Jefferson Vander Wolk is the author of The Workplace Where Everyone Wins, in which he argues that the unusual management system of Lincoln Electric—essentially, profit-sharing for all employees—can be successfully applied to service organizations.
James Herbert has been appointed to the advisory council of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. His one-year term began in April. He is a Babson trustee and the chairman and founding CEO of First Republic Bank, a private bank and wealth-management business.
William Dooley emails, “I attended ‘Beyond the Gates: The Past and Future of Prison Education’ at Harvard University. The conference explored efforts to reintroduce classrooms in prisons as part of a curriculum for high school and college credits, which, I believe, is an ingredient in reducing rearrests.” William teaches the incarcerated in Florida.
Joseph Reimann (right, pictured with wife Heather) attended a Babson alumni and friends get-together at a Red Sox spring training game in March. Joe emails, “Very happy that Babson came to Florida. The St. Patrick’s Day parade revealed lots of successful Babson retirees here, and it was followed by a great time with fabulous sky box seats at the ballgame. So glad I attended the best school for entrepreneurship on the planet. Well done, Babson!” On top of that, the Red Sox beat the Phillies, 6-5.
Mike Murphy emails, “Still an investor and executive vice president of HUB International, a privately held insurance and risk-management firm headquartered in Chicago. I’ve lived in the Seattle area for 36 years, married to a Seattle native for 33. Excited to be a class agent for the upcoming 40th Reunion. Hope many classmates come back and celebrate! I have stayed in touch with several over the years but would love to see many I have lost touch with; there’s a lot of catching up to do. Looking forward to seeing everyone in September.”
Jim Fishman has been promoted to managing director at UBS Realty Investors of Hartford, Conn. Jim is the co-head of asset management and head of engineering for Real Estate U.S., a business that is part of Real Estate & Private Markets within UBS Asset Management. He directs a staff of real estate professionals engaged in asset management for all of the firm’s commercial and multifamily real estate investments in the Eastern region. His region’s portfolio consists of approximately 280 multifamily, office, retail, industrial, and hotel properties.
Dean Kacos emails, “I recently joined Habitat for Humanity of Collier County in Naples, Fla., as CFO. Habitat for Humanity of Collier County has been serving families since April 1978 and has built more than 2,000 homes to date. It is one of the oldest and most successful affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International, which was organized in Americus, Ga., in 1976. I reside in Naples with my wife, Barbara.
Ed Sheehy (right) emails, “I recently caught up with Akio Toyoda, MBA’82, at Toyota Motor Corp.’s offices in Tokyo.” Ed is the president of Southeast Toyota Distributors, the world’s largest privately owned Toyota distributorship, and Akio is the president of Toyota.
Andrew Lazarus has joined Operative, a New York City advertising management firm, in the role of CFO. Andrew previously served as finance director at BAE Systems and also has held CFO positions at Silver Sky and Genesys.
Scott Gutz has recently been named CEO of Monster Worldwide, the job-search firm based in Weston, Mass. Previously, Scott served as CEO of travel technology company Amadeus.
Maura O’Sullivan is the kitchen manager and chef at Penny Cluse Cafe in Burlington, Vt. The cafe, a longtime local favorite for breakfast and lunch, was profiled in the Vermont weekly newspaper Seven Days on the occasion of the eatery’s 20th anniversary. The May 1 article, “Burlington’s Beloved Penny Cluse Turns 20,” notes that Maura has run the restaurant’s kitchen for 14 years and launched her culinary career working at a Wellesley cheese shop.
Bob Dziadosz has joined EasyCare as a dealer performance driver. The Norcross, Ga., firm is the maker of Savy, a mobile app suite for auto dealers. Bob, who is based in the Boston area, previously worked as a senior business developer for LoJack.
Shay Blanchette Proulx, MBA’13, a senior lecturer in accounting at Babson, has been named Outstanding Educator of the Year by the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants. Shay joined the faculty full time in 2011, having previously taught at the College as an adjunct. In May, she was honored at the society’s Believers and Achievers reception at Granite Links Golf Club in Quincy.
Michelle Labossiere has been elected to Endicott College’s board of trustees. Michelle is the controller of Colmar Belting of Woburn, Mass. Colmar, which was founded by Michelle’s grandfather, is now a division of Motion Industries. Michelle, a CPA, has held roles at McDonald’s, Grant Thornton, and Arthur Andersen.
Michael Landsberg of Landsberg Bennett Private Wealth Management in Punta Gorda, Fla., has been recognized as a 2018 Top Financial Advisor by Barron’s. This is the seventh time Michael has been named to the state-by-state list. Michael has 26 years of experience in the financial services industry and lives in Port Charlotte with his wife and three children. He emails, “I’m proud to see our team recognized for the good work we do every day, helping our clients succeed financially. Babson was a great place to start the journey.”
Michael London was sworn in by Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker as a member of the new Commission on Digital Innovation and Lifelong Learning. The group is charged with developing recommendations for expanding online learning opportunities in the state. Michael, who serves on Babson’s board of overseers, is the founding president and CEO of Examity, a Natick-based company that provides ID verification and online proctoring for testing. He was previously CEO of education startup Bloomberg Institute.
Sedge Saunders was named Class A South (Maine) boys basketball coach of the year, reports The Bridgton News. Sedge has coached boys basketball at Fryeburg Academy, the division’s smallest school, for 20 years.
Adam Sachs, a financial planner with Centinel Financial Group of Needham, has been named a Five Star Wealth Manager by Five Star Professional. The award recognizes wealth managers who excel in quality service and client retention.
Amy Thomas emails, “I’m excited to announce the publication of my second book, Brooklyn in Love: A Delicious Memoir of Food, Family, and Finding Yourself, a follow-up to my best-selling Paris, My Sweet: A Year in the City of Light (and Dark Chocolate). I also continue working in advertising, and I contribute articles to magazines and newspapers. I’m so grateful to the late Babson faculty member M. Kelly Lynch for all her inspiration and guidance on the writing front. Hello to all friends and classmates.”
