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| Your Alumni Network Benefits at a Glance |
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| Based on your feedback, Your Alumni Network has created a new series designed to teach networking skills to help you feel more confident in a crowd. Watch for special training sessions this fall, and in the meantime, we'll offer reminders like this one in each alumni newsletter: |
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| Have a genuine interest in people, as people. |
| Approachability is a function of comfort so it is important to sidestep moments of embarrassment, or Foot-In-Mouth Disease, with "Success Sentences." These are phrases that allow the person to offer you the information you are looking for. Examples are: |
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| Success Sentence |
Foot-In-Mouth |
| I'm not sure we've met before. |
You must be new here. |
| What are you working on this week? |
How's work going? |
| I'm Sam; we met at the Chamber last month. |
Do you remember me? |
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| LA-Area Alumni Happy Hour Mixer |
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Thursday, March 3
6-8 pm
Papillon Lounge, Loews Hotel Santa Monica
Join other LA-based alums for an informal networking mixer at the Papillon Lounge in the Loews Hotel in Santa Monica. They'll have happy hour food and drink specials until 8 pm. Parking options: There is metered street parking on Ocean Ave., or parking lots about a five minute walk away by the Third Street Promenade (free for first two hours). The hotel also offers valet parking. For questions and to RSVP,
please contact
Carlos Lopez, MBA '10. |
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| OC Alums: Join Us for Lunch in Costa Mesa |
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Friday, March 4
11:45 am
Z'Tejas, South Coast Plaza
Join your fellow alums for our Orange County networking lunch. These intimate gatherings are a great way to meet new people and catch up with old friends. We've seen jobs offered, jobs enhanced and jobs changed through connections made at these gatherings. Join us, and be sure to bring business cards. Note – there will be no El Cholo lunch in March due to the Cesar Chavez holiday more information/RSVP. |
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| Special Alumni Lunch: "Career Management in Turbulent Times" |
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Monday, March 21
11:45 am-1 pm
Merage School Executive Commons
Whether you're looking for a job, or have a job but want to transition to something new, this special presentation by career coach Andrew Johnson will focus on the job market today, employer's perceptions, how to manage your search, and successful interviewing strategies.
Andrew Johnson is recognized for his passionate interest and skill in helping leaders find fulfilling corporate or entrepreneurial employment. His expertise lies in career transition coaching, with an emphasis on communication strategies, including targeted career objectives, results-oriented résumés, and effective presentation skills. Andrew is founder of The Andrew Johnson Group, and serves as a Senior Vice President/Consultant with Lee Hecht Harrison, an international career management firm. Registration/more information. |
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| Take Advantage of Alumni Discount to Sustainability Conference |
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 Thursday, March 24
Irvine Marriott
Join companies like Marriott, Mattel, UPS, Yahoo!, and Wal-Mart for Profit Plus Planet?, our annual global business conference from the Merage School that will tackle the latest business megatrend – sustainability. Find out how companies are going green to stay in the black through this day-long conference featuring John Picard, the man who greened the White House; Pierre-Andre Senizergues, CEO of Sole Technologies and surf and skate guru for etnies action sports footwear and apparel; Steve Westly, ex-eBay executive and former California state controller; Sarah Backhouse, media maven from Planet Green; and Ed Fuller, president of Marriott International Lodging. Participate in educational sessions and learn if the future of Clean Tech is good for investors; how Fortune 500 Executives are leading the sustainability movement, and which new green innovations may impact your business. Seating is limited. Information/registration. Enter code merage11 to take advantage of the "Merage School Partner" $25 discount. |
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| Women in Business: "View From the Top" Speaker Panel |
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Wednesday, April 6
5:30-7 pm
Merage School Executive Commons
The Merage School Women in Business Club invites alums to attend a panel discussion featuring three successful women who will share their experiences and challenges as they worked their way into senior leadership positions. The featured speakers are Ariela Tannenbaum, EMBA '95, Senior VP Finance at Allianz; Ariela Shani, VP at Neiman Marcus; and Pat Soldano, President at GenSpring Southern California. This event is free for alumni. Registration/more information. |
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| Save the Date: Alumni Site Visit/Mixer at Boeing |
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Thursday, April 7
5:30-7:30 pm
Boeing Heritage Hall, Seal Beach
Join your fellow alums, Dean Andy Policano and Daryl Pelc, VP of Engineering and Technology, Boeing Defense, Space & Security. We will celebrate the strong partnership between Boeing and the Merage School in Boeing's Heritage Hall, which showcases the products from a long legacy of Boeing contributions to aerospace. All alumni are welcome, not just those who work at Boeing or in the aerospace industry. More details will be coming soon. |
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| Entertainment Industry Happy Hour Mixer |
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Thursday, April 7
6:30-8:30 pm
Village Idiot, Los Angeles
