Alumni Profiles

Joyce graduated from Michigan Tech in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration-Industrial Management. She began her career at American Can and moved on to Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation in Spokane, WA. In 1981, she was the foreman of the company’s Trentwood Works Division. She then accepted a position with Kimberly-Clark Corporation where she remains today. During her 22 years with K-C she has held various manufacturing positions with Infant Care, Tissues, Adult Care, Wet Wipes, Nonwovens, and Technical Paper Businesses. She is currently at her fifth K-C location, serving as the Product Supply Director for the company’s Business-to-Business Group in Roswell, Georgia. While a student at Michigan Tech, she was a member of the Black Student Association . . .

Jim Anttonen ’65 became a pioneer in environmentally sustainable construction long before the term "sustainable" became a household word. In 1985, Anttonen launched ARS Denver Inc. with his partner, Kim Haarberg. The Colorado-based corporation has grown to become one of the top firms in the country specializing in soil stabilization and asphalt reclamation. Using methods that are friendly to the environment, including the grinding and repurposing of existing asphalt, ARS Denver prepares roadways and other thoroughfares to be paved. "We were one of the companies that pioneered full-depth asphalt reclamation in this part of the country," said Anttonen. The green practices that helped cement ARS Denver’s success don’t just preserve the environment. Sustainable measures reduce . . .

Pamela received her Associates in Applied Science Degree for Civil Engineering Technology in 1979 and in 1981received her Bachelor's of Science Degree in Industrial Management at Michigan Tech. She then went on to Aquinas College to earn her Masters of Management degree in 1992. She is currently a Senior Industrial Engineer at Delphi Energy and Engine Management Systems for General Motors Corporation. She is a member of the Michigan Tech Sports Hall of Fame for Women's Basketball. From the 1996 Presidential Council of Alumnae Induction

Tina graduated from Michigan Tech in 1980 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration/Accounting. Following graduation she sat for and passed the Certified Public Accounting (CPA) exam. In 1981, she began her accounting career accepting a position with Deloitte Haskins & Sells in Minneapolis, MN, and in 1983 she went to work for Celanese Corporation in New York. She returned to the Twin Cities in 1985 as a Financial Planner for the Military Avionics Division of Honeywell Inc. She left Honeywell in 1989 and began a long relationship with Hoeschst Celanese Corporation. She has held various positions within the company over the years including Accounting Manager, Manager - Financial Re-engineering, Finance Manager of the company’s Trevira Division, and Chief Financial . . .

Donna graduated from Michigan Tech in 1982 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She immediately joined IBM, and remains with the company today. She has enjoyed a diverse career in the financial sector of the organization with international responsibilities, significant corporate scope and external customer relationships. She is currently Chief Financial Officer, Global Financing-Americas, responsible for the financial operations and results of the financing side of IBM. Prior to her current role, she was Executive Director, Internal Audit, managing the international audit organization which covers the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific for hardware, software, supply chain, and sales and distribution. In addition, she was responsible for coordinating and consolidating . . .

John Benaglio is a leader in industry and has earned worldwide stature. Benaglio is the Chairman of the Group Executive Committee and General Partner of the German-based Heitkamp & Thumann Group, which owns twenty-three companies in the metal and plastic-forming industries, as well as battery components. The firm has operations in Europe, Asia Pacific, and North America. Benaglio has worked in Hong Kong and Singapore, and he is currently living in Dusseldorf, Germany, where the firm is headquartered. In his sojourns around the world, he has been a wonderful ambassador of Michigan Tech. He is appreciative of his Tech education, and the University appreciates his abiding support and guidance. He says, "It was Michigan Tech that showed me the benefit of hard work, developed my strength of . . .

After graduating from Michigan Tech in 1974, a fortunate incident altered the trajectory of Dave Bernard’s career before it started. "I was set to interview with the accounting department at Kimberly-Clark," he says, "and just three days before, they called to say the position was filled, but they could offer me a spot as a tax analyst. I took the job and never looked back." Highlights from Dave’s 36-year career include serving as chief tax officer and vice president for taxes for Kimberly-Clark beginning in 1996, where he was responsible for global tax management, tax planning, tax defense and talent development. In 2003, Dave was named vice president for taxes and real estate, and his responsibilities expanded to include the management of all Kimberly-Clark office facilities, . . .

