Quinnipiac University Business Magazine Fall 2011 by Quinnipiac University

QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY

business FALL 2011

All in Your Head Advertisements embrace interactivity in the era of social media

Comfort Food

Hall of Fame 2011

Minding Their Businesses

Get involved! Ted Koly ’06, MBA ’08 financial advisor, portfolio manager Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC Stamford, Conn. taher.ted.koly@mssb.com

Ted Koly ’06, MBA ’08, left, consults with senior finance major Andrew Papai on the Student-Managed Portfolio. They are pictured here outside the Terry W. Goodwin ’67 Financial Technology Center.

For Ted Koly ’06, MBA ’08, risk and reward are all

the 2007 event in Houston, and, building on that

on the advisory board for that fund. The students

part of the bigger picture. A financial advisor/port-

experience, went to New York in 2008, where he

spend an entire semester researching the compa-

folio manager for Morgan Stanley Smith Barney in

placed second in the open outcry portion of the

nies in the portfolios and then make a decision

Stamford, Conn., Koly evaluates risk and makes

competition.

whether to keep or trade them.

he manages and for his clients: high net-worth indi-

This past spring, Koly coached a team of five

The students realize that it can be extremely bene-

viduals, endowments and institutions.

Quinnipiac students who participated in the 2011

ficial in getting a job, because of the skills and

decisions on how to allocate funds for the portfolio

competition, held at the New York Mercantile

real-life experience they gain. “If you take the time

“We are always looking for opportunities that make

Exchange. Using simulated trading software and

to invest in it, you will know as much as a research

sense for our clients. Our goal is to get the highest

fictitious accounts, the students traded crude oil

analyst on Wall Street,” Koly said.

return with the least amount of risk,” he said.

and gold futures. Two of the QU competitors took

While he was a graduate student at Quinnipiac,

first and second place honors, and a third placed in

His father, M.S. Koly, is a member of the Quinnipiac

the Top 10, out of 100 students from 58 schools.

Board of Trustees, and was recently elected chair-

Koly took a different type of risk. He heard about

man of the Endowment Committee.

the CME Group Commodities Trading Challenge and

Koly also handles the brokerage account for

thought: “Quinnipiac can win this.” He took part in

Quinnipiac’s Student-Managed Portfolio and is

business.quinnipiac.edu

business Vice President for Public Affairs Lynn Mosher Bushnell Editor Janet Waldman, MS ’09 Director of Publications and Design Thea Moritz

FALL 2011

Assistant Editor Alejandra Navarro

features

Senior Graphic Designer Cynthia Greco COVER STORY Manager of Photographic Services Mark Stanczak Contributors Maureen Farrell, MS ’06 Nancy-jo Funaro Karen Guzman Claire Hall Paul Kazmercyk Tim Malloy Natalie Missakian John Pettit, MS ’99 Donna Pintek

All in Your Head pg. 4 4

ENTREPRENEURS

Minding Their Own Businesses 12

Photographers Susan Farley John Hassett Robert Lisak Perry Smith Tori Soper Quinnipiac University 275 Mount Carmel Avenue Hamden, CT 06518-1908 Tel 203-582-8200 email: business@quinnipiac.edu Postmaster: Send address changes to Office of Development and Alumni Affairs, Quinnipiac University, AH-DVP, 275 Mount Carmel Avenue, Hamden, CT 06518-1908. Editorial offices are located at the Development and Public Affairs Building, Quinnipiac University. Quinnipiac University admits students of any race, color, creed, gender, age, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin, and disability status to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. Quinnipiac University does not discriminate in these areas in the administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

Interactive online ads and social media are fertile territory for marketers. BY ALEJANDRA NAVARRO

pg. 12

Four alumni relate how ideas grew into careers. BY JANET WALDMAN CAREER

Comfort Food pg. 18 18

Outback Steakhouse co-founder Tim Gannon launches initiative to feed Florida’s poorest. BY TIM MALLOY

Business leaders inducted into Hall of Fame

pg. 10

Economics major describes summer internship in Budapest, Hungary pg. 16

departments 2 Dean’s Desk School of Business invested in

22 Faculty Research Professor Matthew Rafferty

learning outcomes

24 Students Making News 25 Department News

Technology and social responsibility are merging

26 GradNews & Profiles

for Quinnipiac CIS students.

Deirdre Rogusky ’88 Richard Napolitano ’00

32 Making Connections

Frank DeFrancesco ’97, MBA ’98 Gregory Geloso ’97

Follow Quinnipiac www.facebook.com/quinnipiacuniversity Twitter@QuinnipiacU

business.quinnipiac.edu

dean’s desk

The School of Business has always been concerned with measuring learning outcomes MATTHEW L. O’CONNOR, DEAN

Our business students are incredibly active in a variety of extracurricular activities, many of which inspire students to deeper and more significant levels of understanding. For example, through the FED Challenge, our economics and finance students develop a better appreciation for monetary policy issues than any lecture series could impart.

Quinnipiac University is engaged in a

area. Our business students are incredibly

critical transformation to change the way

active in a wide variety of extracurricular

students learn, and the School of Business

activities, many of which inspire students

is helping to lead the way.

to deeper and more significant levels of

The traditional classroom is based on a teaching paradigm with emphasis on

FED Challenge, our economics and finance

instructional processes and measurements

students develop a much better apprecia-

of the effectiveness of teachers. A learning

tion for monetary policy issues than any

paradigm, however, emphasizes learning

lecture series could impart. This is just

outcomes and measures how well stu-

one example. Our business students are

dents are achieving these outcomes.

engaged in academic challenges across

It may seem like a subtle change, but measuring learning outcomes as opposed

all disciplines and programs. Few measures of educational success

to teaching effectiveness has broad and

are more important than guiding students

powerful implications.

toward that elusive goal of lifelong learn-

Key elements of the learning paradigm

matthew.oconnor@quinnipiac.edu

understanding. For example, through the

ing. I can think of few areas where lifelong

have been part of the School of Business

learning will be more critical than in the

for several years. Because the rigors of

area of globalization. Our partnerships

AACSB accreditation, the School of BusiQUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS / FALL 2011

ness has a history of identifying, measur-

ing and improving learning outcomes. For example, all of our undergraduate business students take the ETS® Major Field Test for the bachelor’s degree in business. This national exam allows us to benchmark student learning against peer institutions. Faculty and administration use results to assess and improve student performance. We also measure and assess communication skills, ethical reasoning and business strategy. In addition to measuring outcomes, a learning paradigm recognizes and supports learning outside the classroom. The School of Business is a leader in this

The Shanghai financial district serves as a backdrop for Cynthia D’Amore, MBA ’11, who visited China with Quinnipiac last summer.

with the Albert Schweitzer Institute, the Nicaraguan Microloan Program, the Hungarian Program, ongoing MBA International Experiences, support for study abroad, and our work with universities in Ireland, the UK, France, Turkey and China are all part of our ongoing efforts to help students prepare themselves for a global economic environment. To that end, the University has created the István Széchenyi Institute to broaden its global ties and opportunities for inter-

Support Quinnipiac Rising

national education. The institute will build on the work of Quinnipiac’s existing István Széchenyi Chair in International Economics, which oversees Quinnipiac’s relations and student exchange program with

elp us prepare future business leaders seeking a Quinnipiac education by making a gift to the School of Business today!

gary. The chair is based in the School of Business, and its programs are reserved for MBA students, but the new institute will support the development of similar pro-

Your contribution of any amount provides exciting and essential support to deserving students who truly value your assistance.

grams for all QU students. Christopher Ball, associate professor of economics, currently holds the chair and has been named director of the new institute. I would also like to bring you up to date on one other exciting development. The

Log on to www.quinnipiac.edu/give.xml or send your designated contribution to Melinda Formica, director of development, School of Business, 275 Mount Carmel Avenue, Hamden, CT 06518-1908.

University is in the early stages of establishing an engineering program that initially will be housed in the School of Busi-

melinda.formica@quinnipiac.edu • 203-582-3735

ness. Scott Hamilton, PhD, has joined the school as founding chair of the engineering department. Please join me in welcoming Scott to the QU family. business.quinnipiac.edu

QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS / FALL 2011

nations in Central Europe, especially Hun-

cover story

All in your

HEAD Advertisements embrace interactivity in the era of social media | ALEJANDRA NAVARRO

AMC’s hit drama “Mad Men” has capti-

viral. More important, advertisements

It’s all for fun

vated audiences with its nostalgic look at

today are sharply aimed at specific

Who knew an allergy medication could be

1960s-era advertising executives who drink

audiences. Never before have advertisers

so fun? In addition to a website that has a

scotch while they think up snappy slogans

had so much information about the people

personalized allergy guide and an allergy

and select striking images for advertise-

they are trying to reach, thanks in large

forecast app for mobile devices, Zyrtec

ments. Their creations appear on bill-

part to posts on social media. At the same

created a YouTube game called Parks

boards and in Life magazine to encourage

time, whether they know it or not,

Unleashed. During the five weeks the

the masses to buy Lucky Strike cigarettes

consumers have never had so much

game was online, more than 2.2 million

and other brands they represent.

control over the message.

players navigated through an online

“In the online world, as the consumer, I

allergy-inducing park to find prizes. That’s

decide if I want more information,” says

just one example of an effective advertise-

ment—even one with a powerful message

Anthony Asare, assistant professor of mar-

ment campaign. Heinz created electronic

—could severely cripple an advertising

keting, who teaches a course on Internet

“get well soon” cans of soup on Facebook

campaign.

marketing. “The power has shifted.”

that friends could electronically send to

In this socially connected society,

Unlike on television, on social media

each other. Some companies use “crowd-

advertising is more than a message. It’s

the public can promote (and sometimes

sourcing,” which asks audience members

more than a strategically placed image—or

revise), ignore or reject advertising links,

to create advertisements. In 2007, Frito-Lay

video for that matter. And it’s more than

emails and web pages, he says. And adver-

began the highly successful TV ad compe-

convincing a consumer to buy something.

tisers are taking note.

tition “Crash the Super Bowl” for Doritos.

