Russell Sommers ‘05
Major: Accounting Mr. Sommers is managing consultant at EisnerAmper LLP, a full-service advisory and CPA accounting firm. The firm provides audit, accounting and tax services; corporate finance, internal audit and risk management; litigation services; consulting; private business services; employee benefit plan audits; forensic accounting and other professional advisory services to a broad range of clients across many industries. Mr. Sommers develops risk management strategies and programs to guide mid-tier financial services companies in achieving corporate objectives. He fosters the linkage between enterprise risk management and the strategic objectives of an organization to create a scalable and agile platform which prepares each organization for the future. Mr. Sommers is enrolled in the M.B.A. program at Northeastern University. He enjoys surfcasting, being a father, cooking and restoring houses damaged by Hurricane Sandy.
Jill (Freudenfels) Stanley ‘06
Major: Accounting Ms. Stanley was most recently an accountant with Investors Bank in Short Hills, NJ. She was responsible for financial reporting, preparing quarterly and year-end documents to be filed with the SEC. Prior to joining Investors Bank, Ms. Stanley worked at KPMG LLP as a senior audit associate, performing audits for publicly held corporations and conducting test work to ensure that financial statements are accurately stated. While studying at Ramapo College, Ms. Stanley interned at Merrill Lynch-Wealth Management in Paramus, NJ. She is a member of the Anisfield School of Business Alumni Advisory Board and the Alumni Association Board. She enjoys photography, reading and spending time with her family. Ms. Stanley is taking time off to spend with her first child, born in August 2012.
Cathleen Winter-Rafalko ‘86
Majors: Marketing and Public Relations Ms. Winter-Rafalko is a flight attendant with United Airlines, which recently merged with Continental Airlines. In this position she is an in-flight customer safety and service coordinator responsible for complying with Federal Aviation Administration requirements to keep passengers safe in flight. As such, she attends frequent safety training programs as required by the FAA and participates in safety drills that simulate aircraft evacuations. Prior to this position Ms. Winter-Rafalko was a safety trainer, recruiter and team leader within the In-flight Department of Continental Airlines. She enjoys education, exercising and nutrition, cooking, parenting and world travel.
April 16, 2013
Profiles of Participating Alumni Amanda Ammerman ‘11
Major: Accounting Minor: International Business Ms. Ammerman is a staff accountant in the Tax Department at EisnerAmper LLP, a full-service advisory and CPA accounting firm. They provide audit, accounting, and tax services, as well as corporate finance, internal audit and risk management, litigation services, consulting, private business services, employee benefit plan audits, forensic accounting and other professional advisory services. Ms. Ammerman has a background in corporate and partnership taxation. She is responsible for all stages of a business tax return including projections, extensions, estimates and year-end tax returns. Ms. Ammerman is interested in traveling, reading and performing volunteer work.
Steven Bloom ’08
Majors: Accounting and Economics Minor: Political Science Mr. Bloom is a senior financial analyst for L’Oreal USA, Inc., the U.S. division of the world’s leading cosmetic and beauty maker. Working with the vice president of Finance of the SalonCentric Division of the Professional Products Division, he is responsible for the profit and loss statement and all capital, budgeting and trending of all costs. He assumed this position in September 2010 after a year as a staff accountant. Previously, he worked as a staff accountant at Toys ‘R Us, Inc. An article Mr. Bloom cowrote with Associate Professor of Economics Alexandre Olbrecht, about economics and baseball, was published in the Journal of Business and Economics Research in 2009. He presented a subsequent coauthored paper at the Eastern Economic Association’s 2010 Annual Conference on the “Economics of Higher Education in New Jersey.” Mr. Bloom was a student trustee on the Board of Trustees of Ramapo College from 2007 to 2008 and held internships at NYCE Payment Networks, LLC, Toys ‘R Us, Inc. and Benjamin Moore and Company. Mr. Bloom is pursuing an M.B.A. in Finance at Monmouth University. He enjoys playing tennis, attending sporting events, traveling and reading.
John G. Brewster ’75
Major: Business Administration M.B.A., Fairleigh Dickinson University Mr. Brewster is senior vice president-Wealth Management, UBS Financial Services Inc. The Brewster Financial Group. The Brewster Financial Group provides a customized approach to wealth management built on a personal relationship with the financial advisor and shaped by an understanding of clients’ needs and aspirations. To help manage his clients’ wealth, Mr. Brewster and his staff harness the advisory and investment capabilities of UBS Financial Services, Inc., one of the world’s largest wealth management firms. He has two children and three grandchildren; he and his children reside in Mahwah, NJ. His son Darrell also is an alumnus of Ramapo College; his son Randall is a partner at UBS. Mr. Brewster is a member of the Foundation Board of Governors and the Anisfield School of Business Alumni Advisory Board. He enjoys motor and water sports, golf and time at his home in the Adirondacks.
Elizabeth F. Caraballo ‘01, Esq.
Major: International Business J.D., Seton Hall University School of Law Ms. Caraballo is director of The Waterfront Project, Inc., a legal center for outreach, advocacy and justice in Hoboken, NJ. The center provides legal assistance on civil matters affecting low-income, homeless and other disadvantaged individuals and families in Hudson County, NJ. Ms. Caraballo manages the day-to-day operations of the legal center including fundraising and building relationships with pro bono attorneys and the community. Previously, she was an associate with Tressler LLP, where she was responsible for a wide range of legal liability issues. Prior to this position, she was a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Thomas P. Zampino, Superior Court of New Jersey. Ms. Caraballo served as a judge for the Gressman Appellate Advocacy Competition at Seton Hall University School of Law, the Counseling Competition and the Appellate Advocacy Program there, and as a mediator for the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution Representation in the Mediation 2010-2011 Competition. She is interested in wine, cheese and literature.
