Class Notes

2016

Franklyn Baker (MNA) was appointed president and chief executive officer of United Way of Central Maryland. Baker previously served as principal deputy and COO for Greenpeace USA.

Jonathan R. Pearson (MNA) has been elected chairman of the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers (CNJG), the statewide association serving corporate and private philanthropy. Pearson is director of corporate social responsibility for Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, the state's oldest and largest health insurer serving 3.8 million members. He also serves as executive director of The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey.

David Martin (EMBA) was recently promoted to senior advisor - diversity and inclusion (D&I) at BMO Financial Group. Martin is based in the U.S. and has joined the inclusion, people strategies and insights team. In this role, Martin will be responsible for partnering with the business to create and execute a competitive diversity and inclusion strategy primarily for the U. S. He also will serve as a subject matter expert for D&I and assist with maintaining governance of all D&I initiatives in the U.S. Martin will also be responsible for creating pilot initiatives for roll out across the bank.

Zach Grant (ACCT) has been appointed director of player personnel by Western Kentucky football coach Mike Sanford. Grant will be responsible for organizing the acquisition of off-campus talent and the management of WKU's 120-man roster as well as recruiting travel schedules for the coaching staff. He spent three seasons in the recruiting department at Notre Dame, including the 2016 season as a recruiting personnel assistant where he worked directly with Sanford.

2014

Tom Rees (MGTC) has returned to his alma mater as the quarterback coach for the Fighting Irish. Rees broke into coaching in 2015 at Northwestern University, where he served in the same role.

Jackie Morales (EMBA) has been named to the Indianapolis Business Journal's "Forty under 40" list. Morales is the vice president of communications and public affairs at Morales Group.

Andrew G. Vaughn (EMBA), founder of NuVorce LLC, has been named one of the Top 10 Family Law Attorneys in Illinois for 2016/2017 by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys. Vaughn will be honored by SuperLawyer and Leading Lawyers websites in 2017.

2013

Lauren Taylor Jacobi (MARK '13) and Patrick James Mines (ACCT '12) exchanged wedding vows on Oct. 15, 2016, in St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Decatur, Georgia. The couple will make their home in Atlanta.

2011

Jared Shawlee (MBA) has been named to the Innovation Advisory Board by the San Jose Earthquakes soccer team. The board will advise team executives on new and emerging technology trends that can improve the fan experience, increase brand awareness, improve player performance and deliver potential corporate partnerships to the club. Shawlee is the Earthquakes' chief operating officer overseeing the business side of the club.

2009

Alexandria (Allie) Aiello (MNA) has joined the staff of the YWCA Westfield (New York) as child services director. Aiello will be responsible for personnel, programming and compliance for the YWCA preschool, preschool daycare, universal prekindergarten, before- and after-school programs and the girls' program.

Amy Floria (EMBA), Goshen Health's chief financial officer, was recently named one of the Becker's Hospital Review "130 Women Hospital and Health System Leaders to Know" for 2016. Floria is the only health system CFO in northern Indiana to receive this recognition. With more than 20 years' experience in health care and public accounting, Floria joined Goshen Health 16 years ago and became CFO in 2008. She oversees all financial operations including financial reporting and planning, budgeting, treasury and revenue cycle management for the health system. In addition to these responsibilities, Floria leads LEAN process improvement initiatives within the organization.

The Indianapolis Business Journal has named Eric Smith (MBA) one of its CFO's of the Year. Smith is the chief financial officer at One Click Ventures, an e-tailer that owns and operates three eyewear brands.

2008

Sean Bliss (EMBA) has been promoted to vice president of sales for indirect spend solutions at AmeriQuest Business Services, a provider of financial process automation, procurement, and asset management solutions. In his new role, he will lead the indirect spend division expanding AmeriQuest's program offerings that provide customers with additional saving opportunities in their indirect spend categories. Bliss joined AmeriQuest in June, 2016, as the director of product and services.

2006

Duggan Cooley (MNA) was named the executive director of the Pinellas Community Foundation. Previously, Cooley served as the president/CEO of the United Way of Pasco County, Florida.

