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| Andy's Insider Update |
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 Hello Dean's Leadership Circle members,
I am pleased that we are in the midst of very exciting times here at The Paul Merage School of Business. Here are a few things that are top of mind that I want to share with all of you.
The business building is making progress. The bond offering was on target for pricing and sale in late April. Soil samples were recently taken and UC Irvine's Design and Construction Services are reviewing proposals so we are hoping to move full speed ahead. On April 24, I hope you will plan to join us to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of our Corporate Partners Program. This event will be hosted by Taco Bell at their corporate headquarters in the Irvine Spectrum. Also at this event we will formally announce the building campaign, with members of the Dean's Advisory Board, Corporate Partners, as well as DLC, in attendance.
We are truly grateful for the support that all of you have provided through the Dean's Leadership Circle. To date, the new Best Seat in the House Campaign has received over $350,000 in pledges towards the 3-year goal of $3 million in order to ensure a 300-seat state-of-the-art auditorium inside our new building. The legacy opportunity for DLC members to name their own personal seat is very exciting. If you haven't already, please visit the new website developed specifically for the DLC campaign at www.merage.uci.edu/DLCAuditorium. We were pleased to have Class of 2007 EMBA alum and DLC member Selva Kulingsam with ZNet Solutions partnership on the development of this site.
I recently visited a great group of alumni and parents of our undergraduate students up in Northern California. Thanks to alumna Class of 2011 Vicky Yang who hosted our alumni event at Yahoo! in San Jose where more than 40 alumni from companies like Google, Oracle, Symantec and Visa attended. Also, last week, we held a very successful alumni event in Santa Monica hosted by Class of 1994 alumna, L.D. Reyer, Chief Operating Officer with public relations firm, Murphy O'Brien. We were pleased to see DLC members Nina Faustino Class of 2009, and Christen Chambers Class of 2005 offer to host the next event in LA at FOX Sports in Playa Vista in late June. Our alumni are terrific, indeed.
I'm also delighted that the DLC will be hosting a book signing for the release of my latest publication "Public No More, A New Path to Excellence for America's Public Universities" that I've co-authored with Gary Fethke. DLC member Mark Moehlman has graciously offered to host this event at Big Canyon Country Club in Newport Beach in June. The book examines the rapidly changing environment within public higher education, explaining the many adjustments that universities can make to educate and compete in today's non-profit and growing for-profit arenas. I look forward to sharing more at the event.
In addition, Commencement is right around the corner, and this year it will be held on Sunday, June 17 at the Bren Center featuring Vice President of Global Sales, Cisco Systems, Chris White, as our keynote speaker. This year, we will offer a very special VIP reception that follows the ceremony and members of the DLC will be invited to attend.
We are now contemplating the development of degree programs on a distance education platform. For a number of years we have been digitizing classes in our programs, holding review sessions online and utilizing various alternative delivery systems. We are now ready to develop an entire program online and are exploring various opportunities.
On the global economic front, the issues in Europe continue to be very worrisome. While the efforts of the European Central Bank have helped to ease concerns temporarily, the depth of the financial problems requires further action. Some say that the only sensible alternative is to allow Greece to return to the drachma and through its devaluation some degree of needed adjustment can take place. The U.S. debt situation, although not nearly as problematic, is causing a major drag on the economy as the uncertainty over taxes continues to worry consumers and investors. While some aspects of what needs to happen will continue to be unclear for some time, there is one certainty - everyone will pay more taxes sooner or later.
I look forward to future conversations on all of these topics and to see you at one of our exciting upcoming events soon.
All the best,
Andy |
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| Best Seat in the House Campaign |
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The Dean’s Leadership Circle’s new membership campaign will fund the 300-seat, state-of-the-art Auditorium inside the new Paul Merage School of Business building.
With plans for groundbreaking in 2013, this 85,000 square-foot structure will house:
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Full service café style eateries |
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Career resource library |
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High tech classrooms |
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Conference and group study facilities |
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Museum-like displays & video screens sharing the
success stories of our benefactors and contributors |
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Colloquia and interview rooms |
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Multi-use reception areas |
Special DLC membership offer now available:
Join or renew your Dean’s Leadership Circle membership with a 3-year pledge and receive
all member benefits PLUS a personally named seat inside the Auditorium!