Eileen A. Comerford ‘80
Majors: Economics and Business Administration Licensed NASD Series 7 and Series 63 Ms. Comerford has more than 25 years of investment management industry experience. She is director of Municipal Investments at Gallatin & Company, LLC, a client-service oriented registered investment adviser. She is responsible for the management of municipal bond portfolios for individual investors and works closely with high net worth clients to create customized investment portfolios that reflect their current needs, future goals and risk tolerance. In addition to managing her existing client base, Ms. Comerford strives to increase firm assets by leveraging existing client relationships and by pursuing opportunities to develop new business. Prior to joining Gallatin & Company, she was a managing director and co-portfolio manager at J. & W. Seligman & Co., Incorporated, a privately owned investment advisory firm. She is a member of the National Municipal Buyers Conference. She is a member of the Anisfield School of Business Alumni Advisory Board.
Sarah De Heer ‘08
Major: Business Administration, Management Concentration Ms. De Heer is senior online editor for FoodNetwork.com, a lifestyle network that engages its viewers with likable hosts on television and on its Web site. With a brand dedicated to passionate food lovers, FoodNetwork.com averages 8.6 million visitors each month. Previously, Ms. De Heer served as programming manager at AOL/Huffington Post overseeing their digital food brands, KitchenDaily and Slashfood. Ms. De Heer enjoys social media, traveling and cooking.
Ron DePoalo ‘86
Major: Management Information Systems M.B.A., St. Peter’s College Mr. DePoalo is chief information officer for Fidelity Institutional (FI), a business unit of Fidelity Investments, the largest mutual fund company in the United States, the number one provider of workplace retirement savings plans and a leading online brokerage firm. FI is comprised of National Financial, Fidelity Institutional Wealth Services, Fidelity Capital Markets Services, Fidelity Family Office Services and Fidelity Large Market Payroll. Mr. DePoalo joined Fidelity in 2008 and reports to the president of FI and the chief information officer for Fidelity. He is responsible for the global focus and leadership of FI’s internal and client-facing technology management and development. Prior to joining Fidelity, Mr. DePoalo held various global leadership roles within Merrill Lynch during a more than 20year tenure with the company. In 2007 he was awarded CIO Magazine’s 100 Plus Award and also maintained Merrill Lynch’s number one ranking in technology by the annual registered rep survey. He is a member of the Anisfield School of Business Alumni Advisory Board.
respond to the issues confronted by bio-pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical companies and industrial manufacturers and distributors, including multi-district litigation, defense of medical monitoring claims, product identification and market share liability, punitive damages and epidemiological analysis of causation. At the trial and appellate levels in state and federal courts Ms. Perry regularly addresses issues involving scientific and medical causation, exposure, the application of statutes of limitations and damages. She lectures and writes about compliance issues and effective risk management guidance. Ms. Perry is a member of the Foundation Board of Governors and a former member of the SSHS Alumni Advisory Board. Debra received the President’s Award of Merit in 2003 and was honored by the College as a Distinguished Citizen in 2005.
Laura Roberts ‘81
Majors: Geology and Computer Science M.S., Management Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology Ms. Roberts is a senior data modeler with United Parcel Service, the world’s largest package delivery company and a global leader in supply chain and freight services. Ms. Roberts works closely with functional representatives, business analysts, database administrators and application development project teams to identify and define data requirements, develop data models and define standardized meta data to support the effective storage of data. She supports the transformation of business requirements into logical data models and preliminary physical data models and supports the information needs of the business in a flexible manner. Prior to this position, Ms. Roberts had assignments as an application project leader for several application development areas at UPS. She serves on the Alumni Association’s Board of Directors, and the UPS chapter of the Alumni Association. She is a past member of the TAS Alumni Advisory Board. Ms. Roberts enjoys reading, horseback riding and studying American history.
Christine Rotonda ’99
Majors: Business and Communications Arts M.B.A., Regis University Certification in Project Management, Stevens Institute of Technology Ms. Rotonda is president of Total Project Management, LLC, a consulting firm that specializes in project management for media and publishing corporations. She has experience in IT business services and acts as an independent strategic consultant. Her project experience involves mergers and acquisitions, vendor implementations and business continuity. Ms. Rotonda’s expertise includes business alignment, project plan preparation, risk analysis, auditing operations and training programs. She is a motivational and business training programs advocate and provides a multitude of expert speakers for specialized areas of business. Ms. Rotonda is a certified professional project manager and is affiliated with the Project Management Institute’s New York City and New Jersey chapters. She is editor of the PMINJ monthly newsletter and is a member of the Bergen County Community Emergency Response Team.
Peter J. Seminara ‘00, CFP®
Major: Economics Mr. Seminara is senior vice president–senior portfolio manager at Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management, focusing on developing customized fixed income strategies for high net worth individuals and institutions. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner. Before joining The Seminara Group, he spent five years on Morgan Stanley’s fixed income trading desk, responsible for managing fixed income sales efforts to more than 1,500 financial advisors nationwide. Mr. Seminara is a board member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors and the Anisfield School of Business Alumni Advisory Board. He volunteers, helping students find workplace internships and assists Ramapo College in fundraising initiatives. Mr. Seminara enjoys skiing, golfing and traveling.
Joe Monaco ‘85
Majors: Economics and Finance Minor: Operations Management Chubb Institute for Computer Programming ‘90 Mr. Monaco is an information technology applications development manager in Payroll Systems at United Parcel Service, Inc. He is responsible for a team that provides paychecks, W-2s and T-4s for UPS’ domestic and Canadian employees. In this position, he is exposed to time capture systems, gross pay derivation, gross-to-net processing, direct deposit and all associated statutory reporting. In addition to Payroll, he is responsible for the Time & Labor adjustment processing systems. Prior to joining UPS, he held several corporate finance positions. He is chair of the Anisfield School of Business Alumni Advisory Board. Mr. Monaco enjoys the outdoors, motorcycling, fishing and investing.
Tina-Louise Moyer ’98
Major: International Business, Marketing and Europe Concentration Ms. Moyer is a project leader with Mercedes-Benz USA in the Department Information Technology – After Sales, Finance and SAP Systems. She has been with Mercedes-Benz since her Ramapo College co-op position in 1997. She is responsible for project management of IT-related implementation and support management for the Mercedes-Benz Parts Distribution Centers in the U.S. She is responsible for the support of Mercedes-Benz Mexico warehouse management system and is working on expanding this role to other Daimler facilities in North America. The position entails managing projects such as the implementation of new system functionality and processes, upgrading software and hardware for daily operations and opening newly constructed facilities with IT infrastructure. In 2008, Ms. Moyer earned her certification as project management professional (PMP) from the Project Management Institute (PMI). She has also held the position of supervisor of Market Support – Finance, handling all financial aspects of sales incentives in the U.S. Ms. Moyer is a member of the Anisfield School of Business Alumni Advisory Board. She lived in Germany for four years and is fluent in German. Ms. Moyer enjoys skiing, music, theater, international travel and supporting environmental causes.