Denise retired in 2017. Throughout her career she held numerous positions in the information Technology field with a focus on Business Analysis and Resource Management. Most recently Denise served as the Vice President of Business Analysis at the Church Pension Group where she was a senior IT manager responsible for partnering with corporate business leaders to define, prioritize and develop IT strategy for supporting both IT and business projects. In addition, she was responsible for: •    Managing work streams including Problem, Incident, Change, Availability, Service Level, Financial and Supplier. •    Overseeing IT procurement and asset management to ensure that the purchasing, accounting, and inventory processes were fulfilled efficiently and effectively. . . .

Margaret graduated from Michigan Tech in 1960 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She held the title of Office Manager/Accountant with Blue Line Coal Company, located in Green Bay, from 1977 to 1983. Blue Line Coal became Upper Lakes Coal Company, and from 1983 to 1987 Margaret served as Secretary/Treasurer. In addition, she became a part-owner of the company at this time. From 1987 to the present, Margaret has been employed with Brown County Cabinets, a manufacturer of custom wood cabinets for the kitchen and bathroom. In 1989, she became a part-owner of the company. Margaret was honored by the School of Business & Economics (SBE) in 1999, by being inducted into their academy. That same year she joined the SBE National Advisory Board. She is also a member of the . . .

Why did you choose Michigan Tech? I knew I wanted to go to engineering, so that really focused the schools I looked at. Then I looked into the activities I could do. At Tech I was able to be on the Track and Field team and be in the Huskies' Pep Band. And that finalized it for me, a good education and two of the activities I wanted to continue. Tell us about a memorable experience you had with a class or about a favorite professor. In Electromagnetism my third year we had to write a story that involved electromagnetism in nature. I wrote a fictional story about a young Viking boy that used a sun stone to navigate. Sun stones are thought to be used by the Vikings and it's something I had never heard of. Jeremy Bos was the professor, and it was a super interesting assignment. He found a way . . .

John is the retired owner/CEO of Dorsey-Alexander Inc., Cincinnati Controls Inc., and four other motion control, sensor, and machine guarding safety control companies. He started his career as a design engineer for Dynapar Corp, designing digital industrial counters and kinematics control systems.  He and his family moved to Loveland Ohio in 1976 to work with Dorsey-Alexander Inc. as a Sales Engineer and had a hand shake promise he could purchase the company out of sweat equity over time- which he did. The buyout was completed in 1992. John graduated from Michigan Tech in 1967 with a bachelor's in mechanical engineering, then again in 1976 with a master's in Business Administration. He credits the combination of Engineering Technical Knowledge coupled with Business Technical Skills and . . .

Born to Coach Black and Gold by Wes Frahm It's a moment that won't soon be forgotten: hundreds of Michigan Tech fans cheering the arrival of the Huskies at Civic Arena in St. Joseph, Missouri, for the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship game. The 2010-11 Huskies have put together thirty-one wins, Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles, and the school's third straight NCAA Midwest Regional Championship. Now they'll play the biggest game in school history. But with zero returning starters and a first-year head coach, who saw this coming? Kim Cameron did. "We knew we had a lot of talent on the roster," she said. "We just needed to trust and believe in each other." The thought of playing for a national title was probably . . .

Dave Chaudier ’93 has a four-part approach to work: "Don’t fear failure, don’t let anything surprise you, learn from your mistakes, and don’t put up with anyone’s negativity." As the vice president of operations at St. Luke’s Medical Center, the largest hospital in Wisconsin’s Aurora Healthcare system, Chaudier applies this pragmatic philosophy to leading the cardiac, surgical, and radiology services lines, and hospital support departments including central services. He is responsible for more than one thousand caregivers, over $200 million in expenses, and total charges of more than $1 billion. One of the youngest vice presidents at Aurora, Chaudier employs business strategies that impact patient care. "My primary goal is to take care of the caregivers . . .

Jessica earned her bachelor's in business administration/finance from Michigan Tech in 2006. She currently works in Institutional Equity Sales at William Blair, a job she started in 2012. Jessica started at William Blair as an entry-level sales assistant, within three months, she worked her way up to a sales associate position. She then spent five years as a senior associate under William Blair’s New York regional head which granted her the opportunity to interact with some of the largest and most sophisticated hedge funds and mutual funds in the world. She maintains Series 7 and Series 63 licensing and has been involved in multiple industry level events and panels, including the Women’s Initiative Network (WIN).  Jessica participated in philanthropic efforts for the Greater . . .

