Class Notes

Catch up with your classmates’ latest moves, accomplishments, and life changes, and make the most of your Tepper School community.

Class of 1962

GEORGE BOUVET (MSIA 1962) is using his Carnegie education to invest in AI stocks.

Class of 1963

DAVID AHL (MSIA 1963)* has returned from three weeks in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. His next stop is Guatemala on a mission trip with Cross International to help build and furnish schools in small villages. They built one for a village in Honduras with 23 kids.

A month later, 58 kids were coming from several surrounding villages from which they had to walk for more than an hour to get there.

Class of 1967

PHILIP MICHEL has moved to Southwest Florida to enjoy some sunshine.

At 75 and inspired to learn and create by his five years at CMU, KEN DEROW (BS 1969, MSIA 1970) is fully engaged as a partner in #GMIFY, a gamified marketing research platform that offers participants some fun and enjoyment in a normally thankless research task. As a side hustle, Ken remains one of the most published editorial letter writers in the country with letters published in major newspapers, including the New York Times, Washington Post, and Philadelphia Inquirer. In fact, he just had his 200th letter to the editor published.

Class of 1973

ZANE SWANSON (MSIA 1973) retired in 2022 as a full professor in accounting at the University of Central Oklahoma College of Business. He received a BS in electrical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MS in industrial administration from Carnegie Mellon University, MS in international business from University of South Carolina, and a Ph.D. in business from the University of Oklahoma. Zane focused on capital markets research and has written 60+ publications including a book.

Class of 1976

CAROL MACPHAIL (BS 1976)* was recognized by the Pittsburgh Business Times as a 2023 Women of Influence award winner. Carol is a retired partner of Deloitte LLP and is currently an Associate Professor of Accounting and Finance at Robert Morris University. She also serves as Audit Committee Chair of The Frick Pittsburgh Art and Historical Museum.

Class of 1977

After a 33 year banking career at Citigroup and Merrill Lynch, ALBERT IP (MSIA 1977) was appointed as CEO of Langham Hospitality Investments from 2014 to 2019. He was appointed as a University Court Member of City University and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in 2022. He was appointed as an Honorary Fellow of Vocational Training Council, City University, and HKUST in 2012, 2021, and 2023 respectively. In 2023, he was appointed as a Member of the Science and Technology Council of Macau.

Class of 1978

BRUCE MONTGOMERY (MSIA 1978) reports the sale of his company, Syntonics LLC, has progressed to the point that in April they moved to their retirement home in the Blue Ridge of North Carolina. Janet and Bruce bought a fixer-upper built in 1948, to be known for at least the next year as “The Money Pit.”

Class of 1980

KEN WEST (BS 1980)* married a beautiful woman, Sheryle Levine, in March 2023 and now has three beautiful grandsons — each under the age of three.

Class of 1982

JOHN PROPHET (BS/DC 1982, MSIA 1982) retired from IBM in 2020 after just under 38 years of financial management and business operational services. John has published his first book, “Heaven! The End-Zone For Life’s Journey.”

KURT SAUNDERS (BS/DC 1982) co-authored a chapter on insider trading titled “Liability for Insider Trading Under U.S. Federal Securities Law” appearing in the book “Concepts and Cases of Illicit and Illegitimate Finance” published by IGI Global this year.

Class of 1983

LINDA AMBRUS BROENNIMAN’S (MSIA 1983) non-fiction book, “The Politzer Saga,” was released on September 12th, about her Hungarian Jewish family who disappeared into the past, hidden by her father’s secrets. Linda uncovers eight generations of her remarkable family to tell the heart-wrenching and inspiring stories of their lives. A permanent exhibition resides on the second floor of the Rumbach Synagogue in Budapest, based on the stories she researched and wrote. Details available at www.politzersaga.com.

Class of 1985

After a 25 year career on Wall Street working as a Managing Director of an Investment Boutique called Invemed Associates, JEFFERY LINK (BS 1984, MSIA 1985) took on a new challenge. He is now Director of Acquisitions for a multi-billion dollar, privately owned, self storage owner/operator called Prime Group Holdings. Last year Jeffrey was responsible for purchasing over $150 million of self storage properties up and down the East Coast. This year is more challenging given the rising interest rate environment but he is really enjoying himself. One huge plus in this new role is that he got to reconnect with an old classmate, STEVE MITNICK (MSIA 1985, EMP 1992), who is the King of Self Storage in Pittsburgh.

