2026 Award Recipients

Daniel DeRyke, B.B.A.’79
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Bouma Corporation (retired)

Dan DeRyke is the retired CEO and former majority owner of Bouma Corporation, a highly respected commercial construction company with a national reputation for its skilled workforce, quality construction and professionalism. 

In his 30 years at Bouma, DeRyke was first the CFO for the family-owned business; then in 2012, he became president and shareholder, entrusted to uphold the company’s legacy and family-oriented culture. During his years at Bouma, he provided critical strategic planning and financial leadership as the company added significant new business divisions and weathered the global financial crisis of 2008 to 2009. 

Notably, Bouma has worked on many projects for WMU including the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Arcadia Flats and Heritage Hall. 

Prior to joining Bouma, DeRyke was a CPA for nine years, specializing in audit and business consulting, first with Touche Ross (now Deloitte) and then with Crowe. He then served as financial controller and CFO for two manufacturing companies; at one, he assisted with an initial public offering and a secondary public offering.

Throughout his career, DeRyke developed a reputation for excellent business leadership and financial management paired with a passion for taking care of his employees. 

He has been active on multiple WMU committees, currently serving on the Dean’s Advisory Council for the Haworth College of Business. He also has served on the boards of multiple nonprofit organizations in Grand Rapids.

His love for WMU continued to grow when two of his sons, Brad, B.B.A.’10 and Ben, B.B.A.’16, B.A.’16, graduated from WMU Haworth.

Tanya Thompson, B.B.A.’15, MBA’20
Founder and Chief Smelly Officer, The Aroma Labs 

Tanya Thompson is the founder and chief smelly officer of The Aroma Labs, an experiential fragrance retail brand built on the belief that wellness and self-expression are inseparable. With the tagline "Be well, smell good!™," the business has grown from a basement operation in Kalamazoo, Michigan, into a multi-state retail brand with seven locations across Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Tennessee—and counting.

Thompson launched The Aroma Labs through pop-ups and ticketed events before pivoting to business-to-business corporate gifting during the pandemic, a strategic move that funded The Aroma Labs’ first brick-and-mortar location in 2021. She built the brand for seven years before paying herself, a testament to her long-game approach to entrepreneurship. Today, The Aroma Labs employs more than 40 team members called "Aroma Tenders," and the Kalamazoo flagship has earned nearly 1,000 five-star reviews.

Thompson is a recipient of a State of Michigan award for excellence as a woman-owned small business and was named a 2026 honoree of WMU Haworth’s The 30. She is also an alumna of the American Leadership Academy, where she deepened her practice in emotional intelligence and values-based leadership.

A sought-after speaker, Thompson shares her story through keynote addresses on entrepreneurship, self-love, grit and integrity, drawing from the lived experience of building something real from the ground up. She is currently expanding her business into new markets while continuing to lead her team with the same presence and purpose that started it all.

Hitesh Shah, B.S.’87
Growth Director, RSM

Hitesh Shah has more than 30 years of experience spanning startup through venture financing and eventual merger and acquisition exits in multiple high-technology companies. He has in-depth experience in people management, finance, venture capital, business development, product management, business planning and customer service. 

Shah has served in multiple executive roles as CFO, COO and CEO. Prior to joining RSM, he was director of business development at BDO for 12 years. Before his career in public accounting, he was the COO at Solum funded by Andreessen Horowitz, Khosla Ventures and Google, and later acquired by Monsanto. Shah also served as CEO and COO at Fat Spaniel Technologies, acquired by Power-One, and as CFO at iPolicy Networks, acquired by Tech Mahindra in India.

He currently serves on the Executive Leadership Council of Parents Helping Parents, an organization with a mission to empower families to build bright futures for children and adults with special needs. He also serves on the board of directors of Human Needs Project, an organization focused on alleviating poverty, and on the board of Conscious Capitalism Inc., which aims to elevate humanity through business.

Chase Chamberlin, B.B.A.’12
Co-founder, Commonwealth 

Chase Chamberlin is an entrepreneur, executive and lifelong equestrian, notably serving as captain of the WMU Equestrian Team while at Western.