Marilyn Clark received a bachelor's degree in Mathematics from Michigan Tech in 1973 and a master's degree in Business in 1976. Clark first worked as a Computer Programmer with A. C. Spark Plug, now Delphi, in Flint, Michigan. After receiving her masters, Clark joined Cummins Engine Company in Jamestown, New York. She became one of the first women shop floor supervisors. At that time, Cummins was developing quality of work life systems and this philosophy matched Clark's skills. She advanced quickly in Cummins Operations Organization and her experiences took her to locations in Indiana and the United Kingdom. Her expertise centered on supply chain management, and she advanced to the director level in the UK. Clark returned to the Keweenaw in 2005 to join Consistacom, which specialized in . . .

When Michael and Marie Cleveland look in the mirror these days, they see success, financial security, and achievement—as well as prospects for helping others go where they have been. That wasn’t always the case with Marie. She started out in engineering but found the discipline was not the be-all and end-all for her. She switched to business, a decision that haunted her for years, because, back in her college days, in the early 1980s, there was an attitude among engineering students that other disciplines were an inferior lot. "You felt like a failure," she recalls. She laughs about that now, but she didn't shake off that demon until she became a member of Tech’s Presidential Council of Alumnae in 2006, when she met "phenomenal women" and wondered, "Why am I in this group?" . . .

When Michael and Marie Cleveland look in the mirror these days, they see success, financial security, and achievement—as well as prospects for helping others go where they have been. That wasn’t always the case with Marie. She started out in engineering but found the discipline was not the be-all and end-all for her. She switched to business, a decision that haunted her for years, because, back in her college days, in the early 1980s, there was an attitude among engineering students that other disciplines were an inferior lot. "You felt like a failure," she recalls. She laughs about that now, but she didn't shake off that demon until she became a member of Tech’s Presidential Council of Alumnae in 2006, when she met "phenomenal women" and wondered, "Why am I in this group?" . . .

John Drake is serious about giving back to his alma mater. He attributes his success in large part to "the training and rigor of a Michigan Tech education with its insistence on understanding." Drake earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1964 and a master’s in business administration in 1969. "Nobody was better prepared to understand and solve problems than Tech grads were," he says. "We competed with engineers from the best schools and never had to back down." John and his wife, Cathi, founded Drake Manufacturing Services in Warren, Ohio in 1972 and sold it to their management team in 2007. The company develops and builds computerized grinding machines and sells them across the world. Because of their appreciation for Michigan Tech, the Drakes support the . . .

Dale Elliott earned a Master’s in Business Administration from Michigan Tech in 1979 and has accumulated more than 25 years of service to the University while leading major corporations in a remarkable career. "My time at Michigan Tech was central to my career success," he said. "It provided me a foundation that, along with my experience in related fields, allowed me to contribute to organizations in a significant way." Elliott joined Brunswick Corporation after graduation as an advanced management trainee. After completing the program, he secured a position in product management as it provided the opportunity to combine his knowledge of manufacturing with sales and marketing. Elliott spent the next 11 years with Emerson Electric, starting with the Dremel division as marketing manager. . . .

Leah Enking '10 is the alumni chapter leader for the Fox Valley, WI area. "I have met so many great people and I love being able to bring them all together to network and also just relax and have fun! I have also helped with prospective female student brunches, new student send offs and a variety of other activities. I love being able to answer questions for new or prospective students, share my story, and get them excited about Michigan Tech." Leah was also an orientation team leader for three years while she was at Michigan Tech. Leah chose Michigan Tech because she initially wanted to be a sound designer, a program that was not offered by any Wisconsin schools at the time. For her, it was still close to home and it felt like home too! After graduation Leah worked for Verizon Wireless for . . .

Justin Fitch was born and raised in Hayward, Wisconsin. An analytically minded student who enjoyed the sciences, computers and math, he arrived at Michigan Tech in 2000. The summer after his first year, Justin joined the Army ROTC program. After his sophomore year, he attended the US Army Airborne School with hopes of being a paratrooper. He graduated Cum Laude in 2005 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Industrial Marketing and Management and a minor in Military Science. He was commissioned into the Army on the day of his college graduation, and a few weeks later Justin married his loving wife, Samantha Marie Wolk. Too shortly thereafter, he reported to officer training courses at Fort Benning, GA before being deployed to Forward Operating . . .