Ryan Vangel is vice president of talent booking for Live Nation New England. He recently was interviewed by Amplify, an online publication covering the live-music industry, for its “Five Shows” column. Ryan shared that the first concert he attended was Van Halen at the Hartford Civic Center in 1984 and that booking Foo Fighters at Fenway Park in 2015 was a career highlight.
John Wright has been named project director, enterprise PMO, in the COO office at World Vision USA. John emails, “Based in Seattle, World Vision is a billion-dollar Christian advocacy, development, and relief organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide. World Vision helps more than 4 million children in nearly 100 countries.”
Chris Maher, an assurance partner at EY, emails, “In January, Anthony Caterino ’92 and I hosted a group of students, faculty, and staff at the EY Financial Services Innovation Center in New York City. In addition to discussing business strategies for working in a digital world and attending a roundtable session on the career paths of the EY team members present, participants rotated through breakouts and demonstrations on a range of topics relating to EY’s utilization of new technologies like VR and blockchain. I ended the day by attending a Babson Connect event to hear a presentation by professor Joel Shulman, P’12, ’14, ’20, and catch up with other members of the Babson family.”
Jeff Morandi was named vice president, deputy compliance officer, of Berkshire Group, a real estate investment management company based in Boston. Jeff was previously a compliance associate with Arrowstreet Capital and has more than 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry.
Tom Brussard, a member of the Easton, Mass., finance committee, won a special election last January to fill a vacant seat on the Easton board of selectmen. After that unexpired term came to a close, he then went on to win the seat again, this time for a three-year term in the April election. Tom also is on the board of governors of the Easton YMCA and is active in the Lions Club.
John Reale is co-founder and CEO of Station Houston, a hub for tech innovation and entrepreneurship in Houston. In April, Station Houston and Hypergiant, a machine intelligence firm serving Fortune 500 companies, announced a partnership designed to “grow the city’s AI tech ecosystem.” Toward that end, a new AI fellow position will be funded by Hypergiant and supported by Station Houston. To learn more, visit the careers page on Station Houston’s website.
Carrie DePeter has joined Inspired Technology and Communications, of North Easton, Mass., as vice present of business development. Previously, Carrie worked at ConRes, where she was responsible for the onboarding of 10 manufacturing lines.
Greg Toskos (center) emails, “Troy Starrett ’14 (left), Mike Vollmin ’16 (right), and I connected in Zurich after Troy and I played in a UBS Hockey Tournament in Flims, Switzerland. Mike just finished his second year playing professionally in Switzerland and is signed with Geneva next season. In other news, my wife, Chrissy Toskos ’99, was promoted to vice president, human resources, at Prudential Financial.” Greg was promoted to managing director and global head of partnerships at UBS Global Wealth Management and just completed his 12th season as head varsity ice hockey coach at Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, N.J.
Sameer Malhotra is co-founder of Café Spice, a retail and food-service company offering a range of Indian fare. Sameer was interviewed by The Hype magazine for a March 30 profile. The interview covered such topics as running a family business and Café Spice’s recent expansion of its meal-delivery service through AmazonFresh.
Martin Hrnciar and Ana Sinche: See Lucy Turner, MBA’14.
Michael Ventura is the author of Applied Empathy: The New Language of Leadership, published in May by Touchstone. Michael is CEO of Sub Rosa, a strategy and design practice. His book is intended to help business leaders with such issues as creating memorable consumer experiences, clarifying their mission, and nurturing passion throughout their businesses. Business Insider has named Applied Empathy one of the “15 best business books to read this summer.”
Matthew Joblon was profiled by Denver magazine 5280 in an April article, “Meet the Man Remaking Cherry Creek.” Matt is a founding partner and CEO of BMC Investments, a real estate investment firm with projects including residential, commercial, and hotel properties in the Denver neighborhood of Cherry Creek.
Karan Wadhera is managing partner of Casa Verde Capital, a Los Angeles-area venture firm co-founded by Snoop Dogg that invests in ancillary businesses in the cannabis industry. Karan was interviewed by technology-industry news site TechCrunch for a March 13 article, “Snoop Dogg’s Venture Firm Just Closed Its Debut Fund with $45 million.”
Lexi Passetto May was inducted into the Berkshire County Girls Basketball Hall of Fame, reports The Berkshire Eagle. A star player at Monument Mountain Regional High School in Great Barrington, Mass., Lexi continued her basketball career at Babson.
John Goscha is founder and board chair of Finally Light Bulb, a Boston company that makes an energy efficient lightbulb based on technology pioneered by Nikola Tesla. AmericanInno reported in March that the company had raised a $50 million Series D round of financing, bringing its total funding to $93 million.
Alex Melen emails, “The company I’m running now, SmartSites, is at over 70 employees and just was included in Inc. 5000 for a second year.” SmartSites is a web design and online marketing agency based in Paramus, N.J. Alex reports that he has been doing numerous keynote addresses and speaking engagements, including one at January’s NamesCon Las Vegas convention that, he notes, was “the most attended session at the event.”
Alexandra Esteve is founder and CEO of CarBuckets, which leverages the power of pooling customers to simplify purchasing cars. By grouping car shoppers, CarBuckets incentivizes dealerships to cut prices, while alleviating the anxiety associated with buying a car. Alex emails, “The process of car buying hasn’t changed much since the days of Henry Ford. At CarBuckets, we’ve created a platform that radically changes the way people buy cars and the way dealers sell them. This is truly a disruption of one of the largest and oldest industries in America. I couldn’t be more excited to see this evolution take shape.”
Gautam Gupta: See David Miller ’16.
Nick Collins was elected to the Massachusetts Senate in a special election in May, reports The Boston Globe. Nick has been serving as a state representative since 2010 and handily won election to the First Suffolk District seat formerly held by Linda Dorcena Forry, who recently stepped down.