Michelle Norberto ’02
Major: Business Administration, Marketing Concentration Ms. Norberto is digital communications manager with MINI U.S.A., a division of BMW of North America, LLC. She manages all online/digital communications for the brand, which includes the MINIUSA.COM corporate Web site, MINI Dealer Web sites, CRM communications, online media including social media, mobile and other interactive initiatives, each with the goal of cultivating new prospects and maintaining owner loyalty. MINI, a British automotive brand owned by the BMW Group, is celebrating 53 years including the last 10 in the U.S. Prior to this position, Ms. Norberto worked for Toys ‘R Us Global Headquarters, moving on to SEIKO Corporation of America as a senior project supervisor. She is a member of the Anisfield School of Business Alumni Advisory Board. She enjoys spending time with her family, listening to music, watching movies, bowling and dancing.
Debra Perry ’85, Esq.
Major: Psychology J.D., Rutgers University Recognized as one of New Jersey’s Best 50 Women in Business by NJBIZ, Ms. Perry is a partner in the Product Liability Group of McCarter & English, LLP. Her practice focuses primarily on the area of products liability litigation with an emphasis on the national defense of pharmaceutical products and the coordination of mass tort products liability litigation involving occupational exposures. Ms. Perry advises biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical clients on risk avoidance and regulatory compliance issues. Ms. Perry has represented numerous multinational companies in the defense of prescription medicines including atypical anti-psychotics, anti-depressants, hormone products, narcotic analgesics, diabetes drugs and over-the-counter medications. She has developed and implemented strategies to
Ernest H. Ehling, Jr. ‘86
Major: Business Administration J.D., Widener University School of Law; LL.M., Taxation, Villanova University School of Law Mr. Ehling is the owner and principal of Ernest H. Ehling, Jr., Esq., a law firm concentrating on business and commercial litigation, aviation litigation, employment litigation and alternative dispute resolution. He was admitted to the New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania Bars. Mr. Ehling is a commercial/contract arbitrator for the Superior Court of New Jersey (Mercer and Monmouth counties) and an arbitrator for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. He serves as a mediator on the Superior Court of New Jersey and United States District Court, Southern District of New York. He began his legal career as a trial lawyer in the Commercial Lines and Subrogation Divisions of the Travelers Property Casualty Law Department and later served as a senior tax consultant with Deloitte & Touche. He co-authored Chapter 1 on Alternative Dispute Resolution Law in the Annual Review of Developments in Business and Corporate Litigation (ABA 2006 & 2007 Editions). Mr. Ehling is a panel attorney for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Legal Services Plan representing pilots and aircraft owners in a variety of matters including FAA Enforcement litigation. He enjoys spending time with his family, flying, sailing and traveling.
David Escudero ‘11
Major: Accounting Mr. Escudero is an audit senior assistant with Deloitte & Touche LLP, one of the “Big Four” global professional services network providing audit, tax, consulting, enterprise risk and financial advisory services in more than 150 countries. The firm is headquartered in New York City and employs more than 190,000 professionals globally. The audit practice assesses clients’ risks of material misstatements in their financial statements through the firm’s audit approach models and strategies. Mr. Escudero serves clients in the financial services industry, ranging from private equity firms to public real estate investment trusts to global real estate investment funds. Mr. Escudero fondly remembers his time at Ramapo. He was president of the Accounting Club, a member of the Dean’s Student Advisory Council and hosted a weekly radio show on WRPR.
Joseph Gilligan ‘92
Major: Communications Mr. Gilligan is the CEO of Akadema Inc., a privately owned sporting goods manufacturing company he founded in 1998 with his brother, Lawrence. The company produces baseball and softball products and apparel. With 25 employees, he oversees all aspects of manufacturing, supply chain management, material sourcing, vendor selections, human resources, compliance and accounts payable and receivable. Mr. Gilligan has been awarded five U.S. patents and more than a dozen U.S. trademarks. In addition to Akadema, Mr. Gilligan owns Proplayer Baseball Academy, a training facility and BO-TY, a real estate company. Prior to starting his own businesses, Mr. Gilligan was a logistics manager for Sony Corporation and Yorx Electronics Inc. from 1988-2000. He recently became a member of the Knights of Columbus. He also served as a board member and coach for the Ringwood Little League. Mr. Gilligan is married and has three children.
Tina Lastra Goldenberg ‘06
Major: Accounting Ms. Goldenberg is manager of Internal Reporting at Avis Budget Group, Inc., which operates two of the most recognized brands in the global vehicle rental industry through Avis and Budget. In her position, Ms. Goldenberg analyzes the results of the business segments and reports to executive management. Prior to this position, Ms. Goldenberg spent 6.5 years as an auditor with Deloitte & Touche, one of the largest professional services company in the world. At Deloitte she managed various teams to complete audits, comply with SEC regulations and teach staff appropriate Deloitte methodologies. Ms. Goldenberg enjoys scrapbooking, movies and spending time with friends.
Tom Grassi, ‘08
Majors: Business Management and Economics M.B.A., Finance, Seton Hall University Mr. Grassi is a finance manager with Proximo Spirits, featuring brands such as Three Olives Vodka, 1800 Tequila, Kraken Rum and Hangar One Vodka. He is on the Commercial Finance Team where he partners with the Sales Team to evaluate various spending opportunities, volume planning, program execution and pricing opportunities. Prior to this position he worked for five years in finance at Unilever. Mr. Grassi enjoys time spent with his son, wife and dog, hiking, competing in Tough Mudder events and trying new barbecue recipes.