Class of 1988

In July, ROSS AHLEGREN (MSIA 1988)* sold the company that he co-founded in 1998, Kreos Capital, to Blackrock. Kreos Capital was the pioneer of Venture/Growth lending in UK, Europe, and Israel and had invested close to $5.5B in 750+ transactions across seven funds and 19 countries. Kreos had grown to be more than five times the size of their nearest competitor and the deal gives Blackrock a meaningful presence in the growth and innovation space and a platform to take global.

After 14 years living in the Philippines working for Dole Packaged Foods Asia heading up their SupplyChain group, and several years of disruption due to COVID-19, ERIK KRAMER (MSIA 1988) is gradually getting used to more “normal life” in Florida. He and his wife, Betta, built a house on Lake Easy in Lake Wales, Fla. They enjoy going kayaking around the lake early morning or late afternoon. They also have a Hobie Bravo, the smallest sailboat in their collection. Erik grew up in Holland lake sailing with his dad, who was an avid sailor his whole life and finally had to give it up when he turned 85. He was a purist so no outboard motor. If the wind died, Erik and his two brothers had to paddle back to the yacht club. He visits his dad several times a year for extended time. He tries to keep himself sharp with lots of exercise and listening to podcasts. He shares that he doesn’t miss the work per se, but does miss the people and the clear sense of purpose. Something he has to work on.

Class of 1990

After 25+ years in banking IT, LYNNE DOMECK PHILLIPS (BS 1990) finally found her dream job! She is now co-owner of WordsWorth Books, an independent bookstore in Little Rock that has been in business for over 30 years.

With daughters all educated and out of the house, GEORGE HANSEN (MSIA 1990) is enjoying a second career in golf software as VP of Business Development for Golf Genius. He and Amanda have had lots of fun keeping up with some of their friends from GSIA.

SETH HERZ (BS 1990) returned to Pittsburgh to participate in the National Senior Games. Using buggy runner five speed, he earned seventh place for his age group in the 50m dash. While in town, he and his wife Laura enjoyed visits to Squirrel Hill, Shadyside, Primanti Brothers, and campus. Seth has focused the last 15 years of his career on technology in education as well as managing the development of online curriculum for K – 8 students at K12, Inc. to more recently working at College Board, managing the online assessment platforms for ACCUPLACER and CLEP exams, helping students save money and get their degree faster.

Class of 1992

After 31 continuous years with Wells Fargo, RYAN BAUM (MSIA 1992) retired in January of 2023. Most of his career was spent in corporate and division finance positions where he worked on acquisitions, capital allocation, legal entity structure, internal transfer pricing, and process streamlining. He then immediately joined as Consignment Director at World Banknote Auctions, a firm which specializes in auctioning collectible banknotes. In addition to working with customers and interested parties, he is assisting in standardizing the firm’s operating and accounting procedures. In his parallel Navy Supply Corps career, he assumed command of the Fleet Logistics Center San Diego’s Reserve Unit in late January of 2023. In this role, he participates in planning and preparedness exercises for logistics across the Pacific.

Class of 1993

TERREL DEAN LEFFERTS (BS 1993) turned author/publisher during the pandemic. Her company, Once Upon a Dance, boasts 28 movement-based books ranging from whimsical act-along stories to ballet deep dives. Check out what Terrel and her daughter have created. Up next is a CMU story and she’d love to hire an alum to illustrate. Look for Once Upon a Dance on all the social media platforms.

TIM DEAN (MSIA 1993) has relocated Down Under to rejoin Pittsburgh-based Development Dimensions International (DDI) in their Melbourne, Australia office as a Management Consultant. For the last ten years, he was running an international professional coaching practice when this once-in-a-lifetime career opportunity surfaced last fall. Open invitation to fellow Tepper School alum visiting or relocating to “Oz.” G’day, mates!

