NAU–CBA Alumni & Faculty Hall of Fame

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In order to continue the efforts begun by the NAU Alumni Office during the Centennial Celebration (but since discontinued) of recognizing the achievements of outstanding alumni, the CBA National Advisory Board chose to establish a CBA Alumni Hall of Fame in 2003. The Hall of Fame is open to all NAU alumni. Non-alumni can be inducted as honorary members. Membership is based on any combination of the following criteria:

• Demonstrated outstanding achievement and leadership on a community, state, national, or international level
• Distinction in their chosen fields or professions or in public service
• Distinguished business leaders
• Generosity of time and means in support of NAU-CBA
• Valuable and noteworthy in promoting the ideals of the college’s mission and vision
• Dedication to and advancement of the academic excellence of business education.

The nomination process is as follows:
• Nominations are open and available on the NAU-CBA web site as well as non-electronically
• Calls for nominations are publicized in the Dean’s Quarterly Report and the CBA web site
• Nominations are reviewed by the Dean’s office staff and forwarded to the National Advisory Board for final selection.

At the suggestion of the National Advisory Board, a CBA Faculty Hall of Fame was instituted in 2004. Membership is based on any combination of the following criteria:

• Shows a strong commitment to teaching and helping the college achieve its mission of being a leading provider of personalized business education
• Has a long-term and sustained positive impact on student learning
• Makes unique contributions to the institution and to the lives of their students
• Brings real-world business examples into the classroom
• Reflects implementation of new and innovative teaching methods such as active learning, special use of technology, problem-based learning, use of case studies, service learning, learning assessment, and others.

The recognition event will be a dinner the Friday of Homecoming Weekend. Current Hall of Fame members are invited on an annual basis for the awards dinner to induct new members. We will publicize the achievements of our outstanding alumni via a Hall of Fame web page on the CBA web site, coverage in the Dean’s Quarterly Report, and through press releases.

Congratulations
2006 CBA Alumni and Faculty Hall of Fame Inductees

Inductees for 2006

Michelle Kerrick 1985 B.S. in accountancy.  Ms. Kerrick is a managing partner for Deloitte & Touche LLP–Arizona Practice. With 21 years of experience, she has served a diverse group of publicly and privately held clients, assisting them with acquisitions, divestitures, and equity and debt offerings. Besides serving many companies as lead client service and audit partner, she has acted as co-leader of the High Tech Industry Group and leader of the Real Estate Group. (Not able to attend.)

Bob Montoya 1972 B.S.B.A. in management. Mr. Montoya is a third generation resident of Flagstaff. In 1968, while attending NAU, he founded Bob’s Shamrock, U-Haul Moving Center & Goodyear Tire Store. In 1970, he founded Sun Mountain Real Estate and Development. He, along with various business partners, has developed many of the beautiful buildings in the downtown Flagstaff area.

Mr. Montoya currently serves on the board of directors for Flagstaff Medical Center, Northern Arizona Health System and Arizona Department of Transportation. In his leisure time, he enjoys hiking with his wife Linda and playing golf. Members of his family joined him for the recognition including NAU alums Ryan (’05 MGT) his son; and Ernie (’82 Public Planning) his brother.

Michael Ceballos, 1980 B.S. in accountancy. Mr. Ceballos also received an MBA from the University of Colorado in 1997. In his 25th year with Qwest, he assumed the position of president for Wyoming in July 1998. Mr. Ceballos serves on the boards of Cheyenne LEADS (the local economic development organization), the Wyoming Taxpayer’s Association, the Wyoming Business Alliance, and the University of Wyoming’s College of Business Advisory Council. In addition, he is a member of Leadership Wyoming’s Class of 2001, the Telephone Pioneers and HOPE (Hispanic Organization for Progress and Education).

Jana Turner, 1977 B.S.B.A. in marketing. Ms. Turner is president of the asset services division for Los Angeles-based CB Richard Ellis, the world’s largest commercial real estate services firm and a Fortune 1000 company. Under her leadership, the asset services division is responsible for managing approximately 350 million square feet of investment-owned real estate encompassing more than 600 clients, 1,700 properties and 2,000 employees in every major market across the U.S. A 30-year industry veteran, Ms. Turner began her career with R&B Commercial Management in Los Angeles. She joined Koll Real Estate Services in 1990, which was purchased in 1997 by CB Commercial (later became the current CB Richard Ellis). She was named president of asset services in 1998. 2005 CBA Alumni & Faculty Hall of Fame.