Nancy E. Gross ‘86
Major: Business Administration, Marketing Concentration Ms. Gross is marketing development manager with Coca- Cola. The Coca-Cola Company is the world’s largest beverage company with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy these beverages at a rate of 1.8 billion servings a day. Ms. Gross is responsible for the coordination of sales and marketing promotions in key accounts and implementing local marketing strategy. She develops and executes local and national creative marketing promotions and ensures proper execution of pricing/promotional programs. In addition, Ms. Gross communicates market conditions with the internal sales force, resolves customer concerns and issues and obtains product authorization and equipment placement. Prior to this position, she was employed as an account manager with Office Depot, a franchise owner of Rez City, a community and travel Web site, and an executive producer of a cable show, Della Crews, created by News 12. Ms. Gross enjoys photography, writing, travel Web sites, fundraising events and networking.
Barbara Hastie ‘82
Major: Psychology Ms. Hastie is vice president of Underwriting Policy and Shared Services and Client Experience Analysis for Group Insurance at Prudential Insurance Company of America. The Underwriting Policy and Shared Services unit establishes underwriting policy for group insurance; develops documents and tests underwriting procedures and practices to conform to regulations and standards; coordinates underwriting proposal workflow and provides administrative support for group insurance life and disability underwriting. The Client Experience Analysis unit handles client and reinsurance accounting and year end reporting. She has held various positions in insurance companies and has been an underwriter and administrator for domestic and international group credit insurance. In addition, she has underwritten several lines of coverage for cases ranging in size from large national organizations to small businesses. Ms. Hastie is a chartered life underwriter and a registered employee benefits consultant. She is a member of the Group Underwriting Association of America and the Somerset Valley Orchestra.
J. Patrick Hunter ’05, ’01
Major: Business Administration, Marketing Concentration M.B.A., Finance Mr. Hunter is the pre-owned sales manager for Mercedes-Benz Manhattan and is responsible for $55+ million in sales each year. His responsibilities include hiring sales and service personnel, closing deals for salespeople, wholesaling trade-ins, structuring finance and lease contracts and seeking loan approval for customers, which entails negotiating with various commercial banks and purchasing and appraising more than 1,000 pre-owned vehicles each year. Mercedes-Benz Manhattan is the only factory owned Mercedes dealership in the U.S. With two showrooms, one on the West Side and one on Park Avenue, the business employs more than 250 people. Prior to joining Mercedes-Benz Manhattan, Mr. Hunter held several positions with the corporate office in Montvale, NJ. Simultaneously, for the past 13 years he has been involved in the residential and commercial real estate business in northern NJ and is a licensed real estate agent with Halcyon Enterprises, a division of Abbott & Caserta Realtors
in Wyckoff, NJ. He and a partner opened a bicycle shop, Wyckoff Cycle, LLC, as an investment. He is a member of the Anisfield School of Business Alumni Advisory Board, vice chair of the Zoning Board of Adjustment for the Borough of Waldwick and an appointed member of the Bergen County Democratic Committee. He enjoys collecting classic Mercedes-Benz vehicles, golfing, bicycling and traveling.
Jeremy Lewis ‘97
Major: Business Administration, Management Concentration Mr. Lewis is district sales manager of the Metro New York District for the Paint Stores Division of the Sherwin-Williams Paint Company. Sherwin-Williams is an industry leader in quality coatings and related products to paint industry contractors, manufacturers, industrial users and the retail trade. Mr. Lewis manages sales representatives within the five boroughs of New York City. His responsibilities include developing marketing plans, increasing wholesale market awareness and growing market share within the Metro NY area. Mr. Lewis establishes market pricing, monitors sales dollars and gross margins and controls district sales budgets. After graduating from Ramapo College, he was a management trainee for Sherwin-Williams. He held positions of increasing responsibility: assistant manager, store manager and sales representative. After returning to New Jersey from Washington D.C. he was promoted to city manager for the Metro New Jersey District, and then appointed to his current position. Mr. Lewis is a musician who plays for artists in New York City and New Jersey.
Jerry Lynch ‘85
Major: Operations Management Certified Financial Planner (CFP™), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), all obtained at American College Mr. Lynch is president of JFL Total Wealth Management, a comprehensive financial planning firm that focuses on total wealth management solutions for everyone from retirees to successful business owners. Among the services offered are financial and investment advising, tax, estate and retirement planning and insurance and risk management. Since 2004, Mr. Lynch has been listed as one of the best financial planners in the nation by the Consumers Research Council. He is a multi-year recipient of the Five Star Wealth Manager recognition by NJ Monthly magazine. Mr. Lynch is a regular guest on CNBC, Fox & Friends and WABC, and is a contributor to the Star Ledger, USA Today, CNBC and Executive Insight, among others. Mr. Lynch is part-owner of a carwash and invests in real estate. He enjoys coaching his children’s sports, riding his Harley, gardening and fitness.
Jonathan N. Marcus ‘93, Esq.
Major: Law and Society J.D., Seton Hall Law School Since 2004, Mr. Marcus has been assistant general counsel at the “Big Four” audit, tax and advisory firm of KPMG LLP where he provides in-house representation in connection with all business transactional matters. Previously, he was an associate attorney in the Corporate Department of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, providing representation as a senior associate or lead counsel to both public and private clients. Prior to joining Weil, he was an associate in the Corporate Department of Sills Cummis & Gross P.C. Mr. Marcus is the immediate past-president of the Alumni Association’s Board of Directors and serves on the Foundation Board of Governors. He was asked by President Peter P. Mercer to serve on the President’s Strategic Planning Task Force which, for the past year, has been formulating the College’s new five-year strategic plan. Mr. Marcus is a member of SSAIS’s Alumni Advisory Board and chairman of the Alumni Association’s KPMG Corporate Chapter. He received the President’s Award of Merit in 2009. Mr. Marcus was appointed by Mahwah’s Mayor William Laforet to serve on an advisory panel to provide advice in formulating the township’s 2012 and 2013 budgets. Mr. Marcus ran for a seat on the Mahwah Township Council this past November. Recently, Mr. Laforet appointed Mr. Marcus to the Mahwah Township Planning Board. Mr. Marcus enjoys golf, the outdoors, motorcycling, strength training and spending time with his family.
