Alan T. Shao is the Associate Dean for Professional and Global Programs in the Belk College of Business. Dr. Shao received his Ph.D. in Marketing [and minor in Statistics] from the University of Alabama in 1989. He has lectured extensively throughout East Asia and has served as a marketing research consultant to numerous businesses, including Coca-Cola, Nissan, First Union National Bank, Hendrick Motor Sports (NASCAR), Carolina Panthers (NFL), HSBC, Household Mortgage, Decision One Mortgage, Unifi Technology, Carolina Beverage Corporation (manufacturer of Cheerwine), Aladdin Knowledge Systems, Fuel Pizza, and Foley & Lardner Law Firm.

He has served as Executive Research Director at Ashton Brand Group and CEO of Apex Global Group. He has published in over forty refereed journals and is the co-author of Marketing Research: An Aid to Decision-Making (third edition). Dr. Shao presently serves as President of the statewide North Carolina World Trade Association and is on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina District Export Council.