Babson Magazine

Spring 2015

Alumni News

Undergraduate

1963

Arthur Blank, H’98, was featured in a Dec. 10 article, “Jewish Hall of Fame: Arthur Blank,” posted on ShalomLife.com. A new member of Shalom Life’s hall of fame, Art co-founded The Home Depot in 1978 and retired as chairman in 2001. He also owns the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons. In addition, he is chairman of The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, which invests in early childhood development, education, green space, and the arts. Through the foundation and his family’s personal giving, he has donated more than $300 million to charitable organizations.

Steven Schwartz is an attorney and shareholder of Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, a law firm with offices in Springfield and Northampton, Mass., and Albany, N.Y. He has been named to the 2014 Super Lawyers and 2015 Best Lawyers lists. In addition, the firm has been included in the 2015 edition of Best Law Firms by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers. Steven practices business and corporate, estate planning and probate, and tax law.

1965

Mark Bentley emails, “50-50-50. Let’s celebrate our 50th Reunion! The goal is to have a minimum of 50 Class of 1965 alums at the Reunion festivities on Sept. 25–27. Join our Babson Class of 1965 Facebook group for more details. On a personal note, Dee and I are celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary. 1965 was a great year!”

Jon Dubbs emails from Allentown, Pa., “Visiting Babson last year for a one-day conference opened my eyes to the incredible changes that have occurred on campus. I wasn’t with you on the stage for graduation, but I’m coming back to see everyone and take in all of Babson that exists today. It should be fun, and I hope you’ll be there, too. By the way, I married a Pine Manor girl. More at Reunion.”

Rick McDermott emails, “I retired from my securities, banking, and investment management career in 2010. My wife, Laura, and I have lived in Vero Beach, Fla., full time for 17 years, traveling extensively in the summertime. We are the proud parents of four children and six grandchildren, one of whom, Richard, hopes to attend Babson. My brother, Peter ’76, and his son, Peter ’10, are both alumni.” Rick is a former member of the Babson Board of Trustees.

1974

Stuart Harper, executive director of Buffalo City Mission in Buffalo, N.Y., was featured in a Dec. 13 article, “Head of City Mission Finds Purpose Helping Others,” in The Buffalo News. He heads a staff of more than 100 employees who run the mission’s two facilities: the Men’s Community Center and the Cornerstone Manor Women and Children’s Shelter. The facilities offer three meals daily, clothing, and lodging, as well as occupational, emotional, and spiritual therapy.

1975

John Fernandes, H’10, has retired as president and CEO of AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). The Tampa, Fla.-based AACSB is a nonprofit membership organization of educational institutions, businesses, and other entities focused on management education. Named the organization’s first president and CEO in 2000, John is credited with making AACSB a global entity.

Rick Rielly has been named Realtor of the Year by the New York State Association of Realtors. He was recognized for his dedication to his community and the association, and he was honored during the Realtors Conference and Expo in New Orleans in November. A Realtor for 20 years, he is an associate broker with Fraleigh & Rakow Realty in Rhinebeck, N.Y.

1978

Alan Russell ’78

Alan Russell, CPA, has been appointed vice president for finance at Pine Manor College in Brookline, Mass. He is shown in front of a portrait of one of the college’s early benefactors and alumnae, Frances Crandall Dyke. Previously, Alan was interim vice president for administration and finance at Warren Wilson College in Ashville, S.C.

1979

Tracy Kornfeld emails, “I have great memories of my years at Babson, including those of head nurse Nellie Bishop and her right-hand nurse, Mrs. Mac. They took good care of us. I remember Nellie lived in Nova Scotia during the summers, and Mrs. Mac (who made the best lumpy oatmeal in the world) passed in 1998. Does anyone know what happened to Nellie?” Tracy can be contacted at divemaster@pobox.com.

Rob Lutts ’79
Photo: Lightshed Photography

Rob Lutts, president, chief investment officer, and founder of Cabot Wealth Management in Salem, Mass., was appointed to the board of trustees of Salem State University in November by then-Governor Deval Patrick. Previously, Rob was a member and past president of the Salem State Foundation, a private, notfor- profit organization that raises and manages gifts that support the university. He is a trustee of the YMCA Retirement Fund and a member of the city of Salem Retirement Board.

1982

Daniel Honan has been named executive vice president, wealth management in the Yarmouth, Maine, office of Philadelphia-based financial services firm Janney Montgomery Scott. He began his financial career in Portland, Maine, at Shearson Lehman Brothers in 1986. He stayed at the same firm until he joined Merrill Lynch in 2010. Dan is a member of the board of directors of the Morrison Center, which provides services for people with disabilities, and is on the board of advisers of Cheverus High School, where he went to school.

1983

Thomas Auchincloss has been appointed to the board of directors of Concert Pharmaceuticals and appointed independent chair of the board’s audit committee. A managing partner of Counterpoint Trading in Chestnut Hill, Mass., Tom also is a trustee and treasurer of Kieve-Wavus Education and an adviser to Capital Formation Group and Acelium.

Paul Clancy has been appointed to the board of directors of Incyte. He is the executive vice president for finance and CFO at Biogen Idec. Before attaining those positions in 2007, Paul held several senior executive roles with Biogen Idec and its predecessor, Biogen. He also serves on the board of directors of Agios Pharmaceuticals.

1984

Paul Donato, P’13, in his ninth year as ice hockey coach at Wellesley High School, was featured in a Jan. 18 article, “Donato Leading a Raider Uprising on the Ice,” in The Wellesley Townsman. A four-year letter-winner and two-time captain at Babson, he led the Beavers to their first NCAA National Championship. Paul received All-America honors and holds Babson’s record for career assists, points in a season, and assists in a season.

1985

Caryn (Rosenthal) Kopp, founder of Kopp Consulting, emails, “I’ve co-authored a book, Biz Dev Done Right: Demystifying the Sales Process and Getting the Results You Want, which will be released in September. This book provides the road map to success in developing new sales dollars, and for creating and sustaining a robust pipeline. It also points out the critical blind spots in sales that people need to know about and includes a checklist for hiring rock-star sellers.”

Scott Root emails, “Living in the Boston area with my wife, Cocoa, daughter Sierra, 17, and son Myles, 11. I look forward to seeing everyone at our 30th Reunion in September.”

