Millions of people have watched Carolyn Kepcher at work in the boardroom on Donald Trumps NBC showThe Apprentice.A thriving business executive, Kepcher is widely viewed as a relentless judge of character on the highly successful reality series. What people might not know is that Kepcher also oversees more than 250 Trump employees and manages two of his golf clubs.

Kepcher will share her views onEthical Leadership in Businessat 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 7, in the Mountainlair Ballrooms. Her presentation is part of West Virginia Universitys Festival of Ideas lecture series.

Kepcher has been with the Trump Organization since 1994. As executive vice president of the Trump Organization and chief operating officer and general manager for the Trump National Golf Clubs in New York and New Jersey, Kepcher oversees day-to-day operations and is a key player in the development of future Trump golf properties.

Known for being an astute, highly effective business leader, Kepcher was involved with all aspects of the start-up of Trumps golf clubs in Briarcliff Manor, New York and Bedminster, N.J.from the construction with famed golf course architects Tom, Jim and Tommy Fazio to acquiring more than 450 members, including high-profile business executives, professional athletes, political leaders and celebrities. The courses Kepcher oversees have hosted high-profile celebrity events and one has earned the prestigious Five Star Diamond Award.

In addition to overseeing the development of $80 million in golf course construction and $40 million in clubhouse construction, Kepcher is responsible for overseeing the $150 million real estate sales offering of the Residences at Trump Nationalthe highest value condominium development in Westchester County, New York.

Kepchers bestselling book,Carolyn 101: Business Lessons from The Apprentices Straight Shooter,describes how she skillfully synthesized her learned-on-the-job business insight and professional drive to become a respected leader in the Trump empire by age 35.

Within the Trump Organization, she has gained a reputation for creating aggressive sales and operating budgets and exceeding expectations. She is a member of many prestigious golf organizations including the Club Managers Association of America, the Metropolitan Club Managers Association, Professional Club Marketing Association and National Golf Course Owners Association.

Prior to her employment with the Trump Organization, Kepcher was the director of sales and marketing for the Beck Summit Hotel Management Group, a nation-wide management company headquartered in Boca Raton, Fla. The company owns and operates hotels and resorts throughout the United States. Her responsibilities included formulating budgets, implementing operational systems, negotiating management contracts and creating marketing programs.

Other remaining Festival speakers include:

  • March 21Forensic science expert Dr. Cyril Wecht, discussing the roles of forensic pathology in todays society;
  • March 28Journalists Jonah Goldberg and Peter Beinart, discussing moral values and the political divide in America;
  • April 18Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, discussing fast food andSupersize Me,his documentary look at what its like to really live on such fare;
  • April 25Investigative reporter Seymour Hersh, who will close the series with a look at Sept. 11 and its aftermath to Abu Ghaib.

All Festival of Ideas presentations, free and open to the public, begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Mountainlair Ballroom. Seating is limited on a first-come, first-served basis. Festival of Ideas is produced by WVU Arts&Entertainment. For more information, call 293-SHOW or visithttp://www.events.wvu.edu.