Tom Grassi, ‘08
Majors: Business Management and Economics M.B.A., Finance, Seton Hall University Mr. Grassi is a finance manager with Proximo Spirits, featuring brands such as Three Olives Vodka, 1800 Tequila, Kraken Rum and Hangar One Vodka. He is on the Commercial Finance Team where he partners with the Sales Team to evaluate various spending opportunities, volume planning, program execution and pricing opportunities. Prior to this position he worked for five years in finance at Unilever. Mr. Grassi enjoys time spent with his son, wife and dog, hiking, competing in Tough Mudder events and trying new barbecue recipes.
Nancy E. Gross ‘86
Major: Business Administration, Marketing Concentration Ms. Gross is marketing development manager with Coca- Cola. The Coca-Cola Company is the world’s largest beverage company with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy these beverages at a rate of 1.8 billion servings a day. Ms. Gross is responsible for the coordination of sales and marketing promotions in key accounts and implementing local marketing strategy. She develops and executes local and national creative marketing promotions and ensures proper execution of pricing/promotional programs. In addition, Ms. Gross communicates market conditions with the internal sales force, resolves customer concerns and issues and obtains product authorization and equipment placement. Prior to this position, she was employed as an account manager with Office Depot, a franchise owner of Rez City, a community and travel Web site, and an executive producer of a cable show, Della Crews, created by News 12. Ms. Gross enjoys photography, writing, travel Web sites, fundraising events and networking.
Barbara Hastie ‘82
Major: Psychology Ms. Hastie is vice president of Underwriting Policy and Shared Services and Client Experience Analysis for Group Insurance at Prudential Insurance Company of America. The Underwriting Policy and Shared Services unit establishes underwriting policy for group insurance; develops documents and tests underwriting procedures and practices to conform to regulations and standards; coordinates underwriting proposal workflow and provides administrative support for group insurance life and disability underwriting. The Client Experience Analysis unit handles client and reinsurance accounting and year end reporting. She has held various positions in insurance companies and has been an underwriter and administrator for domestic and international group credit insurance. In addition, she has underwritten several lines of coverage for cases ranging in size from large national organizations to small businesses. Ms. Hastie is a chartered life underwriter and a registered employee benefits consultant. She is a member of the Group Underwriting Association of America and the Somerset Valley Orchestra.
J. Patrick Hunter ’05, ’01
Major: Business Administration, Marketing Concentration M.B.A., Finance Mr. Hunter is the pre-owned sales manager for Mercedes-Benz Manhattan and is responsible for $55+ million in sales each year. His responsibilities include hiring sales and service personnel, closing deals for salespeople, wholesaling trade-ins, structuring finance and lease contracts and seeking loan approval for customers, which entails negotiating with various commercial banks and purchasing and appraising more than 1,000 pre-owned vehicles each year. Mercedes-Benz Manhattan is the only factory owned Mercedes dealership in the U.S. With two showrooms, one on the West Side and one on Park Avenue, the business employs more than 250 people. Prior to joining Mercedes-Benz Manhattan, Mr. Hunter held several positions with the corporate office in Montvale, NJ. Simultaneously, for the past 13 years he has been involved in the residential and commercial real estate business in northern NJ and is a licensed real estate agent with Halcyon Enterprises, a division of Abbott & Caserta Realtors
in Wyckoff, NJ. He and a partner opened a bicycle shop, Wyckoff Cycle, LLC, as an investment. He is a member of the Anisfield School of Business Alumni Advisory Board, vice chair of the Zoning Board of Adjustment for the Borough of Waldwick and an appointed member of the Bergen County Democratic Committee. He enjoys collecting classic Mercedes-Benz vehicles, golfing, bicycling and traveling.
Jeremy Lewis ‘97
Major: Business Administration, Management Concentration Mr. Lewis is district sales manager of the Metro New York District for the Paint Stores Division of the Sherwin-Williams Paint Company. Sherwin-Williams is an industry leader in quality coatings and related products to paint industry contractors, manufacturers, industrial users and the retail trade. Mr. Lewis manages sales representatives within the five boroughs of New York City. His responsibilities include developing marketing plans, increasing wholesale market awareness and growing market share within the Metro NY area. Mr. Lewis establishes market pricing, monitors sales dollars and gross margins and controls district sales budgets. After graduating from Ramapo College, he was a management trainee for Sherwin-Williams. He held positions of increasing responsibility: assistant manager, store manager and sales representative. After returning to New Jersey from Washington D.C. he was promoted to city manager for the Metro New Jersey District, and then appointed to his current position. Mr. Lewis is a musician who plays for artists in New York City and New Jersey.
Jerry Lynch ‘85
Major: Operations Management Certified Financial Planner (CFP™), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), all obtained at American College Mr. Lynch is president of JFL Total Wealth Management, a comprehensive financial planning firm that focuses on total wealth management solutions for everyone from retirees to successful business owners. Among the services offered are financial and investment advising, tax, estate and retirement planning and insurance and risk management. Since 2004, Mr. Lynch has been listed as one of the best financial planners in the nation by the Consumers Research Council. He is a multi-year recipient of the Five Star Wealth Manager recognition by NJ Monthly magazine. Mr. Lynch is a regular guest on CNBC, Fox & Friends and WABC, and is a contributor to the Star Ledger, USA Today, CNBC and Executive Insight, among others. Mr. Lynch is part-owner of a carwash and invests in real estate. He enjoys coaching his children’s sports, riding his Harley, gardening and fitness.
Jonathan N. Marcus ‘93, Esq.