Advertising has become a dialogue

“They have to find a way to make

The winning audience-made commercial

between companies and audiences,

advertisements look more enticing and

most often taking place online where

less intrusive,” Asare explains. To do this

advertisements can be interactive and on

advertisers have turned to interactive

be engaged with their message and need

the move. They are tweeted on Twitter,

platforms, such as online blogs, surveys

to find an efficient way to do so,” explains

shared on LinkedIn, posted on Google+

and games that provide entertaining and

Daniel Partelow ’06. He is a senior client

or liked on Facebook—and some just

useful information to get viewers to come

services manager at SAY Media, an online

might hit the attention jackpot and go

out and play.

media company based in New York City.

is aired during the game. “Brand advertisers want consumers to

business.quinnipiac.edu

QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS / FALL 2011

Today, we know cigarettes can kill you. Similarly, relying on a static advertise-

Daniel Partelow ’06 is a client services manager at SAY Media, an online company whose clients include Dove and I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter.

He oversees Unilever, the world’s second-

Second, the company used content devel-

nology. Vertical channels can draw specific

largest consumer packaged goods

oped by Axe to create a conversation with

audiences whose members are interested

company.

the audience. The final product was an

in the topic and who are more likely to

attractive website ad that encouraged young

connect with the brand or product.

Given the competition for online viewers’ attention, companies need more than

QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS / FALL 2011

a cool website to satisfy marketing needs

men to answer questions posed by Axe.

An example of SAY’s full approach to

On the sites SAY owns, only one ad

digital advertising is its site, xoJane.com.

and expectations. SAY Media creates

appears on the entire page, giving the

SAY collaborated with Jane Pratt, the

engaging rich media, such as interactive

advertiser 100 percent of attention,

founder of Sassy and Jane magazines, to

advertisements, and video experiences, for

Partelow says.

create a website for women who are

clients such as Dove, Axe and I Can’t

“Advertising on the Internet is very

passionate about beauty, entertainment

cluttered right now and overwhelms the

and technology. Pratt has developed a

consumer,” says Partelow. In response, SAY

strong following through her interactive

partners with more than 700 other sites,

has launched the “Clean Campaign.” SAY

blog. SAY allows advertisers to launch

which together reach more than 135 mil-

uses websites that create inviting environ-

custom advertising campaigns on this site

lion people. From this extensive list of

ments, taking into consideration tonality,

where they are not in competition with

sites, SAY can select websites that are

simplicity and site design.

other brands. SAY worked with Pratt to

Believe It’s Not Butter. SAY owns a variety of websites and

inviting to specific audiences and create

Of the millions of websites that exist,

develop a list of websites that were

custom opportunities using SAY-owned

most have small, niche audiences. In

relevant to these brands, which in

sites, explains Partelow.

response, advertisers are finding ways to

conjunction with SAY’s other site partners,

reach these small groups that are spread

ensured that brands were reaching a

combed through its list of partners to

across the Web. One way is through verti-

large, but targeted audience base. Clairol,

ensure that ads would appear on sites that

cal channels, which are different online

for example, sponsored a recent beauty

spoke to the desired audience, young men

platforms, from blogs to Twitter accounts,

web chat and was the only advertiser on

who would use the new Axe body spray.

dedicated to a topic, such as food or tech-

the site.

In a recent partnership with Axe, SAY

“It’s all about finding active, passionate communities with engaged audiences. The benefit of digital advertising lies in the ability to target niche markets instead of blanketing a wide sector in hopes that the desired audience is covered.”—Daniel Partelow ’06

bot (spamming program) trying to gain

Compared to banner ads, Solve Media’s

access to a website. In a type-in ad, the

type-in ads are more effective at driving

advertisers reaching those niche audi-

viewer sees an advertising image or video

brand recognition and message retention,

ences,” he says. “It’s all about finding

with a message they must retype, such as

Libby says. Clients have been generous

active, passionate communities with

“Toyota Moving Forward.” For the release of

with the data from their campaigns, which

engaged audiences. The benefit of digital

the Universal Pictures film “Little Fockers,”

has helped Libby and his team of 30

advertising lies in the ability to target

viewers watched a short video clip and

employees in six cities refine its product.

niche markets instead of blanketing a

typed the phrase in the subtitles: “In the-

A Wharton School of Business professor

wide sector in hopes that the desired audi-

aters December 22.”

has published research on the effective-

ence is covered.”

“The beauty is that to the consumer it’s

ness of type-in ads—a message recall that

a clear, concise message and it’s an active

was 12 times higher than popular forms of

Your type of ads

form of engagement,” explains Libby. He

online advertisements. Consumers find

The challenge is that a company often

gave up a prestigious position at Double

them easier and faster to use than

doesn’t know if a viewer reads the paid

Click, a division of Google, to join two other

CAPTCHAs, according to a study.

advertisement on the side column of a

members to found the start-up in late 2010.

search page or views the video that plays

Libby’s connections in the advertising

“Consumers are very happy to type in a brand message if there is something of

before gaining

value on the

access to a

other side,” he

website.

says. Solve Media places

Solve Media found a solution

ads that are

to that problem

relevant to the

in a new type of

viewers of that

advertisement: a

specific web

“type-in” ad. The

page. For

new technology

example, an ad

guarantees a

for a family car might appear

viewer not only

on the website of Parents Magazine.

has read an advertisement, but also that

industry have led to deals with major com-

the viewer is highly likely to have retained

panies including Microsoft and Chase as

the ad’s message, says Stu Libby ’03, vice

well as Toyota and Universal Pictures. The

that are correctly typed, regardless of the

president of sales and co-founder of Solve

company is now making an estimated $10

number of times the page is viewed. In

Media, headquartered in New York City.

million in revenues this year alone.

addition, these ads have created a new

Type-in ads replace CAPTCHAs, the

“Brands are eager to try new, cutting-

Companies only pay for the phrases

source of revenue for websites. “We’re not

string of letters and numbers, usually

edge technology,” says Libby. “I have never

done yet,” Libby says. “We have a lot more

appearing in a warped font, that a person

seen a platform accepted so quickly. This

that we’re attempting to do.”

re-types to prove he or she is not a spam-

is truly forward-thinking.”

Solve Media is currently working on business.quinnipiac.edu

QUINNIPAC UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS / FALL 2011

Advertising was previously aimed at wide, general audiences. “Now it’s about

a deal that could have companies subsidizing publishers’ web content. For example, the viewer would complete a type-in ad to gain access to a paid article, Libby says. The type-in ads complement a company’s existing advertisements and include social media links within the ad. “We make an advertising campaign work even better,” says Libby. “It’s another piece to the puzzle, but it’s a very effective piece.”

Making the connection With a variety of social media advertising options, from creating social networking company pages to banner ads, companies need to find the combination that best suits the needs and goals of the campaign. “Leveraging social media in your advertising portfolio is not an exact science yet,” cautions Megan Girard ’07, account manager of marketing solutions at LinkedIn in New York City. She left MTV in July to join the company. “It’s about finding the right QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS / FALL 2011

tools and platforms for your objectives.”

Stu Libby ’03 is vice president of sales and co-founder of Solve Media in New York City.

Girard and the marketing solutions group at LinkedIn help build sponsorships

son follows a company on LinkedIn, it’s

members on LinkedIn who travel, Girard

and advertising campaigns on the social

because they are genuinely interested in

says. The poll prompts members with

media site. LinkedIn has an audience of

the company itself. “It’s not that they are

relevant questions, such as opinions on

professionals who have an interest in learn-

‘liking’ it because they are getting a free

what they think is most important about

ing about specific companies and indus-

burrito,” she says.

the flying experience. The subsequent web

tries. “That’s the beauty of LinkedIn,” she

Companies benefit from having a pres-

page visited would be tailored to that

says. “It’s more about pure interest in the

ence on LinkedIn, because they can tout

user’s response. If the answer was more

brand and joining conversations about that

products and services and get feedback

legroom, the page might include

brand. Our members are our biggest asset.”

from professionals in the industry, Girard

information on the airline’s ample

says. Companies can tailor online cam-

legroom. As a result of this sponsorship,

paigns based on responses.

the advertising client receives valuable

On other social networks, some companies distribute coupons and prizes to get consumers to return to their group pages.

LinkedIn, for example, can create a

information about member opinions and

Facebook would be a better option for a

sponsorship for any client, such as an

can engage the audience rather than

fast food campaign, she says. When a per-

airline, and serve a targeted poll to

serving straight display ads, she explains.

Being social Advertisers walk a fine line between

store aisle could cause a coupon to be sent

Social networking sites are rife with

providing information and infringing on

to a cell phone—one that beats the price of

opportunities to make friends and

authentic online conversations, particu-

another neighborhood store, Asare says.

influence people—lots of people.

larly on social media sites. “If your audi-

Google AdWords uses its members’ online

Facebook has about 800 million users

ence perceives an advertisement to be

information to target advertisements on

or “friends.” Twitter has about 100

intruding, it could turn negative in a viral

the search page or Gmail accounts.

million members tweeting about

“Technology is more invasive,” Asare

250 million messages a day in 140

Audiences have the power to reject a

admits. “Some advertisers are aware of

characters or less, and LinkedIn

campaign and mock it—and do. The digital

that and they are more restrained.” The

has about 120 million networking

death campaign, a noble effort to bring

public’s response to even the most

professionals.

attention to World AIDS Day, had celebri-

intrusive advertisements is tempered by

ties from Ryan Seacrest to Kim Kardashian

the value of the message. People who

The social media menu is expanding

stage their “online deaths” until they

receive an advertisement they find

and now includes Foursquare,

reached a fundraising goal. Facebook and

helpful or something they will use, likely

Meetup to organize meetings, Vimeo

Twitter members criticized the campaign

won’t be bothered by how it arrived in

for videos and Flickr for photos—

as “annoying” and “in bad taste.”

their hands.

to name just a few—and the most

“But if you don’t want it, it feels

recent addition to the social net-

Every move you make

intrusive,” he says. That makes targeting

working scene is Google+. Thanks

While social networking sites have quite a

the right audiences even more important.

to the growing use of mobile devices, a message can be received at any

bit of information about members—likes, dislikes and associations—advertising

The Future

time and from nearly anywhere.

agencies often turn to third-party vendors

In a few years, advertisements will become

Advertising on mobile devices, such

who compile more intimate details about

even more “hyper-targeted” to audiences,

as cell phones and iPads, has grown

consumers and try to predict future

Asare predicts.