The Merage School Entertainment Management Assn. is sponsoring this student-alumni mixer in order to connect those working in or pursuing careers in all facets of the entertainment and media field, from sports and video games to music, film and television. The event will be in the private room at The Village Idiot, an English style gastropub. Complimentary appetizers will be provided. Please email Jeff Morris or Tim Harvey if you would like to be added to the email list or have questions. More information |
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| Challenge for Charity Annual Gala and Charity Auction |
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Friday, April 8
6 pm
Emerald Ballroom, UCI Student Center
Challenge for Charity (C4C) is holding its annual Gala and Charity Auction benefiting The Special Olympics and Junior Achievement. Join Merage School students, alumni and community members for an evening of food and drinks, dancing, casino games and live and silent auctions to raise funds for C4C charities. This is C4C's most successful annual fundraiser, due in great part to the support of alumni and local businesses who generously donate auction items. As always, your support is greatly appreciated and all donations are tax deductible. To donate an item for the auction, please contact Kelly Chen or Mara Monson. Merage School alumni receive $5 off the general ticket price if purchased before March 15. Registration/more information |
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| Alumni Teams Wanted for Annual MSA Softball Tournament |
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 Sunday, April 10
10 am start
ARC Softball Fields, UCI Campus
The Merage Student Assn. is hosting the annual student-alumni softball tournament. Come out for what always promises to be a fun event and a Merage School tradition! The deadline to register a team is April 1, and the format is double elimination. Players must be a student, alumni or faculty member. Food will be provided, and parking permits can be purchased at the lot in front of the ARC. For registration, team fees and full rules, please contact Jason Amansec, FEMBA '12. |
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| Shea Center Business Leaders & Philanthropy Series |
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Wednesday, April 20
5:30pm-8:30pm
J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center, San Juan Capistrano
Merage School alums are invited to join Orange County MBA alumni from Harvard, Stanford, UCLA and USC for this fundraising and networking event featuring keynote speaker Michael Mussallem, Chairman and CEO of Edwards Lifesciences. This is an opportunity to experience the impact of philanthropy by Orange County business leaders that truly make a difference in the lives of children and adults with disabilities served by the Shea Center. See an inspiring demonstration of the unique role horses can play in helping people with disabilities significantly improve the quality of their lives. The cost is $35, which includes hors-d'oeuvres and beverages, a networking reception, a therapeutic riding demonstration, and facility tour. Registration/more information. |
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| Classes Ending in 1 and 6 - Reunion Tickets Now Available |
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Saturday, May 7
4-8 pm
Merage School Campus
We are celebrating the Merage School 2011 Reunion "Merageville" for the classes of 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001 and 2006. You and your family are invited on campus to come relax with friends and faculty. See your friends, classmates, and faculty members at this festive event held at the nostalgic blue tables. Join us as we renew friendships, reminisce about days gone by, and catch up on where you are now as you enjoy calypso music, cool drinks and a delicious dinner. If you are trying to find a sitter for young children, (up to age 12) bring them along to enjoy the kids' activity room with games, books, coloring and more. Purchase your tickets now to get the best price and be entered into a drawing to win great prizes.
We are always looking for people to help spread the word and encourage their classmates to join us. If you are interested in volunteering please contact us at MerageAlum@merage.uci.edu. |
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| New York City Alums: Save the Date for Lunch with the Dean |
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Wednesday, May 18
Midtown Manhattan
If you're in the New York City area, please save Wednesday, May 18 for lunch with Dean Andy Policano in Midtown Manhattan. Come meet your fellow alums in the city and hear the latest exciting news from the Merage School. We will let you know details once they're set, but if you're new to the NY area, please be sure that your alumni profile is up-to-date so you don't miss out. Questions? Email MerageAlum@merage.uci.edu. |
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| Bid Farewell to Professor McKenzie at a Retirement Reception |
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Sunday, May 22
2-4 pm
University Hills Community Center, Irvine
Join past classmates, alumni, faculty, staff and current students as we send Professor Richard McKenzie off with a warm celebration of his 20 years with the Paul Merage School of Business, and 45 years of being a professor. After many years of hard work and dedication, Professor Richard McKenzie is charting a second career in pursuit of writing and business ventures, and we wish him the best! This event is free, but capacity is limited so you must RSVP in advance to attend. |
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| Alumni Lunches Strengthen Relationships Beyond School |
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 From left to right: Tony Tribelli, Helen Jia, Steve Huang, Matthias Bernd, Paul John Matubang
Huang and Jia both work in internet marketing, and have met to find ways to collaborate, as well as attended business networking events together. Huang and Matubang saw each other at multiple events and quickly bonded over their passion for the outdoors.