Phil Han is founder and owner of Dooby’s, a Korean-inspired cafe, as well as pop-up doughnut shop Sundays and Sugarvale cocktail lounge, all in the Baltimore area. Phil was profiled in The Baltimore Sun in an April 17 article, “How Dooby’s 32-Year-Old Owner Is Shaping Baltimore’s Dining Scene.” The newspaper reports that Phil has plans for two new eateries: Noona’s Pizza and a Bon Fresco bakery, a local chain founded by Phil’s father-in-law.
Jessica Larrabee was featured in High Profile Monthly, a facilities-development trade publication, in honor of Women In Construction Week in March. The magazine reports that Jessica is the founder of Osprey Construction Supply, which provides same-day or next-day delivery of materials such as pipe fittings, struts, pipe hangers, janitorial products, safety equipment, and more. Jessica is a licensed construction supervisor and has built several houses in the Boston area.
Graham Collins (second from left) was among the attendees at an alumni gathering in Austin, Texas. He was joined by (from left) Cameron Jacox ’13; trustee and board of overseers chair Dave Visco ’95; and Michelle McKelvey ’12. Graham emails, “Michelle, Cameron, and I overlapped at Babson but never connected on campus. Since moving to Austin, we’ve met up several times and have built a great relationship. Meeting Dave helped strengthen our connection to Babson. Even though we weren’t there at the same time, our memories and experiences were very similar.”
Enrico Palmerino is CEO of botkeeper, an automated bookkeeping service. In April, botkeeper was named one of the winners of BostInno’s 2018 Tech Madness. The competition takes its inspiration from NCAA basketball’s March Madness. In a bracket devoted to private companies, botkeeper beat 63 other businesses to win.
Jesse Wright spoke at a May ecoforum in Albany, N.H., reports The Conway Daily Sun. The gathering put the spotlight on locally produced foods in Mount Washington Valley, and Jesse spoke about the current local food landscape, addressing efforts to support farmers and connect them with customers. Jesse works as a local food systems advocate for the Upper Saco Valley Land Trust.
Johanna Chan was profiled in The Standard (Hong Kong) newspaper in an April 27 article, “Bags Binge.” Johanna is co-founder of distributor Lohas Trading Development, which introduced Ril Creed, a Japanese line of sustainable handbags, to Hong Kong customers. Johanna opened a flagship store in Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay district.
Damanick Dantes (left) and Sadiyah Jackson attended the 20th Black Affinity Conference on campus in February. The theme of this year’s conference was “Owning Your Experience: 360,” with numerous sessions presented by alumni and other distinguished panelists. Damanick emails, “It’s always a pleasure to celebrate diversity at Babson. The Black Affinity Network conference inspired professional development on our path to ownership.” Sadiyah emails, “The 20th anniversary of the BAC was the perfect time to reconnect with Babson. The conference was a source of nourishment, and I walked away learning something new from every guest speaker.”
Lauren Garey: See Lucy Turner, MBA’14.
Tanya Soman (right) served as facilitator for a conversation with fashion entrepreneur Ruthie Davis, MBA’93 (left), at Babson Connect in San Francisco. Tanya is a venture partner at 500 Startups, a global venture capital seed fund. She emails, “We had a fantastic turnout, with alumni, current students, investors, and entrepreneurs in attendance. We got an unplugged version of the story behind the Ruthie Davis brand and gained insight into her journey. Ruthie was refreshingly honest about her entrepreneurial lifestyle. It was fascinating to hear her perspective on the nomadic founder, fundraising, and how to build a brand that stays relevant.”
Dinesh Wadhwani is co-founder and CEO of ThinkLite, a Natick, Mass., firm offering bright, efficient lightbulbs that use half the energy of fluorescents. Dinesh was profiled in the Worcester Business Journal in an April 16 article, “ThinkLite Lights the Way—Cheaper, Of Course.” The newspaper reports that lighting the Prudential Center garage and tower in Boston is among ThinkLite’s projects.
Alex Rudolph is a partner and vice president of development for TapCo Restaurant Group, a business he started with his father, a longtime South Florida restaurateur. TapCo runs Tap 42, a South Florida gastropub with five locations. The newest Tap 42, in the Aventura Mall in suburban Miami, opened in May. Alex emails, “Having grown up around the restaurant business, I have a passion for food, drink, and hospitality. Tap 42 offers creative pub food and craft beer in a fun and friendly atmosphere. Babson helped me hone my entrepreneurial spirit, allowing me to help Tap 42 grow quickly and become a local phenomenon.”
Kadia Tubman was the featured speaker at Babson’s Lavender Graduation, an annual celebration that recognizes the achievements of graduating LGBTQ+ and ally students. The event also honors significant contributions of Babson students, faculty, staff, and alumni through the Babson Pride Awards. Kadia (center), a journalist and activist, is shown with Neal Harris (left), senior lecturer in economics, and Melissa Shaak (right), outgoing director of Student Financial Services. Kadia emails, “It was great to be back on campus and to see how the Lavender Graduation has grown into an annual tradition that helps make Babson a welcoming, inclusive community.”
Brittany Lo: See David Miller ’16
Daquan Oliver, the founder of WeThrive, was featured in a March 18 Black Enterprise magazine article, “WeThrive Puts Youth on Path to Opportunity.” WeThrive, as the magazine reports, is a nationwide organization that supports the entrepreneurial aspirations of low-income middle and high school students.
Monika Bashllari is a real estate agent with Johnson & Wilson Real Estate in Charleston, S.C., reports the Charleston Regional Business Journal.
Leisl Bard finished her first Boston Marathon, raising money in honor of her late sister for Massachusetts Eye and Ear hospital, reports The Reminder, an East Longmeadow, Mass., news site. Like thousands of area runners, Leisl braved this year’s cold and rain to complete the 26.2-mile course.
Several alumni attended a Babson networking and social hour in La Jolla, Calif. Attendees included (from left) guest Donald Bynum, Brian Casey ’77, Danelle Devine ’16, David Hines ’15, and Nicholas Kleidon ’16. Nick emails, “Babson alumni events have changed the sales strategy for our startup. The strong Babson community of entrepreneurs young and old has the potential to take any business to the next level.” And David emails, “The Babson alumni social was a great opportunity to expand my network and reconnect with other young alums in Southern California.”
