CLASS NOTES

HERE YOU ARE AGAIN — ON THE FIRST PAGE OF CLASS NOTES

You probably flip to this page as soon as you receive Mendoza Business magazine. You want to see who got a new job, who got married and, in some cases, who needs prayers for a soul that has departed. It’s great that you’re reading this, but information flows two ways, and we’d like to hear about you. So take a minute to share your news.

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1960s

ROBERT BLEIER (BBA ’68) was the keynote speaker at the January Summit East’s opening ceremony, speaking of his experience in Vietnam, his football career at Notre Dame and his solid Catholic faith. Upon graduation, Bleier was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 16th round of the draft, but his professional career was cut short when he was drafted that year into the military. Bleier was injured in combat in Vietnam and was told that he would never be able to play football again. Against the odds, Bleier returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers and in 1975, he won the first of four Super Bowl rings with the team. Bleier had an emotional return to Vietnam and continued to express that throughout everything he never had to “fall back” on his Catholic faith because it was always there.

1980s

DOMINIC MANCUSO (MARK ’80) is Nexstar Broadcasting Inc.’s vice president and general manager, overseeing the broadcast and digital operations of its Indianapolis duopoly. Nexstar Media Group is a leading diversified media company that leverages localism to bring new services and value to consumers and advertisers through its traditional media, digital and mobile media platforms.

JOHN MICHEL (ACCT ’81) is the chief financial officer of HomeStreet Inc., the parent company of HomeStreet Bank. Michel will oversee all aspects of financial management for the company.

JOHN MARTIN (FIN ’82) is senior advisor for Victory Park Capital, a leading global alternative investment firm. Martin served as a member of the Mendoza College of Business Advisory Council for 12 years and was appointed as the first chair of the newly established Advisory Council for the IDEA Center.

WILLIAM MCGOWAN (FIN ’84) is market manager for middle market banking for TCF National Bank. McGowan is responsible for bringing in new business and implementing, coordinating and overseeing various commercial banking divisions in the Chicagoland and Milwaukee areas.

GEOFFREY HENRY (FIN ’85) is vice president and business banker for the central region for 1st Source Bank.

HENRY ZEISEL (ACCT ’85) is senior vice president of finance and chief financial officer of Lake Regional Health System. Zeisel is a certified public accountant and fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

SALEM ABRAHAM (FIN ’88), a former hedge fund manager, and his wife, Ruth Ann, restored the venerable Palace Theatre in Canadian, Texas. To the Abrahams’ surprise, the theater became a catalyst for a downtown renaissance. Some 20 downtown buildings have been remodeled, and the city partnered with the Texas Department of Transportation to transform Main Street. The Abrahams bought nine more downtown buildings, turning them into various businesses, including a furniture store, a clothing store, and the Abraham Trading Company offices, which occupy a wing inside a three-story restored hotel that’s also home to the Cattle Exchange restaurant, an homage to the area’s ranching history.

1990s

SCOTT COLLINS (MBA ’93) is chief revenue officer of HireRight, a leading provider of global employment background checks, drug testing, education verification, and electronic Form I-9 and E-Verify solutions. He will oversee sales, marketing and customer service efforts worldwide.

DREW WATSON (FIN ’93), CFP, a private wealth advisor with Ameriprise Financial, was named to the list of “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” published by Forbes magazine. the list recognizes financial advisors who have demonstrated high levels of ethical standards, professionalism and success in the business. Watson was chosen based on assets under management, industry experience, regulatory and compliance record and revenue produced over a three-year period.

RICHARD LAW (MBA ’94) is a managing director in Grant Thornton LLP’s Corporate Value Consulting practice. In this role, he will help the firm’s clients speed and enhance their transaction processes.

ROBERT HO (ACCT ’97) is chief financial officer of Neoleukin Therapeutics Inc., a biopharmaceutical company creating next generation immunotherapies for cancer, inflammation and autoimmunity using de novo protein design technology.