128 percent over the past two years,

spending habits based on past purchases.

“Advertisers will know a lot more about

according to the research firm com-

Every online action—from a search and

you,” Asare explains. “They are going to

Score. Social networking ad revenues

page visit to a click on a QR code or pur-

have new technologies that are going to

are expected to reach $5.5 billion this

chase—is tracked. Some companies use

help them do this.”

year and $10 billion by 2013, accord-

“super cookies” that follow online move-

Younger generations are comfortable

ing to eMarketer, an Internet market research company.

ments. These super cookies can determine

doling out personal information online.

who a person is in the time it takes to

The line between unbiased content and

process a search and are difficult to scrub

promotion material that is already fuzzy,

Get Social with Quinnipiac

from a computer hard drive.

may disappear. Some neuroscientists are

For all social media, visit

researching the brain to determine why

www.quinnipiac.edu/socialmedia.xml

These companies can “geo-target” audiences, finding specific people in a general

people find some things appealing, which

area. They could search, for example, for

could be applied to product development

Minnesota mothers who eat gluten-free

and advertising to give the public what

foods. Currently, companies can target

they want.

people with GPS phones when they are near a product. A slight pause in a grocery

That raises the question: is this what they want? business.quinnipiac.edu

QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS / FALL 2011

way,” Girard says.

Prominent business leaders join

Hall of Fame BY JANET WALDMAN

James McGlothlin, left, and David Darst will join two other successful corporate executives––Bill Weldon ’71 and Robert Castrignano––in teaching a capstone course on leadership at the School of Business in 2013.

Outstanding business alumni awards

The School of Business inducted two

among them: Be a master of something, be

industry icons into its Business Leader

passionate about life and learning, find

were presented to Jeanna (Johnson)

Hall of Fame Nov. 3 during a dinner and

great coaches and mentors, and in a

Doherty ’94 and Scott Pollak ’96. Doherty,

ceremony at the Metropolitan Club in

humorous vein, take cookies when cookies

a CPA, is an audit partner in the Hartford

New York City.

are passed. He also urged, “Be polite to

office of Ernst & Young and serves as its

everyone. There are no little people.”

campus coordinator to the University.

McGlothlin has been an advocate of

Pollak, a managing director for capital

from the tri-state area gathered to honor

education at all levels, particularly at

markets and solutions at Citi in New York

David M. Darst, a managing director and

Mountain Mission School in his native

City, is a member of the School of Business

chief investment strategist at Morgan

Grundy, Va. He serves on the board of

New York City Advisory Committee and

Stanley Smith Barney, and James W.

trustees of the school for impoverished

brings Quinnipiac students into the Citi

McGlothlin, chairman and CEO of The

youth from around the country and world

culture by hosting them for job shadow

United Company.

who live there.

experiences. A former Quinnipiac hockey

A founding president of the Morgan

Bill Weldon ’71, chairman and CEO of

player, Pollak created an endowed fund to

Stanley Investment Group, Darst has writ-

Johnson & Johnson, attended the Hall of

support excellence in the Quinnipiac

ten eight books including “The Little Book

Fame event and told the school’s story in a

men’s ice hockey program.

That Saves Your Assets” (John Wiley &

video used to introduce McGlothlin. The

Three current QU students were

Sons), which has appeared on The New

inductee was joined on stage by his wife,

honored with emerging leader awards,

York Times bestseller list.

Frances, and six former Mission Mountain

which recognize business students who

students who now attend Quinnipiac.

demonstrate excellence in and out of the

During a brief speech, he offered some “quick tips” for the students in attendance,

Clockwise, from top: At the Hall of Fame event, front row from left: Bethlehem Ramet ’13, Beza Henok ’15, Frances McGlothlin and Hanimo Ali ’13. Back row, from left: Bill Weldon ’71, Emanuel Binyam ’15, Oliyad Chibessa ’13, Micale Kebede ’13 and James McGlothlin. The young people are former classmates at Mountain Mission School in Virginia who now attend Quinnipiac. David M. Darst urged students to “be passionate about life and learning.” John L. Lahey with alumni honorees Scott Pollak ’96 and Jeanna Doherty ’94. From left, Dean Matthew O’Connor with Jordan Berman ’12, Hannah Leech ’12 and John Logan Brady, MBA/CFA ’12, the student honorees.

“These students truly represent what

classroom. Recipients were Jordan Berman

we are all about,” said McGlothlin, who led

’12, a senior international business major;

an effort to raise $15 million for the school

Hannah Leech ’12, a senior accounting

by coordinating a golf tournament in 2010

major; and John Logan Brady, MBA/CFA ’12.

with golf legends Arnold Palmer, Jack Nick-

At the end of the evening, Donald

laus and Gary Player at The Olde Farm Golf

Weinbach, vice president of development

Club in Bristol, Va., founded by McGlothlin.

and alumni affairs at Quinnipiac,

The tournament is known as The Big Three

announced that Darst, Weldon, McGlothlin

for the Mountain Mission Kids.

and Robert Castrignano, a principal in the

McGlothlin also praised Quinnipiac for

Equities Division at Sandler O’Neill + Part-

its accomplishments, both academically

ners, will collaborate to teach an executive

and in terms of its dynamic growth. “We

leadership course in Spring 2013. Weldon,

have the responsibility to train young

secretary of the University’s board of

people to keep this country great, and

trustees, was inducted into the Business

that job rests with faculty,” he said.

Leader Hall of Fame in 2004. business.quinnipiac.edu

QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS / FALL 2011

More than 200 Quinnipiac alumni, business leaders, faculty and students

entrepreneurship

QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS / FALL 2011

Donna (Durso) Palmer â&#x20AC;&#x2122;89 with an order of her popular chocolate-covered apples.

Minding their

OWN businesses

BY JANET WALDMAN

Thousands of Quinnipiac alumni enjoy the perks and pains of running their own businesses. Quinnipiac Business chatted with four whose jobs revolve around boats, candy, belt buckles and marketing tools. They tell how they got started and how they are evolving.

Business is poppin’

TO WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE

Captain of his own ship

Donna (Durso) Palmer ’89 recalls it taking

YOUR LONGEVITY?

Scott Bowden ’80 of Deep River, Conn.,

about two years for the sweet smell of

We had the opportunity to expand and

is a partner and general manager of Port

success to begin wafting through the front

hire more people, or franchise, but we

Niantic Marina in Niantic, Conn. The

door of the candy shop she opened 12

chose to stay small and keep our overhead

marina features 87 deepwater slips and 100

years ago on the green in Branford, Conn.

low, which is key. We always get the job

indoor racks. “We took a dilapidated, mom

done, even if I have to stay till 2 a.m. It

and pop marina and dredged it, invested

Sweet Creations conversed about her

can be hard work, but when you enjoy

capital and rebuilt it into a modern marina

entrepreneurial career one late-September

what you do, it shows and it makes a dif-

with valet launch on demand and winter

morning as she stood behind her counter

ference in the product.

storage,” says Bowden. “We also have a

The management major and owner of

wrapping 55 pink and white baby footprint

solid reputation for service work,” he adds.

cookies in cellophane. She then tied them

WHAT LESSON DID YOU LEARN

with pink ribbon and festooned them with

THE HARD WAY?

Bowden took a job selling wholesale auto

tiny pacifiers, much to the delight of the

You have to be prepared. December is

parts. One sunny day, a sales call to a Bran-

grandma-to-be who had ordered them for

extremely busy—sometimes we work

ford, Conn., marina prompted Bowden to

a baby shower.

10- to 14-hour-days. With the fluctuating

make a major career switch. He took a posi-

economy, one year I had more demand

tion as a marine mechanic, rose through

labors. To her left, four dozen apples cov-

for merchandise than I had anticipated.

the ranks to service manager, and in 1985,

ered in white chocolate with dark choco-

Email: swtcreationsllc@aol.com

joined two others to buy Port Niantic.

All around Palmer were the fruits of her

After earning a marketing degree,

late drizzle waited for a bride to fetch them to use as wedding favors. Chocolate gourmet apples are one of the mainstays of her business, along with sprinklebedecked chocolate-dipped pretzel sticks and marshmallows. But the most popular item is Mrs. Palmer’s drizzled popcorn. This concoction, popped daily, then ladled with butter and melted chocolate, was sold at the former Tommy K’s video stores QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS / FALL 2011

throughout Connecticut.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED? I was a medical analyst for 10 years and was looking for more flexibility with my two young children. I was always amazed by candy shops and enjoyed making candy favors as a hobby, so I decided to open a retail shop.

HOW DO YOU STAY COMPETITIVE? We go above and beyond for customers and when the economy gets tough, we try different promotional things, like making a smaller gourmet apple we sell for $4 instead of the larger version.

Scott Bowden ’80 on one of the many boats he repairs at Port Niantic. business.quinnipiac.edu

WAS IT ROUGH GOING AT FIRST?

WHAT IS YOUR MANAGEMENT

entrepreneurs, business owners and senior

I worked seven days a week year-round

STYLE?

managers seeking new approaches to fuel

for the first five years. Hard work got us

I use a mix. I handle my employees a little

business in these challenging times.

through the “boating recession” of the

differently to get the maximum productiv-

The book was endorsed by Jay Conrad

late ’80s and early ’90s.

ity from each of them. It’s about unlocking

Levinson, the “father of guerrilla market-

the key to each person’s motivation.

ing,” and other industry luminaries includ-

HOW MUCH OF YOUR JOB IS

ing Jill Konrath, whose “SNAP Selling” cites

MARKETING?

WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF

Hennessy’s innovative approaches to

About 50–50. I’m out there shaking hands

YOUR JOB?

“capturing prospect’s attention and

at boat shows and conventions, and I

Being on the water every chance I get,

outpointing the competition ––a clear

develop leads and follow up for retrofitting

either doing sea-trials on the boats we

example of market warfare in practice.”

and repairs. We also offer boating semi-

repair or fishing in my spare time on my

nars, and I look at statistical data about

26-foot Bonito. The worst part is scheduling

the industry. You can’t just sit back––the

work around the weather and the tides.

world doesn’t come to you. We also are

Email: scott@portniantic.com

paying more attention to Facebook, and

Hennessy calls it a marketing cookbook for tough business warriors.