Major: Law and Society J.D., Seton Hall Law School Since 2004, Mr. Marcus has been assistant general counsel at the “Big Four” audit, tax and advisory firm of KPMG LLP where he provides in-house representation in connection with all business transactional matters. Previously, he was an associate attorney in the Corporate Department of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, providing representation as a senior associate or lead counsel to both public and private clients. Prior to joining Weil, he was an associate in the Corporate Department of Sills Cummis & Gross P.C. Mr. Marcus is the immediate past-president of the Alumni Association’s Board of Directors and serves on the Foundation Board of Governors. He was asked by President Peter P. Mercer to serve on the President’s Strategic Planning Task Force which, for the past year, has been formulating the College’s new five-year strategic plan. Mr. Marcus is a member of SSAIS’s Alumni Advisory Board and chairman of the Alumni Association’s KPMG Corporate Chapter. He received the President’s Award of Merit in 2009. Mr. Marcus was appointed by Mahwah’s Mayor William Laforet to serve on an advisory panel to provide advice in formulating the township’s 2012 and 2013 budgets. Mr. Marcus ran for a seat on the Mahwah Township Council this past November. Recently, Mr. Laforet appointed Mr. Marcus to the Mahwah Township Planning Board. Mr. Marcus enjoys golf, the outdoors, motorcycling, strength training and spending time with his family.
Joe Monaco ‘85
Majors: Economics and Finance Minor: Operations Management Chubb Institute for Computer Programming ‘90 Mr. Monaco is an information technology applications development manager in Payroll Systems at United Parcel Service, Inc. He is responsible for a team that provides paychecks, W-2s and T-4s for UPS’ domestic and Canadian employees. In this position, he is exposed to time capture systems, gross pay derivation, gross-to-net processing, direct deposit and all associated statutory reporting. In addition to Payroll, he is responsible for the Time & Labor adjustment processing systems. Prior to joining UPS, he held several corporate finance positions. He is chair of the Anisfield School of Business Alumni Advisory Board. Mr. Monaco enjoys the outdoors, motorcycling, fishing and investing.
Tina-Louise Moyer ’98
Major: International Business, Marketing and Europe Concentration Ms. Moyer is a project leader with Mercedes-Benz USA in the Department Information Technology – After Sales, Finance and SAP Systems. She has been with Mercedes-Benz since her Ramapo College co-op position in 1997. She is responsible for project management of IT-related implementation and support management for the Mercedes-Benz Parts Distribution Centers in the U.S. She is responsible for the support of Mercedes-Benz Mexico warehouse management system and is working on expanding this role to other Daimler facilities in North America. The position entails managing projects such as the implementation of new system functionality and processes, upgrading software and hardware for daily operations and opening newly constructed facilities with IT infrastructure. In 2008, Ms. Moyer earned her certification as project management professional (PMP) from the Project Management Institute (PMI). She has also held the position of supervisor of Market Support – Finance, handling all financial aspects of sales incentives in the U.S. Ms. Moyer is a member of the Anisfield School of Business Alumni Advisory Board. She lived in Germany for four years and is fluent in German. Ms. Moyer enjoys skiing, music, theater, international travel and supporting environmental causes.
Michelle Norberto ’02
Major: Business Administration, Marketing Concentration Ms. Norberto is digital communications manager with MINI U.S.A., a division of BMW of North America, LLC. She manages all online/digital communications for the brand, which includes the MINIUSA.COM corporate Web site, MINI Dealer Web sites, CRM communications, online media including social media, mobile and other interactive initiatives, each with the goal of cultivating new prospects and maintaining owner loyalty. MINI, a British automotive brand owned by the BMW Group, is celebrating 53 years including the last 10 in the U.S. Prior to this position, Ms. Norberto worked for Toys ‘R Us Global Headquarters, moving on to SEIKO Corporation of America as a senior project supervisor. She is a member of the Anisfield School of Business Alumni Advisory Board. She enjoys spending time with her family, listening to music, watching movies, bowling and dancing.
Debra Perry ’85, Esq.
Major: Psychology J.D., Rutgers University Recognized as one of New Jersey’s Best 50 Women in Business by NJBIZ, Ms. Perry is a partner in the Product Liability Group of McCarter & English, LLP. Her practice focuses primarily on the area of products liability litigation with an emphasis on the national defense of pharmaceutical products and the coordination of mass tort products liability litigation involving occupational exposures. Ms. Perry advises biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical clients on risk avoidance and regulatory compliance issues. Ms. Perry has represented numerous multinational companies in the defense of prescription medicines including atypical anti-psychotics, anti-depressants, hormone products, narcotic analgesics, diabetes drugs and over-the-counter medications. She has developed and implemented strategies to
Ernest H. Ehling, Jr. ‘86
Major: Business Administration J.D., Widener University School of Law; LL.M., Taxation, Villanova University School of Law Mr. Ehling is the owner and principal of Ernest H. Ehling, Jr., Esq., a law firm concentrating on business and commercial litigation, aviation litigation, employment litigation and alternative dispute resolution. He was admitted to the New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania Bars. Mr. Ehling is a commercial/contract arbitrator for the Superior Court of New Jersey (Mercer and Monmouth counties) and an arbitrator for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. He serves as a mediator on the Superior Court of New Jersey and United States District Court, Southern District of New York. He began his legal career as a trial lawyer in the Commercial Lines and Subrogation Divisions of the Travelers Property Casualty Law Department and later served as a senior tax consultant with Deloitte & Touche. He co-authored Chapter 1 on Alternative Dispute Resolution Law in the Annual Review of Developments in Business and Corporate Litigation (ABA 2006 & 2007 Editions). Mr. Ehling is a panel attorney for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Legal Services Plan representing pilots and aircraft owners in a variety of matters including FAA Enforcement litigation. He enjoys spending time with his family, flying, sailing and traveling.
David Escudero ‘11
Major: Accounting Mr. Escudero is an audit senior assistant with Deloitte & Touche LLP, one of the “Big Four” global professional services network providing audit, tax, consulting, enterprise risk and financial advisory services in more than 150 countries. The firm is headquartered in New York City and employs more than 190,000 professionals globally. The audit practice assesses clients’ risks of material misstatements in their financial statements through the firm’s audit approach models and strategies. Mr. Escudero serves clients in the financial services industry, ranging from private equity firms to public real estate investment trusts to global real estate investment funds. Mr. Escudero fondly remembers his time at Ramapo. He was president of the Accounting Club, a member of the Dean’s Student Advisory Council and hosted a weekly radio show on WRPR.