1988

Thomas Carroll was sworn in on Dec. 17 as a member of the board of trustees of Massasoit Community College in Brockton, Mass. He was appointed by then-Governor Deval Patrick. Tom is CEO of South Shore Medical Center in Norwell.

Scott Poulin has been named to the board of directors of the Coral Gables Community Foundation, a nonprofit organization that fosters programs and initiatives that enhance the quality of life for people living and working in Coral Gables, Fla. He began his three-year term in January. He also is co-chair of the advisory board for the United Way Center for Financial Stability. Scott is managing director, client development at Wescott Financial Advisory Group.

1989

Malik Fernando ’89

Malik Fernando is managing director of Resplendent Ceylon, luxury resorts in Sri Lanka. He emails, “I am shown by the crescent-shaped infinity pool of Cape Weligama and our panoramic view of the Indian Ocean. The March issue of Travel + Leisure magazine included Weligama, which features 40 villas and suites, on its ‘It List 2015,’ the annual editors’ choice awards for the best new hotels. Our first resort, Ceylon Tea Trails, and Weligama are Relais & Chateaux members. We have two more projects underway.” Malik also is a director of his family’s tea company, Dilmah, founded by his father.

Pam Simpson and Paul McIsaac are the founders of 9yahds, a developer of cloud-based software for the design, automation, and measurement of critical business processes. Pam emails, “9yahds has been nominated for a prestigious Business Continuity Institute Award in the category of Continuity and Resilience Innovation 2015. Paul and I never would have started this company together had we skipped our 20th Reunion. We’re living proof of the Babson network and hope to work with many alumni in the years to come.”

1990

Jamie Rice ’90

Jamie Rice (center), head hockey coach, emails, “On Dec. 6, the men’s ice hockey program honored Corey Griffin ’10 and his family during a game in the Babson Skating Center. Corey died at 27 as a result of a tragic accident on Aug. 16. During an on-ice ceremony with some of his teammates on hand, we presented Corey’s No. 8 home-game jersey to his brother Michael (from left), father Rob, sister Casey, and mother Cathy. To memorialize Corey this season, the team wore ‘Griff’ patches on their jerseys, and no player was issued his number.”

Kristen Cunningham Kime emails, “I am excited to return to campus for Reunion in September! It will be fun to catch up and reminisce about the good old days. I am on the Reunion committee, and we are hoping for record-breaking attendance, so please mark your calendars and book your room at BECC. Where have all the years gone since we hung out at the Pub, roamed the Hill, and meandered down the ramp at Trim?”

1992

Jim Pierrakos, a basketball team member in high school and college, was profiled in The Boston Globe on Dec. 14, “Jim Pierrakos, Watertown High/Babson College Basketball.” A leader in rebounds and free throws at Babson, he is fifth on the College’s career scoring list and a member of the Athletics Hall of Fame. He works for Kforce, specializing in technology recruiting and client relationship management.

1993

Michael Donner has been appointed executive vice president and chief marketing officer at BeMyDD (Be My Designated Driver), headquartered in Cleveland. BeMyDD offers designated-driver services, for which professional drivers use the customer’s vehicle to chauffeur the customer. Previously, Michael was chief marketing officer at Conversica, a sales conversion management software company.

Adam Sachs, a financial adviser at Centinel Financial Group in Needham, was named a Five Star Wealth Manager in a special section in the February issue of Boston magazine. A multiyear winner of the award, he also qualified for the Million Dollar Round Table, an association for financial professionals, and was recognized for “Achieving Client Excellence” by John Hancock Financial Network.

Adam Sachs ’93
Photo: Paige Brown Photography

Adam Sachs (front left, kneeling) emails, “Theta Chi Alumni Affinity Group and the Alumni and Friends Network organized their second annual Bone Marrow Drive, held during Reunion and Homecoming. Fifty alumni, students, and family members registered with the Be the Match organization to potentially save a life. In the front row with me are (from left, sitting) Ralf Riehl ’90, Chris Sherman ’93 and wife Kerry Sherman, Be the Match representative Virginia Ferreira, and James Cacace ’90 (kneeling). A special acknowledgment goes to Chris, who was able to attend because his bone marrow transplant was successful.”

1995

David Cohen, executive director of Doc Wayne Youth Services, a nonprofit organization that connects with youth through sports, emails, “On Nov. 17, Doc Wayne was recognized as Innovator of the Year by the Massachusetts Council of Human Service Providers, also known as the Providers’ Council, a statewide association of health and human service agencies. I was honored to accept the award at the council’s 39th annual convention.” David is the founder of Playing It Forward, a nonprofit that provides sports equipment to disadvantaged youth.

1996

Derik Cavignano ’96

Derik Cavignano emails, “My suspense thriller, The Righteous and the Wicked, is about coming to terms with our mortality and how the relentless pursuit of knowledge can prove deadly. Kirkus Reviews calls it a ‘gleefully hard-boiled urban fantasy.’ I enjoy writing character-driven stories in a variety of genres—paranormal, horror, fantasy, and suspense. Because Babson didn’t have enough writing courses, they allowed me to take a course at Brandeis University to complete a minor in creative writing. I am grateful for the wonderful balance Babson strikes between business and the arts.”

1997

Ara Hajian is founder and owner of The Hub Gallery in Los Angeles. He emails, “In December, The Hub Gallery presented its first contemporary art show, titled ‘Unruled.’ The show, which featured the work of Jason Mason, was a huge success with pieces sold to such notable collectors as Los Angeles artist Ed Ruscha, photographer and documentarian Paul Ruscha, architect Victor Newlove, actor Bud Cort, and fellow alumnus David Kislin ’94, to name a few. Mason’s next show is in June!”

1998

Peter Sides has been elected to a three-year term on the board of directors of the National Association of Music Merchants, a not-for-profit organization. Peter is president of Robert M. Sides Family Music Centers in Williamsport, Pa., and the third generation of his family to own and operate the business, which has four locations in central Pennsylvania and New York. He also is a member of the strategic planning committee for the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association.