Claire graduated from Michigan Technological University in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. In 1995 she received her Masters in Business Administration, Corporate Finance, from the University of Michigan. From 1986 to 1989 Claire was a Senior Accountant for Mathews, Nightengale, Reich and Scott, CPA. She was a Controller for the J.F. Cavanaugh Company from 1989 to 1993, and in 1993 she became a Controller for Hardwoods of Michigan, Inc. Since 1995, Claire has been the Vice President of Finance for Hardwoods of Michigan, Inc. She is a member of the AICPA and the MACPA. From the 1999 Presidential Council of Alumnae Induction.

Robert Freimuth has traveled far in a distinguished career with wide-ranging responsibilities in the automotive industry. He has spent his entire career with General Motors Corp. A native of Laurium, he joined GM in 1977 in the Central Foundry Division, where he went on to serve as director of labor relations, general supervisor, program manager for electrical vehicles, and account representative. He was superintendent/industrial engineer at the Saginaw Malleable Iron Plant. He has worked in GM’s power train division as senior administrator of advanced engineering studies, lean manufacturing advisor, and manager of organizational effectiveness. Currently he is manager of GM’s Global Manufacturing System Future Programs Team. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Michigan . . .

Monica Hahn is passionate about development—not only her own, but in helping teams and corporate cultures to reach their highest potential too. She is an experienced marketing executive with a proven track record in a variety of industries. She was recently named Vice President of Marketing for ARAMARK Sports & Entertainment, which provides a complete line of food, retail and facility management services to recreation areas, cultural attractions, parks and resorts, sports venues, and other popular tourist attractions. Monica graduated from Michigan Tech in 1983 with a BS degree in Business Administration. She went on to earn an MBA in Marketing from Western Michigan University in 1987. Monica began her career at Whirlpool Corporation. She worked for Whirlpool in progressively . . .

Steve Hicks has served as president and CEO of Longyear LLC, a 150-year-old privately held entrepreneurial asset management firm, since 1999. Under Hicks, Longyear's enterprise value has grown significantly without any third-party capital or cash investment by shareholders. He has been involved in more than $2 billion worth of transactions, raising capital nationally on large investor projects and purchasing companies to add to the Longyear portfolio. The portfolio currently includes JML Forestry, Able Medical Devices, Northern Hardwoods, and Forestville, a unique and diverse new residential community currently in the planning stages. Hicks served on the Board of Trustees from 2007 to 2014 and served on the Michigan Tech Fund Board of Trustees as well. He was also a member of the board of . . .

Kate (Harkins) Hogberg conveys architectural principles in her job as Communications Specialist with HDR, Inc. She also is learning a fair amount about building blocks. Kate, a Michigan Tech SBE graduate, is helping with Duplo instead of Lego sets at home—her child is two years old, and she and her husband are expecting another in June—but communicating about architecture, engineering, and construction is something she does every day. "My typical day consists of communicating with engineers and scientists to tell stories of successful projects around the world," says Kate. She leads the production, writing, and editing of internal and external publications, as well as developing the storylines, content, and production for internal and external videos. "Communication happens by . . .

Ellen S. Horsch served as vice president for administration at Michigan Technological University from 2004 to 2018. She was the first woman to serve Tech in a VP role and oversaw the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum, Auxiliary Services, Business Operations, Facilities Management, and Human Resources. From 1991 until 2004, she was director of the university's human resources department, directing the functions of payroll, employment, faculty personnel, labor relations, compensation, classification, and benefits. From 1989-1991, she was manager of employee relations operations. She came to Michigan Tech in 1985 as a part-time instructor in the School of Business and Economics. She became a full-time instructor in 1986. Prior to her appointment at Michigan Tech, she taught at Ferris State University . . .