"All of us believe strongly in work/life balance. We also believe the most valuable asset of our Merage School education is the relationships we have formed in, out and beyond the school. We have transformed our relationships from study to business to personal. Our friendships are possible because of the Merage School even though many of us were from different classes. This I believe is a testament to our school," Huang said.
The alumni lunches help friends and classmates stay in touch and keep each other in mind when business events, conferences and networking opportunities arise, and help relationships endure beyond school and work to personal lives. |
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| EMBA, HCEMBA Programs Share Experiences with Alums |
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Part of the HCEMBA '12 class enjoys a visit to the US Capitol during the residential.
In particular, the students and alums connected as they remembered their favorite professors and talked about the recent class residential to Vietnam and China (EMBA) and Washington, DC (HCEMBA). In the most recent HCEMBA residential, the 2012 class spent a week in Washington, D.C. to discuss the fundamental issues impacting the roll-out of health care reform, and came away with a new appreciation of its challenges. Students heard from policy leaders, senior analysts and others intimately involved in implementing health care reform. The class met with various Capitol Hill dignitaries, including Emily Porter, Policy Advisor to Speaker of House John Boehner; Stuart Hagen, Principal Analyst to the Congressional Budget Office; and Dr. Kevin Hayes, Policy Analyst at Medicare Payment Advisory Commission.
The next mixers are scheduled for April 2 (EMBA) and April 9 (HCEMBA) – mark your calendar and join us! Please RSVP to Jason Tompkins. Directions for free parking will be provided with your reservations reminder email. |
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| Merage School Alumni in the Spotlight |
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 This month we get to know Stacey Harmon, a 2002 graduate of the MBA program who is the owner of Harmon Enterprises, a marketing consulting firm.
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| Name: |
Stacey Harmon |
Biographical Information
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| Grad year/Program |
2002/Full-time MBA |
| Undergrad degree/major/school |
BS, Communications from
James Madison University |
- What are some of your fondest memories as a full time MBA student?
I really enjoyed the active role I took in planning the Challenge For Charity (C4C) trip our class took to Stanford in 2002. I chartered a bus, reserved a block of hotel rooms, and worked with the C4C committee to herd 50 of us up to Northern California for a memorable weekend. I also loved the international residential that took me to Maastricht, in the Netherlands.
- How did you choose your career path?
I've evolved into it. When I attended the Merage School, I was firmly planted in the role of employee. I've slowly evolved over the past eight years into an entrepreneurial role. This has been a process of me deciding to trust that I can love what I do and figuring out what it is that I love doing. When I discovered social media four years ago, I knew I had found my niche. It was the perfect blend of my background in marketing, technology, business and personal interests. Digital marketing is also progressive, business transforming, and provides me an opportunity to constantly learn as well as train others (both things I love doing).
- How has earning your MBA at the Merage School helped you in your business?
My Merage School MBA really supports my credibility in working in such a new and evolving field like social media marketing where self-appointed "gurus" pop up daily. In addition, the MBA helped grow my critical thinking, presentation and entrepreneurial skills in a way that supports my business today. And, although marketing options like blogging, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn barely existed (or didn't at all) when I was in business school, the Merage School provided a foundational skill set for me to now say "Hey, there is real business value in social media and here is why!"
- Can you describe your company Harmon Enterprises, and your role as Principal?
Harmon Enterprises focuses on digital marketing strategies for small business and real estate. In addition to the consulting services that we provide, Harmon Enterprises is also the parent company of two niche social media oriented brands: Pixel Coaching, which focuses exclusively on Facebook marketing strategies for small business and Agent Applause, a blog that applauds positive examples of modern real estate marketing. As Principal, my favorite role is speaking at conferences and training business people across the nation on the value, best practices and strategies of social media marketing.