1999

Franco Pacelli ’99

Franco Pacelli founded WhatGym in 2014. He emails, “As a gym owner and fitness enthusiast, I want to improve the relationship between the business and the consumer. WhatGym’s platform and mobile app help fitness-minded people, including business travelers and tourists, find gyms or studios for drop-in classes or long-term memberships. Users search a variety of factors, including location, amenities, type of workout, and price. WhatGym also helps fitness studios and gym owners attract members and increase revenues. Currently active in the New York City metropolitan area, we plan to expand to all major U.S. cities.”

Jamie Siminoff is CEO and chief inventor of Ring, a video doorbell that helps customers answer the door with a smartphone. The Nov. 24 issue of Time magazine named Ring one of the Top 10 Gadgets of 2014. Ring features a wide-angle camera with night vision, and Ring’s motion-triggered alerts notify customers of guests and deliveries. The company also was featured in The Wall Street Journal, “Doorbells Become the Eyes and Ears of the Smart Home,” on Feb. 18.

2000

Ricardo Caporal has been elected to the board of directors of the National Parkinson Foundation. According to the foundation, Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, after Alzheimer’s. Ricardo is founder and president of Mattoni Group, a residential and commercial real estate investment and management firm headquartered in Miami.

2002

Mario Rodriguez ’02

Mario Rodriguez is culinary director of Dinner Lab, a members-only, pop-up restaurant. He emails, “I’m shown answering questions about the menu at Dinner Lab’s September launch event in Houston. We provide opportunities for up and coming chefs to cook the food they’re passionate about. Our multicourse culinary experiences—alcohol included—are held in 24 cities around the country in unique locations, which are kept secret until 24 hours in advance. I was the chef at Boston’s inaugural dinner, held in February. Dinner Lab plans to hold two dinners per month in Boston, working up to once a week.”

2003

Brian Tartufo ’03

Brian Tartufo (right) emails, “Babson baseball alumni held their fourth annual alumni golf tournament, the Govoni Golf Classic, on Aug. 15 at Sandy Burr Country Club in Wayland, Mass. The tourney is named in honor of Norm Govoni (second from left), longtime assistant baseball coach and marketing professor. To congratulate Coach G. on his retirement, he was presented with a picture of the Norman and Terry Govoni Field painted on a home plate. We’re joined by Joe Kehoe ’03 (left) and Matt Nolan ’03 (second from right), who planned the event with me. For information on the next tournament, contact the group at babsonbaseballalumni@gmail.com.”

2004

Imran Malik emails from Houston, “In 2009, my father and I founded ITIC, a market trading and advisory firm; we paired his trading expertise with my market research experience. We have grown ITIC by adding corporate executives, Wall Street bankers, diplomats, and constitutional and securities lawyers. In five years, we have advised heads of state, state corporations, and royal family offices in the commodities and financial markets. We are constantly looking for bright minds.”

Nadia Liu Spellman ’04

Nadia Liu Spellman opened her Weston, Mass., restaurant, Dumpling Daughter, in November. Nadia emails, “Dumpling Daughter, which features authentic Chinese home-style dishes, is doing well. We were featured in The Boston Globe on Jan. 13, ‘Dumpling Daughter’s Chinese Food Is Exquisite,’ and in Boston magazine’s January issue, ‘Family Ties,’ and readers have been coming from all over Massachusetts to dine with us. Dumpling Daughter is a fast-casual concept; you order at the counter and your food is brought to you as it’s ready, tapas style. We are open seven days a week, and we offer takeout, too.”

2005

Mike Angelov ’05

Mike Angelov (from left), Alex Burakovsky ’01, and Daniel Ruvinsky have founded GrillEasy. The team is shown in November between two people in marshmallow costumes at the KOA (Kampgrounds of America) Expo in Charleston, S.C. Mike emails, “Our easy-to-light and convenient hardwood-charcoal FireQubes are perfect for camping trips, tailgating parties, backyard barbecues, and much more. We launched GrillEasy last summer in New England, and we’re expanding our reach to other markets. FireQubes are available online and in select stores. For more info, check out grill-easy.com.”

Michael Mandel is co-founder and CEO of CompStak, which gathers data on real-estate lease activity. The firm was featured in a Nov. 17 article, “Better Together: CRE [Counselors of Real Estate] Crowdsourcer CompStak Raises $4.4M,” on TheRealDeal.com. Founded in 2012, the New York City-based firm is active in 12 U.S. cities.

2006

Tyler Saldutti: See Todd Connor, MBA’05.

2007

Steve Liu (MBA’13) emails, “My company, Wow Barbecue, operates the first authentic Chinese barbecue food truck in the Boston area. I founded the business in 2013, and we have grown to two food trucks in Boston—one operating in Chinatown and one around the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway—and a full-service restaurant in Malden. We are working on our second restaurant, also called Wow Barbecue but with a little more upscale feel, and expect to open in Brookline in late summer.”

Jackie Real ’07

Jackie Real, designer and founder of Jackie Real apparel, is shown modeling one of her fashion creations. She emails, “Comfortable looks this good. Finally, fashion in performance fabric. Jackie Real clothing is not just another item in your closest. My fashions help women look good even on the most hectic days. The styles are made in a top-quality fabric that is breathable, wrinkle resistant, soft to the touch, and comfortable. My products are made in the U.S., and I run the business in Portland, Maine. You can shop online or in boutiques around New England.”

2008

Kamal Haddad ’08

Kamal Haddad (front, center) is shown with Jason Haddad ’10 (front, right) and (back, from left) Henry Jamijian, Jimmy Haddad, and Dave Deas. Kamal emails, “In 2010, my brothers, Jason and Jimmy, our cousin, Henry, and I founded RocketDrop; Dave is another team member. We wholesale and distribute consumer electronics worldwide. In 2014, the company made the Inc. 5000 list at No. 161. In January, RocketDrop was named No. 10 on the Forbes list, ‘America’s Most Promising Companies: The Top 20 of 2015.’ We are growing fast and hope to be much higher on the list next year.”

Lynn Root is a back-end engineer at Spotify, a digital music service company. She was profiled in a September Glamour.com article, “35 Women Under 35 Who Are Changing the Tech Industry,” as a leader who is changing the face of technology. She also is a global leader of PyLadies, a mentorship organization for women in tech who code in Python or want to learn the programming language.