He is the co-founder and former CEO of Commonwealth, an innovative sports investment platform that reimagined how fans participate in Thoroughbred racing. Under his leadership, Commonwealth attracted millions of dollars in investment from racing fans around the world and returned millions of dollars in winnings and distributions through its groundbreaking ownership model. 

The company was featured by TechCrunch, Fast Company, The New York Times and NBC Sports. Commonwealth offerings were part of ownership groups behind victories in the 2023 Kentucky Derby and the $12 million Dubai World Cup, while also campaigning runners in the $20 million Saudi Cup, Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes and Breeders' Cup. Commonwealth has risen to become one of the most successful public syndicates in the world, demonstrating that an innovative ownership model could compete at the highest levels of one of the world's oldest sports. 

Prior to Commonwealth, Chamberlin built a career spanning construction, healthcare and advertising. He now works at the intersection of business strategy, healthcare and emerging technologies, focused on advancing solutions that aim to revolutionize healthcare by transforming the consumer healthcare journey and improving access to care. 

Outside of business, he remains an accomplished equestrian, earning multiple national championships, maintaining an active role in the racing industry and operating his own Thoroughbred racing stable. He and his wife, Juliette, live in Austin, Texas, with their two dogs and a growing herd of horses. 

Kelly Darling, B.B.A.’16, B.S.’16, MBA’24
Senior Enterprise Account Manager, Lob

Kelly Darling has built a successful career in enterprise account management, business strategy and customer success across the logistics, operations and software as a service industry. Darling has led multimillion-dollar client portfolios, driven organizational growth and developed trusted partnerships by combining strategic thinking with a people-first approach. Her performance and leadership have been recognized through multiple honors, including two President's Club awards during her career. She is currently a senior enterprise account manager at Lob, where she works in logistics with a focus on direct mail marketing.

Darling's impact extends beyond the workplace through her dedication to professional development, mentorship and community engagement. She is an active member of the National Black MBA Association and the Junior League of Chicago and has served in leadership roles in National Sales Network Chicago. Her contributions have been recognized with the National Sales Network Team Impact Award in 2024 and the WMU Family and Consumer Sciences Wavemaker Award in 2025. In 2023, she was recognized as one of The 30 by WMU Haworth, an honor recognizing recent alumni who are making meaningful contributions in their careers and communities.

Darling believes leadership is measured not only by professional achievement but also by positive impact on others. She is passionate about mentoring emerging professionals, advancing opportunities for underrepresented communities and helping individuals build confidence and reach their full potential. As a proud Bronco, she continues to exemplify WMU’s values of leadership, service and lifelong learning while making meaningful contributions to her profession and community.

 

DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTANCY OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARD

Doug Havera, B.B.A.’90
Partner, BDO 

Doug Havera began his career at BDO as an audit staff member in July of 1990 after graduating from WMU’s Haworth College of Business. He has spent his entire career in the Kalamazoo office of BDO, which employees 40 professionals and is located in the Globe Building in downtown Kalamazoo. 

Havera has been an audit partner at BDO since 2004. During his career at BDO, Havera has worked on public, private and foreign-owned entities in a wide range of industries. Additionally, he has served many nonprofit and government clients. Approximately 20 years ago, he began working with tribal and commercial casinos and other tribal entities, including economic development authorities. 

He has served on the WMU Department of Accountancy Advisory Council since 2005 and is a member of the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Construction Financial Managers Association. He is currently the secretary of the Indian Lake Association.

Havera’s wife, Jodi, also graduated from Western in 1997 with a degree in accountancy and is the CFO at Landscape Forms Inc. in Kalamazoo. They have three daughters and one son-in-law.   

In his free time, Havera enjoys boating, fishing, hunting, golf and traveling, as well as being on the lake with his family

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEMS OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARD

Sky Perry, B.B.A.’07
Vice President of Cybersecurity, Citibank

With 23 years of experience in information technology, including 17 years in IT management, Sky Perry has built a career spanning a range of industries, including retail, professional services, manufacturing, distribution, hospitality and financial services.