Frank Besnette. Dr. Besnette erved as executive director of the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) from 1992-1999. Prior to moving to his role with the Regents, Dr. Besnette enjoyed a long association with Northern Arizona University. He joined NAU in 1967. Over the next twenty-four years he served in a variety of academic and administrative roles including professor of marketing and management, dean of the College of Business Administration, vice president for administration and finance, and senior vice president. In 1987, he was named executive vice president of the University. In 1978, Dr. Besnette received the Distinguished Faculty Award from the NAU Alumni Association. He was honored again in 1985 when the students named him Homecoming Dedicatee.

Pamela A. Di Giovanni, B.S.B.A. 1968 business education. Ms. DiGiovanni is the senior vice president of Labor Relations for Fox Entertainment Group (Beverly Hills, Calif.). Her thirty-four-year career at Fox began with a two-day assignment from Kelly Services, a temporary employment agency. The scope of the responsibilities include handling labor-related matters for Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Twentieth Television, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Fox TV Studios, Fox Broadcasting Corporation, F/X Cable Network, Fox Sports Net, and Fox Television Stations. Ms DiGiovanni currently serves on the CBA • NAU National Advisory Board.

Gregory W. Norwood, 1979 B.S. in accountancy. Mr. Norwood is the corporate controller of Bank of America (Charlotte, N.C.). Prior to joining Bank of America in November 2001, Mr. Norwood was a partner in the Charlotte office of KPMG, LLP. He served as the relationship partner for First Union Corporation for three years, joining in July 1993, and supported their Capital Markets Group and M&A Strategy. Prior to transferring to Charlotte in 1993, Mr. Norwood was a partner in KPMG’s Executive Office. He began his career with KPMG in 1980 in the Houston office where he served a variety of financial services companies. In addition, Mr. Norwood served a two-year appointment as a Professional Accounting Fellow in the Office of the Chief Accountant of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Mr. Norwood received the CBA Outstanding Senior Award in 1980 and the Beta Alpha Psi Outstanding Alumnus Award for 1994.

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2003 Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees

Note: CBA alumni honored by the NAU Alumni Office 1996-2001 were inducted into the 2003 Hall of Fame. In addition, two new members, Cheryl Wilson and Tom Modisette, were inducted.

Dennis Austin, 1969 B.S. in finance. Mr. Austin is the president and CEO of Denmar Corporation–Phoenix. The Denmar Corporation owns and manages a number of Phoenix-area retail businesses, including several Exxon convenience stores and car washes. 1998 CBA Centennial Alumni.

Lisa Rojas Bacus, 1986 B.S.B.A. cum laude in management, BA in Spanish. Ms. Bacus earned her dual degree while working as an interpreter for the law offices of Aspey, Watkins & Diesel. She also holds an M.B.A. from Duke University, Fuqua School of Business. Ms. Bacus is director of global marketing strategy with Ford Motor Company (Detroit) having recently transferred from the director of marketing position with Ford of Mexico (Mexico City). She has been the recipient of a number of professional awards and honors, including Ford’s Zone Manager of the Year. Ms. Bacus currently serves on the CBA • NAU National Advisory Board. 2000 NAU Alumni Honoree.

Jim Bolin, 1973 B.S.B.A in finance and accounting, CPA. Mr. Bolin graduated magna cum laude, and was recognized as the College of Business Administration’s Outstanding Senior in Finance. Mr. Bolin is currently the chief financial officer of StarWest Associates, LLC, a large medical transportation company headquartered in Tempe, Ariz. Following graduation, he held positions with Price Waterhouse & Co., Hometels Management Company, and finally Rural/Metro Corporation. Mr. Bolin served on the Employee Stock Ownership Plan Association Board (Washington, D.C.) and as immediate past chair of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society–Arizona Chapter. He is past president of the NAU Foundation Board and serves on the CBA • NAU National Advisory Board. 1996 CBA Centennial Alumni.

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Tom Cullen, 1981 B.S. in marketing. After graduating from NAU, Mr. Cullen earned his MBA at the University of Colorado. He is currently president and COO of TensorComm, a wireless technology company. He joined TensorComm in April 2005 from Charter Communications, where he was executive vice president. Mr. Cullen was previously president of MediaOne Ventures where he led the company’s venture capital investments as well as its cable modem business and overall internet strategy. In the past, he has held various leadership positions in the telcom and cable industries. 2001 NAU Alumni Honoree.