- What particular skills do you think are critical for succeeding in the business world?
Curiosity and willingness to challenge the status quo. You also need an orientation to business flexibility and an openness to change. Execution is also key - you have to get things done. A competency for modern technology tools also helps. If you are struggling to embrace the computer or your smart phone, keeping up with the pace of business today will be a challenge. I find this last point a barrier to business evolution more than most are willing to admit.
- What are some of your hobbies and extracurricular activities that you enjoy?
My hobbies and work life intertwine. My Twitter profile probably says it best (you're limited to 160 characters): "Curious person. Educator. Speaker. Facebook marketer and fanatic. Entrepreneur. Pro social media. Also a crunchy taco loving, Pilates-addicted, ex-Realtor." If Twitter allowed more characters, I'd also add "Jogger who enjoys good food, particularly in new locations both near and far."
- Is philanthropy important to you? If so, why?
Education has been a significant factor in the opportunities I have in life. As a result, I am a huge fan of education as philanthropy and have always gravitated toward opportunities where I can help others to learn and grow. Whether it is with organizations such as Think Together or less formal in the time I can spend individually with those who are interested in and can benefit from what I know, I feel this is one of the most significant ways I can give back.
- How do you stay involved with the Merage School and your local community?
I stay involved with the Merage School in several ways: I'm still in touch with classmates, I occasionally attend the Orange County monthly alumni luncheons, I've guest lectured for Thomas Eppel on Social Media Marketing, and I enjoy attending the OCMBA events.
If you would like to be considered or nominate one of your fellow alums to be in the Alumni Spotlight, please e-mail the Merage School Alumni Relations Office at MerageAlum@merage.uci.edu |
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| Alumni Class Notes |
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 What's new in your life? A new job or promotion?A new baby?A new marriage?A new accomplishment? Your classmates want to know and so does the Merage School.
Post your news today.
Professional
A. Gabriel Esteban, PhD '93, has been appointed president of Seton Hall University. Throughout Dr. Esteban's career he has been involved in leading institutional change and transformation. He has extensive senior level experience, having served at a number of institutions with distinction. During his years at Seton Hall University, he has provided essential leadership and has been instrumental in the formulation and development of a strategic plan for implementation.
Denise Rueb, EMBA'98, was recently featured in a news release regarding the industry program she manages.
Jia-Yuh Chen, MBA '03, (known as Chen at GSM) is now assistant professor of finance at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
M. Ann Peoples, EMBA '03, managed a winning proposal's development and submittal for a Department of Energy contract to convert 700,000 metric tons of depleted uranium hexafluoride (DUF6) to a stable chemical form that is acceptable for transportation, beneficial reuse or disposal.
Peter Chan, FEMBA '07, has accepted a new position as Global Program Manager, Strategic Performance Unit for BP and will be relocating to London, UK.
Personal
Jack Robbins, FEMBA '06, announces the birth of son Jack (the III) on May 3, 2010. |
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| Is Your Contact Information Up to Date? |
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| We' re planning more social events and learning opportunities for our alums this coming year, so now it's more important than ever to log on to the Merage School Alumni website and check your contact information (e-mail, postal address and current work information). You may also be contacted via phone or e-mail or help us verify and check your current information to make sure it' s up to date. Questions? Email MerageAlum@merage.uci.edu. |
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Ingram Micro Inc.
Senior Manager, Corporate Development
Santa Ana
> Log in to learn more about this job and other great opportunities. |
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Distinguished Speaker Series
March 31 – Alumni Attend Free!
Doug Hutcheson, EMBA '91
President, CEO and Director
Leap Wireless International, Inc.
We are excited to announce that our featured speaker is a Merage School alum! Take advantage of discount code Leap31 for free alumni admission for this event only.
> Learn more & register |
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Strategic Issues in
Management Series
Forward-thinking seminars geared toward managers and administrators who want to sharpen management skills and enhance their careers.
Use your alumni discount to update your business knowledge and enhance your career network. Next up: "Finance for Non-Financial Managers" Level I on March 3 and Level II on March 17, both with Professor Todd Richey.
> Learn more & register |
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You are a business leader.
So are we. Become a Corporate Partner and increase your success. |
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Remember to refer your friends and colleagues to the Merage School.
> Read a message from
Imran Currim, Associate Dean and
Chancellor's Professor
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Support the Merage School Fund and help step up business education. |
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