Class of 1995

SATOSHI HIROSE (MSIA 1995) has been appointed as Dean of the Graduate School of Management, GLOBIS University’s International MBA Program. GLOBIS is the largest MBA school in Japan, currently holding 40% of the market share in Japan.

Class of 1996

CELESTE ACKERT (Nee Bounds) (BS 1996) CFO of Fairmarkit was featured in Forbes magazine. 

Class of 1997 

As of April 2022, MEHMET DEMIR (MSIA 1997) was appointed the CFO for global Supply Chain Operations of Coty Inc, responsible for all procurement, manufacturing, logistics, inventory, and capex spending.

RICH OPRISON (MSIA 1997) recently joined warehowz.com as their Chief Revenue Officer. Warehowz.com can best be described “like AirBnB but for warehouse space.” It is now the largest marketplace in the U.S. and Canada for finding on demand warehouse space, with over 2,600 warehouses using the platform to list their available space for short and longer term leases. Unlike commercial real estate websites, warehowz allows the shipper to submit their warehouse requirements and receive quotes within 48 hours. Current customers include Starbucks, Estes, JB Hunt, and other managed logistics 3PL’s and brand name shippers.

Class of 1998

GREG BELZER (MSIA 1998) began a new position as Treasurer of Netflix in May 2023.

Twenty-nine years after he began his incredible adventure at CMU, DAVE CRANDALL (BS 1998), pictured to the left, is excited to announce his oldest son will be starting his own CMU journey! Dave looks forward to visiting more often and continuing his engagement with alumni, staff, and current students. 

ROBIN GUSEMAN HEATH (BS 1998) married Joseph Heath in April 2022.  

Class of 1999 

JOEL MITTELMAN (MSIA 1999) is managing an independent RIA firm focused on wealth management services for high-net-worth client families. Joel CFA, CFP, CPA was recently named to AdvisorHub’s top 100 Advisors to Watch list. Living in Andover, MA with his wife, Beth, of 26 years and three teenage children, Joel invites anyone who finds themselves in the greater Boston area to reach out at Joel@MWMFamilyOffice.com. Otherwise, he and Beth look forward to seeing everyone next year in Pittsburgh at their 25th year reunion!

Class of 2000

JONATHAN BERRY (MSIA 2000) was recently appointed UK’s first government minister for AI. 

Business Insurance magazine has recognized WILLIAM CAREY (MSIA 2000) with a 2023 Innovation Award. Bill has been working with Liberty Mutual’s largest clients since 2016 using predictive analytics to identify key drivers of accidents and injuries, and launched the Advanced Predictive Analytics Consulting product in 2022.

TOMIO INOMATA (BS/MCS 1989, MSIA 2000) joined Morgan Stanley in April of 2022 in their Alpharetta, GA office as an Executive Director of HR Solutions. As Product Owner, he leads their HR Technology strategy and operations for core Human Capital Management (HCM) for their 120k+ workers globally. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Tomio held a similar role at The Coca-Cola Company where he implemented and operated Workday from 2015 – 2019 and then left to serve as an independent consultant to help Chick-fil-A, Jimmy Johns, and Dunkin implement Workday. Tomio and his wife Colette just celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary and saw their oldest of three children, Felicia, get married last year.

During the Spring of 2022, F. DALE ODIM (MSIA 2000) retired as a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty and as the Men’s Soccer Coach at Penn State Greater Allegheny. He took a well-deserved break to marry his Sweetie, Rebecca. In December, he moved from Pittsburgh to be with her in Great Britain. Now settled, he has joined Coldwell Banker Realty Referral Network as a Real Estate Referral Agent. If you know anyone looking to buy or sell property anywhere in North America, the United Kingdom, Europe, or Asia, Dale can connect them with an excellent Coldwell Banker Real Estate Agent with expertise in their local area of interest. He is looking forward to seeing everyone at the 25th Class Reunion in 2025. Cheers!

Class of 2001

Class of 2002 

GREG THOMPSON (MBA 2002) started a new role as Head of Operations of Parametric LP. 