Shaina Silva ’08

Shaina Silva (second from left) emails, “I am shown in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, with (from left) Alexandre de Lespinasse and Christophe de Lespinasse, both ’10, and their father, Christian de Lespinasse ’79. On the day after Christmas, we celebrated the twins’ birthday at an orphanage they often visit in Saintard, and, as a tradition, they visit on their birthday. They invited me to join them, and we played games, ate cake, and shared Christmas gifts. The kids really appreciated the gifts and that the twins chose to celebrate their birthday with them. It was a humbling experience.”

David Yarus was interviewed for a Feb. 13 article, “New Dating App Has Jews Swiping One Another Off Their Feet: Free to All Users, JSwipe Speaks to Younger Generation’s Preferred Matchmaking Methods,” in The Times of Israel. David launched JSwipe in 2014.

2009

Patrick Clarke emails, “Inspired by my love for Cape Cod, I founded Cape Clasp in 2013. The brand’s rope bracelets and accessories are made in the U.S., and 15 percent of profits are donated to local nonprofits, such as Cape Cod National Seashore, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, and the Cape Cod Times Needy Fund. Our products can be purchased online and at Cape Cod gift shops and local craft fairs.”

Jamie Kent ’09

Jamie Kent, musician and songwriter, emails, “In November, I moved to Nashville, Tenn., with my girlfriend, Bonnie St. Martin. After traveling to the great Music City almost monthly for a year, I decided to take the leap and relocate the home base. I’ve already made my debut at Nashville’s legendary Bluebird Cafe (I’m at left, on the mic) and begun work with Grammy-nominated producer Dave Brainard on my next album. I’m set to play around 200 shows this year, so keep an eye on my calendar (jamiekent.com/tour). As always, I look forward to crossing paths with some great alumni.”

Michael Markarian, co-founder of Mount Dream, emails, “It can be difficult to determine whether an idea is worth pursuing. So with Mount Dream, we are building a pre-crowdfunding tool that gives entrepreneurs quality feedback on their idea before they invest too much money or time. It’s a simple way to test ideas and see if there is market interest. For more information, email info@mountdream.com.”

2010

Alex Moazed was featured in an article, “This Developer Launched a Wildly Successful Company from His Dorm Room: Applico’s Founder Ran Up a Credit Card Bill to Build His Tech Startup,” in the February issue of Inc. magazine. Alex’s initial investment in New York City-based Applico, his mobile app development company, was $9,000. Today, Applico has 50 employees and satellite offices in Los Angeles and Boston.

Mason Wartman ’10
Photo: Michael Rozman/Warner Bros.

Mason Wartman (left), founder and owner of Rosa’s Fresh Pizza in Philadelphia, is shown on the set of The Ellen DeGeneres Show in January with the talk show host. Mason emails, “I enjoyed talking with Ellen. She’s an incredibly kind, generous person, and she made my time on the show unforgettable and awesome. Since my TV appearance, business has picked up, and we find ourselves helping even more people than we did before, which is wonderful. I’m super thankful that Ellen thought our efforts were interesting enough to feature on her show.”

2011

Gayatri Jolly ’11

Gayatri Jolly (left), founder of her eponymous brand, Gayatri Jolly, and a model are shown wearing Gayatri’s creations. Gayatri emails, “I moved to India in 2011 to launch the Entrepreneurship Development Program at Adharshila Trust, a nonprofit that serves the urban poor in India. EDP focuses on vocational skills, including tailoring for women who are mentored and given sewing machines to start their own businesses. In 2013, I enrolled at Parsons The New School for Design to become a socially responsible fashion designer. My dream is to enable the women from EDP to implement fashion collections from start to finish and become self-reliant.”

2012

Amy Mon ’12

Amy Mon (front, center) emails, “I was awarded a Fulbright U.S. Student Program grant to be an English teaching assistant in Alor Setar, the state capital of Kedah, Malaysia. I am enjoying this amazing opportunity to teach English, entrepreneurship, and computer programming at a government-run school that has received low performance ratings. Thank you to Katherine Platt, Babson’s Fulbright Program adviser and associate professor of cultural anthropology, who guided me through the yearlong application process. If you are looking to donate books or to work with an international school, please email me at amon1@babson.edu.”

Cameron Sheldrake, founder of Off the Cob corn chips, emails, “After I appeared on ABC’s Shark Tank in November, sales have more than doubled for Off the Cob, even without a deal from the Sharks. My crispy and savory tortilla chips are made with fresh sweet corn and are available in our sea salt flavor. They’re gluten free, organic, and non-GMO. You can find Off the Cob at Whole Foods in the Boston area and Wegmans in New York.”

2014

Zak Barry ’14

Zak Barry (center), founder and owner of Banan, a food truck business in Honolulu, stands with partners Matt Hong (left) and Luke Untermann. Zak emails, “Banan also is the name of our novel product, a dairy-free base of bananas blended to a soft-serve consistency. We add other fruits and spices to Banan and serve it in cups, bowls, or a real papaya ‘boat.’ We also offer coldpressed juices and locally grown teas, including one made from Hawaiian awa root and mixed with coconut milk and chai spices. Besides sourcing our produce locally and composting our food waste, we are raising awareness about sustainability on the islands.”

Graduate back to top

1976

Cecilia Hensel, MBA’76

Cecilia Hensel has established a residential real estate practice in Greater Boston and MetroWest. She emails, “I have extensive knowledge of these markets and have helped numerous clients from all cultures successfully buy or sell their homes. Clients respect my Babson credentials and appreciate my professional approach. I work out of the Natick and Wellesley offices of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Town and Country Real Estate and can be reached at cecilia@bhhsbaystatehomes.com.”

Kenneth Tarpey has been named CFO at Videology, a video advertising technology firm headquartered in New York City. He oversees the company’s financial, legal, human resources, and administrative functions. Previously, he was CFO at comScore.

1981

Phyllis Ginzler, MBA’81

Phyllis Ginzler is a Republican member of the Maine House of Representatives, where she represents the towns of Bridgton, Denmark, and Harrison. She emails, “I came out of retirement to run my first campaign for elected office. In November, I was elected to the 127th Legislature, and I have been appointed to serve on the Judiciary Committee. Maine was a model of civic participation with a 59 percent voting rate, the highest in the nation. I will continue as president of the Bridgton Hospital Guild and a volunteer patient advocate at the hospital.”