David Miller is co-founder of The Contribune, a news site where people can share stories about pursuing their passions and overcoming obstacles. Alumni who have been featured on the site include Jon Feinman, MBA’10, founder of InnerCity Weightlifting; Gautam Gupta ’07, founder of NatureBox; Brittany Lo ’14, founder of Beautini; and Patrick Aloisio ’16, founder of Ascension Brands.
Tara Sahni: See Lucy Turner, MBA’14.
Sam Bohmiller has joined The Bulfinch Group, a financial-planning firm based in Needham. A point guard and co-captain of the 2017 national championship basketball team, Sam is working on a team of financial advisers committed to helping families, professionals, and entrepreneurs make responsible financial decisions. In addition to his role at Bulfinch, he also volunteers as an assistant coach for the Franklin High School basketball program. Sam emails, “I feel blessed to have a career that builds meaningful relationships, while allowing me to follow my passion for assisting, educating, and coaching those within my community.”
Sam LaPointe was elected to the board of directors of the Tramuto Foundation, a Maine-based nonprofit. As a high school senior, Sam—now sales operations coordinator for Tivity Health in Nashville, Tenn.—was a recipient of a Tramuto Foundation college scholarship. He emails, “Attending and graduating from Babson College is one of my greatest accomplishments. It was an eye-opening experience to attend a school with such a diverse community. The faculty and the curriculum did a great job preparing me for my professional career and for working well in a team setting. Babson understands the importance of collaboration.”
Arda Sozen leads SozenDigital, a Boston-based web design and digital marketing agency. The firm focuses on small and medium-sized businesses located in Massachusetts.
Arjun Rajesh and Derek Tu: See Lizzie Bell, MBA’11.
Steven Elliott, a real estate appraiser, was named to a five-year term on the Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board, reports the Taunton Daily Gazette. Steven has appraised more than 19,000 properties and is a member of the Massachusetts Board of Real Estate Appraisers Hall of Fame, the paper reports.
Gary Merrill was the featured guest at a business Q&A event, Like A Boss, held at the Portland (Maine) House of Music and Events. The Portland Press Herald reports that Gary was interviewed on stage by Lisa DeSisto, the paper’s CEO and publisher, about Hussey Seating, the sixth-generation family-owned company for which Gary serves as president and CEO. Founded in 1835, Hussey Seating, based in North Berwick, Maine, has specialized since the 1960s in spectator seating for gyms, auditoriums, arenas, and the like.
Charley Thompson (left) and John Thompson, MBA’82 (right), were on hand at the Sorenson Center when acclaimed poet Eileen Myles came to campus as part of the Charles D. and Marjorie J. Thompson Visiting Poet Series, named for John and Charley’s parents. Chuck Thompson, their father, was a longtime Babson administrator who served as vice president for college resources. John emails, “Our parents, Chuck and Marjorie, were lovers of the arts in all forms and created the visiting poet series as a way to bring more of them to the Babson campus. Charley and I are proud of their legacy and enjoy coming to campus to hear the poets.”
Akio Toyoda: See Ed Sheehy ’82.
Jeffrey Merrihue is a marketing and social media veteran who held senior positions at Kellogg’s, Nabisco, and Accenture before founding Mofilm, a content sourcing company he sold in 2015. In 2012, he founded XtremeFoodies, which he says is “the world’s largest network of local food experts.” Jeffrey claims to be the only person to have eaten at all the restaurants on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list since 2010. His new venture, partnering with the founder of Umami Burger, is Heroic Deli, a Santa Monica eatery aiming to reinvent a sandwich classic. He emails, “The hero hasn’t changed in 100 years. Heroic Deli will revolutionize that.”
Stephen DiPalma was named CFO of AIT Therapeutics, a Harrison, N.Y., medical device and biopharmaceutical company focusing on providing inhaled nitrous oxide. Previously, Steve served as a managing director at Danforth Advisors, a financial consultancy specializing in life-sciences companies.
Andrew Frawley has been appointed to the board of directors of New York City’s CrowdTwist, which provides multichannel loyalty and engagement programs. Andrew has had a long career in customer relationship management, digital marketing, and customer value management. He heads consultancy A.J. Frawley & Associates and is the author of a 2014 book, Igniting Customer Connections: Fire Up Your Company’s Growth by Multiplying Customer Experience & Engagement.
Lynne Rosansky, interim provost of Bentley University since July 2017, has been reappointed to a three-year term as Bentley’s provost. Lynne has served as an administrator and faculty member at several institutions of higher education, including Babson.
Ken Surdan has been appointed chief product officer for Diligent, a provider of secure corporate governance software. Ken is based in Diligent’s New York City office and will work on advancing the company’s mission to provide innovative technology to governance leaders. He has worked in the SaaS field for many years, playing leadership roles at Endurance International, Constant Contact, and National Leisure Group.
Walter Towner emails, “I was recently promoted to associate professor of operations and industrial engineering at WPI. Shari Worthington, MBA’90, and I collaborate at the WPI Center for Innovative Manufacturing Solutions, where I am the director. I am sad to see one of my greatest influences, the inaugural dean of the Foisie Business School at WPI, Mark Rice [Babson’s new acting provost], leave WPI, but then Babson gains a terrific new provost at the same time. Congratulations, Mark, and thanks for supporting me.”
Shari Worthington: See Walter Towner, MBA’89.
Harium Martin-Morris has been appointed to the Washington State Board of Education. Harium worked for many years as an IT manager at Boeing. He serves on the Equity in Education Coalition and has been a member of the school board of the Seattle Public Schools, the Council of the Great City Schools, and the Council of Urban Boards of Education.
Ruthie Davis: See Tanya Soman ’12.
Vicki Dempsey emails, “My company, Jancyn, is pleased to announce the acquisition of New Hampshire-based Customer Perspectives, a leader in the mystery-shopping marketplace. Both companies are full-service mystery-shop providers with top-rated programs that serve customer-facing industries and use mystery shopping to enhance training, monitor brand values, and seek continuous improvement of the customer experience. The acquisition allows us to expand our reach by working with more companies and shoppers and providing broader service offerings. To learn more, send me a note at vicki@jancyn.com.”