As vice president of cybersecurity at Citibank, he leads vendor management within the global identity and access management space, navigating contract negotiations, compliance oversight and risk controls across a complex web of vendor relationships. He also drives vulnerability remediation efforts to maintain regulatory compliance and align security practices with the organization's risk appetite. Prior to Citibank, he served as director of technology services for The Melting Pot Restaurants where he owned the company's cybersecurity posture, regulatory compliance, IT infrastructure and disaster recovery, while also managing everything from point-of-sale systems to the technology budget.

Perry’s career began at a small grocery store chain where he started as a helpdesk technician. Within a year, he was promoted to IT manager, directing the company's infrastructure, systems, compliance initiatives, technology projects and strategic direction. A few years later, the company's parent organization, United Natural Foods Inc., brought Perry into its distribution centers where he contributed to major supply chain software integration projects.

What Perry took from WMU wasn't just a degree, it was a way of thinking. His ability to see technology and business not as separate disciplines but as deeply interconnected forces has become the defining edge of his career. It's what allows him to bridge the gap between technical complexity and strategic vision, propelling entire organizations forward.

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND COMMERCIAL LAW OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARD

Jon Melges, B.B.A.’99
Senior Vice President of Investments and Managing Director, Raymond James

Before graduating from WMU, Jon Melges briefly attended Hope College and then joined the military where he participated in two combat tours. He was a Dragon gunner in a Seaport of Debarkation unit for his first tour and then served as part of a sniper team attached to the CIA for remote site operation in Honduras.  

After the military, he attended WMU Haworth and double majored in finance and accountancy, earning honors. He started his professional career with Plante Moran on the firm’s audit and tax teams. He then switched paths and went into the financial services industry, eventually rising to his current position as senior vice president of investments and managing director at Raymond James.

During his career, Melges has expanded his capabilities by earning many professional designations, including Accredited Asset Management Specialist℠, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠ and Chartered Mutual Fund Counselor℠ and the Retirement Income Certified Professional®. He also completed the Securities Industry Institute through The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and completed the coursework in preferred portfolio management. 

Melges was one of 15 investment advisors in the nation selected for Legg Mason’s Client Solutions Advisory Council and served in that capacity for many years. He was also ranked fifth in the nation by On Wall Street for advisors under the age of 40. 

Melges lives in Battle Creek with his wife Sandra. They have two children, both of whom are college students, Freddy, who is studying genetic engineering, and Gabby, who is studying to be a nurse anesthetist.

DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARD

Trish Smith, B.B.A.’11
Vice President of People Experience and Support, Rocket

As the vice president of people experience and support at Rocket, Trish Smith leads Team Relations, Leave of Absence, and People Operations Support, focusing on creating safe, inclusive and engaging environments where team members can thrive. She is a champion of organizational culture, passionate about developing policies and practices that protect and elevate the team member experience.

Since joining Rocket in 2014, her dedication to fostering a positive work environment and commitment to team member well-being have made Smith an indispensable leader. She previously served as human resource generalist at International Paper where her role included new hire onboarding, labor relations and employee engagement initiatives.

Smith earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resource Management from Western Michigan University’s Haworth College of Business, spending time as a board member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) student chapter—the Society for Excellence in Human Resources. She also worked in the Zhang Career Center as a peer educator during her college years.

Smith has earned the SHRM Senior Certified Professional credential.

DEPARTMENT OF MARKETING OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARD

Alexi Mavrellis, B.B.A.’04
Managing Director and Market Leader, West Region, TIAA

As managing director and market leader in TIAA's West Region, Alexi Mavrellis is responsible for the firm's retirement solutions business across 11 western and mountain states. He partners with the higher education, research, medical and cultural institutions at the heart of TIAA's mission, leading integrated, cross-functional teams that deliver on both institutional priorities and long-term business growth.