WHAT DOES PMG OFFER CLIENTS? We design, develop and implement market

Recipes for marketing success

programs that fuel product launch

Edmond Hennessy ’71 worked in sales,

build distribution networks and strategic

WHAT’S YOUR ADVICE ON

marketing and business development in

alliances and attack a competitor’s base

CHOOSING PARTNERS?

the high-tech industry before founding Per-

to generate new business. We can do this

Pick the right ones. They have to share

formance Marketing Group 18 years ago.

with full accountability or can provide

the same vision and understand the

The marketing major is the CEO and author

program products to the “do-it-yourself”

means to get there. We all move in the

of “Market Warfare: Leadership & Domina-

user, with or without consultative support.

same direction.

tion Over Competitors,” a book he wrote for

We usually work with high-tech clients

we use Constant Contact to blast out emails to customers quickly.

campaigns, open up new target markets,

targeting the defense, military, aerospace and health care industries. Our clients include Heartwood 3-D Imaging, SilvusCommunication, CardioData, Sybase and Data International, to name a few.

WHAT WAS THE IMPETUS FOR STARTING YOUR BUSINESS? QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS / FALL 2011

Both my parents were entrepreneurs, and

there was always an unsatisfied need to strike out and make it on my own. I built up a client base while working as a director of marketing in the 1980s, dipping my toes in the water before doing it full time.

WHAT DO YOU OFFER THAT THE COMPETITION DOESN’T? Two things. First, we have a unique approach supported by four “ready-toimplement kits” we are introducing before the end of this year. They are focused on critical areas of the business and contain everything a client would need to imple-

Edmond Hennessy ’71 labels his book a “marketing cookbook for tough business warriors.”

ment effective market programs. Second,

PMG focuses on the “hard” drivers that generate tangible business, such as our competitive replacement program that exploits the competition for our client’s gain. Many marketing agencies concentrate on the soft side of the business––public relations, marketing communications and advertising. All have their place; however, we direct the program at those critical areas of our client’s business that can make or break the business.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHANGE IN MARKETING OVER THE YEARS? The Internet and social media networks as new marketing platforms. They have changed the rules and are versatile. In this fast-paced and constantly changing marketing environment, it is still essential

Lisa (Goldstein) Tyson ’84 designs and markets one-of-a-kind belt buckles.

to understand and practice fundamental marketing before you chase new

“Everyone needs a belt to hold up their

fleur-de-lis are some of my favorite

windmills.

pants, so why not add a fashionable

designs, and I also come up with holiday

ehennessy@pmgresults.com

buckle?” she says.

themes like my red, white and blue

Designer buckles up

HOW DO YOU DESIGN THE

Lisa (Goldstein) Tyson ’84 of Naperville, Ill.,

BUCKLES?

HOW’S BUSINESS, AND WHERE DO

always loved fashion. After earning a

I buy unadorned buckles of brass and

YOU SELL YOUR WARES?

marketing degree, she worked as an

antique silver and embellish them with

It’s getting stronger. I sell on Facebook

assistant buyer at Macy’s in New York City

Swarovski crystals, turquoise, amber and

and at Karisma and two other accessory

for two years. Over the next 17, she bought

onyx, among other beads, and then apply

stores. On Facebook, people make com-

dresses for the Belk store chain, and shoes,

a glossy finish. I sit at my desk and play

ments on my page, and I can connect

dresses and jewelry for several catalog

with the materials until a design emerges.

with other artists for ideas and product

merchandisers, including Lerner and

I’ve designed buckles with antique but-

referrals. I’m still working on my website.

Bedford Fair, before moving to Florida

tons people have given me, and I work

I also do vendor shows.

with her husband and two sons.

with customers to design buckles just for them. For example, I use hearts and cross

WHAT’S THE DOWNSIDE?

tennis on local leagues and was invited to

pendants or whatever they want to create

Well, some buckles have done really

buy for her friend’s shop, Tennis Insights,

a unique idea.

well and others are still sitting in my

In Boca Raton, she played competitive

and four other pro shops in the area. Then

home––they sounded great in theory but

the family moved to the Chicago area, and

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR IDEAS?

she worked as a salesperson and buyer for

I go to trade shows, see jewelry and new

several boutiques, the last one Karisma, an

trends in clothes. My buckles sell for $29

WHAT’S NEXT?

accessories store in Naperville. As her sons

and up. I also sell belts that allow you to

I want to continue growing the business

entered their mid-teens, she yearned to

snap on my buckles and interchange

and see where it takes me. I really

blend her artistic side with the marketing

them. I’ve designed buckles using local

enjoy having the time to customize

skills she gleaned over the years in retail.

school logos and Swarovski crystals.

buckles for customers––the unique and

She decided to start her own business,

Moms can wear them to football games.

personal touch is what makes them

choosing belt buckles as her signature

I also did a fatigues design for a military

stand out.

accessory. It’s called Buckles Plus.

school fundraiser. Vintage looks and

lisatyson@comcast.net

did not come out the way I envisioned.

business.quinnipiac.edu

QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS / FALL 2011

collection for July 4.

international intern

Budapest law firm provides international perspective BY MAUREEN FARRELL

One of her main projects at the firm was proofreading and editing contracts written by Hungarian attorneys in English.

She also helped prepare for a visit

divided by the Danube River. In addition to

from the Chinese delegation, researching

being picturesque, it also serves as a land-

conferences for them to attend and

mark for navigating the city.

arranging entertainment for their families.

When senior economics major Kendall

Hodgkins said she enjoyed collaborat-

Hodgkins arrived in Budapest for a sum-

ing with attorneys at the firm, on projects

mer internship this past June, finding her

large and small. “They always had some-

way around the streets and the public

thing for me to do,” she said. One of the

transportation system proved a challenge.

attorneys at the firm is Stefanie Sauska,

On her first day of work, she took the

JD/MBA ’08, head of international develop-

wrong train, a mistake that turned a

ment, who served as Hodgkins’ supervisor

45-minute commute into three hours.

and mentor.

“Getting lost helps you understand where you are better,” Hodgkins explains. But before long, finding her way around became second nature. “It was the best experience I’ve ever had,” Hodgkins said.

“The whole experience has made me

Stefanie Sauska, JD/MBA ’08, in Budapest with Hodgkins.

Hodgkins also had the opportunity to

more confident,” Hodgkins said. “I have a

tag along when a group of Quinnipiac MBA

lot more knowledge of other cultures now

students were in Budapest as part of the

and I’m more accepting.”

annual Executive Study in Hungary Pro-

Working at the firm increased her

gram, which gives students a glimpse into

interest in pursuing a JD/MBA in the

the worlds of Hungarian business and

Chair in International Economics in the

future. After graduating in May, Hodgkins

politics as well as the chance to meet with

School of Business, arranged the intern-

plans to look for jobs in the business sec-

executives from global corporations.

ship at a Chinese-Hungarian law firm

tor, possibly in IT, where she says there are

established in September 2010 through the

opportunities for graduates with a busi-

aren’t meant to be all work and no play.

partnership between the Beijing-based

ness background. “You get a lot more out

Hodgkins took a trip to Vienna and trav-

Yingke Law Firm and the Hungarian Varnai

of [graduate school] if you’ve had work

eled to the countryside outside Budapest

& Partners Law Firm. The Budapest office

experience,” she explains.

to attend a wine festival. She lived in a col-

Christopher Ball, the István Széchenyi

is the firm’s European headquarters.

The internship was a unique opportu-

Of course, summer internships

lege dorm that converted to a youth hostel

Hodgkins was the firm’s first international

nity for an undergraduate student. “Travel-

in the summer months and met students

intern and one of the few native English

ing abroad to work in a foreign country

from around the globe. She made friends

speakers in the office.

where you don’t speak the language is

with Hungarians at the firm and American

extremely challenging for anyone,” said

students who were interning at the U.S.

foreign city, meet students from around

Ball. “The personal development one gets

Embassy in Budapest. She hopes to return

the world and learn new skills. One of her

from doing this as an undergraduate pays

to the city for a visit this summer.

main projects at the firm was proofreading

hugely over time in terms of self-confi-

and editing contracts written by Hungar-

dence and independence. It really opens

to attend the annual St. Stephen’s Day in

ian attorneys in English. Hodgkins applied

their eyes to how wide open the world is

late August, which commemorates the

lessons learned in the Business Law class

to them.”

founding of the Hungarian state and is

It was a chance to experience life in a

she took at Quinnipiac.

Ball added that he respects Kendall for taking on the challenge. “I have no doubt

Kendall Hodgkins calls her internship in Hungary the best experience she’s ever had.

that it will benefit her greatly, both personally and professionally,” Ball said.

One thing she missed was the chance

celebrated with picnics and fireworks over the Danube. “Maybe one day I can make it back for that,” she said. business.quinnipiac.edu

QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS / FALL 2011

The city of Budapest, Hungary, is neatly

careers

Comfort

FOOD BY TIM MALLOY

Outback Steakhouse co-founder Tim Gannon, second from right, with Culinary Institute of America students.

Outback founder’s kettle initiative will feed Florida’s poorest In 1987, three guys who had worked in various phases of the restaurant industry opened a small string of theme restaurants in the Tampa Bay, Fla., area. At the time, Australia was popular. Safari clothes were in. Throwing “shrimp on the barbie” was in the American vernacular, thanks to Paul Hogan, star of “Crocodile Dundee.” The trio’s taste expert, who had honed

to discuss how MBA students can help the

Orleans. The nutritionally approved meals

his culinary skills in France, Italy and New

new organization develop a business plan.

will be delivered from donated property in

Orleans, was an athletic, polo-playing bon

community most people never visit––

Gannon. He arrived in Tampa with $37 in

ance, so they need the same level of

towns like Belle Glade, Pahokee and South

his wallet and a catalog of chef-inspired

planning as a for-profit business does.”