This will forever be your seat – your personal legacy at The Paul Merage School of Business.
Visualize yourself - your company, your family - within this building, as the story of your success and commitment unfolds for thousands of visitors, students and business leaders to see.
| What section would you like your seat to be in? Don’t delay. Only 300 seats are available. Reserve your Best Seat in the House today at merage.uci.edu/go/DLCauditorium.
For further details, please contact Sandra Findly at sfindly@uci.edu or 949.824.8880. Questions related to additional naming opportunities within the new building may be directed to Debi Klein at dsklein@uci.edu or 949.824.4370. |
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| Member Spotlight |
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| In each issue we will feature several members and spotlight them and their company. We hope this is helpful and will allow members to get to know one another. When you see these members at an event, be sure to introduce yourself. And remember, you might be the next member in the spotlight! |
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| Name: |
Reza Sabahi |
| Grad Year & Program: |
FEMBA '09 |
| DLC Member: |
Visionary, since 2012; originally joined as a Shareholder in 2009 after graduation |
| Current Title: |
Vice President,
Syndicated Finance Division |
| Company: |
Wells Fargo Capital Finance
Leveraged Finance (industry)
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Description
We offer traditional asset-based lending, specialized junior and senior secured financing, factoring and financing for domestic and international trade to a wide range of companies throughout the U.S. and to businesses in Canada. We provide comprehensive asset-based lending to companies in the U.K. through Burdale Financial Limited, a Wells Fargo company.
Website: http://www.wellsfargocapitalfinance.com/index.php |
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What's a key differentiation of your company?
The key differentiation of my company is the entrepreneurial spirit that serves as the company's foundation. Wells Fargo Capital Finance employees truly manage each relationship and transaction as if the risk, reward, and reputation of the firm were his or her personal responsibility.
Why do you choose to participate in the Dean's Leadership Circle?
I believe that the MBA program at The Paul Merage School of Business is truly a life-long endeavor; as such, the Dean's Leadership Circle is an ideal vehicle to continue to actively enhance the global stature of the program and build the brand equity of the Alumni. Whether donating time, professional resources, or money, I feel a responsibility to give back to the school and the program that has had a positive impact on my professional and personal development.
Please share any 'success stories' that you attribute to you being a member in the Dean's Leadership Circle and/or due to your continued involvement with the Merage School of Business.
I directly attribute my success in negotiating transactions with private equity firms to my continued involvement with the Dean's Leadership Circle. At times, working with some of the large private equity firms can be challenging; they are managed by highly motivated and sophisticated business professionals. One of the immediate benefits of my involvement with the Dean's Leadership Circle has been the opportunity to interact with the same caliber of professionals that I encounter working with private equity. Discussing deals and market trends with other Dean's Leadership Circle members provides me with a risk-free venue to refine the "deal pitch" and "boardroom" skills that I use when working with my private equity clients.
What would you like fellow members of the Dean's Leadership Circle to know about you?
In my free time I enjoy surfing, working out at my hometown CrossFit gym (Ultimate CrossFit), practicing judo, and traveling. |
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| Name: |
Marilyn Carroll Jackson |
| DLC Member: |
Annual, 2008 |
| Current Title: |
President & CEO |
| Company: |
MC-ADEPT Practice Management Consulting Group, Inc. (Consulting) and BeaconPath (HR & Risk Protection Advising) |
Description
President & CEO, MC-ADEPT Practice Management Consulting Group, Inc. (Consulting)
MC-ADEPT was established in 2003 with a primary focus on business healthcare consulting for physicians and medical groups. In 2004, the firm formed an insurance brokerage subsidiary to provide health and commercial insurance. Today, MC-ADEPT continues to consult and act as a healthcare advocate however the firm has built a stronger focus on delivering effective marketing strategies and professional business development concepts to local institutions, firms, professional societies and educational organizations.