DealerTeamwork has announced Christian Miller (EMBA) as their new chief operating officer. He will assume responsibility for day-to-day operations across the organization and will be responsible for the alignment and prioritization of company investments and provide general financial oversight for DealerTeamwork. Miller was most recently the vice president & general manager at Quetica LLC.

The Connecticut Society of CPAs has named Kenneth Healy (MSA) to its New and Young Professionals to Watch, a select group of up-and-comers, aged 35 and younger, who have set themselves apart as emerging leaders in the accounting profession. Healy works as a CPA at Diversified Financial Solutions PC in Naugatuck and Southbury. He began working part-time at the firm in high school, returned for summers throughout college and is now a CPA at the firm.

2004

Evans Anderson (MBA) has joined Clarion Partners as a director and assistant portfolio manager with the firm's multifamily sector fund. He brings nearly 12 years' experience in the private equity real estate sector to his new position with focus on acquisitions, asset management and business development. Prior to Clarion, he was the co-head of investor relations at Jamestown. Previously he held positions with GE Capital Real Estate and Colony Capital.

Mike Fairchild (MBA, ACCT '00) recently joined Bank of America Merrill Lynch, providing credit, wealth management, treasury management, acquisition financing, merchant services and fraud prevention to new vehicle dealerships. Fairchild manages service for Illinois, Wisconsin and Northwest Indiana.

2002

Michelle Noon (FIN) has been promoted to general partner with Riverside Partners, a Boston-based private equity firm focused on investing in middle market health care and technology companies. Noon joined Riverside Partners in 2008 and focuses on technology investments with a specific emphasis on software, software-based services, transaction processing and media technology. She brings more than 15 years of experience in private equity and finance to her role. Noon has played key deal and portfolio management roles with Riverside's technology investments including Thinklogical, Contractor Management Services and Pilgrim Quality Solutions.

2001

Mark Ezell (MBA) successfully passed his final defense hearing to obtain his doctorate in organizational leadership at the University of Pennsylvania.

Platte River Equity promoted Mark A. Brown (FIN) to managing director of the firm. Brown joined Platte River in 2011 and focuses on the firm's investments in industrial and energy products and services companies.

1999

The Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) has announced that Juan-José Gonzalez (MBA) has been named head of the organization's orthopedics sector. Gonzalez will help lead and coordinate the regulatory and reimbursement advocacy priorities that impact AdvaMed's orthopedic member companies. He also serves as president of U.S. DePuy Synthes, part of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies.

Eric Suchecki (EMBA) has been appointed vice president of business development at Shields Health Solutions, creator of specialty pharmacies for hospitals and health systems nationwide. He is responsible for setting strategic direction for sales and the formation of business ventures with hospital partners throughout the United States.

1998

James E. Keenan (FIN) has been appointed director and chairman of the board by the board of directors of BlackRock Capital Investment Corporation. Keenan, a CFA and managing director of BlackRock, is global head of fundamental credit as well as a member of BlackRock's Global Operating Committee and the BlackRock Alternative Investment Executive Committee. He leads the strategy for global fundamental credit and is responsible for providing oversight of the investment process and performance, the partnerships with BlackRock's distribution channels, and the team's infrastructure. Keenan has oversight of the investment grade credit and sub-investment grade credit businesses and is chief investment officer of the leveraged finance team, overseeing global high yield, leveraged loans, alternative, and distressed products.

1997

John Mele Jr. (ACCT) has been named to the Morgan Stanley Wealth Management Pacesetter's Club, a global recognition program for financial advisers who, within their first five years, demonstrate the highest professional standards and first class client service. Mele has been with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management since 2014.

1996

William Wagasy (ACCT) was named to the Springfield (Missouri) Public Schools Hall of Fame Class of 2016. The Hall of Fame is reserved for graduates who, in addition to professional accomplishments, have demonstrated a commitment to giving back to their communities and are advocates for public education. Wagasy played football for Notre Dame and earned his juris doctorate from Pepperdine in 2000. He joined the Navy Reserves in March 2001, and served three deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan. He retired as a Special Operations Chief (SEAL) in 2012, and left the Navy Reserves in December 2015. Wagasy currently works for Fidelity National Financial and is an ambassador for the Gary Sinise Foundation.