Rosemary Sheehan has been named chief human resources officer of Partners HealthCare, a nonprofit hospital and physician network based in Boston. Rosemary previously served as vice president of revenue cycle operations for Partners and as executive director of the professional billing office at Massachusetts General Physicians Organization.
Stuart Johnson has joined Accell North America (ANA) in the role of chief marketing and digital officer, reports Bicycle Retailer. ANA, based in Kent, Wash., is the parent company of the bicycle brands Raleigh, Izip, Haibike, Diamondback, and Redline. Stuart’s new position was created to support the firm’s omnichannel distribution program.
Nancy O’Keefe is the author of Fighting the Talent Battle: How to Update Your Arsenal and Win the War, which offers advice and ideas for companies seeking to attract and retain employees. Based in Plymouth, Mass., Nancy is a business consultant, executive coach, author, and speaker who has held leadership positions in customer service, direct sales, software engineering, and more.
Christian LesStrang is senior director, business operations and marketing, for Hickory Street Capital, the real-estate development and private equity arm of the Ricketts family, owners of the Chicago Cubs. Christian emails, “HSC recently completed a high-profile neighborhood development project adjacent to Wrigley Field. The first tower houses the Cubs’ front office, and the second tower is home to Hotel Zachary, a 173-room neighborhood boutique hotel. The campus offers 10 dining options, providing a robust food-and-beverage experience to visitors. Gallagher Way, an open-air plaza, has become the new town square of Wrigleyville—a gathering place for concerts, movies, farmers markets, and more.”
John Cappadona has been named CFO at School of Rock, a music school with more than 200 franchises in 10 global markets. Most recently, John was vice president of finance at Sentient Jet, a private aviation company. Previously, he built the financial planning and analysis team at office-products supplier W.B. Mason.
Dominie Garcia wrote an article titled “The Next Great Smart City Challenge: Public Health” that appeared in Government Technology magazine on April 16. Dominie leads Battelle’s Smart Cities Program, where she focuses on the company’s central role in the Smart Columbus (Ohio) project, an initiative to improve that city’s transportation, infrastructure, and logistics.
Carl Hall has joined the board of the North End Music & Performing Arts Center (NEMPAC) in Boston. He will serve in the role of NEMPAC treasurer. Carl is chief investment officer for the wealth management group at Century Bank. He lives in the North End with his family.
Andrew Patterson, a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, completed a nine-month deployment in Kabul, serving as branch chief of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Plans and Operations in Afghanistan. A 12-year veteran of the reserves, he led intelligence collection operations against the Taliban throughout Afghanistan. “It is an honor to serve my country and to serve alongside so many dedicated professionals,” said Andrew in a story released by the Navy. “I’m proud of my team and, on a personal level, proud to continue my family’s long-standing military service to our nation.”
Mike Premi was awarded Intel’s Involved Global Hero Award in recognition of his efforts on behalf of the VFW. Mike, a veteran who served 17 years in the U.S. Navy, is a business development manager for new product innovation at Intel. Two years ago, the Involved Global Hero Award went to another Babson alumnus, Shashi Jain, MBA’10, for his work with young entrepreneurs and with e-Nable, an organization that provides 3-D printed assistive hand devices.
Ayikudy Srikanth has been named senior vice president of product and engineering for Energy Services Group (ESG), a Norwell, Mass., provider of SaaS products for the energy industry. Before joining ESG, Sri held leadership positions at Cvent, Lanyon, and elsewhere.
John Hargrave is the publisher of Bitcoin Market Journal, a publication that covers blockchain technologies and digital currencies for investors. John serves as CEO of Media Shower, the publication’s parent company.
B.J. Nichols was scheduled to deliver the commencement address at his alma mater, Luther College, in Decorah, Iowa, reports the Decorah Newspapers. B.J. is a partner at EY in Washington, D.C., working in the insurance and federal claims sector.
Mark Beran has been named CMO for Encompass Group, of McDonough, Ga., a manufacturer and marketer of reusable textiles, professional apparel, and disposable and single-use medical products. Most recently, Mark served as chief commercial officer and senior vice president of sales for TIDI Products.
Joe Plante has been appointed division vice president and business unit manager for Ametek Brookfield, a Middleborough, Mass., provider of viscosity measurement, texture analysis, and powder flow instrumentation. Previously, Joe was president of Diba Industries. He also has served as president of NeedleTech Products and Galt Medical.
David Arslanian has been named a managing director at Progress Partners, a corporate finance and M&A advisory firm based in Boston. Previously, David served as vice president of corporate development and strategic partnerships at Telaria.
James DeLeo has been elected to serve as leading partner at Gray, Gray & Gray, an accounting and business advisory firm headquartered in Canton, Mass. James joined the firm in 1990 and was elected a partner in 2002.
Steve Dodman has joined Richardson, a Philadelphia-based sales training firm, in the role of chief sales officer. Previously, Steve held sales and marketing positions at SiriusDecisions, Technology Business Management Council, and International Data Group.
Anthony Weiss, a psychiatrist, has been named chief medical officer at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Boston. In this new role, Anthony serves as a key clinical leader for both BIDMC and Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians, the medical center’s affiliated physician group. Previously, he served as chief medical officer at Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, N.Y.
Jodi-Tatiana Charles wrote her first children’s book, It’s Just a Rug. The picture book tells the story of three friends from different backgrounds who learn what makes each of them unique and who come to understand one another’s values and traditions. Jodi-Tatiana emails, “I grew up with close friends of different nationalities and ancestries, and at an early age I learned the importance of embracing others’ unique stories. I wrote the book to help spark curiosity and discussion about appreciating different cultures and celebrating one’s heritage.”
Jon Feinman: See David Miller ’16.
Dan Hermann co-founded Paint Nite in 2012. Based in Somerville, Mass., Paint Nite provides a creative social experience that combines making art and sipping cocktails. The company recently began offering all-ages events, welcoming kids older than 6 (accompanied by a parent or legal guardian) to paint and play. Cocktails are still reserved for the 21-and-over set.