V.P. of Business Development, BeaconPath (HR & Risk Protection Advising)
BeaconPath (formerly Bray & Associates founded by Rhett Bray in 1995) is a small boutique HR and risk protection advising firm which was founded and launched by Rhett Bray in 2012. Due to healthcare reform and the uncertainty of rising human capital costs, BeaconPath focuses on assessing, advising, delivering and managing efficient solutions for small to mid-sized companies in three high cost areas: (1) payroll, (2) HR, and (3) insurances related to human capital.
What's a key differentiation of your company?
A key differentiation for MC-ADEPT is that it possesses a keen ability to effectively connect individuals at all levels through its vast internet of professionals amongst all industries and business sectors, which in turn, produces and increases business development probabilities and referral opportunities.
The key differentiation for BeaconPath is that its business model allows it to deliver proficient, "nontraditional" solutions that are in line with the movement and fluctuations in our healthcare reform.
Why do you choose to participate in the Dean's Leadership Circle?
Although I am not a graduate of UC Irvine's Merage School of Business and received my MBA from another university, there are many reasons I have chosen to strongly support and continue to participate in the Dean's Leadership Circle. They include:
- I highly enjoy interacting with the different levels of intellect and the professionalism within the DLC.
- I truly respect and admire Dean Andy Policano as a visionary, leader and economist as well as his ability to continue to successfully grow The Paul Merage School of Business.
- The DLC's staff is very accommodating and has tastefully and professionally planned each and every event.
- The keynote speakers for the Distinguished Speaker Series are all local executives that deliver informing and motivating presentations.
- The ability to meet and network with local executives and high level management professionals who represent local large firms as well as small business owners.
- The DLC allows and encourages its members to participate with its focus groups, roundtables and other events.
- DLC discounts are provided to certain UCI related events and refresher classes such as the Strategic Issues in Management Series (formerly MBA update.)
Please share any ‘success stories' that you attribute to you being a member in the Dean's Leadership Circle and/or due to your continued involvement with The Paul Merage School of Business.
It is difficult to point out a particular success story due to my continued involvement with The Paul Merage School of Business. Since the inception of my membership, I have learned so much about university administration and how successful The Paul Merage School of Business has helped MBA students succeed. I have also met many key people who have become very good friends and who have been able to support me in my business. I also enjoy helping people and offering leadership as my community involvement--the DLC has given me the opportunity to do both.
What would you like fellow members of the Dean's Leadership Circle to know about you?
First and foremost, I have a passion for learning and continuing to personally grow through life experiences, other people and continuing education. I also enjoy traveling, golfing, attending sporting events, socializing and overall spending time with family and friends. I really love my new relationship with Bill Humes and staying in touch with my two grown children: Sean (22 years old) who is on active duty in the USAF and is stationed at Barksdale AFB, Shreveport, LA and Brittany (20 years old) who is a junior at The Ohio State studying political science and who wants to go on to law school. |
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| Name: |
Judith L. Gass |
| Grad Year & Program: |
FEMBA '00 |
| DLC member: |
Annual, 2008 |
| Current Title: |
Director of Veterinary Marketing |
| Company: |
VPI - Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. |
Description
With more than 485,000 pets insured nationwide, Veterinary Pet Insurance Co.is the No. 1 veterinarian-recommended pet health insurance company and is a member of the Nationwide Insurance family of companies. Providing pet owners with peace of mind since 1982, the company is committed to being the trusted choice of America's pet lovers and an advocate of pet health education.
Key Differentiation:
VPI Pet Insurance plans cover dogs, cats, birds and exotic pets for multiple medical problems and conditions relating to accidents, illnesses and injuries. Optional CareGuard® coverage is available for routine care.
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Why do you choose to participate in the Dean's Leadership Circle?
The DLC is an excellent opportunity to network with other professionals I may not normally have the chance to meet. So many of alum are passionate about the success of The Paul Merage School of Business and DLC members share a like vision in supporting the schools success. I consider it a privilege and an honor to participate with the DLC and its talented members.
Please share any 'success stories' that you attribute to you being a member in the Dean's Leadership Circle and/or due to your continued involvement with the Merage School of Business.