Randy Davidson, 1966 B.S.B.A. accounting. At NAU, he was a member of the Alpha Sigma Chi accounting club. Mr. Davidson is the president and CEO of Imaging Systems of Arizona, Inc. (Tempe). From 1966 to 1974, he practiced public accounting as an audit partner in Arizona and New Mexico. In 1974 he joined a small Sharp Copier Dealership, Uni-Copy Corporation based in Phoenix, as vice president of finance and an investor. In 1996, Davidson founded Dahill Industries, Inc., (Austin, Texas). He has been honored with the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and the Dealer of the Year Award by Global Imaging Systems, Inc. He currently serves on the CBA • NAU National Advisory Board. 2000 NAU Alumni Honoree.

Joe Dox, 1970 B.S.B.A. in accounting. While at NAU he participated in Sigma Nu. Mr. Dox earned his M.B.A. in 1973 at Santa Clara University. Prior to retiring, he was the president and COO of Novellus Systems. Before joining Novellus, he held several senior financial management positions with Exel Microelectronic, SEEQ Technology, and Applied Materials. He served on the Board of Directors of Novellus Systems, Electroglas, Obsidian, Mars Technology, Accent Opticale (recently purchased by Nanometrics) and Eagle Test. 1999 CBA Centennial Alumni.

Theresa Jeszka Drew, 1979 B.S. in accountancy with highest honors. Ms. Drew is currently managing partner of the San Diego practice of Deloitte & Touche. In 1995, she received the Outstanding Woman CPA of the Year Award from the American Woman’s Society of CPAs. She was named to the list of Top 100 Women in Business in Arizona annually from 1996 to 2001. In September 2000, the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation honored Ms. Drew with the Woman of Distinction Award, recognizing her community leadership and philanthropic work. In 2004, the San Diego Business Journal recognized Ms. Drew as one of their 25 Women Who Mean Business and in 2005, Beta Alpha Psi recognized her as its Business Information Professional of the Year, having been nominated by the NAU Delta Upsilon Chapter for her contributions to the accounting profession. Ms. Drew is a past NAU Foundation Board member. 1997 CBA Centennial Alumni.

Steve Harris, 1977 M.B.A. Mr. Harris also received his B.S. at NAU in physics. While at NAU, he was a member of Sigma Pi Sigma. Mr. Harris is the vice president at SimDesk focused on international markets. Previously, he was president and CEO of Elite Logistics; the senior managing partner of the Forte Group; and general manager responsible for developing foreign markets at Compaq. As Europe, Middle East & Africa Business Development marketing director for Compaq, he was responsible for all marketing and product activities. Mr. Harris currently serves on the NAU-CBA National Advisory Board. 1999 CBA Centennial Alumni.

Scott Hill, 1977 B.S. in business administration. Mr. Hill graduated from NAU magna cum laude. He earned the College of Business’ Wall Street Journal Outstanding Senior Award, the Gold Axe Award, as well as the President’s Award for outstanding service to the University. Mr. Hill is the Americas director of international tax services for Ernst & Young, based in New York City. After being promoted to partner in Ernst & Young’s Minneapolis office in 1987, he moved to Dallas where he was the regional director of international tax services, and to Chicago where he served as managing partner of tax services. He currently serves on the NAU-CBA National Advisory Board. 1999 CBA Centennial Alumni.

Marsha Jones, 1979 B.S. in accounting. While attending NAU, Ms. Jones was a member of Beta Alpha Phi and Phi Kappa Phi. She operates her own financial accounting consulting practice, Marsha C. Jones & Associates (Saratoga, California), specializing in technical accounting projects. Prior to this, Ms. Jones was a partner for Deloitte & Touche. 1998 CBA Centennial Alumni.

Kelley C. Knutson, 1981 B.S. in accounting. While attending NAU, Mr. Knutson was a Phelps Dodge scholar and selected by the Alumni Association as the Outstanding Male Student upon graduation. Mr. Knutson also holds an MBA in finance and international business from Loyola Marymount University. Currently, he is the managing director for TSYS Europe (London). He was previously the CEO for Clear Money Limited. Mr. Knutson joined Clear Money from GE Capital, where he was senior vice president of the Global Cards business within the Global Consumer Finance (GCF) division. 1996 CBA Centennial Alumni.