Gregg Monastiero has been named senior vice president, worldwide sales, for Mi9 Retail, a provider of omnichannel retail software. Previously, Gregg served as president of Symphony RetailAI.
Justin Pare was voted onto the North Attleboro, Mass., board of selectmen. The Attleboro Sun Chronicle reports that Justin was formerly a member of the town’s finance committee and played an active role in a Proposition 2½ override effort, which also passed.
Lizzie Bell (far right) and husband Sam Schlussel run Off the Beaten Path Food Tours, exploring out-of-the-way food finds in the Boston area. Lizzie recently hosted a group of Babson students on a food tour of Somerville’s Davis Square. The group learned about local food entrepreneurs and enjoyed tasting their offerings along the way. From left are Sabrina Stehly, assistant director, Honors and Presidential Scholars programs, Hannah Perez ’21, Aaron Wendell ’20, Krishna Ammini ’20, Amy Qin ’20, tour guide Katie Tingle, Sky Morgan ’20, Arjun Rajesh ’18, Derek Tu ’18, and Lizzie.
Jessica Chang (left) emails, “In 2016, my business partner, Annemarie Menelli (right), and I launched LobstahBox, a Boston-based e-commerce seafood company. We ship the full New England seafood experience, notably the Maine lobster, to anywhere in the continental U.S. With a shared love of food, we started this company to allow anyone to enjoy an authentic and memorable New England lobster feast, whether it’s for a date night, a big party or celebration, a client gift, or special occasion. It’s been an exciting ride as we continue to fill stomachs with delicious Maine lobster, lobster rolls, clam chowder, lobster bisque, Maine blueberry pie, and more.”
Joel Kamm (right) and wife Lucia traveled to Peru this spring. Joel emails, “We carried a Babson flag along 56 miles of the Salkantay Trail in six days, up 15,000 feet all the way to Machu Picchu. Now we are on to our next adventure and startup, Flexetail.” Flexetail builds and leases mobile tiny retail (MTR) units, which are 100 percent turnkey, off the grid, and mobile. MTRs are leased by the day, fully outfitted with 142 square feet of retail space, and include Wi-Fi, sound system, electric outlets, HVAC, lights, in-store analytics, and more. Visit the company’s website to learn more.
Mir Tamanna Ahmad is founder and CEO of VanGO, a passenger shuttle service that offers van rides from the Five Colleges area of the Pioneer Valley, in Western Massachusetts, to the Boston area. As an undergraduate at Mount Holyoke College, Mir found herself frustrated by the difficulty of traveling home to the Boston area. That experience prompted her to launch VanGO, whose services now also include package transport and a program that brings unwanted items to the Thrift Shop of Boston for donation.
Shea Blanchette Proulx: See Undergrad News, 1990.
Brian Dixon was among those named to the San Francisco Business Times’ “40 Under 40” list. Brian is a partner at Kapor Capital, an Oakland-based venture capital firm that’s part of the Kapor Center for Social Impact, investing in social venture companies. The paper reports that Brian was made a partner at Kapor Capital at the age of 31 and remains one of the youngest black partners in any venture capital firm.
Tara Foley is the founder of Follain, a natural beauty products boutique with two shops in Boston and a seasonal location on Nantucket. D Magazine reports that a new Follain boutique is scheduled to open in Dallas this fall and that the business has plans to open other shops around the country this year.
Mike Caslin, P’07, is the founder and president of the Global Center for Social Entrepreneurship Network (GCSEN) Foundation, which offers partner colleges curricula that prepare students to pursue social entrepreneurship. The GCSEN Foundation recently announced that its three-year pilot partnership with Wheaton College in Norton, Mass., helped the college secure a gift of $10 million from the Diana Davis Spencer Foundation.
Miguel del Bosque (left, with brother and business partner Horacio) emails, “I went to Babson to get my MBA, with the goal of working with the best to learn about entrepreneurship and kick-start the planning of my business. This past February, my restaurant, the sandwich co., turned three years old, and I hope to start franchising next year. Look for us on Facebook and Instagram.” The sandwich co. is located in Monterrey, Mexico. A 2016 Buzzfeed article placed it on a list of 13 Monterrey hot spots, citing the “incredible waffle sandwich with fried chicken and bacon.”
Lucy Turner (second from left) was among those attending a Babson alumni lunch in London. Lucy emails, “We had such a fun time connecting and sharing our Babson stories over lunch. Vice provost of global entrepreneurial leadership Candida Brush [Lucy’s mother and the host of the lunch] treated us to a fun round of Babson trivia and updated us on all the newest campus initiatives.” Attendees included, from left, Sandrine Sienche, Saltire Fellow (’11); Lucy; Gabriel Burd, MBA’11; Roberto Lampl, MBA ’93; Lauren Garey ’12; Martin Hrnciar ’01; Chris Thomas, Saltire Fellow (’15); Candida Brush; Tara Sahni ’16; Davele Zephyr ’19; and Ana Sinche ’01.
Jason Kraus, MS’15, is a partner in EQX Fund, a new evergreen angel investment fund. Jason, also a co-founder of Equity Venture Partners, an early-stage investment group, will be focusing on finding founders for the EQX portfolio to invest in.
Michael Martinez is dean of student life at Haverford College, where he helped spearhead the low-income and first-in-their-family assistance and resources program. The program offers low-income students financial assistance to cover unexpected expenses. Michael’s efforts were highlighted in an April 5 article in The New York Times, “Even with Scholarships, Students Often Need Extra Financial Help.”
Shriyans Bhandari, MS’16, was named to the Forbes “30 Under 30 Asia” list. Shriyans co-founded Greensole, a Mumbai-based social enterprise that refurbishes used sneakers, turning them into sandals that are sold as well as donated across India. Forbes reports that Greensole has partnered with over 40 corporations, enabling it to make 100,000 pairs of sandals annually.