My success comes from the inspiration and motivation from other professionals in the Orange County business community that belong to the DLC. The diversity of the knowledge and leadership from the DLC members has helped me to strive for higher goals and chart an evolving career path.
What would you like fellow members of the Dean's Leadership Circle to know about you?
I find my balance and excitement with my wonderful family. My husband, four children and loving pug Smoochie are my reason to wake up every morning. I work to live in this stage of my career and am very blessed to love what I do both as a mom and executive. |
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| DLC Members Giving Back |
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The Dean's Leadership Circle, the premier networking organization that has become known for success in fundraising for the Merage School, is also engaging its members by giving back in their personal time and expertise.
We wish to thank all of our members who are actively engaging with the Merage School as mentors, coaches for student teams, speaking at student info sessions, and members of the DLC Advisory Board who help guide the organization and keep it aligned with the School's vision and mission. |
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| Rob Henderson, EMBA '05, Chief Operating Officer, Superior Storage Tanks |
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 "As a proud alumnus of the Merage School, I am committed to giving back to the school for several reasons: 1. to uplift the school by participating in the different programs that need support which benefit all students as well as us alumni by improving the standard and services and reputation of the school; 2. the Dean and the School stood by me during a time of personal tragedy and the least that I can do is participate in the small ways where I can; and 3. participating gives one great personal satisfaction as well!" |
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| John Waldeck, FEMBA '01, Vice President, Pacific Life |
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 "I am a mentor to support the advancement of the Paul Merage School of Business. As a former FEMBA student, I have benefited from my degree and my relationship to the School. As a mentor, I am also able to provide personal guidance and industry context to a student's education. I hope to solidify these students' career choices and prepare them for their life
after UCI." |
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| Angelo Lombardo, FEMBA ‘01, Senior Sales Leader, Coca Cola |
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 "I really enjoyed the opportunity to coach the Edwards LifeScience team of students for management practicum. My experience was that it was very fulfilling to be able to give back in terms of using my experience to help the team identify the right questions to ask, and paths to explore. Conversely, working with such a bright group that is currently immersed in new theories and concepts compelled me to challenge myself in the way I think about business challenges on a day to day basis. In my opinion it was an experience that yielded mutual beneficial results." |
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| Lauds & Laurels Distinguished Alumni |
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 The Dean's Leadership Circle is proud that Charter Member, Al De Grassi, MS '79, Senior Vice President of Plaza Bank, will be honored as this year's Distinguished Alumnus from The Paul Merage School of Business at UC Irvine's 2012 Lauds & Laurels Awards Banquet on Thursday, May 17. This long-standing tradition celebrates the accomplishments of our alumni for their dedication and commitment to UCI and the community at large. If you are interested in attending to support Al on this very special occasion, please contact the Dean's Leadership Circle Office at deansleadershipcircle@merage.uci.edu. |
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| Roundtable Events |
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Upcoming Roundtable Event - RSVP today: Manufacturing/Supply Chain |
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The Dean's Leadership Circle is launching a new Roundtable Series group designed for business leaders in the area of Manufacturing/Supply Chain. If you are working in this industry and have an interest in attending please email deansleadershipcircle@merage.uci.edu.
Hosted by:
Len Ambrosini , EMBA '02
Vice President, Operational Excellence
Rosemount Analytical Emerson Process Management
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
For further info on the Roundtable Series please contact:
Kristen McAlister, FEMBA '03
Chair, Networking Committee
Phone: (949) 677-9770
Email: kmcalister@ceriusinterim.com |
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| Past Events |
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| Technology Roundtable Event - Recap |
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 The Dean's Leadership Circle would like to thank Joseph Corigliano '01, Director of Business Development at Microsoft for hosting the recent Technology Roundtable on February 21st at his corporate facility. Coordinated by Paula Milano '80 of Focus Leadership, there was a great turn out and the buzz on technology was in the air! Many thanks to Joe & Paula for all of their help in putting this excellent networking roundtable together.
