An Interview with Charles "Mick" Mayfield

Charles "Mick" Mayfield (left), and Dean Kim Needy (right)

Can you tell us a little about your life, what you studied/majored in college, and what your career has been like?

CM: I lived in El Dorado, Arkansas until I went to college. I had a teacher, Ms. Cox, who taught chemistry and physics in the 11th and 12th grade. She believed that chemical engineering was the greatest profession in the world, followed by other engineers, then surgeons and physicians. She felt this way because when engineers do something important, they affect the whole world and do good things for many people. She had such an impact on her students that four of my friends are doctorates in chemical engineering, two other friends are civil engineers, and I'm an electrical engineer. I started my career with AT&T’s Interstate Company in Kansas City and moved with AT&T all around the U.S. from one coast to the other. I worked in several positions; Engineering, Operations, Marketing, Product Management, and Sales, before running a large marketing operation for Lucent, a spin off of AT&T. I also worked at Siemens Nokia where I retired as vice president of sales and marketing.

How did the University of Arkansas prepare you for your career?

CM: The U of A taught me how to lead, manage, study, and to use the scientific method. I had an academic background that I needed and felt confident. I also had a management and leadership background by participating in those kinds of activities the University of Arkansas offered everyone, if they would participate. I didn’t feel afraid because I felt I was able to handle anything.

What skills or knowledge did you learn throughout the program that you have found most useful in your career?

CM: Some of my guiding principles were formed at the University of Arkansas. "Trust by verify" is one guiding principle. You also have to listen to people. You can’t learn if your mouth is open. You’ve got to value people by valuing what they say and how they say it. You need diversity and most importantly you need to treat people with respect and have a positive attitude.

What was one of your favorite memories of your time at the college and why?

CM: I came to the University of Arkansas because my friends were coming to the U of A. I had never been to Fayetteville, Arkansas before coming to college. I didn’t know anyone, but no one else knew anyone either. I liked to play poker and was playing in a dorm next to my dorm. The resident advisor kicked me out of the dorm because I didn’t live there. Fifteen years later he turned up as my boss at AT&T.