Robert Korte, 1977 B.S. in accounting. Mr. Korte is a partner of Cornelius, Gay & Korte, LLC, an investment banking firm in Phoenix. Mr. Korte earned his CPA certificate after graduating from NAU and gained his early experience at KPMG. He held a wide variety of staff and line positions over 17 years at FINOVA Capital Corporation, including M&A, HR, Strategy and Capital Markets. His ultimate position was executive vice president. Mr. Korte also participated in University of Virginia’s Executive Program. 1998 CBA Centennial Alumni.

Mark Layton, 1981 B.S. in business administration and management information systems. Mr. Layton has served as chairman of the board, president and CEO of PFSweb (Plano, Texas) since its inception in 1994. Mr. Layton is past chairman, president and CEO of Daisytek International. He is a recognized leader in the utilization of technology in business. He served as a management consultant with Arthur Andersen & Co. SC (Accenture) from 1981–88. In addition to being chairman of the board of directors for PFSweb, Mr. Layton has also served on the public company boards of uBid, Inc., a leading internet auction site; ISA plc, a European office products distributor, for 12 years with Daisytek International and with PC Mall. Mr. Layton currently serves on the private board of Stampede Brewing Co. and is the owner of Markian Enterprises, a franchise restaurant operator. He serves on the NAU Foundation board and chairs the NAU-CBA National Advisory Board. 1997 CBA Centennial Alumni.

Bruce Leadbetter, 1958-1960 at NAU. Mr. Leadbetter is the CEO of Sponsor Investments, LLC (Dallas, Texas). He is a partner of The Beta Capital Group, LLC and CEO of Dalfort Aviation (Dallas, Texas). Mr. Leadbetter currently serves on the boards of Adam Aircraft and iSecuretrac. He has previously served on the boards of The Post Company as director and CEO; Levitz Furniture Company as director; Braniff II as director and chairman of the executive committee; and the Astraea Companies as director and CEO. 1996 CBA Centennial Alumni.

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Mark Malinski, 1977 B.S. in accounting and data processing management. In addition to his degree from NAU, Mr. Malinski graduated from Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program in June of 1996. He is currently a co-founder and executive vice president & CFO of PetroEdge Resources, LLC, an independent oil and gas company in Houston, Texas. Mr. Malinski began his career with Pennzoil Co. as an EDP auditor. He later became corporate secretary and finally group vice president-accounting. 1996 CBA Centennial Alumni.

Vince McKee, 1979 B.S.B.A. in management and marketing. While at NAU, Mr. McKee was a member of the Quarterback Club, the CBA Community Advisory Board, and the Skyjacks. He was with Arizona State Savings and Credit Union (Flagstaff, Arizona) for twenty-four years, most recently as the vice president and northern regional manager and now resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 1999 CBA Centennial Alumni.

Brad Meuli, 1979 B.S.B.A. in marketing. Mr. Meuli was named president/CEO of the Denver Rescue Mission in January 2001. He joined the Mission after an extensive career in banking, and having served as chairman of the Mission’s Board of Directors. Mr. Meuli has served as president of the Board of Trustees of the Bonfils Blood Center and is an alumnus of Leadership Denver, has his M.A. in Leadership from Denver Seminary and an honorary doctorate from Colorado Christian University. 2001 NAU Alumni Honoree.

Tom Modisette, 1970 B.S. in finance. In 1980, Mr. Modisette formed the RAM Group, a management services company to the food services industry, and served as president and CEO until 1986. During that time, he acquired a 50% interest in Royal Pacific Foods, which is now the leading manufacturer and marketer of processed gingered products in the United States, marketing products under The Ginger People brand name. His latest venture is The Value Group formed in 1997, which works with companies in transition. 2003 CBA Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee.

Don Murray, 1961 B.S. in business economics. In addition to his bachelor’s degree from NAU, he holds an M.B.A. from St. Mary’s College (Moraga, California). Prior to Mr. Murray’s retirement, he was the group vice president after serving as vice president – International for the Clorox Company (Oakland, California) with responsibility for more than half of the Company’s sales and profits for the last 11 years of his career. He is immediate past president of the NAU Foundation Board. Mr. Murray was conferred the Doctor of Humane Letters by NAU in 2004. 1996 CBA Centennial Alumni.