PAUL ANTHONY MONGELLUZZO (MBA ’97) produces the Long Island Comedy Festival each summer, now heading into its 15th year. Mongelluzzo has also launched the Berkshire Comedy Festival in Massachusetts, the new 50+ Comedy Tour and the annual New Year’s LAUGHIN’ Eve. A comedian, Mongelluzzo has been the opening act for comedians such as Louie Anderson, Robert Klein and Bob Nelson. He is very jealous of alumni with TWO degrees from Notre Dame.

2000s

SCOTT PETERSON (MSA ’00) is vice president of investment sales, for Choyce Peterson, Inc., a commercial real estate brokerage.

CHRISTOPHER SMITH (MBA ’00) is vice president of human resources for Comcast western New England region. Smith and his team will support more than 1,600 employees and oversee all of the region’s human resources functions, including talent management, recruiting, payroll, benefits, and training through Comcast University, the company’s internal training and leadership development program. 

J.J. FRIGGE (FIN ’01) is president of Hartzell Propeller, the global leader in advanced technology aircraft propeller design and manufacturing for business, commercial and government customers.

J. SCOTT ELLSPERMANN (FIN ’02) is director of exchange traded products at Tortoise, including closed-end funds, and is focused on increasing Tortoise’s ETF platform presence and developing new products. 

ROBERT FLYNN (EMBA ’03) is executive vice president of Operations Strategy at Busche Performance Group. Flynn has been working within the automotive manufacturing operations and leadership industry for over 30 years.

JAMES PAXTON (MSA ’05, ACCT ’04) is president of Paducah-based Paxton Media Group, the fifth generation of the Paxton family to be named to the position.

BROOKES EBETSCH (MNA ’07, BFA ’02) is the executive operations director of the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, managing the business of the downtown Arlington Heights, Illinois, theater.

BRIAN HEDGES (ACCT ’07) is a partner in the investigative and dispute resolution service division at Mengel Metzger Barr & Co. LLP.

2010s

KATHLEEN WELSH BEVERIDGE (MNA ’10, BA ’92) is chair of Bucks County health and human services review subcommittee. Beveridge also serves as president of the directors of the Bucks County Women’s Advocacy Coalition and previously served as executive director of the Bucks County Women’s Fund. She also is president and founder of Spark Nonprofit Consulting.

NICHOLAS WEIDO (FIN ’12) is a senior associate at Gridiron Capital LLC, an investment firm focused on partnering with founders, entrepreneurs and management teams. Weido will focus on new investment opportunities, due diligence and value creation at current portfolio companies.

SAMUEL BOERS (ACCT ’13) is a director at WilliamsMarston LLC.

BRITTANY BOWLEN (FIN ’13) is vice president of strategic initiatives for the Denver Broncos.

BENJAMIN DIAZ (MSA ’15, ACCT ’14), CPA, is senior associate at the Siegfried Group LLP, New York Market.

PREET GORAYA (EMBA CHICAGO ’15), M.D., is chief operating officer for Orb Health, overseeing medical operations that serve the exploding demand for virtual chronic care management service.

MARK MADRID (MNA ’15) is the Silicon Valley Business Journal’s Nonprofit CEO of the Year. Since 2017, Madrid has served as the chief executive officer of the Latino Business Action Network (LBAN). LBAN collaborates with Stanford Graduate School of Business to champion their Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSES AT MENDOZA

Certificate in Business Analytics

Oct. 12-14, 2020
Stayer Center for Executive
Education, Notre Dame

Learn how to communicate effectively with data scientists and executives alike through this 2 ½-day immersive program for working professionals. You’ll get insight from Notre Dame business faculty members on how to represent data visually in order to spot trends, how to use both predictive analytics and artificial intelligence to make better decisions, how to identify ideal candidates for data analytics positions, and more. For more information, go online to notredameonline.com.

Women in Leadership

Start dates every other month
in odd months of the year
Virtual Classroom

This four-week interactive e-learning course is designed and taught predominantly by Mendoza faculty. The program provides women with comprehensive leadership training that prepares participants to lead effective change, practice ethical decisionmaking, negotiate and resolve conflict, and build relationships through mentorship and networking. It is intended for women with a range of professional experience, from the first stages of their careers to senior leadership to re-entering the workforce. For more information, go online to Mendoza.nd.edu/executive-education/certificate-in-business-analytics.