Joseph Gilligan ‘92
Major: Communications Mr. Gilligan is the CEO of Akadema Inc., a privately owned sporting goods manufacturing company he founded in 1998 with his brother, Lawrence. The company produces baseball and softball products and apparel. With 25 employees, he oversees all aspects of manufacturing, supply chain management, material sourcing, vendor selections, human resources, compliance and accounts payable and receivable. Mr. Gilligan has been awarded five U.S. patents and more than a dozen U.S. trademarks. In addition to Akadema, Mr. Gilligan owns Proplayer Baseball Academy, a training facility and BO-TY, a real estate company. Prior to starting his own businesses, Mr. Gilligan was a logistics manager for Sony Corporation and Yorx Electronics Inc. from 1988-2000. He recently became a member of the Knights of Columbus. He also served as a board member and coach for the Ringwood Little League. Mr. Gilligan is married and has three children.
Tina Lastra Goldenberg ‘06
Major: Accounting Ms. Goldenberg is manager of Internal Reporting at Avis Budget Group, Inc., which operates two of the most recognized brands in the global vehicle rental industry through Avis and Budget. In her position, Ms. Goldenberg analyzes the results of the business segments and reports to executive management. Prior to this position, Ms. Goldenberg spent 6.5 years as an auditor with Deloitte & Touche, one of the largest professional services company in the world. At Deloitte she managed various teams to complete audits, comply with SEC regulations and teach staff appropriate Deloitte methodologies. Ms. Goldenberg enjoys scrapbooking, movies and spending time with friends.
Elizabeth F. Caraballo ‘01, Esq.
Major: International Business J.D., Seton Hall University School of Law Ms. Caraballo is director of The Waterfront Project, Inc., a legal center for outreach, advocacy and justice in Hoboken, NJ. The center provides legal assistance on civil matters affecting low-income, homeless and other disadvantaged individuals and families in Hudson County, NJ. Ms. Caraballo manages the day-to-day operations of the legal center including fundraising and building relationships with pro bono attorneys and the community. Previously, she was an associate with Tressler LLP, where she was responsible for a wide range of legal liability issues. Prior to this position, she was a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Thomas P. Zampino, Superior Court of New Jersey. Ms. Caraballo served as a judge for the Gressman Appellate Advocacy Competition at Seton Hall University School of Law, the Counseling Competition and the Appellate Advocacy Program there, and as a mediator for the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution Representation in the Mediation 2010-2011 Competition. She is interested in wine, cheese and literature.
Eileen A. Comerford ‘80
Majors: Economics and Business Administration Licensed NASD Series 7 and Series 63 Ms. Comerford has more than 25 years of investment management industry experience. She is director of Municipal Investments at Gallatin & Company, LLC, a client-service oriented registered investment adviser. She is responsible for the management of municipal bond portfolios for individual investors and works closely with high net worth clients to create customized investment portfolios that reflect their current needs, future goals and risk tolerance. In addition to managing her existing client base, Ms. Comerford strives to increase firm assets by leveraging existing client relationships and by pursuing opportunities to develop new business. Prior to joining Gallatin & Company, she was a managing director and co-portfolio manager at J. & W. Seligman & Co., Incorporated, a privately owned investment advisory firm. She is a member of the National Municipal Buyers Conference. She is a member of the Anisfield School of Business Alumni Advisory Board.
Sarah De Heer ‘08
Major: Business Administration, Management Concentration Ms. De Heer is senior online editor for FoodNetwork.com, a lifestyle network that engages its viewers with likable hosts on television and on its Web site. With a brand dedicated to passionate food lovers, FoodNetwork.com averages 8.6 million visitors each month. Previously, Ms. De Heer served as programming manager at AOL/Huffington Post overseeing their digital food brands, KitchenDaily and Slashfood. Ms. De Heer enjoys social media, traveling and cooking.
Ron DePoalo ‘86
Major: Management Information Systems M.B.A., St. Peter’s College Mr. DePoalo is chief information officer for Fidelity Institutional (FI), a business unit of Fidelity Investments, the largest mutual fund company in the United States, the number one provider of workplace retirement savings plans and a leading online brokerage firm. FI is comprised of National Financial, Fidelity Institutional Wealth Services, Fidelity Capital Markets Services, Fidelity Family Office Services and Fidelity Large Market Payroll. Mr. DePoalo joined Fidelity in 2008 and reports to the president of FI and the chief information officer for Fidelity. He is responsible for the global focus and leadership of FI’s internal and client-facing technology management and development. Prior to joining Fidelity, Mr. DePoalo held various global leadership roles within Merrill Lynch during a more than 20year tenure with the company. In 2007 he was awarded CIO Magazine’s 100 Plus Award and also maintained Merrill Lynch’s number one ranking in technology by the annual registered rep survey. He is a member of the Anisfield School of Business Alumni Advisory Board.
respond to the issues confronted by bio-pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical companies and industrial manufacturers and distributors, including multi-district litigation, defense of medical monitoring claims, product identification and market share liability, punitive damages and epidemiological analysis of causation. At the trial and appellate levels in state and federal courts Ms. Perry regularly addresses issues involving scientific and medical causation, exposure, the application of statutes of limitations and damages. She lectures and writes about compliance issues and effective risk management guidance. Ms. Perry is a member of the Foundation Board of Governors and a former member of the SSHS Alumni Advisory Board. Debra received the President’s Award of Merit in 2003 and was honored by the College as a Distinguished Citizen in 2005.
Laura Roberts ‘81
Majors: Geology and Computer Science M.S., Management Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology Ms. Roberts is a senior data modeler with United Parcel Service, the world’s largest package delivery company and a global leader in supply chain and freight services. Ms. Roberts works closely with functional representatives, business analysts, database administrators and application development project teams to identify and define data requirements, develop data models and define standardized meta data to support the effective storage of data. She supports the transformation of business requirements into logical data models and preliminary physical data models and supports the information needs of the business in a flexible manner. Prior to this position, Ms. Roberts had assignments as an application project leader for several application development areas at UPS. She serves on the Alumni Association’s Board of Directors, and the UPS chapter of the Alumni Association. She is a past member of the TAS Alumni Advisory Board. Ms. Roberts enjoys reading, horseback riding and studying American history.
