Ethics Seminar 2020: Aaron Beam
Posted on October 16, 2020 by MCOB Outreach

Though this fall semester looks drastically different than previous years, the Mitchell
College of Business has remained dedicated to providing opportunities for students
to engage with and learn from business professionals. On September 29, approximately
300 students and local professionals connected via Zoom with Aaron Beam, a founder
and former CFO of HealthSouth. Beam kicked off his personal story with a warning to
young professionals about the consequences of failing to make ethical decisions in
the professional setting.
Known for a massive business accounting fraud scandal and heated court cases, HealthSouth
was founded in 1984 by Richard Scrushy, Aaron Beam, and others. From day-one of his
time with HealthSouth, Beam was confronted with the “grey areas” of ethical decision-making.
Beam admitted failing to correct Scrushy’s first unethical request, opening the door
to let the truth be pushed aside.
By the mid-1990s, HealthSouth’s rapid initial growth began to stall. Beam faced increasing
pressure to manipulate numbers in hopes of presenting HealthSouth as a worthwhile
investment. Following Beam’s departure from the company, the fraud continued until
2003, when the Securities Exchange Commission delisted HealthSouth on the stock market,
raided headquarters, and launched a formal investigation into the company. Mr. Beam
later served jail time for his involvement years prior and continues to face the professional
consequences of being an ex-convict.
As Beam vulnerably addressed his wrong decisions throughout the virtual seminar, Beam
encouraged students to prepare themselves for the professional workplace and the inevitability
of tough situations that will require strength of character and courage to maintain
ethical behavior. Beam and his story reinforce the importance of doing the right
thing, even-- and especially-- when no one else seems to be watching.
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