Bay in the Lake Okeechobee region

The dean was impressed with what he

and towns where unemployment is

saw in Florida when he toured the facility.

approaching 50 percent and the rate of

Gannon was made an equity partner

“They have a scalable way to feed people

heart disease and diabetes is alarming.

and set about creating, among many other

good food in a practical and economical

dishes, the appallingly fattening (2,200

way,” O’Connor says. “The food, packed in

South Florida may well be the first genera-

calories if you count the horseradish

cryovac bags, can be stored for quite a

tion ever not to live as long as their par-

dipping sauce), but audaciously tasty

while when refrigerated.”

ents,” says Dowdle, executive director of

flung kitchens.

Bloomin’ Onion. He fired up the grill,

Gannon told O’Connor that he is

“The children being born in this part of

Kettle Comfort. Her former position as vice

throwing 17 spices on the steaks, and

considering creating additional Kettle

president of the American Heart Associa-

the Outback Steakhouse caught fire.

Comfort processing centers in other

tion in the region made her acutely aware

parts of the country once the first one is

of the perilous state of health in the Glades

restaurants in 28 countries. The affordable

successful. And Quinnipiac is not the only

area where nearly 50,000 people live.

steak model made Bob Basham, Chris

college involved. Johns Hopkins has signed

Sullivan and Gannon rich and in a

on to perform a long-term study on the

hungry at a rate three times the national

position to give back to their communities.

social outcomes for the people being fed.

average, with 75,000 persons daily in

Twenty-five years later, there are 1,400 QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS / FALL 2011

a central location to the corners of the

O’Connor says. “The books need to bal-

affordable recipes he’d compiled in far-

“Even nonprofits need business plans,”

vivant and world traveler named Tim

Children in Palm Beach County go

need of a hot meal, according to Kettle

Now, Gannon is turning his attention

“You cannot believe how many meals

to people who probably cannot afford to

you can churn out with just one of these

Comfort’s website. The estimated

dine at Outback with an initiative he calls

100-gallon kettles,” says Gannon, surveying

unemployment rate in the western region

Kettle Comfort, a charitable enterprise that

a row of stainless steel pots big enough to

of Palm Beach County is 42 percent.

aims to deliver five million meals a year to

sit in. “And at 59 cents a meal,” he notes.

the nutritionally deprived in Palm Beach

Kettle Comfort was set to launch the

Kettle Comfort has a volunteer force in place to deliver the meals, and there are pledges of support from food suppliers.

County, Fla. And Quinnipiac’s School of

day after Thanksgiving. The food will be

Business will help play a role.

chef-inspired rice and beans, chicken, fish

That Gannon knows what it’s like to

and meats, all creatively spiced. There will

be hungry may well explain why he has

Gannon and Stacey Dowdle, executive

be gumbos and étouffées, recipes gleaned

always been good at feeding people. He

director of Kettle Comfort, in mid-October

from his days as a restaurateur in New

grew up in the tough part of Fort

Dean Matthew O’Connor met with

FLORIDA

“The children being born in this part of South Florida may well be the first generation ever not to live as long as their parents.” —Stacey Dowdle executive director, Kettle Comfort

Pahokee

Lauderdale, one of six children. Charity South Bay

was a virtue ingrained in the Gannons

Belle Glade

early on. Three of his sisters became

West Palm Beach

Dominican nuns. One brother is a social worker; another flies Outback food into

“Another country! And I’m thinking,

war zones and delivers it to U.S. troops.

what about here? All this wealth, all these well-meaning people assembled 50 miles from some of the poorest people in the

down careers and shedding obligations,

United States.”

Gannon is relentlessly knocking on doors

Gannon reconnected with a New

and asking affluent acquaintances to help

Orleans restaurateur who has fine-tuned

him build a bridge to food security for the

kettle cooking in his restaurants, contacted

poorest of the poor in his native Florida.

some famous chefs, including Paul

Gannon, who has a home on the ocean in Palm Beach and another in the pricey

Prudhomme, and set about creating a privately funded food security charity.

piney woods of Water Mill, Long Island,

No balls, no glitzy fundraisers. Just an

wants his next project to be his legacy.

offer to come to the kitchen. “When they

all the tables from the Thanksgiving events

Gannon plans to pick up the ball after

see what we can do in a limited space,

for the poor and homeless are cleared.

enterprise was long a dream of Gannon’s,

with inventive recipes, and see our facility,

Believing that food is a basic birthright for

but his epiphany came one January night

I think we will be off and running,”

every human being, Kettle Comfort wants

as he sat, uncomfortably, in a tuxedo at a

he predicts.

to bring nutrition and dignity to the food

Launching a charitable, food-based

ball at the elegant Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach. “I watched a woman hand over a

He envisions a community effort and is

security model and the power behind

pressing affluent Palm Beachers to write

kettle cooking to eliminate the chronic

checks for a charity that has “ground

social problem that is hunger.

$3 million check to the ambassador of

truth.” The money they donate will put

another country.

food in front of families immediately.

“We want to be there from that day forward, every day, forever,” he says. business.quinnipiac.edu

QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS / FALL 2011

So, at a stage of life when most successful entrepreneurs would be winding

faculty research

Most textbooks on financial crisis are outdated, so Rafferty writes own U.S. housing bubble, the textbook

the College of William and Mary,

uses contemporary events to

had worked informally on two

illustrate economic concepts. A

previous textbooks by Hubbard

chapter on the financial system,

and O’Brien. “When they decided

for example, explains the col-

they were going to do an inter-

lapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008

mediate macro textbook, my

and includes a timeline on the

name came up and I accepted,”

financial crisis. In another, the

he says.

authors explain the concept of

Matthew Rafferty

ments allow their money supply

selling by spring. Because it was

to grow too rapidly––with a 2009

published in July, it was too late

Hubbard and Anthony O’Brien,

example from Zimbabwe. The

for many colleges to adopt for

PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS

professor of economics at Lehigh

value of the nation’s currency

the fall semester. For his own

MATTHEW.RAFFERTY

University, in creating their own

had fallen so low that people

students, Rafferty has promised

@QUINNIPIAC.EDU

text, one that would focus more

used it for toilet paper.

to donate his share of royalties to

“A lot of textbooks start off a

defray the cost of purchasing the

Leading textbook publisher

chapter telling you, ‘This is what

book. “I think they were sur-

Matthew Rafferty has watched

Pearson Education published the

you’re going to study.’ We tend to

prised when they learned how

only four of his students go on to

book, “Macroeconomics,” in July,

start off with an example, usu-

little it was,” he jokes.

earn PhDs in economics. Most of

and Rafferty has begun using it

ally an event or a phenomenon,

the rest are now bankers, finan-

in his intermediate macroeco-

and then we come back to it sev-

macroeconomics, money and

cial managers, lawyers or work-

nomics course this semester.

eral times during the course of

banking and economic growth.

the chapter,” Rafferty explains.

His latest research focuses on

in the textbooks enough are the

“For example, people are talking

how executive compensation

Yet he found many of the

financial topics,” says Rafferty,

about China and when it will

influences corporate research

available intermediate econom-

chair of the economics depart-

have a larger economy than the

and development policy. In the

ics textbooks were too abstract

ment at QU’s School of Business.

United States. So we start out

past, he has worked as a consult-

for students pursuing careers

Yet the 2008 financial meltdown

talking about that, and the

ant for the Connecticut Petro-

outside of academia: heavy on

and the troubled economy that

model from the chapter explains

leum Council on legislation to

theory, light on real-world rele-

followed highlighted the link

why some countries grow

regulate gasoline markets. While

vance. None were up-to-date

between financial markets and

quickly or slowly.”

he says the textbook project was

enough to mention the global

macroeconomics like never

financial crisis that has perme-

before. Not to mention, it had a

by analyzing news articles from

ated discussions––both in his

direct bearing on students’ lives,

publications like the Wall Street

classroom and at the dinner

including future job prospects,

Journal, Bloomberg Business

“Someone was paying me to dig

table––in recent years.

which was bound to keep them

Week and USA Today.

around and make graphs and

In 12 years at Quinnipiac,

ing in any number of businessrelated jobs. QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS / FALL 2011

more about how well the book is

MATTHEW RAFFERTY

on finance and current events.

Rafferty expects to know

hyperinflation––when govern-

So Rafferty joined two prominent economists, Columbia Business School Dean R. Glenn

“The topics that don’t appear

interested. From the bankruptcy of General Motors to the bursting of the

The authors end each chapter

Rafferty, who earned his PhD and MA from the University of California-Davis and his BA from

Rafferty teaches courses in

time consuming, Rafferty hasn’t ruled out doing another. “I’m an academic,” he notes.

think about things and present them––what could be better?” —NATALIE MISSAKIAN

CHRISTOPHER HODGDON

CHOONSIK (CHRIS) LEE Assistant professor of finance

new faculty

Professors join School of Business faculty MARY SCHRAMM

Choonsik Lee came to Quinnipiac for the teaching/research balance and quality of life faculty members enjoy here. He teaches Fundamentals of Financial Management and Risk Management and Insurance. Before pursuing an academic career, he worked as a researcher at Korea Bond Pricing & KR Co., in Seoul, Korea, where he developed the Derivatives Management Online System. He also worked as a programmer for TOPSOL Information & Telecom, in Seoul. Lee’s research interests fall into two main areas: corporate finance and market microstructure. He has written papers on

CHRISTOPHER HODGDON

“Corporate Governance and Informational

MARY SCHRAMM

Assistant professor of accounting

Efficiency of Asset Price” as well as

Assistant professor of marketing

Christopher Hodgdon teaches basic and

“Corporate Accountability and the

and advertising

advanced accounting courses. He was

Behavior of Information Channels.”