Notably, Mavrellis led TIAA's historic $8.5 billion mappable win, the largest competitive record keeping mandate in the firm's 108-year history. He built and executed the strategy that secured retirement assets for TIAA, cementing a flagship relationship in the Pacific Northwest and setting a benchmark for incumbent defense across the industry.

His career spans two decades across wealth management, advisory leadership and institutional retirement. Prior to his current role, Mavrellis served as director of wealth management at TIAA, leading a team of more than 78 advisors and support staff across the firm's San Francisco, Oakland and Palo Alto branches. He joined TIAA in 2018 following a six-year tenure at TD Ameritrade, where he procured over $700 million in new gross assets and earned three President’s Club honors, progressing in managerial responsibility while at the firm. He began his career as a financial advisor at Edward Jones.

Grounded in a conviction that retirement security is a cause worth fighting for, Mavrellis brings a builder's mindset to every client relationship—translating institutional complexity into clear strategy and durable outcomes.

Lily Mavrellis, B.B.A.’04
Vice President of Sales, Northern California Division, PulteGroup

A seasoned sales executive with more than 20 years of experience in the homebuilding industry, Lily Mavrellis serves as vice president of sales for PulteGroup’s Northern California Division. Throughout her career, she has had a passion for building high-performing teams, developing leaders and creating exceptional customer experiences while consistently driving strong sales performance and operational excellence.

Her leadership style centers on authenticity, accountability and collaboration, with an emphasis on investing in people, fostering trust and empowering teams to achieve great results. That leadership philosophy has helped Mavrellis lead diverse sales teams through changing market conditions, strategic growth initiatives, recruiting and talent development, pricing strategies, marketing partnerships and organizational transformation. 

Beyond sales performance, she is deeply committed to improving the homebuying experience for customers and strengthening relationships with industry peers, internal stakeholders and community teams. 

Mavrellis’ personal journey, which has involved overcoming significant health challenges, has strengthened her resilience, deepened her empathy and reinforced the importance of leading with compassion and purpose. These experiences have influenced her approach to helping others navigate challenges with confidence and optimism.

As a lifelong learner, Mavrellis continually seeks opportunities to grow as a leader and contribute at a higher level. She values meaningful relationships, strategic thinking and creating lasting impact through service and leadership. She is energized by collaborating with professionals who share a passion for innovation, excellence and making a positive difference in their organizations and communities.

WMU ROTC WALL OF FAME AWARD

Greg Thayer, B.A.’95
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army (retired)

Lieutenant Colonel Greg Thayer enlisted in the Army at 17. After graduating from Lakeview High School in 1985, he completed Basic and Advanced Infantry Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He served in the 2nd and 24th Infantry Divisions as an Anti-Tank Gunner, Squad Leader and NBC NCO.

Commissioned through WMU Army ROTC in 1995, LTC Thayer completed the Quartermaster Officer Basic Course and was assigned to the 528th Special Operations Support Battalion (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina, serving as a Platoon Leader and Executive Officer.

He later served with 1^st Brigade, 1st Armored Division, in Germany as an Operations Officer, Company Commander, and Area Support Team Commander. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, he deployed as Brigade Logistics Officer Forward and later returned to Iraq as an advisor to the Iraqi Army's 2nd Motorized Transportation Regiment.

Following graduation from the Command and General Staff College, LTC Thayer served as Senior Logistics Advisor to the Saudi Arabian National Guard, Battalion Executive Officer with the 166th Aviation Brigade and chair of Military Science at Central Michigan University. He later served as J-4, Joint Task Force Bravo, Honduras, directing logistics for humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and counter-transnational organized crime operations throughout Central America. His final assignments were Chief of the Material Readiness Division, Army Sustainment Command, Rock Island Arsenal, and Depot Director, 10th Ammunition Depot, Kure, Japan, where he served until retiring in August 2020.

LTC Thayer’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (5th award), Joint Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3rd award), Army Achievement Medal (6th award), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Iraqi Campaign Medal (2 campaign stars), Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 5, Joint Meritorious Unit Award (2nd award), Army Superior Unit Award (2nd award), Combat Action Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Parachute Rigger Badge and parachutist wings from Thailand and Australia.