Markham R. McKnight, President & Chief Operating Officer of Wright & Percy Insurance in Baton Rouge, will be the final speaker of the fall semester in LSU's Flores Master of Business Administration Distinguished Speaker Series. McKnight will speak on Nov. 7, at 10 a.m., in the Lod Cook Alumni Center on LSU's campus.

Markham R. McKnight is CEO and president of Wright & Percy Insurance Agency. The Baton Rouge based insurance brokerage firm, founded in 1882, offers financial and risk services and insurance products to both personal and commercial customers throughout the southeastern United States. Wright & Percy Insurance was acquired in May, 2003, by BancorpSouth, Inc., a bank holding company with commercial banking and financial services operations in Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana. McKnight retains the title of president and CEO of Wright & Percy for BancorpSouth Insurances Services, Inc..

McKnight joined Wright & Percy in 1982 with a background in commercial and industrial construction. He was named president of the company in 1994. His construction background was invaluable to the company, as he initially specialized in contractor bonds, and greatly increased revenues for the division. He later expanded operations to include offices in Shreveport, Alexandria, and Lake Charles.

McKnight earned a bachelor of general studies from Louisiana State University (LSU), concentrating in construction technology, and a master of business administration through the executive (EMBA) program at LSU. He is a member of the Independent Insurance Agents of America, Professional Insurance Agents, and serves on the Board of the Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers. He serves on the boards of directors for Alliance Bank, Capital Area United Way, Better Business Bureau, and Nature Conservancy. He serves on the Tiger Athletic Foundation's Board of Directors, the Ourso College of Business Administration's Partners for Excellence Board and Executive Board of Advisors, and is an advisory board officer for the Louisiana Business & Technology Center at LSU. He previously served as chairman of Louisiana Young President's Organization. The LSU General College named McKnight the 1995 Alumnus of the Year, and in 1997 he was selected as one of Sales and Marketing Executives International's outstanding individuals.

The Distinguished Speaker Series is an important part of the Flores MBA program. The series enhances students' classroom education by exposing them to the latest ideas and forces that shape American and international business, from executives who face such issues directly.

The Flores MBA Distinguished Speaker Series is free and open to the public. Each event begins promptly at 10 a.m. RSVPs are requested.

For more information or to make a reservation, contact Allison Bridgewater, assistant director of the Flores MBA programs, at or 225-578-8867.

See Calendar of Events for event details.