Life is good for alumnus J.B. Hoyt. He feels gifted to be able to enjoy both professional and personal pursuits. He is an executive at Whirlpool Corp. in St. Joseph, Michigan; away from work, his passions are boating and photography. "I've always been a work-hard, play-hard kind of guy," he says. "You’ve got to have that balance." Hoyt was raised in Grand Blanc, Michigan. His father, who ran a small business for 38 years, was the biggest influence in his life. "He taught me about patience, risk taking, and customer service," Hoyt says. He came to Michigan Tech in 1970, starting out in electrical engineering. "It didn’t hold the calling for me." Because he loved Tech and life in the Keweenaw, he ended up transferring to the business program—"a good landing place."  He . . .

SherAaron is a 2009 Business Administration graduate currently working as Workshop & Logistics Manager for The Carpentries. During SherAaron's time at Tech she was a part of the pilot group for the Pavlis Institute for Global Technological Leadership in which she travelled to Ghana, Africa. Tech prepared her in a number of ways for the career environment. She noted interacting with persons from various backgrounds, growing out of her comfort zone, and of course adapting to varying weather climates. SherAaron used her Tech education to first become the Interim Housing and Residential Life Coordinator at the university, then moved on to Regional Admissions Officer, Development Officer for The Charles H. Wright Museum, Sales Business Development Lead for a Television Network, and much more. . . .

Why did you choose Michigan Tech? I was interested in skiing, and wanted a good engineering school. Tell us about a memorable experience you had with a class or about a favorite professor? I enjoyed racing bicycles on a team with my thermodynamics professor (Davis Hubbard) and two other chemical engineering students. Now, how about a memorable experience outside of class? There is nothing else like skiing through a "field of diamonds" on a crystal clear, cold powder day at Mont Ripley. How well did Michigan Tech prepare you for your career? I learned the fundamentals of chemical engineering and got hands-on experience. What was your first job after graduation and how has your career progressed? My first job was as a research engineer for Dow Chemical. I had a full career in process . . .

Throughout his career, Tom Irwin has used his Michigan Tech degrees to the utmost. He believes luck is preparation and opportunity and Mich Tech excelled at the preparation, academically and in a very congenial environment. As president of Hodgkiss and Douma (H&D) Construction Company of Petoskey, H&D's emphasis was highway construction, major recreation projects, developments and aggregate production. His 27 year career at H&D began after working with Sivier Construction in Detroit, D&L Contracting in Traverse City and Dow Chemical in Midland. His dedication to Michigan Tech runs long and deep, as evidenced by his receiving the University's Outstanding Service Award in 1999. He served on the Executive Council of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Partnering with the . . .

Dana Johnson graduated from Michigan Tech in 1980 with her Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. Johnson has over 37 years of experience including industrial, consulting, and academia starting at Michigan Tech in 1981 as an accounting instructor. Upon her departure in 1984, she worked for a variety of manufacturing and consulting firms, ultimately owning her own business supplying training and consulting primarily to the automotive industry in quality engineering and supply chain management, business assessment, and project management. In 1999, Johnson returned to the School of Business and Economics to teach supply chain, operations and engineering management related courses. Dr. Johnson has two primary research focuses: outcomes-based and performance measurement research with emphasis . . .

Christina Jufliak graduated from Michigan Tech in 2013 with her Bachelor's Degree in Biomedical Engineering and in 2014 with her MBA. Following graduation, she started her career at Plexus as a product engineer where she has also filled the role of project manager, program manager, and functional manager. She currently manages an engineering team. Christina chose Michigan Tech because it felt like home. During her time on campus, she worked as a Mathlab instructor where she enjoyed seeing the spark in students' eyes when they correctly completed their labs. She fondly remembers the peaceful and calm environment while staying on campus over the summer. "Michigan Tech taught me how to work hard, take chances and risks, and go after the things I want in my career," she said. In 2021, Christina . . .

Jessica graduated with a BSBA with a concentration in Operations Management in 1988, and has had a very successful career working in large and small organizations as well as her own consulting firm. Kaiser has an extensive background in Quality Management and has led several organizations to successful ISO/QS registrations. She owned and operated her own consulting firm and has extensive managerial experience including Plant Manager, Regional General Manager and Marketing Manager, and Operations Support Leader. Jessica was inducted into the Presidential Council of Alumnae in 1997, and received the Michigan Tech Alumni Association's Outstanding Young Alumni Award for 2001. Excerpt from the School of Business and Economics Blog, March 30, 2007 Updated November, 2014 to include awards information . . .