1982

Akio Toyoda was interviewed for a Dec. 17 article, “The World’s Biggest Car Company Wants to Get Rid of Gasoline,” on Bloomberg.com. President and CEO of Toyota, Akio envisions the Mirai, the company’s new sedan, will become the first mass-market hydrogen car.

1983

Thomas Farley has been appointed senior vice president and senior credit officer at Middlesex Savings Bank in Natick, Mass. Previously, he was a senior vice president and credit officer at Citizens Bank.

1985

Mary Ann Coffey was featured in a Jan. 6 article, “Student Spotlight,” on Ganoksin.com. Mary Ann, who had worked in marketing for high-tech companies, is making jewelry and participating in workshops at Metalwerx, a jewelry and metal arts school and studio in Waltham, Mass. She also has a studio in the Boston area.

1987

Ricardo Litvak emails, “After 27 years on Wall Street, I recently launched my own company, Litvak & Co. The company was founded with the vision of bringing the legacy of traditional private banking to 21st century investors. We are committed to building a firm that provides our clients with independent and insightful wealth management, strategic global advice, and access to the most advanced technologies of the digital age. We call it ‘Old World. New Perspective.’”

1988

Craig Bergquist emails, “I’m working as a U.S. Army civilian at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala. I’m director of the Joint Tactical Ground Station for the Army’s program office for Missiles & Space. I travel to California, Colorado, Washington, D.C., and overseas. I missed a real New England winter!”

Jim Lynch has been appointed a regional sales manager at AES in Peabody, Mass. He supports and develops customers in the Northeast and Canada for the communications equipment manufacturer. He also is the contact for the company’s security products business unit, which includes federal and military markets.

1993

Larry Hughes, P’07, CEO of BNY Mellon Wealth Management, was featured in a Nov. 29 article, “Quiet Giant: BNY Mellon Wealth Management Looks to Add Talent and Assets,” on Barrons.com. Under his direction, the unit has launched a national TV ad campaign and opened private-banking offices, as well as hired more salespeople, portfolio managers, and private bankers. Based in Boston, Larry is chair of BNY Mellon’s New England region and a member of its operating committee.

Kei Mashimo, MBA’93

Kei Mashimo (standing, far left) emails, “The fifth annual meeting and social gathering of the Babson Alumni Club of Japan was held on Oct. 31 at the Imperial Hotel Tokyo. Among the seven undergraduate alumni, 34 MBA alumni, and one undergraduate student, Min Joo Kim ’16 (standing, second from left), who attended were club chairman Junichi Murata, MBA’60, H’92 (front row, fourth from left), and the club’s principal adviser, Ichiro Ueno ’55, H’87 (front row, fifth from left).”

1994

John Stephans has been promoted to CEO of IdeaPaint; the company’s product turns anything that can be painted into a dry-erase surface. Previously, he was president of the company, where he has been working since 2012. IdeaPaint was founded by Jeff Avallon, John Goscha, and Morgen Newman, all ’06, while they were at Babson.

1995

Anne De Greef-Safft has been named president of the food service equipment group at Standex International, a manufacturer based in Salem, N.H. Previously, she was vice president for strategic development, Gems Sensors & Controls, a division of Danaher.

1997

Erika Elmuts has been appointed to Ariix’s wellness council, which helps market the company’s product line for healthy living. A clinical nutritionist and certified biofeedback technician, she also is the founder of ConsciousParents.org.

1998

Mark Rukavina emails, “After years of advocating for consumers on health-care cost and access issues, I founded Community Health Advisors in 2012. CHA advises nonprofit hospitals on billing and collection requirements needed to maintain federal tax exemption. I also have testified before Congress and recently before the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on medical debt collections and credit report accuracy. I’m a regular contributor to Credit.com, where you can read my December post, ‘How the CFPB Can Help Consumers Hurt by Medical Debt.’”

1999

Jade Butay has been reappointed by Hawaii Governor David Ige as deputy director of administration for the state’s department of transportation, a position Jade first held from 2011 to 2013. In the interim, he was deputy director of Hawaii’s department of labor and industrial relations.

Bernard Lee, MBA’99

Bernard Lee, a professional poker player (bernardleepoker.com), and his family delivered holiday packages in December to more than 75 children at the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center in Lawrence, Mass. The visit was organized by the Full House Charity Program, which he founded in 2011 to help organizations across New England that focus on needy children. Co-sponsors were Chili’s restaurants and the Eastern Poker Tour. Bernard emails, “There are few greater joys in life than seeing children smile. This special celebration has become one of my family’s favorite holiday events.”

Bill Stanek, MBA’99

Bill Stanek emails, “I have released There’s a Spider in the Corner and Other Silly Songs for Curious Children under my stage name, Bill Shipper. My new EP contains six songs I wrote for my children when they were young to help them sleep, celebrate activities, or just be silly. When it comes to lyrics for children, I love to allude to alluring alliteration and to saturate songs with silly situations. This collection and my first, Dirty Data, which features songs written for Babson Buffoonery, are available on my website, billshipper.com. Email me at bill@billshipper.com for an autographed copy and follow me on Facebook.”

2000

Nick Chakalos has been named senior vice president, global distribution at Cognitive Networks, a San Francisco-based company that aims to transform consumers’ viewing experience of smart TVs. Previously, he was president of Catch Media.

2001

Cory Chambers has been named vice president and chief revenue officer at Hospitality Ventures Management Group, an Atlanta-based hotel investment and management company. He provides leadership and strategic direction to the company’s sales and marketing, revenue management, and e-commerce teams. Previously, he was vice president for revenue generation at White Lodging.

2004

Stephen Coulter has joined TriNet, a company that manages payroll, benefits, risk and compliance, and other human resources functions for small and medium-sized companies. He is developing TriNet’s Boston market, focusing on financial services firms such as investment advisers, banks, and credit unions.

Rick Krollman, a financial adviser in the wealth management office of Morgan Stanley in Fairfield, Conn., has been named to the firm’s Pacesetter’s Club. The club recognizes financial advisers who demonstrate excellent professional standards and client service in their first five years at the company. Rick has worked at Morgan Stanley since 2011.

