
Frank is married to his wife, Endia. They met in July 2017 and were married later that same year.
They share several interests, including traveling, LEGO, and horror and thriller films. More than anything, they enjoy spending time together.
Publications
For a full list of publications, visit his Google Scholar page or ResearchGate profile.