The group discussed BYOD (bring your own device) and the future of mobile devices. They conversed on how to leverage mobile technology within the industry and how it is changing the future of applications to be more intuitive, mobile, and available. They examined business intelligence and how to cost justify in a very cost cautious environment, such as healthcare. They chatted about the issues in implementing business intelligence systems around security, and the cloud and how and where it is used today in various industries.
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| Health care Roundtable Event - Recap |
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We also wish to extend our gratitude to DLC Advisory Board member Sam King '00 for coordinating the highly anticipated HC Roundtable event on February 1st at TekSystems, an IT staffing solutions and managed IT service firm located in Newport Beach. Graciously hosted by Stephanie Bahu and her team, TekSystems was the perfect venue for our DLC members to congregate over plentiful drinks and appetizers, with a lively roundtable discussion that followed.
The group reviewed the debate on health care reform and how its impacted professionals across all different industry sectors. The guests in attendance included MD's, consultants, health care providers, and experts in the Health IT space. They discussed the State of EU Union, and EMR (electronic medical record) which are typically used in a physician's office versus EHR (electronic health record) which is viewed as an evolving concept defined as a systematic collection of electronic health information about individual patients. They also touched on HIPAA and how the government controls this information.
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| Visionary attend the 17th Annual Director of the Year Awards Dinner Recap |
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Members of the DLC were pleased to have the opportunity to attend the 17th Annual Director of the Year Awards Dinner held on Thursday, March 1 at the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel. A select group of DLC Visionary and Advisory Board members included Ken and Carla Neeld, Greg Lai, Kristen McAlister, Sue Padernacht and Larry Kutcher, Marilyn Carroll Jackson and Bill Humes along with DLC director Sandra Findly.
The FCD and Merage School have a special partnership that provided a hosted table for this event. The evening honored those who have, in the face of uncertain economic times, forged the path for new opportunities and continued success.
Jim McCluney, President & Chief Executive Officer, Emulex Corporation was the special guest host with each of the following recipients providing a brief but enlightening address on how they've achieved success.
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Maurice DeWald
Chairman & CEO
Verity Financial Group, Inc. |
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LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Robert Ingram
General Partner
Hatteras Venture Partners |
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EARLY STAGE COMPANIES
Jeff Kearl
Chairman & CEO
Stance |
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CORPORATE GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
John Major
Founder & President
MTSG |
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CORPORATE LEADERSHIP & SERVICE
William Thompson, Jr.
Independent Director |
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ENHANCEMENT OF ECONOMIC VALUE
William Wang
CEO & Co-founder
Vizio, Inc. |
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| Globe Trekkers |
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 Jay '79 & Sheila Witzling enjoyed a recent vacation in Paris, where afterward they boarded a riverboat on the Soane River down to Provence. |
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| DLC Auditorium – Best Seat in the House Donors |
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| Visionary |
| Pamela Adams CFP '98, The Adams Financial Group of Wells Fargo Advisors |
| Michael '88 & Elizabeth Aghajanian, The Paul Merage School of Business |
| Len '02 and Linda Ambrosini, Rosemount Analytical |
| Thomas H. Antunez III '05, Prithvi Percentix |
| Harry Beck, Altus 365 and Melissa Beck '12, The Paul Merage School of Business |
| John Belli, Ernst & Young, LLP |
| Brent A. Brewer '98, Pantheon Energy |
| Tim Cannon '07, Avanade and Juliette Meunier, Ernst & Young, LLP |
| Tallia Hart, Irvine Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors |
| David Jones '93, Select Portfolio Management |
| Gregory R. Lai CFA '88 & Cindy Lai, Affinity Investment Advisors, LLC |
| Mark '84 & Lisa '84 Locklear, Ingram Micro |
| Paula Milano '80 & Eric Nielsen, Focus Leadership |
| Kristen Monson '86, PIMCO |
| Kenneth B. '07 & Carla Neeld, Delphi Display Systems, Inc. |
| Beau '06 & Sanam Pirghibi, Rubber-Cal |
| Bill Rowland ‘06 |
| Reza Sabahi '09, Wells Fargo |
| Isabel Satra '02, Tradewinds Global Investors |
| Jasmine S. Shodja '01, Wells Fargo, The Private Bank |
| John Waldeck, CMB, CRI '01, Pacific Life Insurance Company |