Cameron Fischer and Alfred Schofield, both MS’16, were featured in an April 5 Forbes article, “Health and Wellness: The Challenges of an Alternate Business Model.” Cam and Alfred are cofounders of VitalFit Nutrition, which makes plant-based supplements. The article highlights their efforts to break into the supplements industry by emphasizing nutrition education.
Braeden Ruud, MS’16, is the co-founder and CEO of Raised Right, which makes pet food with “human-grade” ingredients and safety standards. Raised Right delivers customized meal plans directly to customers; the food also is available in retail stores. No preservatives or fillers, such as grain or corn, are used. Braeden emails, “My family has been farming and ranching for generations. It’s important for our animals to eat food that we can trust—especially with the frequent outbreaks of pet food contamination. I began developing Raised Right’s business plan at Babson, and the skills I learned there helped make this idea a reality.”
David James and Ravish Majithia were named to the Poets & Quants “Best & Brightest MBAs: Class of 2018” list. Before coming to Babson, David co-founded and led UP Academy Oliver, a public middle school in Lawrence, Mass. Ravish is a materials scientist who launched Magnomer, a plastic-packaging recycling business, while at Babson.
Finance has long been a quiet strength at Babson. In fact, approximately one-quarter of students pursue careers in the financial industry. Recognizing this, the College is renovating the Stephen …
In April, Babson Connect: Worldwide convened in Madrid, a city rich in culture and history. More than 400 Babson alumni, faculty, and friends gathered to share ideas and insights. During the summit, Babson named Juan Roig, president of Mercadona, to its Academy of Distinguished Entrepreneurs. Leila Janah, founder and CEO of Samasource and LXMI, and Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega, permanent member of the Spanish Council of State as well as founder and president of the Women for Africa Foundation, were honored with the Lewis Institute 2018 Community Changemaker Awards. President Kerry Healey also announced the launch of the Institute for Family Entrepreneurship, a hub for teaching, research, and innovative programs dedicated to advancing entrepreneurial families around the world. —Jillian Erdos, associate director, advancement communications
Photo: Karl Jeffs
Enjoying a welcome dinner at The Jungle Jazz Club by Amazonico are (from left) Eduardo Barco ’82, P’18, ’20, global advisory board member; Mariana Melhem, P’15, ’20; Patricia Suarez de Sola; and Gail and trustee emeritus Joseph Winn, MBA’74, P’15.
Photo: Karl Jeffs
Marla Capozzi, MBA’96 (far left), chair of Babson’s Board of Trustees, and President Kerry Healey (far right) pose for a photo with the Class of 2018 Global Scholars after engaging them in a lively panel discussion. Global Scholars include (from left) Lizaveta Litvinava, Salome Mosehle, Cassiano Dos Santos, and Rosine Ndayishimiye.
The first day of the conference included a high-profile panel, “The Business of Fashion,” hosted by trustee Dianne Sahenk, P’20 (far left). Featured speakers were (from left) Tommy Hilfiger, principal designer, Tommy Hilfiger; Elle Macpherson, P’20, entrepreneur and supermodel; and Lawrence Stroll, P’17, fashion executive and investor.
Photo: Karl Jeffs
All attendees, including more than 25 current Babson students, were invited to the gala reception and dinner, which took place at the Casino de Madrid.
Photo: Karl Jeffs
To see more photos and learn about Babson Connect: Worldwide, visit www.babson.edu/connectworldwide.
Alan Burack ’65 and Anita Young were married on Sept. 10 in Braintree, Mass. Frank Marmorek ’65, P’06, served as best man. Anita emails, “Children, grandchildren, and friends came from California, Florida, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, and as far away as Israel to join in the celebration.”
Lillian Cullen ’08 and Geoffrey Homer, MBA’13, were married on Dec. 16 at Stowe Mountain Lodge in Stowe, Vt. A number of Babson friends were on hand to share in the celebration. Front row, from left, are Eden Rahman ’08, Caroline Gaulin ’08, the bride and groom, Sarah (Switlik) Brooks ’11, Haylee (Migliore) Milligan ’09, Chris Milligan ’07, and Chris Maeder ’08; back row, from left, are Sean Speer ’06, Erica (Salisbury) Quirk ’08, MS’08, Rebecca (Eltzroth) Lockard ’08, Alyssa Sullivan ’11, Alex Brooks ’11, Mark Bollman ’10, and Chris Adams ’08.
Bryanne Leeming, MBA’16, married Timothy O’Leary on Oct. 21 at the Woodstock Inn & Resort in Woodstock, Vt. Babson alumni present included (from left, flanking the bride and groom) Alison Henry, Elizabeth Metzger, Jessa Moon, Fernando Duque, Mike Springer, Marielle De Blois, Kara O’Keefe, and Patricia Barrios, all MBA’16.
Nikki Stier ’08 and Grady Justice were married on Sept. 29 at the Harding Allen Estate in Barre, Mass. Among the Babson alumni celebrating were Christine Cavallo, Allie Mara, and Eric Mara, all ’08.
Kelsie Shea ’11 and Andrew Marr ’11 were married on Dec. 30 in Boston. Many Babson alumni attended, including (listed by class) John Nichols ’82, P’11; Dylan Malone ’08; Mark Bollman, Christopher Gorter, and Sasha (Pelich) Weinreich, all ’10; Alexander Beaton, Marissa Berardi, Nicole Crowley, Taylor Dever, Joseph Graves, Corey Highfield, Hunter Hollingsworth, Thomas Joyce, Tyler Keane, John Konaxis, Toria Mattera, John Nichols, Chelsie Niehoff, Michelle Sauer, Christopher Smith, Alyssa Sullivan, Lexie Toorock, Harry Tucker, MS’11, Victoria Volgende, MS’11, Emma Watson, and Samantha Zildjian, all ’11; Jennifer Sargent and Chloe Tsakiris, both ’12; Ryan Carnevale, Alex Patinkin, and James Stento, all ’13; and George Miller ’14.
Robert Blanke ’33 of St. Louis died Sept. 30 at the age of 105.