2005

Craig Anzlovar has been appointed fixed-income client portfolio manager at Pioneer Investments in Boston. Previously, he was a fixed-income institutional portfolio manager at Fidelity Investments and a member of the firm’s liability-driven investing strategy team. A CFA, Craig also is a member of the Boston Security Analysts Society.

Todd Connor emails, “The inaugural meeting of the First Coast Babson Alumni group was held in February at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Attending the meeting with me were Bob Gersh, MBA’78, Laurence Kennedy, MBA’81, Peter Lewin ’82, Jane Powell ’88, John Logue ’89, Tyler Saldutti ’06, Nick Horvath ’09, and Bill Egan, P’16. I look forward to getting together again soon. We may have a few golfers in our group, so perhaps a round of golf is in our future. If you’re in the Jacksonville area and would like to join us, contact Tyler at tsaldutti@primerealtyinc.com or me at todd.connor@gmail.com.”

Louis Joseph, MBA’05

Louis Joseph emails, “In 2014, I founded Alps & Meters, an alpine sportswear company. The inspiration for the brand was a vintage sweater I had purchased in Sweden. To deliver maximum on-mountain fit and performance, our creative philosophy fuses classic garment construction and natural materials with contemporary technologies. I am shown wearing three Forged Performance products—hat, collar, and shawl-collar jacket. Similar to a lot of the Babson breed, we are an early-stage venture with big dreams. Wish us luck!”

John McPherson, CFA, has been appointed a portfolio manager at Aristotle Capital Boston, a new affiliate of Aristotle Capital Management. Previously, he was a manager at Eagle Boston Investment Management, where he started in 2006.

Anshuman Singh, founder of startup ReTiSense, emails, “Stridalyzer, the product we developed, is a sensor-fitted smart insole. Stridalyzer has received much critical acclaim, including being named one of the ‘Best New Inventions for 2015’ on MSN.com in December. Our mission is to help running enthusiasts understand their running form and style and continue to enjoy their run by staying injury-free. ReTiSense has offices in India, Malaysia, and Texas.”

2006

Heather Margolis is president and founder of Channel Maven Consulting, a channel marketing firm in Boulder, Colo. She emails, “Channel Maven continues its rapid growth, hiring five team members over the winter and moving to a larger facility to support our expansion. My team and I also have developed several innovative new services to support our base of Fortune 500 IT and telecom firms. I have recently spoken at several industry events, detailing these approaches to partner channel growth.”

Jessica Murphy was featured in a Jan. 25 article, “If the Shoes (Jeans, etc.) Fit, Everyone Is Happy,” in The Boston Globe. True Fit, founded by Jessica and Romney Evans while they were at Babson, makes fit personalization software to help consumers, in the store and online, find brands and styles of footwear and apparel that fit and flatter.

2007

Manish Kapoor has been named president and CEO at Cheetah Software Systems in Westlake Village, Calif. Previously, he was director of worldwide transportation at Amazon, where he led initiatives in Asia, Europe, and the U.S. Manish has been an advisory board member for the Center for Intelligent Supply Networks at the University of Texas at Dallas since 2007 and teaches advanced logistics at the school’s executive MBA program.

2008

Richard Spurling is president and founder of ACEing Autism, a nonprofit that reaches out to autistic children through tennis programs. Richard, a former tennis pro, and his wife, Shafali Spurling Jeste, a child neurologist specializing in autism and neurodevelopmental disorders, were featured in an article, “No Limits: ACEing Autism Uses Tennis to Open Up a New World for Children with Autism,” in the second annual Heroes Issue (November/December) of Tennis magazine.

2009

A.J. Boyajian, MBA’09

A.J. Boyajian (right) is shown with his father, Andy Boyajian (center), and brother, John Boyajian, at the 2014 opening of the third Boston-area location of A.J. Rose Carpets & Flooring. A.J. emails, “In the last 10 years, John and I have taken over the operations of the business that our parents started as a mom-and-pop floor-covering store 38 years ago. A.J. Rose now has stores in Saugus, Natick, and Burlington. Drop in and see our flooring solutions—carpets, area rugs, and non-carpet products, including hardwood, laminate, tile, and cork.”

2010

Jon Feinman, founder of InnerCity Weightlifting, was featured in a Dec. 4 article, “Guys with Criminal Records Get a New Start in Kendall Square: How Former Gangbangers Are Turning Their Lives Around Helping Geeks Get Fit,” in The Boston Globe Magazine. The Boston-based nonprofit reaches out to at-risk youth through the discipline of weightlifting and offers them an opportunity to become personal fitness trainers.

Yugo Kinoshita has been promoted to global COO, treasurer, and director at Aruze Gaming America, based in Las Vegas. The company designs, develops, and manufactures slot machines and gaming devices for the casino market. Yugo joined Aruze in 2013 as senior vice president for corporate strategy.

Ilya Semin, MBA’10

Ilya Semin (left) has founded Datanyze, a Silicon Valley-based startup that helps customers identify and analyze prospects. He is shown with Jon Hearty, the company’s vice president for growth. Ilya emails, “Datanyze knows more about your favorite websites than you do. That’s because our company crawls 30 million websites every day to see who’s using what technologies. Salespeople can leverage that information to close more deals. Mark Cuban and Google Ventures were early investors. My goal is to turn Datanyze into the Google of sales and marketing, and I credit my time at Babson as helping spark that ambition.”

2011

Luke Cooper emails, “I recently co-founded Peach, a website and app where customers shop for warranties. We help businesses find the most cost-effective way to insure the devices they supply to their employees. Peach helps you pick the best protection plan for your devices and helps you determine if you already have coverage. Our mission is not only to save people money, but also to change the way consumers think about insurance.”

Esmeralda Lambert and her husband, Matthew Lambert, founded Esmeralda Lambert, a jewelry company based in her home country, the Dominican Republic. She was featured in a Dec. 12 article, “My Favorite … Entrepreneurial Earrings: Style Guru Gretta Monahan Shares the Story Behind These Colorful Earrings, Made by a Cool Business School Grad,” on StyleBistro.com. Esmeralda designs the jewelry, which is handmade by local women artisans.