Julie Nackard, 1978 B.S. in marketing. Ms. Nackard is the executive vice-president for the Nackard Companies (Flagstaff, Ariz.), which include Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company, Nackard Beverage, Hi-Line Vending, and Jewel Trucking. While maintaining multi-faceted executive responsibilities, she has provided leadership to a myriad of community organizations including the American Cancer Society, the Flagstaff Main Street Foundation, Make-a-Wish Oktoberfest, St. Mary’s Parent/Teacher organization, and the Flagstaff Alpine Ski Team. She is currently active in volunteering at Brophy College Preparatory and Xavier College Preparatory where her two children are attending school. Ms. Nackard is an NAU Foundation Board member as well as a CBA Community Advisory Board member. 1997 CBA Centennial Alumni.

J. Duross O’Bryan, 1978 B.S. in accountancy. Mr. O’Bryan is a partner in AlixPartners, LLP (Los Angeles, California). Previously with PricewaterhouseCoopers, he was the partner-in-charge of the dispute analysis & investigations practice of the western U.S. region, partner-in-charge of the New York Metro practice and an audit partner of the Los Angeles office. Mr. O’Bryan has provided numerous services to the accounting area of NAU-CBA, including recruiting and speaking with student accounting societies. 1996 CBA Centennial Alumni.

Mike Santellanes, 1960 B.S. in accounting. Mr. Santellanes also attended the Garvin Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird). He is retired as senior partner & chairman of PriceWaterhouse Interamerica and is currently president of Compania Agropecuaria Las Brisas, S.A. in Costa Rica. Mr. Santellanes also served as a member of Price Waterhouse World Firm General Council and the PriceWaterhouse World Board. 1987 Alumni Achievement Award; 1990 The Jubilee Year Distinguished Alumnus Award; 1996 CBA Centennial Alumni.

Ronald Simonsgaard, 1966 B.S. in marketing. While at NAU, Mr. Simonsgaard participated in many student activities, including Sophos, Pi Sigma Epsilon- Marketing, Sigma Pi, and Blue Key. After graduating from NAU, he worked in sales for Xerox. Now, he is a retired senior vice president of Grubb & Ellis Co. 1998 CBA Centennial Alumni.

Tony Skrelunas, 1992 B.S.B.A. in management; 1994 MBA. Mr. Skrelunas is a partner in Southwest Tradition Log Homes, Inc. and Horizon Springs LLC. He is the former president and current board of director of the Navajo Nation Shopping Centers, Inc. He is the former executive director of the Navajo Nation’s Economic Development Division. He has recently been recruited by the Grand Canyon Trust to manage their work with the Hopi and Navajo Nation sustainable economic development. 1998 CBA Centennial Alumni.

Renee Teran, 1978 B.S. in business administration and communications. Mrs. Teran currently is the president of Polaris Business Solutions (San Diego, California). She was the principal of a San Diego based New York Life insurance practice (Lorena International) specializing in asset preservation of world wide, executive benefit planning and investment consultation to companies. In 1991 she received the NAU Alumni Achievement Award. 1998 CBA Centennial Alumni.

James Umland, 1978-1980, later graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a B.S. in accounting. While attending NAU, Mr. Umland was a Phelps Dodge Scholar and president of Sophos. He is president of CEPS Resource Plastics (West Lebanon, New Hampshire). Previously, he was an investment banker and a founding partner of a Wall Street private equity firm and the director of acquisitions and strategic planning for Ferro Corporation, an international, Cleveland-based manufacturer of specialty chemicals. 1996 CBA Centennial Alumni.

Cheryl Wilson, 1969 B.S. in accounting. Ms. Wilson, a CPA, earned her MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. She began her career with Ernst & Young then moved to Coopers & Lybrand where she became their third woman partner and served as a partner for 18 years. Prior to retiring, she was president of THEATREplex Entertainment Properties, Inc. Ms. Wilson is a past governing Council member of the AICPA, a past chairperson of the Illinois CPA Society, and recipient of their Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. She is a past chairperson and a current member of the State of Illinois Board of Examiners. 2003 CBA Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee.

Larry Wilson, 1967 B.S. in accountancy. After NAU, Mr. Wilson earned a law degree from the University of Arizona. He was a CPA and a practicing lawyer before he made his way to radio. Prior to Mr. Wilson's retirement, he was CEO of Citadel Communications Corporation, which was sold in 2001 to Forstman Little. 1997 CBA Centennial Alumni.

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