Ronald E. Frieson, chief diversity officer at BellSouth, will speak at Southern Polytechnic State University's fall semester commencement December 15 at 1 and 4 p.m. in the university's gymnasium. He will discuss "The Four Imperatives for a Successful Business Career."

Frieson began his BellSouth career with TechSouth Publishing Services in 1985 before becoming an operations manager in the advertising and publishing division in 1989. In 1995 he was named vice president for advertising and publishing, and in 1997 became group vice president and led the international expansion of advertising and publishing in Latin America.

After joining BellSouth's consumer services division in 1999 as vice president and general manager for Kentucky and Tennessee, he was appointed vice president and general manager of new product implementation the following year. Frieson assumed the position of chief diversity officer in February 2001.

As chief diversity officer, his responsibilities include implementing a corporate diverse strategy, recruitment and retention, and measurement and training. He is also responsible for ensuring that diversity is reflected in all business activities.

Frieson is currently a member of the 100 Black Men, a board chair of Atlanta Inn for Children, and a board member of the Atlanta Committee for Public Education and the National Association of Black Telecommunications Professionals. Frieson holds a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Tennessee and a master's in information systems from Georgia State University.