| David Young '90, Anfield Group, LLC |
| Front & Center |
| Professor Vijay Gurbaxani, Paul Merage School of Business |
| Rodney & Michelle Hill, Rodney C. Hill, Inc. |
| Kristen McAlister '03, Cerius Interim Executives |
| Richard Milo '96, Deloitte & Touche, LLP |
| Greg Queen '03, Brasstech, Inc. |
| Middle Tier |
| Jason Green '08, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network |
| Timothy Guth '84, Montebello Plastics, LLC |
| David Hayes '79, Dorsey & Whitney, LLP |
| Timothy & Marianne Kay, Snell & Wilmer, LLP |
| Selva Kulasingam '07, ZTNet Solutions |
| Darren ‘02 & Dao Whissen '01, Select Portfolio Management |
| Tim Zevnik '93, Molina Healthcare, Inc. |
| Back Tier |
| Drew Aron '98, Point B |
| Katie Bianchi '96, Marriott International |
| Geoff '05 & Tracy Bremmer ‘05, Monster |
| Christen Chambers '05, Fox Networks Group |
| Paige Cotcamp '84, Air & Surface Logistics |
| Zsolt Kiraly '08, Esterline Palomar Products |
| Tom Kozicki, Paul Merage School of Business |
| Timothy Leyden '92, Western Digitial Corporation |
| Barbra Marangell '08, Paul Merage School of Business |
| Matthew Mousavi '11, Faris Lee Investments |
| Rashad ‘04 & Jennifer Moumneh ‘04, Taco Bell/YUM Corporation |
| Carl Neisser, Neisser Company |
| Nira Roston |
| Mitch & Maureen Spann, University of California, Irvine |
| Thomas Wagner '89, Taco Bell/YUM Corporation |
| Coni Zingarelli ‘08, Paul Merage School of Business |
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| Welcome Newest Members |
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| New DLC Members |
| Michelle Heyer, Arbor Financial Group |
| Garrison Jaquess, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage |
| Robert Lambert, Cushman & Wakefield |
| Angelo Lombardo '01, Coca-Cola |
| Matthew Mousavi '11, Faris Lee Investments |
| Derek Poirier, Willis North America |
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| In This Issue |
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Andy's Insider Update |
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Best Seat in the House Campaign |
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Member Spotlight |
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DLC Members Giving Back |
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Lauds & Laurels Distinguished Alumni |
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Roundtable Events |
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Globe Trekkers |
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Welcome Newest Members |
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DLC Auditorium - Best Seat in the House Donors |
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| DLC Quick Links |
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Distinguished Speaker Series
Flier - 4/12
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Corporate Partners 30 Year Celebration Flier - 4/24 |
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Merage School Event Calendar |
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Current DLC Member Roster |
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Best Seat in the House |
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| Calendar of Merage School Upcoming Events |
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| 2012 |
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| April 12, 2012 |
| Distinguished Speaker Series VIP Pre-Reception - Bausch & Lomb Surgical at UCI Student Center |
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| April 12, 2012 |
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| Chris Botti in Concert at Segerstrom Hall (Visionary Event) |
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| April 20, 2012 |
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| Alumni Network & DLC Info Session to EMBA 2012; all DLC invited to mixer afterwards |
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| April 24, 2012 |
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| Corporate Partners 30th Year Celebration, Taco Bell HQ |
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| May 1, 2012 |
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| Manufacturing/Supply Chain Roundtable |
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| May 11, 2012 |
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| Alumni Network & DLC Info Session to HCEMBA 2012; all DLC invited to mixer afterwards |
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| May 15, 2012 |
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| Distinguished Speaker Series VIP Pre-Reception - Todd Teske, Briggs & Stratton Corporation (held at the Beckman,- seating limited!)
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| June 17, 2012 |
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| Commencement 2012, - Key note speaker Chris White, Vice President of Global Sales at Cisco Systems |
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| TBA |
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| Andy's Book Signing |
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