LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 10, 2026) — Thirty students from the University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics participated in this year's fall sales competition, putting their skills to the test in front of industry professionals while building connections with potential employers.
The competition brought together 25 judges representing 10 sponsoring companies, giving students an opportunity to demonstrate their sales skills and receive feedback from professionals working in the field.
Five students were named winners, with one selected from each competition room:
Anthony Beyelia
Lenah Bumiller
Jayd Huynh
Destin Blake
Valerie O'Nan
Beyond the competition, 50 students attended the accompanying Sales Career Networking event, connecting with representatives from participating companies and learning more about career opportunities in professional sales.
A particular highlight of this year's event was the involvement of Gatton alumni. Ten UK graduates returned to represent their employers as sales professionals, and all five lead room judges were previous winners of the competition.
Their participation reflects the continued involvement of Gatton graduates in supporting current students, offering professional insight and helping the next generation of sales professionals prepare for their careers.
The competition was supported by platinum sponsors Dell Technologies and Cintas; gold sponsors GE Appliances, Xometry, McLane, Enterprise Mobility, Big Ass Fans, CED and Axle Logistics; and silver sponsor Fischer Homes.
Through opportunities like the fall sales competition, Gatton students gain experience applying their classroom knowledge while developing relationships with employers and alumni working in the industry.