2013

C.J. Acosta has co-founded DataCrowd, developer of Shelfie, an app that allows shoppers to snap a picture of an empty shelf and its accompanying product tag. Shoppers then submit the picture plus GPS location in return for reward points that can be converted to gift cards. C.J. was featured in a Dec. 12 article, “Mobile App Shelfie Wants to Let Shoppers Cash in on Empty Shelves,” on BetaBoston.com. The founders say Shelfie also helps brands and retailers monitor their products.

Brian Lemek, MBA’13

Brian Lemek is director of development at PeacePlayers International, a nonprofit headquartered in Washington, D.C. He emails, “PPI’s goals are to teach conflict resolution through sports (primarily basketball) to boys and girls, 6 to 22; empower young adults as coaches and mentors; and change perceptions in regions divided by strife. I raise funds to support our more than 5,000 annual participants in South Africa, the Middle East, Cyprus, and Northern Ireland. I first came to PPI as an international fellow in Durban, South Africa, and then worked for nearly a decade as a nonprofit consultant while earning my MBA. I returned to PPI in early 2014 because I believe entrepreneurship is not limited to the private sector.”

Steve Liu (’07): See Undergrad News.

Nick Lodestro, MBA’13

Nick Lodestro co-founded VetEvolve Holdings, a veterinary services company, in 2014. Nick emails, “My business partner, Paul Habenicht, and I left the Marine Corps in 2007 after our last deployment. My subsequent sales experience in the veterinary industry got us interested in veterinary-practice ownership. By purchasing and managing the practices of veterinarians, VetEvolve offers them the opportunity to focus on service delivery. After successful rounds of Series A and B funding, VetEvolve purchased its first practice, Fairfax [Va.] Animal Hospital. We plan to build a network of practices throughout the eastern U.S.”

Ian Tuttle, MBA’13

Ian Tuttle emails, “I’m a headshot photographer (porcupinephotography.com) in San Francisco. I was invited to the White House as part of a group of 50 small-business owners for a roundtable discussion in January with the Small Business Administration. While in Washington, D.C., I also met with a staffer from Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi’s office (Mrs. Pelosi is my representative) to discuss owning a business in California. Before my trip, I gathered statements from friends and colleagues, including many Babson classmates. I shared every one of these comments. As a small-business owner, I appreciate being recognized as an important part of our economy.”

2014

Stephen Foung, founder of startup CleverTree, was featured in a Feb. 7 article, “App by Sacramento State Graduate Brings Medical Marijuana to your Door,” on SacBee.com. Stephen emails, “CleverTree is a mobile Web app providing on-demand delivery of medical marijuana. My business partner, Pedro Rivas, a CPA, and I met in Sacramento, Calif., at a startup event. Currently, the business operates in Sacramento, and we look forward to expanding to San Francisco. CleverTree is driving the marijuana industry into the 21st century.”

Kip Taylor MBA’14
Photo: Werth Photography

Kip Taylor (left) and Jason Craparo (right) have founded Contap, an app that allows users to share their social media and contact information with friends. Jason emails, “Think sharing LinkedIn and phone numbers for networking events, and Twitter and Instagram for the happy-hour crowd. Soon after graduating, we raised $275,000 in seed financing from an angel investor, and we’re now looking for an additional $4 million to $6 million for product development, marketing, and hiring. We are in the process of developing Contap for smart watches, too. Download the app and support us.”

Weddings back to top

Lindsey Miller ’07

Lindsey Miller and Luis Santiago, both ’07, were married on Oct. 12, 2013, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Boston. Father of the bride Gary Miller ’72 and more than 20 Babson alumni were at the celebration. The wedding party included Jennifer Bell ’06; Jeffrey Chubb ’06; Richard Allred, Matthew Gosselin, Nikki Penikas, and Michael Stenman, all ’07; and Michelle Deegan ’08.

Nataliya Badaker ’08

Nataliya Badaker ’08 was married to Ed Belkin on June 1, 2014, in Sharon, Mass. Alumni at the wedding included maid of honor Ella Fishman, MSA’08, Heather Flanagan, Arthur Kalenjian, MSA’08, Haru Kohase, Ian So, Herbie Weisburgh, Jin Yi Zhang, and Jana Zislis, all ’08; Adam Klazmer ’10; and Larina Kleynerman ’11. Nataliya is a manager at Deloitte, and Ed is a gastroenterology fellow at UMass Medical School.

Annie Maraschiello ’12

Annie Maraschiello ’12 and Ryan Spagnolo ’09 were married on Sept. 14, 2014, at the Aldrich Mansion in Warwick, R.I. Guests included the groom’s uncle, Philip Spagnolo ’62; Nikzad Allahverdi, Justin Brooks, Stephanie Brooks, Robert DeLeon, Darius Eslami, and Thayer Glasscock, all ’09; Jessica DeLeon ’10; Joe DiMuccio ’11; Jeanie Glasscock, Ethan Greenspan, Mike Gurevich, Miranda Gunn, Gianna Padavano, and Adam Wilkocki, MSA’14, all ’12; and Adam Camiel, Trisha Friend, and Hyo Lee, all ’13.

Steven Achatz ’07

Kathryn Sherman was married to Steven Achatz ’07 on Sept. 27, 2014, at St. Catherine of Genoa in Somerville, Mass. Among the groomsmen were (back row, from left) Sven Merten, Brett Robinson, Levi Bloom, and Mark Vandemore, all ’07. Steven emails, “Kathryn and I are thrilled to be back together in Massachusetts after two years of long-distance dating while I earned an MBA at Duke University. Kathryn is a prosecutor, and I’m a strategy consultant.”

Caroline Lugones ’00, MBA’07
Photo: C. Stephen Hurst

Caroline Lugones ’00, MBA’07, and John Matwey were married on June 28, 2014, in Chappaqua, N.Y. Among the guests were Matthew Benjamin, MBA’10, Jackie Regan, Robin (Manoukian) Ryan, Meghan Symmes, and Eran Hoffman, all ’00; and Christopher Hoban ’01.

In Memoriam back to top

Helen Bickford of Attleboro, Mass., died on Jan. 8. She was an administrative assistant in Babson’s Public Safety department from 1994 to 2004.

