2019 Award Recipients
Alumni and friends of the college will be honored for their outstanding professional and service accomplishments during Homecoming week. These individuals serve as a representation of the values of the Haworth College of Business and as an inspiration and example to our students.
Many of this year's recipients will be on campus for an all-college awards ceremony, which will take place on Oct. 11 at 4 p.m. in 2150 Schneider Hall. To RSVP, contact Kim Crandall: (269) 387-5964 | Email Kim Crandall.
WMU Distinguished Alumni Award
President and CEO
Flagstar Bank
Since 2013, Alessandro DiNello has served as president and CEO of Flagstar Bank and Flagstar Bancorp. Prior to his current position, he was president and chief administrative officer, and for several years, he served as executive vice president of retail banking. As CEO, he has played a critical role in strengthening the bank's risk management, compliance and quality control. Under his leadership, Flagstar has produced consistent, diversified earnings.
Haworth College of Business Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award
Professor, Ivy Chair in Business
Iowa State University
Since 2017, Patricia Daugherty has served as a professor of supply chain management and the Ivy chair in business at Iowa State University. Prior to her current position, she held the Bowersox-Thull chair in logistics and supply chain management at Michigan State University and served as a division director and Siegfried chair in marketing and supply chain management at the University of Oklahoma. She has also been a faculty member at the University of Georgia and was an instructor of marketing at Western Michigan University.
President and Founder
Jay A. Fishman, Ltd.
Jay Fishman founded Jay A. Fishman, Ltd., in 1970. Since then, Fishman has engaged in investment research, portfolio management and client relations. Jay A. Fishman, Ltd., serves as investment counsel to high net worth individuals, 401k employee benefit plans and charitable trusts. The company serves clients in 17 states, as well as a charitable trust in the United Kingdom.
Founder and CEO
Harmony Dental Partners
Michael Howell is a serial entrepreneur and senior executive with investment and management experience. He currently serves as the CEO of Harmony Dental Partners, a company that owns and operates family dental practices in Arizona.
Emerging Leader Alumni Award
CX Strategy Leader
PNC Bank
David Flickinger joined PNC Bank in 2005, entering the company as a consumer credit card service consultant, Flickinger held front line roles as a sales consultant, then transitioned to leadership roles in consumer and business banking. He currently serves as a CX strategy leader. In this role, he serves as the customer’s voice as it relates to the needs of servicing capabilities for more than 20,000 retail distribution employees.
Program Manager, Employee Experiences
Microsoft
Elizabeth Gartner had the opportunity to work in a variety of both private and public businesses. Previously serving as a learning and development program intern at Microsoft, she later joined the company as a business analyst for global human resource operations in 2012. During her time at Microsoft, she has collaborated with globally diverse teammates, supported a corporate vice president with a growing 500-person team, onboarded a new service center in Mexico City, Mexico, and built an employee experience strategy for the 125,000-person company.
Department of Accountancy Outstanding Alumni Award
Principal
KPMG Valuation Services
Bradley Hirsch currently serves as a principal within KPMG’s Valuation Practice where he is responsible for valuations of businesses, business interests, various classes of capital structure and intangible assets. With more than 16 years of experience in performing business enterprise valuations, he helps clients navigate the complexity of valuation for financial reporting, tax and strategic advisory purposes. He has led valuation engagements for many multibillion-dollar transactions.
Department of Business Information Systems Outstanding Alumni Award
Vice President, Security Risk Management, Global Customer Support Services
Oracle Corporation
In his role as vice president, security risk management, global customer support services at the Oracle Corporation, Brennan Baybeck leads a global team that addresses IT security risk management for one of the largest lines of business at the company. He is responsible for leading security, privacy and availability for customer-facing services, as well as global IT’s key enterprise IT services, including cloud initiatives.
Department of Finance and Commercial Law Outstanding Alumni Award
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
ITC Holdings Corp.
Gretchen Holloway is senior vice president, chief financial officer for ITC Holdings Corp. In her role, Holloway is responsible for the company's accounting, internal audit, treasury, financial planning and analysis, management reporting, risk management, and tax functions. She also heads the company’s new business development efforts.
Department of Management Outstanding Alumni Award
Vice President, North American Human Resources
Gordon Food Service
Shaquanda Gordon is responsible for the strategic planning and senior leadership of North American human resources for Gordon Food Service, a multibillion-dollar, privately held, and family managed food service distribution company. In this role, she oversees home office employees, human resource compliance, recruiting, and the company’s diversity and inclusion program.
Department of Marketing Hall of Fame Award
President and CEO
Citizens First Savings Bank
CF Bancorp
Marshall Campbell was named president and CEO of Citizens First Savings Bank and CF Bancorp beginning in 2000, until his retirement in 2010. Before joining the company, Campbell served for 25 years at the Marshall E. Campbell Company, a fourth generation family owned wholesale distribution business founded in 1932. The company is located in Port Huron, Michigan.
Food and Consumer Package Goods Marketing Outstanding Alumni Award
President
Jewel-Osco
Doug Cygan was admired for his ambition, which took him from an entry-level job to the helm of the Chicago-based retail chain, Jewel-Osco. Cygan spent 38 years with the company and served in a variety of operational roles and marketing and merchandising positions, including store director, marketing director and vice president of marketing and merchandising, culminating with his promotion to president of Jewel-Osco in 2017.
Food and Consumer Package Goods Marketing Adrian Trimpe Service Award
Executive Vice President, Strategic Initiatives
SpartanNash
In 2008, Larry Pierce joined the SpartanNash team as vice president, center store merchandising. By 2014, he served as the executive vice president, merchandising and marketing for the company. In 2019, Pierce was named executive vice president of strategic initiatives.
WMU ROTC Wall of Fame Award
U.S. Army Reserve (retired)
Colonel Alan Meyer, received his commission as a Second Lieutenant from Western Michigan University in 1988. He served in the Michigan National Guard, attended Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Ranger School, and Special Forces Qualification Course, earning his green beret. He was deployed multiple times in Bosnia, Eastern Europe and Iraq. Meyer's multiple military awards include the Legion of Merit, Soldiers Medal, Bronze Star Medal and Meritorious Service medal, among others. Meyer left active duty in 1998, received his Ph.D. in history from the University of Delaware and is an associate professor of history at Auburn University.