Class of 2003 

MICHAEL GOLDEN (MBA 2003) joined S&T Bank as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, effective July 24, 2023. Golden oversees the functional activities in support of the Bank’s strategic objectives, ensuring proper operational controls, administrative practices, systems, and customer solutions are in place to effectively grow the organization and maximize operating efficiency. He also serves as a member of the senior leadership team. Golden has spent the majority of his 26-year professional career in the banking industry, most recently serving as head of digital and business technology at PNC Bank where he led the development and execution of key objectives including digital transformation and reorganization of business technology strategy and product development for PNC’s asset management group.

On June 17, SCOTT HACKLER (MBA 2003) married a sweetheart of a psychotherapist named Diana Hardy at Saint Patrick Cathedral in Fort Worth, Texas. Scott has lived in Fort Worth for sixteen years, and they now call the city home. In 2014, Scott founded and continues to manage food manufacturer Halo del Santo, maker of cocktail garnish and Mexican-style lollipops. This fall, he began his second year at Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University, where he’s preparing to become a pastor in the United Methodist Church.

SMITHA MURTHY (MBA 2003) recently took on the role of CEO for cybersecurity startup, Beagle Security — look us up online — would love to spread the word and grow our company! 

Class of 2004 

AMAR KAPADIA (MBA 2004)* recently joined Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) as a Managing Director in Chicago, where he is responsible for leading the firm’s service offerings in Healthcare & Life Sciences. 

Class of 2005

DOUG DENT (MBA 2005) started a new career path as Chief Revenue Officer at Gray Falkon—a small and growing technology company that helps brands in the e-commerce space.

JASON LAMBERT (MBA 2005) joined L3Harris in 2022 and was recently promoted to Vice President, Operations for the $6B Space & Airborne Systems business.

Class of 2006 

JULIE QIU (BS 2006) recently launched a new organization called the Oyster Master Guild, which strives to advance oyster appreciation and oyster service standards worldwide through education, certification, and community. Oysters are an important blue food source with many cultural, nutritional, and sustainability benefits. Today, over 95% of the world’s oysters are farmed and demand is growing worldwide. Promoting positive and informed oyster experiences not only supports the resiliency and development of this industry, it enables consumers to truly understand the value they are getting.

CHRISTOPHER TAYLOR (MBA 2006) recently joined Amazon Web Services (AWS) as a Principal Financial Services Industry Specialist, helping customers realize the full business value of their cloud investments. Chris serves as a trusted advisor to his customers, drawing on his 15 years of Financial Services experience in technology.

Class of 2007

It is with great sadness we report that ANTHONY J. (AJ) SESSA (MBA 2007) passed away on August 2, 2023. AJ was the husband of classmate LETITIA MIDMORE (MBA 2007) and they have two daughters. 

Class of 2008

MERCEDES HARRIS (MBA 2008) joined Amazon Web Services for Energy Professional Services team as an Enterprise Services Manager. Mercedes supports global energy customers through technology consultancy for energy optimization and sustainability.

Class of 2010

MICAH KEITH (MBA 2010) started his own consulting firm, MPk Consulting, LLC where he continues to serve and help grow consumer packaged goods brands.

STUTI SUREKA (MBA 2010) started a new job at Informatica as Senior Director, Strategic Cloud Ecosystems focusing on the AWS partnership.

Class of 2011

SARAH JORDAN (MBA 2011) and her 3D printing startup company, Skuld, were accepted to Oak Ridge National Lab’s Innovation Crossroads, a DOE Lab Embedded Entrepreneur Program, and the Spark Cleantech Accelerator.

Class of 2013 

In August of 2022, ERIK THOMPSON (MBA 2013) founded Resolve Ventures and acquired a metal fabrication business, C R Industries, in Milwaukee Wisconsin. Erik will own and operate this business with his partner, Rich Ballenger, who has an MBA from Harvard University. The transaction was funded through Old National Bank and the SBA utilizing SBA 504 and 7A loans along with a capital injection from one outside investor.

Class of 2014

SAISWAROOP BODDUPALLI (MBA 2014) has a new role as Group Product Manager at Atlassian. Sai will be leading a talented team of product managers in building and scaling solutions that help move Atlassian’s customers from on-premises to Cloud.