William Cruickshank ’49, H’99, of Needham, formerly of Wellesley, died on Feb. 7. He became a member of the College’s Alumni Relations staff after retiring in 1983 as director and senior vice president of the investment management firm David L. Babson & Co. In 1984, he helped establish the Class of ’49 Scholarship. In 1988, the Cruickshank Alumni Leadership Award was established; in 1990, he received the Babson Medal, the College’s highest recognition; and, in 2008, Alumni Hall was renamed in his honor. An overseer emeritus, he had been a member of the Board of Trustees and the Babson Corporation and president of the Babson Alumni Association. Bill served in the Army during World War II.

John McClellan ’39 of Santa Barbara, Calif., died on Nov. 27.

Robert Bernstein ’42 of Boynton Beach, Fla., died on Jan. 7. He served in the Army Air Forces during World War II. He was CEO of Willmark Service System when he sold the company and retired in 1991.

James Fay ’47 of Joliet, Ill., died on Jan. 10. He served in the Navy during World War II. President of Champion Machinery, his family’s company, he then was senior executive consultant to CMC-America.

Addison Hoof ’47 of Willowbrook, Ill., died on Nov. 8. He served in the Army during World War II.

James Sterrett ’47 of Mifflintown, Pa., died on Jan. 12. He served in the Army Air Forces during World War II. He was the materials manager at Leeds and Northrup.

James Wilson ’49 of Salem, Ohio, died on Dec. 19. He served in the Army during World War II. From 1967 until he retired, he was president of Salem Tool.

Charles McCarthy ’50 of Issaquah, Wash., formerly of Longmeadow, Mass., died on Dec. 15. He served in the Navy during World War II. An honorary Babson trustee and 1981 Babson Medal recipient, he was a former trustee and member of the Babson Corporation. He founded Synectics Financial. Survivors include his daughter, Elizabeth McCarthy Tidyman ’78, and brother, John McCarthy ’58.

Walter Creamer ’50 of Memphis, Tenn., died on Feb. 12. He served in the Army during World War II. For 30 years, he was director of sales and marketing at Dow Chemical. Survivors include his son, Stephen Creamer ’74.

Kenneth Roveto ’51 of Duxbury, Mass., died on Dec. 29. He worked for his family’s neckwear business. Survivors include his daughter, Lori Roveto Aldrich ’79, and son, Peter Roveto ’82.

William Witschi ’52 of North Attleboro, Mass., died on Feb. 11. An Army veteran, he and his family ran Jack Witschi’s Sports Arena and Witschi’s Giant Flea Market.

Jarrell Ritter ’53 of Paris, Ky., died on Dec. 12. He served in the Navy for four years.

Paul Luongo, MBA’56, of Boston died on Jan. 7. He served in the Army during the Korean War. He operated his public relations firm, C. Paul Luongo, for 51 years.

Bruce Brackett ’57 of St. Paul, Minn., formerly of Orleans, Mass., died on Sept. 14.

Richard Demarest ’58 of Shelter Island, N.Y., died on Feb. 15. He founded his cabinet-making business, Westco Products, in 1964.

Theodore Schettler ’59 of Albuquerque, N.M., died on Nov. 3. A security analyst, he was an associate superintendent and finance administrator at Las Cruces Public Schools.

James Fish, MBA’60, of Bonita Springs, Fla., died on Jan. 17. An Army veteran, he was vice president for finance and treasurer at Arkwright.

Alfred Connell ’64 of Southborough, Mass., died on Feb. 13. An Army veteran, he founded Connell & Curley Insurance Agency in Natick in 1965. Survivors include his daughter, Kristen Connell, MBA’90, and his son, Matthew Connell ’98.

Joseph Rusnak, MBA’68, of Watertown, Conn., died on Jan. 5. He was vice president at CBIA.

Delbert Brooks, MBA’70, of Huntsville, Ala., died on Nov. 28. A retired Army colonel, he served for 24 years and then worked at Boeing and Defense Acquisition.

Clarence Perry, MBA’71, of Spring Hill, Fla., died on Jan. 7. A Navy veteran, he worked at BayBanks.

Bruce Rex ’71 of New Bedford, Mass., died on Dec. 10. He served in the Navy during the Vietnam War and in the Navy Reserve. He owned and operated Ferry Street Cafe.

John Mahan, MBA’75, of Hyannis, Mass., and Punta Gorda, Fla., died on Jan. 10. A CPA, he worked at Gillette and some of its subsidiaries.

Mark Denham ’76 of Stamford, Conn., died on Dec. 26. He founded a real estate and financial firm, Money.

John Murphy, MBA’80, of Peterborough, N.H., died on Feb. 6. He served in the Marines during the Korean War. He was a consultant for General Business Services.

John Hanlon, MBA’83, of West Harwich, Mass., died on Jan. 16. He owned and operated Hanlon’s Shoes in Hyannis and West Roxbury.

Brian Collins ’85 of Montclair, N.J., died on Nov. 16. He was vice president for property management at Equity Residential in New York City. Survivors include his sister, Laura Collins Doherty ’86.

Griffith Lewis ’85 of Menands, N.Y., died on Nov. 21. He was vice president at Breton Industries and at Hyperbaric Technologies.

Fred Slavitter, MBA’85, of Needham died on Oct. 30. A mechanical engineer, he worked at Polaroid.

Maura Lawton Perkins, MBA’86, of Concord, Mass., died on Jan. 8. A CFA, she was a vice president, investor relations at State Street.

Mary Canigiani, MBA’88, of Quincy, Mass., died on Dec. 1.

Humberto Gonzalez ’94 of Caracas, Venezuela, and Miami died on Jan. 3.

William Burke, MBA’95, of North Andover, Mass., died on Nov. 19. He founded and owned Bur-Tec, parent company of Home-Tec, Yard-Tec, and Outstanding Stone.

Richard DeCoste ’96 of Attleboro, Mass., died on Nov. 11. He was a programming manager at Meditech.

Mark Johnson, MBA’98, of Austin, Texas, died on Jan. 20. He led a management venture at Pearson.

Daniel Garland, MBA’00, of Boston died on Jan. 26. President of Garland Manufacturing, he was the sixth generation of his family to lead the business.

Jonathan Nash, MBA’03, of Duxbury, Mass., died on Feb. 13. He was director of business development at NewStreamH2O.