Michael Wong (ACCT) has founded DayBlink Consulting in McLean, Virginia. The firm seeks to be a disruptive force through its combination of management consulting, venture capital and philanthropy. Nearly 25 percent of the DayBlink workforce are Notre Dame alumni — hailing from the Irish Guard, Bengal Bouts and basketball, track and rugby teams, among many other Fighting Irish affiliations. Their efforts to support the College and University range from participating in an MBA consulting course to sponsoring the 2016 Notre Dame Start-Up Weekend and judging the McCloskey Business Plan competition.

1993

Shannon Cullinan (ACCT), has been appointed the University of Notre Dame's vice president for finance. Previously, Cullinan served Our Lady's University as associate vice president for University Relations and executive director for campaign administration. He will direct the offices of Treasury Services, Budget and Financial Planning, Procurement Services, Northeast Neighborhood Redevelopment and the Controller's Group. His responsibilities will cover University budgets, capital planning, treasury management, procurement, real estate acquisitions and development, financial reporting and analysis, accounting and financial services, tax department, research and sponsored programs accounting, payroll and accounts payable.

1992

David Indelicato (ACCT) has been promoted to Head of Credit by Medley Management Inc., a credit-focused asset management firm in New York City. Indelicato previously served as managing director. Prior to joining Medley Management, he was a senior vice president with Antares Capital, formerly known as GE Antares Capital.

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Brad Grabs (ACCT '92) has been honored with the Notre Dame Alumni Association's William D. Reynolds Award, which recognizes exceptional work with youth. Grabs was honored for his dedication to serving children in need.

Following his graduation from Notre Dame, Grabs served for a year in the Vincentian Service Corps, where he discovered a passion for working with children on the margins of society. He then began teaching at Rockhurst Jesuit High School in Kansas City and chose to live in an impoverished area of the urban core.

One Sunday afternoon, when walking in a park near his home, Grabs was approached by two teenagers who beat and mugged him. It took several months before his fear and anger began to subside, but prayer and reflection convinced Grabs that he was called to do something to help children in his community who were in need of direction and hope.

In 2002, he left his job at Rockhurst and started the Learning Club of KCK, an after-school and summer program for children in the urban core. With the help of many people, including classmates from Notre Dame, Grabs expanded the Learning Club to serve more than 120 children each week. More than 100 volunteer tutors serve at five sites, four of which are located in public housing projects in which the average household income is less than $10,000 per year.

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1991

MJ Sully (MNA, ND '88, JD '93) has been promoted to senior managing director, senior fiduciary specialist, private wealth management by Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation and Peapack-Gladstone Bank in New Jersey. Sully joined the bank in 2007 and is responsible for providing fully integrated solutions to clients and prospects with regard to financial strategies, wealth, tax, and estate planning, as well as other complex client matters.

1990

Angelo Loumbas (MBA) recently joined the Wells Fargo Private Bank in Greenwich, Connecticut, as a senior vice president and senior wealth planning strategist. He previously held a similar position with Morgan Stanley in Chicago. Loumbas advises clients on planning matters related to estate and wealth transfer, tax, business succession, and philanthropy. Loumbas lives in Armonk, New York, with his wife, Elaine Zacharakis Loumbas (ND JD '94), and their two children.

1989

Carl Manello (MBA) recently joined Ameritas mutual insurance company as vice president — information technology. He is responsible for the department's operations, finance and portfolio management and serves as a business partner for the marketing, planning, risk and audit functions of Ameritas. His experience includes nearly 30 years of line management, program management and operational experience in the manufacturing, insurance, retail, health-care and nonprofit industries.

Mark Buzzell (MBA) has been named the president and CEO of Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd. Previously Buzzell served as general manager for the western market area in the United States. He joined Ford in 1989 and has held a variety of marketing, sales and service positions across the country, as well as in the Caribbean and Central America.

The Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau appointed Leanne Pletcher (MBA) as director of public relations. She will be responsible for promoting Maui Nui globally as a preferred leisure and business destination within the Hawaiian Islands.