MATTHEW CHAPMAN (MBA 2014) was promoted to Director of Boeing Programs at Collins Aerospace after working as the Chief of Staff to the Collins Aerospace Aerostructures Division President. He and his wife, Courtney Chapman (MPM/HC 2017), have been splitting their time between San Diego and Pittsburgh. Their amazing rescue dog will become a big sister as they are expecting their first child in January 2024!

Class of 2015

In May of 2023, AMANDA HAZER (MBA 2015) launched her own company —Amanda Hazer Consulting where she is pivoting from 12 years of healthcare experience into the world of women’s sports. The majority of her functional expertise includes assessing areas of opportunities, developing, and implementing programs to enable and encourage behavior changes in target audiences and analyzing the impact of those programs. Amanda decided to apply these skills in a new way to support women athletes as they think about and walk into the next chapter of their careers. Currently, her services include private coaching, group or team workshops as well as strategic partnerships with organizations in the sports space. She is thrilled to be combining her expertise in an area she is so passionate about—SPORTS!

NINA PATEL (MBA 2015) recently relocated to Las Vegas and has started a new venture as a Leadership Coach. She is working with leaders who are seeking to make a shifts in their role, career, and overall leadership trajectory and enjoys being part of their journey.

In July 2023, CANDACE BLUST (MSIA 1995), JEFFREY DIEHL (MBA 2007), NATHAN WEAVER (MBA 2017), and Nina held the first Las Vegas Alumni BBQ. If you are in Las Vegas, let them know so they can grow their local chapter.

Class of 2016 

LAUREN MATURO (BS 2016) is VP of Marketing at RXR, leading a women’s initiative for the company.

Class of 2017 

JAMES ARRIOLA (BS/DC 2017) married Jenna Isabella Colin (now Colin-Arriola). He is a Finance Manager at POWER Engineers, holds his PMP, and is currently in an MBA program. James and Jenna reside in San Diego, CA.

Class of 2018 

DOMENICO BARBIERI (BS/DC 2018) is starting his MBA at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth in August with a substantial scholarship! In addition to going to Dartmouth for his MBA, he has been selected as a Toigo Scholar, a Hispanic Scholarship Fund Fellow, and a member of the Consortium. Domenico is very excited for this next step in his professional and personal life, and says he could not have done it without the experience he had as an undergraduate at CMU! “My heart is still in the work.”

ASHLEY WANG (BA/MCS 2018, BS 2018) graduated from the Stritch School of Medicine at Loyola University. This past month she began her general surgery residency in Southern California.

Class of 2019 

TIMOTHY MON (MBA 2019, MSE/CS 2019) recently joined Wayfair as a Product Manager in Boston, MA.

ANDREW WORD (MBA 2019) is happy to announce that he has joined McKesson Corporation as a Six Sigma Business Process Consultant. 

Class of 2020 

DAVID BAARS (MBA 2020) started a new role as Sr. Director, Global Programs at Gympass. Gympass is a wellness engagement platform and unicorn startup, founded in Brazil. Gympass’s global HQ is in New York City and David will be based remotely in the Bay Area.

Class of 2023 

MICHELLE FREMUTH (MBA 2023) started a new job as Director of Process Excellence/Business Operations at Coursera.

GREG VALLANO (MBA 2023) is happy to share that he has been promoted to Director of Finance at UPMC. He has spent his whole career (eight years) at UPMC and also recently graduated from the Tepper School’s part-time MBA program in May of 2023. Greg is thrilled to have such a robust career so far at the organization and also be promoted so shortly after graduation.

Abbreviation Key

AB Alumni Board BSIA Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management IWM International Wealth Management MBA Master of Business Administration MSCF Master of Science in CF Computational Finance MSEC Master of Science in EC Electronic Commerce MSIA Master of Science in Industrial Administration MSQE Master of Science in Quantitative Economics PFE Program for Executives (Executive Education) Ph.D. Doctor of Philosophy, *W.L. Mellon Society Members 

Carnegie Mellon University College Codes

A College of Fine Arts CS Computer Science DC Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences E College of Engineering HC H. John Heinz III College (Public Policy & Information Systems) S Mellon College of Science