Christine Rotonda ’99
Majors: Business and Communications Arts M.B.A., Regis University Certification in Project Management, Stevens Institute of Technology Ms. Rotonda is president of Total Project Management, LLC, a consulting firm that specializes in project management for media and publishing corporations. She has experience in IT business services and acts as an independent strategic consultant. Her project experience involves mergers and acquisitions, vendor implementations and business continuity. Ms. Rotonda’s expertise includes business alignment, project plan preparation, risk analysis, auditing operations and training programs. She is a motivational and business training programs advocate and provides a multitude of expert speakers for specialized areas of business. Ms. Rotonda is a certified professional project manager and is affiliated with the Project Management Institute’s New York City and New Jersey chapters. She is editor of the PMINJ monthly newsletter and is a member of the Bergen County Community Emergency Response Team.
Peter J. Seminara ‘00, CFP®
Major: Economics Mr. Seminara is senior vice president–senior portfolio manager at Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management, focusing on developing customized fixed income strategies for high net worth individuals and institutions. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner. Before joining The Seminara Group, he spent five years on Morgan Stanley’s fixed income trading desk, responsible for managing fixed income sales efforts to more than 1,500 financial advisors nationwide. Mr. Seminara is a board member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors and the Anisfield School of Business Alumni Advisory Board. He volunteers, helping students find workplace internships and assists Ramapo College in fundraising initiatives. Mr. Seminara enjoys skiing, golfing and traveling.
Russell Sommers ‘05
Major: Accounting Mr. Sommers is managing consultant at EisnerAmper LLP, a full-service advisory and CPA accounting firm. The firm provides audit, accounting and tax services; corporate finance, internal audit and risk management; litigation services; consulting; private business services; employee benefit plan audits; forensic accounting and other professional advisory services to a broad range of clients across many industries. Mr. Sommers develops risk management strategies and programs to guide mid-tier financial services companies in achieving corporate objectives. He fosters the linkage between enterprise risk management and the strategic objectives of an organization to create a scalable and agile platform which prepares each organization for the future. Mr. Sommers is enrolled in the M.B.A. program at Northeastern University. He enjoys surfcasting, being a father, cooking and restoring houses damaged by Hurricane Sandy.
Jill (Freudenfels) Stanley ‘06
Major: Accounting Ms. Stanley was most recently an accountant with Investors Bank in Short Hills, NJ. She was responsible for financial reporting, preparing quarterly and year-end documents to be filed with the SEC. Prior to joining Investors Bank, Ms. Stanley worked at KPMG LLP as a senior audit associate, performing audits for publicly held corporations and conducting test work to ensure that financial statements are accurately stated. While studying at Ramapo College, Ms. Stanley interned at Merrill Lynch-Wealth Management in Paramus, NJ. She is a member of the Anisfield School of Business Alumni Advisory Board and the Alumni Association Board. She enjoys photography, reading and spending time with her family. Ms. Stanley is taking time off to spend with her first child, born in August 2012.
Cathleen Winter-Rafalko ‘86
Majors: Marketing and Public Relations Ms. Winter-Rafalko is a flight attendant with United Airlines, which recently merged with Continental Airlines. In this position she is an in-flight customer safety and service coordinator responsible for complying with Federal Aviation Administration requirements to keep passengers safe in flight. As such, she attends frequent safety training programs as required by the FAA and participates in safety drills that simulate aircraft evacuations. Prior to this position Ms. Winter-Rafalko was a safety trainer, recruiter and team leader within the In-flight Department of Continental Airlines. She enjoys education, exercising and nutrition, cooking, parenting and world travel.
April 16, 2013
Profiles of Participating Alumni Amanda Ammerman ‘11
Major: Accounting Minor: International Business Ms. Ammerman is a staff accountant in the Tax Department at EisnerAmper LLP, a full-service advisory and CPA accounting firm. They provide audit, accounting, and tax services, as well as corporate finance, internal audit and risk management, litigation services, consulting, private business services, employee benefit plan audits, forensic accounting and other professional advisory services. Ms. Ammerman has a background in corporate and partnership taxation. She is responsible for all stages of a business tax return including projections, extensions, estimates and year-end tax returns. Ms. Ammerman is interested in traveling, reading and performing volunteer work.
Steven Bloom ’08
Majors: Accounting and Economics Minor: Political Science Mr. Bloom is a senior financial analyst for L’Oreal USA, Inc., the U.S. division of the world’s leading cosmetic and beauty maker. Working with the vice president of Finance of the SalonCentric Division of the Professional Products Division, he is responsible for the profit and loss statement and all capital, budgeting and trending of all costs. He assumed this position in September 2010 after a year as a staff accountant. Previously, he worked as a staff accountant at Toys ‘R Us, Inc. An article Mr. Bloom cowrote with Associate Professor of Economics Alexandre Olbrecht, about economics and baseball, was published in the Journal of Business and Economics Research in 2009. He presented a subsequent coauthored paper at the Eastern Economic Association’s 2010 Annual Conference on the “Economics of Higher Education in New Jersey.” Mr. Bloom was a student trustee on the Board of Trustees of Ramapo College from 2007 to 2008 and held internships at NYCE Payment Networks, LLC, Toys ‘R Us, Inc. and Benjamin Moore and Company. Mr. Bloom is pursuing an M.B.A. in Finance at Monmouth University. He enjoys playing tennis, attending sporting events, traveling and reading.
John G. Brewster ’75
Major: Business Administration M.B.A., Fairleigh Dickinson University Mr. Brewster is senior vice president-Wealth Management, UBS Financial Services Inc. The Brewster Financial Group. The Brewster Financial Group provides a customized approach to wealth management built on a personal relationship with the financial advisor and shaped by an understanding of clients’ needs and aspirations. To help manage his clients’ wealth, Mr. Brewster and his staff harness the advisory and investment capabilities of UBS Financial Services, Inc., one of the world’s largest wealth management firms. He has two children and three grandchildren; he and his children reside in Mahwah, NJ. His son Darrell also is an alumnus of Ramapo College; his son Randall is a partner at UBS. Mr. Brewster is a member of the Foundation Board of Governors and the Anisfield School of Business Alumni Advisory Board. He enjoys motor and water sports, golf and time at his home in the Adirondacks.