1988

Mike Cotter (ACCT) has joined the senior management team of Mahindra North America (MNA) in Houston as vice president of sales, channel development and business planning. As a member of the senior management team, in addition to managing the sales organization, Cotter will focus on expanding MNA's revenue stream through dealer channel growth, expansion and development as well as delivering new products and services. Mahindra is a manufacturer of tractors and farming equipment.

1987

Edgardo Tenreiro (MBA, ND '85) has been named CEO of Baton Rouge General Health System. Tenreiro previously served as BRG's executive vice president and chief operating officer.

1986

Tricia O'Reilly (FIN) has joined the Volunteer Lawyers for Justice Board of Trustees. O'Reilly lives in Morristown, New Jersey, and is a founding partner at Walsh Pizzi O'Reilly Falanga where she focuses on commercial litigation, employment law and internal investigations.

Scott Malpass (MBA), chief investment officer at the University of Notre Dame, has been named to the Board of Superintendence of the Vatican Bank. Malpass has been advising the Holy See on banking reforms initiated by Pope Francis.

1985

Dorene Dominguez (FIN) was named to the board of directors of CIT Group Inc., a provider of commercial lending and leasing services based in Southern California. Dominguez will continue to serve as a director of the company's banking subsidiary, CIT Bank, N.A., a role she has held since 2015.

1982

Bob Crable (MARK), a two-time consensus All-America linebacker at the University of Notre Dame and the most prolific tackler in Fighting Irish history, has been named to the National Football Foundation's College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2017. A two-time Irish captain under head coaches Dan Devine and Gerry Faust, Crable led the Irish in total tackles in three straight seasons.

1979

Tom Gryp (FIN), CEO of Notre Dame Federal Credit Union, has joined the CU*Answers board of directors. CU*Answers provides services and products to credit unions in 23 states plus Washington, D.C., representing over 1.9 million credit union members and $19 billion in assets.

1978

Kenn Ricci (ACCT), chairman of Flexjet, received the Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur Award at the Living Legends of Aviation 14th Annual Awards on Jan. 20, 2017, in Beverly Hills, California. The "living legends of aviation" are admirable people of remarkable accomplishment in aviation including entrepreneurs, innovators, industry leaders, record-breakers, astronauts, pilots who have become celebrities and celebrities who have become pilots. The Legends meet yearly to recognize and honor individuals who have made significant contributions in aviation.

Thomas Marvinac (FIN) was named executive vice president and chief credit officer by Inland Bank and Trust of Oak Brook, Illinois. Marvinac brings more than 30 years of diverse banking experience to his position, including credit administration, due diligence, allowance for loan and lease loss reserve, special assets and commercial lending.

1974

James Hastings (ACCT) has been named executive vice president and chief financial officer at Ulster Savings Bank at its Kingston, New York, headquarters. Prior to his appointment, Hastings held numerous senior management positions in financial services, most recently serving as executive vice president and chief financial officer at Naugatuck Valley Savings and Loan in Naugatuck, Connecticut.

1972

Gary Gigot (MARK) has been named to the board of directors by Inovateus Solar LLC, a U.S. solar developer, solar engineering, procurement and construction services (EPC) and supply company. Gigot is co-founder and CEO of Vennli, a choice visualization analytics platform based in South Bend.

1971

Jim Hagenbarth (MGT), a cattle rancher, has been named the 2016 Outstanding Agricultural Leader on behalf of Montana State University's College of Agriculture and Montana Agricultural Experiment Station. The award is given annually to individuals or couples who are engaged and well-respected in the state's agricultural community. Recipients are those who have impacted many with their accomplishments, have a lifetime of achievement in agriculture, are industry leaders or innovative producers and are actively involved in the agricultural community. Hagenbarth Livestock dates back to the late 1880s and was started by Hagenbarth's grandfather in Dillon, Montana. The family still owns and manages the 120-year-old cattle ranch.

1964

Richard Miles (FIN) recently was elected to the Turner Funds Board. Miles is a partner and managing director of Berkshire Capital Securities LLC, an investment banking firm specializing in providing strategic and financial advisory services in connection with mergers, acquisitions and divestitures of investment management companies, securities and investment banking firms and related financial institutions.