Robert Ammon ’47 of Waco, Texas, died Sept. 28. An Air Force veteran, he served in both WWII and Korea and later had a career as a commercial pilot.
Hunter Rowley ’48 of Marietta, Ga., died July 8, 2017. He was an Army Air Forces veteran who served in WWII. He had a long career as a financial analyst and served on the jury that convicted the Boston Strangler in 1967.
Edward Harris ’50 of Florence, Mass., died May 3. He served in the Army Signal Corps during the Korean War. He held numerous positions at Rodney Hunt, an Orange, Mass., manufacturer of cast and fabricated gates.
James Ingamells ’50 of Shrewsbury, Mass., died May 6. He served in the Navy and later had a long career in banking. He is survived by daughter Mary Ingamells ’77, MBA’88.
Robert Tannebring ’50 of Beverly, Mass., died April 11. He was a Navy veteran who served in WWII.
Emil Tietje ’50 of Falmouth, Mass., died April 25. A Navy veteran who served in WWII, he owned and operated Woods Hole Boat Sales in Falmouth.
Sidney Adair ’51 of Palm Springs, Calif., died March 16. He practiced probate and estate law for 56 years.
Paul Trout ’51 of Christiansburg, Va., died Dec. 21. He was a Navy veteran.
John Walton ’51 of Harbor Springs, Mich., died March 7. Among other endeavors, he was owner of Walton Font sales agency and co-owner of the Crooked River Tavern.
Jerald Katleman ’52 of San Diego died Jan. 10. A Navy veteran who served in the Korean War, he helped build affordable housing and was a founder of the California Heritage Bank.
Aldred Warren ’52 of Greensboro, N.C., died Dec. 3. He served in the Navy and worked as a flooring contractor.
Henry Hummel, MBA’54, of Tiffin, Ohio, died April 8. He served in the Navy and worked at PNC Bank in New Jersey until his retirement.
Paul Amico ’57 of Danvers, Mass., died on April 7. He was an Army veteran and a longtime Winchester resident, serving on that town’s board of selectmen.
Ferdinand Irrgang ’57 of DeLand, Fla., died March 28. He served as an aviator in the Navy and later worked for Braniff Airways and the Florida Department of Forestry.
George Turnmeyer, MBA’58, of Huntsville, Ala., died April 2. He was a major general in the Army and served as commanding general of the Army Missile Command from 1975 to 1977.
William Boyd ’59 of Fernandina Beach, Fla., died Nov. 10.
Robert Cummings, MBA’59, of Salem, Mass., died April 8. He was a CPA and a member of the National Guard.
Robert Morris ’59 of St. Petersburg, Fla., died Nov. 21. He served in the Navy during the Korean War.
Klee Dobra ’60 of Hatfield, Pa., died March 13. A Coast Guard veteran who played trombone in the Coast Guard Band, he had a long career in the commercial broadcasting industry.
Damon Richards ’60, P’83, ’86, of Northborough, Mass., died March 8. He spent his career in the food industry, serving as president of the Frozen Food Association of New England and as owner and operator of CRS Food Marketing. He is survived by daughter Janine Colleran ’83 and son Scott Richards ’86.
Robert Arnold ’61 of Methuen, Mass., died April 18. He spent eight years in the Army National Guard, worked at his family’s car dealership, and retired from Textron Defense Systems.
Paul Slosberg ’62 of Lecanto, Fla., died March 11. With his father, he owned and operated Dart & Bogue Lumber, and he also owned a day care center and a patio furniture business.
William Taylor ’64 of Tampa, Fla., died Feb. 20.
Frederick Fox, MBA’65, of Opelika, Ala., died March 29. He served in the Army during the Vietnam War and later launched a commuter airline and developed assisted-living communities.
Bruce Donham ’66 of Richmond, Va., died March 28. An Army veteran, he was employed at Carpenter Co. for 38 years.
Robert Niles, MBA’70, of Mansfield, Mass., died Feb. 20. He taught marketing at Stonehill College and later became a licensed insurance agent.
William Taylor ’71, MBA’76, of Kissimmee, Fla., died Jan. 3.
Allen Chanes ’72 of Succasunna, N.J., died Feb. 25. He started several companies specializing in management search and consulting, accounting systems, and executive training.
Donald Finney, MBA’73, of Clifton Park, N.Y., died March 1. He was a marketing development manager at General Electric Silicones for 30 years.
Daniele Loffreda, MBA’73, of Boston died Nov. 5. He worked at various positions in finance and administration and served as a professor of accounting and economics.
James Sullivan, MBA’74, of Brewster, Mass., died March 14. An Army veteran, he was director of credit for Colgate-Palmolive at the time of his retirement.
Herbert Ahrens, MBA’76, of West Yarmouth, Mass., died March 7. An aviator in the Navy, he later worked for Polaroid for 30 years.
Stephen Agan ’78 of Topeka, Kan., died Jan. 27. He worked as a grocery manager for Dillons.
Jeffrey Weinstein, MBA’80, formerly of Newton and Westborough, Mass., died April 18. He spent most of his career as a marketing manager at Bostik.
Jeffrey Macartney, MBA’81, of Ladera Ranch, Calif., died March 26. He worked as a CFO for several businesses.
John Carota, MBA’82, of Wells, Maine, died March 25. An engineer, he worked at Stone & Webster for many years and served as an adjunct professor at Northeastern University and Wentworth Institute of Technology.
William Fearnley ’83, MBA’94, of Norwood, Mass., died May 9. He worked in the computer industry for more than 30 years.
Katherine (Baker) Lovell, MBA’87, of Downingtown, Pa., died on April 1. She was executive director of the Mill at Anselma, a national historic landmark.
Karen (Briggs) Buckley, MBA’94, of Simsbury, Conn., died on April 27. She worked in the telecommunications industry.
Adam Dorfman ’95 of Highland Park, Ill., died Oct. 6.
Deynica Welirang ’00 of Los Angeles died Dec. 29.
Ian Joyce, MBA’03, of Charlton, Mass., died April 21. He was a long-serving Army veteran who had a civilian career in banking.
