Erik Fite
Texas A&M University, Mays Business School
Age: 44
“Imperfect, yet always striving to grow individually and improve the lives of those around me.”
Hometown: Hughes Springs, TX
Family Members: Wife: Rebecca, Son: Garrett, Daughter: Pamela, Parents: Pamela and George, In-laws: Angie and Drew
Fun fact about yourself: I enjoy collecting and sampling bourbon, and I host multiple blind tastings with my friends throughout the year.
Undergraduate School and Degree: Texas A&M University, Biomedical Science
Medical School: University of Texas – Houston, M.D.
Residency and Fellowship: University of Alabama – Birmingham, Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
Where are you currently working? Christus Trinity Clinic Longview, TX, Physician
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles: I enjoy hunting, fishing, and travel with family. My wife and I are involved with multiple organizations in Longview that support children’s education and development. EMBA academic achievements: Top Team Accounting Project, 4.0 GPA
Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? While I highly value my 4.0 GPA, my proudest achievement during school was successfully transitioning to a new organization where I feel truly valued. The decision required leaving my employer of 10 years, navigating a complex noncompete agreement, parting ways with close colleagues, and relocating our family. Although it was a difficult and emotionally taxing process, it was a defining step forward in my career.
What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? My single greatest achievement during my professional career has been building and sustaining a strong, supportive family alongside my incredible wife. Our relationship began during medical school and has grown over the past 20 years. Working in healthcare demands significant time and emotional investment, and I have been extremely fortunate to have a partner who not only understands those demands but actively supports my growth both at work and at home.
Who was your favorite MBA professor? It is impossible to choose a single favorite professor, as so many have made a lasting impression on me. I admired Dr. Bala Shetty’s ability to demystify the complexities of Business Analytics, as well as his genuine desire for each student to fully understand the subject matter. Dr. Mary Lea McAnally was highly engaging and brought clarity to accounting, making the material genuinely interesting. Dr. Sarah Rice and Dr. Karen Farmer were both excellent professors and created a supportive and stimulating environment by connecting with our class on a personal level. I greatly respect Dr. Cassandra LeClair and Dr. Ken McFarland for their transparency and vulnerability. Their example fostered authenticity and sincerity within our cohort. Finally, Dr. Mike Withers’ strategy classes were among the most intellectually stimulating of the program. His classes may ultimately have the most enduring impact on my career.
Why did you choose this school’s executive MBA program? As a full-time physician, I desired a program that offered attendance flexibility without compromising quality. Having earned my bachelor’s degree from A&M, I was very familiar with the university’s values and rich traditions. Once I learned that the university offered a highly regarded EMBA program with hybrid attendance, I quickly applied. The interview process was seamless, and the staff’s professionalism and support made it essentially impossible to consider another program.
What is the biggest lesson you gained during your MBA, and how did you apply it at work? Early in the EMBA program, a classmate shared a metaphor that deeply resonated with me. He described “life’s waiting room,” where many of us sit patiently expecting that hard work, loyalty, and consistent production will eventually earn us a call for the next opportunity. The problem, he explained, is that sometimes opportunity doesn’t call and we must get out of our seats and seize it ourselves. This struck a chord with me as I had spent a decade with an organization waiting for a breakthrough that never came. Jackson’s metaphor helped to reframe my perspective and aided in motivating me to pursue a new opportunity that has yielded significant personal and professional growth, as well as financial gain.
Give us a story during your time as an executive MBA on how you were able to juggle work, family and education? Midway through the first semester, while entrenched in Business Analytics (affectionately known as The Shetty Express) and Operations Management, my son was dealing with some emotional regulation issues that created significant concern for my wife and me. I found myself overwhelmed, feeling as though I couldn’t fully support either my family or my EMBA team, and I seriously considered stepping away from the program. Fortunately, my team was able to help by briefly redistributing our group workload, and I temporarily attended class virtually to be more present at home. With professional guidance and solid teamwork, both at home and at school, we navigated the situation, and I was able to remain in the program. This period serves as a strong reminder of the power of community, the importance of flexibility, and the value of asking for help when needed.
What advice would you give to a student looking to enter an executive MBA program? Select a program whose values align with your own, where you are likely to encounter students and faculty with whom you can genuinely connect. Also, seek out programs that emphasize personal and professional development over perfect scores. The relationships you build with your EMBA faculty and classmates, along with your own personal growth, are what truly define a transformative EMBA experience.
What was your biggest regret in business school? Not spending more time with my classmates. Living five hours from campus for most of the program made it difficult to attend every class and practically all extracurricular functions. Although I developed many strong, positive relationships during the program, I regret not being able to build deeper bonds with more of my peers.
Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I’m incredibly grateful to have been part of such an exceptional cohort, and I admire and appreciate each of my classmates for their unique strengths and contributions. With that being said, if I had to name one individual I admire the most, it would be Chris Evans. His unwavering commitment to excellence in every aspect of the EMBA program consistently stood out. I don’t believe I’ve encountered anyone across my academic and professional careers who so fully embodies a dedication to excellence.
What was the main reason you chose an executive MBA program over part-time or online alternatives? I never seriously considered either of these alternatives, because I wanted to be as fully immersed in my educational experience as possible. Texas A&M’s EMBA format offered a contiguous, structured approach that allowed for uninterrupted learning, which I felt was essential to maximizing both my comprehension and the program’s impact.
How did you finance your EMBA, and what did you do to make tuition and associated costs more affordable? I had a unique set of circumstances that provided me with full tuition and fee waivers for my EMBA. As a former child in the Texas foster care system, I was granted a lifelong waiver for Texas public educational institutions. This benefit has allowed me to complete my undergraduate, medical school, and EMBA program without the financial burden of tuition.
What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My ultimate long-term personal and professional goal is to make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of those around me, beginning with my family and extending outward into my community and profession. More than anything, I hope to leave behind a legacy of love, compassion, and service that endures well beyond my lifetime. I still have a long journey ahead, and I can only hope I’m granted the time and opportunities to fulfill this vision.
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