Alumni Profile: Sherman Wade

 A member of the Class of 1967, Sherman received a Bachelor’s degree in sociology and was very involved on campus.  He lettered in tennis and soccer, was the President of Young Democrats, and a member of Alpha Phi Omega.   Sherman was also involved in the ROTC program on campus.  He received an ROTC scholarship and was a ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate.  

After graduating from St. Norbert, Sherman went to law school at Marquette for a year.  In 1969, Sherman started active service as a Captain in the United States Army.   He then served in Vietnam until April 1971.  Upon returning to the states, Sherman enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where he finished course work for a Master’s degree in City Planning.  

Sherman started working in the exposition/convention field as the Director of Sales for the Milwaukee Exposition and Convention Center.  He was then hired at the Georgia World Congress Center, which was one of the largest convention centers in the US at the time.  Starting as the Director of Sales and Marketing, Sherman was promoted to Assistant Director in 1981.  

In March of 1982, Sherman, along with his partner Carl Mitchell, bought Shepard Exposition Services, Inc., a full service exhibit service contracting business.  As co-president and co-owner, Sherman helped Shepard grow into one of the top five exhibit service companies in the US.  After selling his share of Shepard Exposition Services in January 2002, Sherman has been working for CI Marketing Communications as a marketing consultant to trade show organizers and suppliers in the industry.  He is presently co-owner of Shade Communications. 

Over the years, Sherman has stayed very involved in his community, serving on the Atlanta Children’s Shelter Board of Directors, the Georgia State School Hospitality/Industry Board of Advisors, and as the Past Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Georgia Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  Outside of his volunteer work, Sherman enjoys playing golf, participating in the Atlanta Track Club, traveling, and spending time with his grandchildren.  He currently resides in Marietta, Georgia.