Mary Schramm was attracted to

drawn to Quinnipiac after learning of the

His teaching interests include corporate

Quinnipiac’s academic strength, positive

University’s dynamic growth. His research

finance, financial planning, investments,

energy and picturesque campus.

interests include international accounting,

fixed income and financial derivatives.

specifically financial information in global

Lee earned his doctorate in finance

capital markets, as well as accounting his-

from the State University of New York

strategy in the pharmaceutical industry.

tory and accounting education. His current

at Buffalo and his bachelor’s degree in

She is a frequent presenter at American

focus is on the determinants of voluntary

industrial management from the Korea

Marketing Association conferences and

financial disclosure among firms using

Advanced Institute of Science and Tech-

was an AMA Sheth Foundation 2010

International Financial Reporting Standards.

nology. He has passed all three levels of

Doctoral Consortium Fellow.

the Chartered Financial Analyst and the Financial Risk Manager programs.

the University of Vermont, where he taught introductory financial and managerial accounting, international accounting and

Before joining the faculty, she was a member of the marketing department at Kent State University, where she taught

CHOONSIK (CHRIS) LEE

courses in marketing, advertising and customer analysis. While at Kent State,

introduction to federal taxation. Before he

she also designed a web-based advertising

began his teaching career, he worked as a

and promotion course, and redesigned the

staff accountant, controller and tax analyst

customer analysis course. She also has

at various firms in the Virginia and Wash-

extensive corporate experience as a group

ington, D.C., area. His work has been pub-

product director at Ethicon Endo-Surgery,

lished in Accounting Education and the

a division of Johnson & Johnson.

International Journal of Accounting, among other publications. Hodgdon, a CPA, earned his doctorate

Schramm earned her doctorate in marketing at Kent State University and a master of business administration at the

in accounting from Virginia Common-

University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. She

wealth University and master’s degree in

received a bachelor’s degree in business

accounting from American University. He

administration from Baldwin-Wallace

received a bachelor’s degree in history

College, and a bachelor’s degree in biology

from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

and science from Hiram College. business.quinnipiac.edu

QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS / FALL 2011

For the past six years, Hodgdon worked as an assistant professor of accounting at

Schramm’s research interests include new product development and marketing

students making news

BRIEFS

Students help community with technology Technology and social responsibility are merging at Quinnipiac, where a new initiative is encouraging students to contribute to the greater good. The Department of Computer Information Systems in the School of Business has adopted the Information Technology for Good, also know as IT4G. It’s part of a growing movement that emphasizes

WINNING PLAN Ben Wald ’11 and junior Morgan Zollman, above, won the Connecticut Collegiate Business Plan Competition in April with a plan to launch a publishing enterprise

applying information technology to aid social causes. “This is an emerging value system,” said Bruce Saulnier, professor and chair of computer information systems. “We would

that would convert current events

like all faculty and students to consider

into interactive children’s stories

the power they have to make changes in

for mobile devices, such as tablets.

the lives of people struggling to help

The two entrepreneurship majors bested 100 graduate and

themselves.” The CIS department has been moving in this direction for several years and

made more accessible. “There are so many

statewide contest and collected

decided this spring to take a more

possibilities for technology to really help

$3,500 to launch their business,

coordinated approach.

people who need it,” Groarke said. “What

based on the Apple iPhone and iPad systems, My Kiducation stories combine education, entertain-

“Computer information systems are becoming increasingly global, humancentered and focused on solving problems.

good is IT if it doesn’t help improve quality of life?” Some other IT4G-inspired projects

IT4G combines all those elements and

at Quinnipiac include one by Ramesh

effective learning tool that’s attrac-

allows students to work for causes they

Subramanian, the Gabriel Ferrucci profes-

tive to both parents and children.

really care about,” Saulnier said.

sor of computer information systems.

ment and interactivity to create an

The initiative has already inspired LEADERSHIP SUMMIT Junior Daniel Sullivan, a marketing major with a management minor, was selected to participate in the Ruck Leadership Institute, a leadership development program QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS / FALL 2011

Senior Brad Groarke, a CIS and finance major, said technology tools need to be

undergraduate teams in the

My Kiducation, LLC. Primarily

Andrew McDermott, left, and Craig Alexander are part of the IT4G community initiative.

through his fraternity, Sigma Phi

projects inside and outside the classroom. The CIS student club volunteered this semester at the Hamden Senior Center, where students taught seniors how to use Facebook to stay in touch with loved ones. “When people hear the word, ‘technol-

He recently spent a year in Madras, India, studying the development of telecommunications and wireless technologies in developing countries. This year Wendy Ceccucci, professor of computer information systems, and Richard McCarthy, associate dean of the

Epsilon. Held in July, the five-day

ogy,’ they think of complicated sets of

School of Business, led separate groups of

interactive immersion experience

wires, computers and people fixing

MBA students to Nicaragua and China to

focused on leadership principles.

computers,” said senior Craig Alexander, a

provide business consulting to developing,

CIS major who participated. “This initiative

rural economies.

SCHOLARSHIP REWARDED In April, Travelers Insurance Co. presented four students with scholarship/book awards. Seniors

has been adopted to change that perspec-

Senior Andrew McDermott, a

tive. Technology should be used to make

CIS major, hopes the IT4G movement

our lives easier and better.”

keeps growing. “Through this initiative, we

Abigail Grover ’11, an information

are able to reinforce what has been taught

Fitzgibbon, an economics major,

systems management major, also taught

to us, while giving back to the community,

and juniors Kathryn Joerg, a

the senior citizens. “This is just one thing

and it’s pretty fun,” he said. “I would rec-

finance major, and Richard Sto-

that we did this semester to help others. It

ommend that everyone try to apply this

liker, an economics major, each

was a small step, but it is the beginning of

program to a field of study.”

received a $2,000 scholarship.

something new,” she said.

Kevin Tarca, a finance major, Barry

—Karen Guzman

sors to receive the University’s Center for Excellence in Teaching Award in October. Simione and Assistant Professor Aamer Sheikh accompanied a team of four students to the Beta Alpha Psi annual meeting in August. Gary Schneider, William S. Perlroth Professor of Accounting, was elected to a three-year term on the executive board of the AIS Educator Association. He will serve as research chair for its 2012 annual conference. Schneider, along with Professor A. Faye Borthick of Georgia State University, was selected as a finalist for

the 2011 George Krull/AICPA Teaching Innovation Award for their session, “Vicarious Learning Through Guided Initial Learning Experiences,” at the American Accounting Association annual meeting in August.

department news

ACCOUNTING Kathleen Simione, MBA ’93, associate professor and department chair, was one of three profes-

COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS Rich McCarthy, associate dean and professor, co-authored, “To Restrict or Not to Restrict Personal Internet Usage on the Job,” which appeared in Education, Business and Society: Contemporary Middle Eastern Issues. Gabriel Ferrucci Professor Ramesh Subramanian’s book, “The Global Flow of Information: Legal, Social and Cultural Perspectives,” was published by the New York University Press. Professor Bruce Saulnier co-wrote “The Greening of the Information Systems Curriculum,” an article published in the Information Systems Education Journal, with Alan Peslak of Penn State University,

cis

Patricia Sendall of Merrimack College, and Li-Jen Shannon of Sam Houston State University. Professor Bruce White attended the Certification Council of the Institute for Certification of Computer Professionals in Quebec City, Canada. ECONOMICS Professor Matthew Rafferty recently published a textbook titled “Macroeconomics” with R. Glenn Hubbard, dean of the Columbia Business School, and Anthony P. O’Brien, professor at Lehigh University. FINANCE Dean Matthew O’Connor was appointed to the national Dean’s Advisory Board for SIFE, Students in Free Enterprise. O’Connor and Professors Matthew Rafferty and Aamer Sheikh presented “Equity Compensation and the Sensitivity of Research and Development to Financial Market Frictions” at the Canadian Academic Accounting Association’s annual conference in May. INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS Sophomore IB major Elvis Rambanapasi presented a paper he co-authored with Professor Robert Engle, at the Academy of International Business Northeast chapter in October. Professor Xiaohong He received the Best Paper Award at the fall China Goes Global conference and also was named guest editor of the Journal of International Business and Entrepreneurial Development.

ec fin ib

MANAGEMENT Rowena Ortiz-Walters, associate professor, was awarded the Emerald Literati Network 2011 Highly Commended Award along with her co-authors (Professor Kathy Simione, QU, and Kimberly Eddleston, Northeastern) for an article they wrote in 2010 titled “Satisfaction with Mentoring Relationships: Does recently published an article in the Business Journal of Hispanic Research titled “Use of Business Resources by Latino and Latina Entrepreneurs: Toward a Better Understanding of this Under-Utilization Dilemma.” Professor Mario Norbis gave the keynote address at the 15th World Multi-Conference on Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics. The address was titled, “The Multi-Dimension of Security and Risk Assessment.” Associate Professor Angela Mattie (Management) was appointed to the American College of Healthcare

mgt

Executives Regional Advisory Council. Professor Dave Cadden was elected to the board of the New Haven Chapter of APICS, the premier professional association for operations and supply chain management. Assistant Professor Dave Tomczyk helped lead a weeklong program for the United States Institute for Student Leaders on Social Entrepreneurship. Margaret A. Goralski, adjunct professor, was appointed chief editor of a new journal titled International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research. MARKETING Professor Abhik Roy, chair of the department, published “The Influence of Demand Factors on Dynamic Competitive Pricing Strategy: An Empirical Study” in Marketing Letters, Vol. 22.

mkt business.quinnipiac.edu

QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS / FALL 2011

Gender Identity Matter?” It appeared in a 2010 edition of Career Development International. Ortiz-Walters

grad

1940s Gloria (Guerrieri)

Hamden. Franklin Lisnow ’68

than 33 years as a certified

Guilford, CT, where she lives.

Mierzwinski ’43 BUS of Indian

BUS of Caswell Beach, NC,

information systems auditor

1990s Lou Coppola ’95 AC of

Harbour Beach, FL, celebrated

retired in September. He

with Commerce Bancshares,

North Haven, CT, owns Under

her 88th birthday on Sept. 21,

previously was the executive

Inc., in Kansas City, MO.

Construction, LLC in North

1950s & 60s

director of CeDAR, a drug and

1980s Lisa M. (Corvo)

Haven, which is celebrating its

Fredrick W. Esposito ’57 BUS

alcohol treatment center for

Stratton ’84 CS of Grand Prairie,

10th year in business. The

of Richmond, VA., is the

the University of Colorado

TX, is a senior business

company performs residential

founder and past president of a

Hospital in Aurora, CO. He and

application analyst for FedEx

and light commercial

financial planning, mortgage

his wife, Karen, built a house

Services in Dallas. She has

renovations and provided tile

brokerage and equities firm.

on Oak Island, NC.

worked in that field for more

and flooring for a Bridgeport, CT, home featured in a 2008

QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS / FALL 2011

2011.

news

1970s

He has served as a business

Rev. Edward F. Cornell III ’70

than 10 years, writing

counselor with the Service

MKT, ’72 (sociology) of

requirements for applications.

edition of “Extreme Makeover

Corps of Retired Executives for

Madison, CT, has completed a

Recently she was honored with

Home Edition.” Sharon Mulak-

the last six years. Fredrick was

ministry in New London and is

a distinguished achievement

Gates ’95 MGT of Wilbraham,

a manager with the John

now the interim pastor at

award for her efforts on a

MA, is a global account

Hancock Insurance Co., vice

United Congregational Church

major project—FedEx’s

executive at ConferenceDirect,

president of marketing with

in Norwalk, CT. Edward has

NextGen Print Online

a full-service meeting planning

Life of Virginia Insurance Co.,

been married for 40 years and

application. Gary Serio ’86

company. She helps

and he retired as president of

has two sons and two

MKT of Guilford, CT, is senior

organizations with site

First Financial Services of

grandchildren. Edmond

vice president of investments

selections for their meetings

Virginia. Stu Grove ’67 AC

Hennessy ’71 MKT of Nashua,

at Merrill Lynch in Fairfield, CT.

and does hotel contract

received his third consecutive

NH, founded Performance

In 2007, he earned his

negotiations in any city

National Association of

Marketing Group. PMG was

chartered retirement planning

worldwide. Ann Marie

Insurance and Financial

recognized by the State of New

counselor accreditation. In

Constantinou ’96 BUS has been

Advisors National Quality

Hampshire as an outstanding

2010, he was included in a

a marketing project manager

Award, which recognizes

leadership and growth-oriented

Connecticut Magazine article

with MSC Industrial Direct in

professionals who seek to

company and recently became

highlighting five-star money

Melville, NY, since Nov. 2010.

maintain high standards in the

a semifinalist in the SNHU-

managers. This designation

Rich Madonna ’96 AC, vice

insurance-based financial

sponsored 2011 Tory C.

recognizes the top 2 percent of

president for finance and

services industry. He is a

Marandos Foundation

financial advisers in the state.

operations at Union Theological

financial advisor at Charter Oak

Entrepreneurial Challenge

Martha (Thompson) Monte ’88

Seminary in the City of New

Insurance and Financial

Award. Brian David Peel ’72 AC

EC is the business office

York, has moved with his

Services in Hamden. Stu and

retired at the end of March. He

manager for the Monte

family to Demarest, NJ.

his wife, Josephine, live in

previously worked for more

Financial Group, LLC in

continued on page 29

AC Accounting ADV Advertising AS Associate’s Degree BUS Business Administration CIS Computer Information Systems EC Economics ENT Entrepreneurship FIN Finance IB International Business ISM Information Systems management MBA Master of Business Administration MGT Management MKT Marketing MOL Master of Organizational Leadership

Vice President, Customized Credit Solutions, Barclays Wealth New York, N.Y. By Alejandra Navarro

GRAD PROFILE

RICHARD NAPOLITANO ’00

Richard Napolitano ’00 has had the fortune of working with great colleagues

structuring side, where he could work

a degree in economics, Napolitano joined

closely with clients. “I really do enjoy

Merrill Lynch. He later earned an MBA

listening to their needs, understanding

from Ramapo College of New Jersey

the problems they are trying to solve,

while working as an underwriter at

analyzing that information, and develop-

Safeco Insurance Co. Today, he is

ing a proposal that really provides a

pursuing the Chartered Financial

solution,” he says.

Analyst designation.

At Barclays Wealth, the wealth

Despite the demands of working in

during his career. He learned quickly that

management arm of 320-year-old British

a fast-paced, growing wealth manage-

his new team at Barclays Wealth would

bank Barclays PLC, Napolitano works

ment firm, he carves out precious time

not be different.

on the customized credit solutions team

to spend with his family. He and his

that offers credit structuring solutions

father are restoring a 1955 Corvette,

for high-net-worth clients.

a tradition he plans to continue with

In 2010, Napolitano had just become a vice president at Barclays Wealth when his wife, Andrea, went into labor with

Napolitano didn’t intend to enter the

his boys.

their twins—13 weeks early. Andrew

finance field when he enrolled at Quin-

Joseph and Alex Richard were born pre-

nipiac. He had planned to study political

and personal goals for myself,” he says.

maturely, weighing about 2 pounds each.

science and go to law school. After

Reflecting on his family, he adds, “I know

For the first three months of their lives,

taking economics classes with Professor

I may not hit them all, but I am more

Hackensack Hospital was their home.

Mark Guis and Professor Donn Johnson,

than satisfied with what I’ve achieved

the subject “clicked” for Napolitano. With

so far.”

Napolitano was scheduled to go to

“I’ve always set certain professional

Buenos Aires a few weeks after the unexpected births. Without a second thought, his director instructed him to skip it, and his colleagues were supportive as he carefully balanced his new work responsibilities and hospital visits. Just when the Napolitanos thought the 6-week-old boys were on the road to recovery, Andrew’s right lung collapsed. A stretched phrenic nerve caused right diaphragmatic paralysis, which led to his liver moving up and crushing his right lung. Eventually, both lungs collapsed and Andrew went into cardiac arrest. He had emergency surgery over Thanksgiving Day weekend and survived. Today both boys are healthy. “The day Andrew almost died was QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS / FALL 2011

one of the most difficult days of my life,” Napolitano admits. “It also was a challenging time having to deal with an extended period away from the office when you’re trying to build yourself and your reputation within a new firm.” Napolitano, however, already had a solid reputation. Prior to Barclays Wealth, he was part of the original team that rolled out large and structured transactions at UBS Financial Services Inc. Napolitano began on the lending product sales side, but transitioned to the credit

business.quinnipiac.edu

great deal about people by the way they play golf. “To be a good player, you have to

Client Services Manager PC Connection Merrimack, N.H. By Claire LaFleur Hall

GRAD PROFILE

DEIRDRE ROGUSKY ’88 Deirdre Rogusky ’88 says you can tell a

have confidence in yourself, always think positive, and never get mad on the course,” she says. “But many times I’ll hear players say, ‘I’m going to miss this shot!’ And that’s exactly what they do. They’ve declared the outcome because they don’t believe in themselves or their abilities.” That lack of confidence is equally evident in the field of technology, said Rogusky, client services manager at PC Connection in Merrimack, N.H., a Fortune 1000 company with revenues topping $1 billion. Rogusky leads a team of 11 high-tech experts who support more than 1,600 employees. “Ninety percent of the people I interview are men, and the few women I do interview typically don’t exude confidence,” she said. “I think we need to offer courses that focus on providing women the confidence they need for their jobs—and anything else they’d like to accomplish.” As a new member of the School of Business Advisory Board, Rogusky hopes to address these issues and build mentoring relationships, which she says are lacking for women.

QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS / FALL 2011

Outside of work, Rogusky was elected as the 2011–12 vice president

co-chair of the student judicial board,

of the local chapter of the American

in computer information systems in

and was one of three student members

Association of University Women and

1988, Rogusky went on to earn an MBA

on the Board of Trustees. “I had great

chairs a scholarship committee. She

and a master’s in organizational leader-

professors, and I still keep in touch with

served six years on the Amherst Ways

ship from Southern New Hampshire

some of them. The professors and staff

and Means committee, ending her

University while working full time and

always treated the students as individu-

second term in March 2011.

juggling duties for many civic groups.

als and took the time to know us.”

After earning her bachelor’s degree

At Quinnipiac, she served as president of a student theater group,

Growing up in New Britain, Conn.,

Right out of college, Rogusky applied

She is the communications chair and webmaster of the local Executive

Rogusky recalls that her mother taught

for a job as a teller at a local credit

Women’s Golf Association chapter and

her that everything should be “done

union. Instead of giving her the teller

a founding member of the Helpdesk

right the first time,” and it’s a belief

job, the company made her assistant

Institute Northern New England

Rogusky lives by.

director of information technology. Since

Chapter, currently serving as vice

then she has built a solid career in tech-

president of content management.

The second guiding principle in her life is Steven Covey’s advice to begin

nology, holding a variety of positions

with the end in mind. “It shapes every-

in the industry in Connecticut before

Amherst Country Club Ladies Cham-

An avid golfer, she holds the title of

thing I do pertaining to that situation,

working with a man who became chief

pion for 2009 and 2011. She also made

so that I can affect the outcome and not

information officer of PC Connection.

the cut in the 2011 New Hampshire

let the outcome affect me,” she said.

He brought her on board 14 years ago.

State Amateur.

Kathy Andrews ’80 wins iPad

CT, recently was promoted to Internet marketing manager for

Melinda Formica, right, director of development for the School of Business, presents Kathy (Regan) Andrews ’80 with the iPad she won by logging onto the Quinnipiac Alumni Online Community and updating her contact and employment information last June. To grow your professional network, visit www.quinnipiac.edu/qunet.xml.

Better Packages Inc. of Shelton, CT. She has been with the company for seven years. Henry Schneider IV, MBA ’04, of Cologne, Germany, is revenue recognition manager for the Teradata Corp., a national provider of database software, enterprise data warehousing,

grad news

2000s Kimberly (Smith) Poeta ’00 MKT of Huntington,

data warehouse appliances and analytics. Bryan Wallace ’04 MKT of Lewiston, ME, is director of the Maine Employers’ Mutual

worked since November 2007.

gymnastics and fitness facility

as a tax associate at McGladrey

Insurance Co. Center for

Danielle S. Leonard ’07 ENT

in Hillsdale, NJ, offers

& Pullen’s Stamford, CT, office

Workplace Safety based at

married Matthew Major in

recreational programs for

in November 2011. He

Central Maine Community

March 2011. Together, they

children ages 18 months to 18

previously passed the

College in Auburn. Bryan has

opened the law offices of

years and has two competitive

Connecticut and Massachusetts

worked at the college since 2007

Leonard & Major, LLC, in

teams. Stephanie employs 40

bar exams and worked as a

as the student services

Jamesburg, NJ, where they live.

people and has nearly 1,000

legal researcher at Subway’s

representative for Lincoln and

Their practice, which focuses

students. She lives in Park

corporate headquarters and as

Franklin Counties. He also

on family law, provides a wide

Ridge, NJ.

coaches the men’s soccer team.

array of legal services to the

Buchanan ’10 MKT of Aurora,

law office. He recently

He is pursuing an MBA at

local community. Christina

OH, is a marketing project

published a book, “Illegitimacy,

Southern New Hampshire

Chan ’08 AC is a senior

coordinator for SalonQuest LLC

Inefficiency and Disrespect: A

University. Kimberly Masterson

associate internal auditor at

in Chagrin Falls, OH.

Call for Reforming the Causes

’05 MKT of Hoboken, NJ, joined

Bank of New York Mellon Corp.

Christopher Consiglio ’10 FIN

of Action for Misuse of Legal

MediaMind as a marketing

in New York, NY. William

is a performance analyst at

Process” (VDM Verlag Dr. Müller,

communications program

Guzman ’08 FIN of Glastonbury,

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney in

December 2010). Lauren Carroll

manager. Emily Bloomfield ’06

CT, is a senior financial analyst

New York City. Ann-Marie

’11 MKT of Hopedale, MA, is a

MKT of Newington, CT, has

in financial operations at the

Cornwall ’10 MGT is a

special events manager with

accepted a position in Aetna’s

Stanley Black and Decker world

management assistant with

the American Heart Association

international segment. She will

headquarters in New Britain,

Enterprise Rent-A-Car. She

in Framingham, MA. Mike

be working as an account

CT. William previously worked

works at the JFK International

Piscadlo ’11 MKT is the

associate for trust, missionary

for United Technologies in

Airport and is a top seller in the

fulfillment manager at

and Latin American accounts.

Dallas and graduated from its

region. Melissa (Herbette) Frulla

Fab.com, an online daily deal

Dan Partelow ’06 MKT of

Financial Leadership Program in

’10 AC is a senior financial

site for designer objects based

Hoboken, NJ, is a senior client

2010. Lisa Maloney, MOL ’09 of

analyst at Yale University in

in New York City, where he

service manager at SAY Media,

Hamden is a communications

New Haven. Fernando Pires ’10

lives. Patrick Pizzichetta ’11

New York City. After four years

and administration services

MBA/CFA passed the Level II

MGT of Totowa, NJ, began the

in integrated marketing at

manager at Yale University in

CFA exam administered in June

Graduate Training Program in

Nickelodeon, he transitioned to

New Haven, where she has

2011. Fernando is a leadership

the operations department at

ad sales and his current

worked for the past 15 years.

development program associate

UBS Investment Bank in

position. Rachel Donovan ’07

She also writes a cycling blog

at MetLife in Bloomfield, CT.

Stamford, CT. Jenna Spadaro

MGT of Shelton, CT, has been

for Patch.com. Stephanie Green

Tom Sgammato ’10 FIN is a

’11 ADV of Staten Island, NY,

promoted to recruiting manager

’09 MKT opened Aeon Fitness

customer service representative

is a project coordinator for

for Aquinas Consulting in

and Gymnastics in August 2010.

with Merrill Lynch. Robert

Grey Healthcare Group in

Milford, CT, where she has

The 10,000-square-foot

Shepherd, JD/MBA ’10, began

Manhattan.

a solo practitioner in his own

business.quinnipiac.edu

QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS / FALL 2011

2010s Doni

Divisional Vice Presidents AXA Equitable, Hamden

of failure. A guy who goes hitless every seven out of 10 at-bats is an all-star on

By John Pettit

the fast track to the Hall of Fame. The great ones are driven by a fear of failure, a will to win and a desire to succeed. Quinnipiac baseball alumni Frank DeFrancesco ’97, MBA ’98, and Gregory Geloso ’97 see many parallels to the business world. “There are peaks and valleys. There are good days and bad days, and good months and bad months. It plays a mind game on you,” DeFrancesco said. The men remain teammates today. They are divisional vice presidents at AXA Equitable, a specialized division of AXA Advisors, LLC. The financial services office on Whitney Avenue in Hamden offers retirement planning for employer-sponsored markets such as public schools and municipalities. Geloso, a former shortstop, said both baseball and business require mental toughness. “You’ve got to be sharp up top,” Geloso said. “You’ve got to be able to shake off a strikeout or an error. It’s the same thing in business.” DeFrancesco and Geloso earned undergraduate degrees in finance and

Frank DeFrancesco

Gregory Geloso

health administration, respectively, in 1997. They played for coaches Earl Mathewson and Joe Mattei and helped

pany,” recalled DeFrancesco, who lives

DeFrancesco and Geloso remain

Quinnipiac make a smooth transition

in Stamford. “I thought it would be a

connected to Quinnipiac through

from Division II to Division I.

good transition for him. We’ve been

speaking engagements, career fairs and

working together since 2001 and man-

sporting events. Five years ago, they

aging the group since 2006.

established The Frank DeFrancesco ’97

Now they run an office and manage QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS / FALL 2011

20-plus agents. “This is our playing

field now. We are two of the most com-

The business requires a lot of prepa-

and Gregory Geloso ’97 Men’s Baseball

petitive people you’ll ever meet,”

ration and training, DeFrancesco said.

Endowed Fund. Both Geloso and

Geloso said. “Playing sports all of our

“It’s kind of like baseball practice. The

DeFrancesco attended Quinnipiac on

lives, it’s all about competition, cama-

people we primarily bring into the

baseball scholarships.

raderie and a team environment. We’re

group are former athletes, including

one big team, and we’re literally the

athletes from Quinnipiac. Financial

coaches of the group.” DeFrancesco, who captained the

service is a hard business. You have to

“It’s our way of giving back,” said Geloso, an Oxford, Conn., resident. DeFrancesco said, “The fund provides

be able to deal with rejection and obsta-

baseball scholarships. It’s up to the coach

baseball team and earned his MBA

cles. No matter what sport you played,

(Dan Gooley) how he wants to carve it

from Quinnipiac in 1998, joined AXA

you’re going to have experience with

out. We are proud of the endowment

Equitable in 2000. A year later, he

failure. People who handle failure well

fund. We come from humble beginnings

recruited Geloso. “At that point, Greg

are able to succeed in business.”

and Quinnipiac built the foundation for

was working for a mutual fund com-

Throughout their success,

the success we have today.”

GRAD PROFILE

FRANK DEFRANCESCO ’97, MBA ’98 GREGORY GELOSO ’97

Baseball, by its very nature, is a game

SAVE THE DATE

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GLOBAL ASSET MANAGEMENT EDUCATION

Making connections 1 At the November 2011 Business Leader Hall of Fame event in New York City, from left: Shelley (Ezold) Massey ’88, Sandy Natarelli, Joe Natarelli ’86 and Robert Massey. 2–3 New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman met alumni before his September lecture. He signs a book for Quinnipiac trustee Gabriel Ferrucci ’65; and meets Jenna Tramontana ’07, a manager at WebSolutions in Meriden, Conn., and Thomas Barton ’95, principal of WebSolutions. 4

At the men’s lacrosse alumni game in October, from left: Joe Baglio ’02, MBA ’03; James Glick ’02; Alan Logiudice ’01; and Mike Baglio ’02, MBA ’03.

5 The Greater New Haven alumni chapter hosted a happy hour at Mikro Bar in Hamden in October. From left: Michael Gavagni ’08, MS ’09 AC; Scott Kurlansky ’08 (public relations/ marketing minor); Brian Martin ’08 (health sciences); Luc Pentz ’08, MBA ’10. 6

At the Boston alumni reception in November, from left: Kierstyn Kalman ’08, Laura Ogonowski ’08, Ashley Butler ’04, and John DeMezzo ’82.

7 Lauren Fikslin ’04 and Andy Castagnola ’03 attended the Day at the New York Yankees on Sept. 3. 8 Bill Laudano ’75 and his wife, Ann, at the 18th Annual Day at the Boston Red Sox on Sept. 18. QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS / FALL 2011

Thank you! Seniors Erin Foerster, left, and Vanessa Baez and all the 2010â&#x20AC;&#x201C;11 scholarship recipients thank all of you who contribute to the School of Business Endowed Scholarship Fund. Gifts of any size from alumni, parents and friends of Quinnipiac allow the fund to grow and make an impact on the education of these deserving students. To help support more students like Vanessa and Erin, give online at www.quinnipiac.edu/give.xml and designate your gift to the School of Business Endowed Scholarship Fund or contact Melinda Formica, director of development, at 203-582-3735; melinda.formica@quinnipiac.edu.

School of Business 275 Mount Carmel Ave. Hamden, CT 06518-1908

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CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

alumni events

receptions, reunions, etc.

December 8, 2011

Poll Position: The Race for the White House, moderated by George Stephanopoulos, co-anchor, ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

March 29, 2012

Quinnipiac G.A.M.E. Forum II Global Asset Management Education 8:15 a.m.–5 p.m., Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers, New York City Features presentations by industry leaders on best practices in investment management. For details, visit game.quinnipiac.edu.

Alumni & Parents reception before QU v. RPI men’s ice hockey, featuring President John L. Lahey

11:30 a.m. luncheon, Metropolitan Club, One East Sixtieth St., New York, NY. Features panel discussion with Beth Fouhy, political reporter, The Associated Press; John Heilemann, national affairs editor, New York Magazine, and author of “Game Change”; Doug Schwartz, director of the Quinnipiac Poll; Eric Shawn, correspondent, Fox News; and Nate Silver, creator and author, FiveThirtyEight blog, The New York Times. Hosted by Dean Lee Kamlet and the School of Communications. $25 includes luncheon and program.

5 p.m. reception, Rocky Top Student Center, The Den. Game follows at 7 p.m., TD Bank Sports Center. See the York Hill Campus and hear the president’s “State of the University” update. $15 includes reception and game ticket, cash bar. $10 reception only (for season ticket holders).

For details, updates and to register for these events please visit www.quinnipiac.edu/events.xml or call the Office of Development & Alumni Affairs toll-free at 877-582-1929.

December 3, 2011

F –SU

June 22–24, 2012

Reunion 2012 Milestone reunions for the classes of 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002 and 2007 For details visit www.quinnipiac.edu/reunion.xml