David is a 1983 graduate of the School of Business and Economics. He received his masters from the University of Michigan – Flint.  He began his career with General Motors, Central Foundry Division, in IT and then transferred to Saginaw Steering. While there, he moved into Finance.  He left General Motors and went to TRW Vehicle Safety Systems for eight years and then moved to Dana Corporation, where he has been for the past twenty years. In 2006 he became the VP of Global Quality and has since taken on the responsibilities of Safety and Reliability. Dana offers high-quality automotive product solutions in three core areas of the vehicle – drivetrain, sealing, and thermal-management systems. This lineup of technologies from one source is designed to offer flexibility to . . .

Alex Kowalski is CEO and owner of Performance Welding. Performance is an OEM contract manufacturer of metal assemblies based in Little Chute, WI. He acquired the distressed company in September of 2012 and brought in professional management for the turnaround. The company was profitable the very first year and has grown revenue organically 341% since he acquired it. Prior to purchasing Performance, Alex was the President of INFO-PRO Mortgage Services, a privately held mortgage servicing company based in Fond du Lac, WI. Alex also spent time as the Director of Sales for a privately held real estate investment firm. Alex, along with his wife Holly, own Kay James Design. Kay James is a graphic design business specializing in surface graphics, packaging design, and product aesthetics for consumer . . .

Dan graduated in 1970 with a BS degree in forestry and continued his education by earning a master’s degree in business administration from Michigan Tech. While a student at Tech he was active in Xi Sigma Pi, Blue Key, Air Force ROTC and he played football for MTU. As an undergraduate, he had the unique opportunity as senior class vice-president to serve as the "token student representative" on faculty senate where he was privy to the way in which university decisions were made. As an alumnus, he has served on the School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science’s advisory board and was named the School’s Outstanding Alumnus 2003 during the alumni reunion held at the Ford Center in Alberta, Michigan. His work with the school, dedication to his business and the field . . .

Nancy graduated from Michigan Tech in 1979 with dual bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration and Biological Sciences. She then accepted a position with General Motors Corporation as an Industrial Engineer, Truck & Coach Division in Pontiac, MI. In 1981, she went to work at GM’s Assembly Plant in Van Nuys, CA in the same capacity. She left General Motors in 1982 and moved to the San Francisco area, accepting a job with Clinipad Corporation as Pacific Northwest Territory Manager. In 1985, she went to work as a Business Broker for Corporate Investment Company. From 1989 to 1994, Nancy was the owner of Petaluma City Hostess. Since 1994, she has been Vice President - Operations for Lefler Engineering, which is owned and operated by Nancy and her husband, Michael. Lefler . . .

Joyce Lyth was in many ways a pioneer. She was born and raised in Wallace in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and was a first-generation college student. She graduated from Michigan Tech in 1972 with a B.S. in Accounting. Joyce was active in the petition for female Michigan Tech students to be allowed to live off campus, working with Houghton City Council and the Dean of Students while a student in 1969-70. Joyce started her professional career in Escanaba, Michigan as a cost accountant for Goodman-Staniforth. In 1973, Joyce married David Lyth '73, who she had met during their first week of college at Tech in 1968. "She was a first-generation college student and came to Michigan Tech to study accounting at a time when most women went to college to study either teaching or nursing," he said. "She . . .

"Work hard, play hard, and always experiment with new ideas, new jobs, and new ways of thinking" Those words of advice to students are from Jason Mack who says Michigan Tech prepared him for his career in more ways than he thought possible. Besides the important lessons learned from such a strong engineering curriculum, I found added strength to Tech's ties to industry, one firmly supported with co-op experiences. He says "Michigan Tech offered the mix of degrees I was interested in while having the personality and amenities that felt just right". Mack earned his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and business management in 2000 and his MBA in 2013, all from Tech. When he graduated with his bachelor's he had interned at three businesses including one in Germany. "I always tell people . . .

Mary D. Mahaney is president of Veridea Group LLC, a real-estate development and hospitality management company. As co-founder of the company, she managed its growth from a small family operation to a company that has developed 80 projects valued at more than $400 million, primarily across Michigan's Upper Peninsula and in Montana. Mahaney is responsible for the company's strategic execution and oversees all financial and operational activities of its commercial, residential, and hospitality properties. From the College of Business 2023 Impact Magazine.

Lynn Makela '07 began work in the digital marketing industry at a local marketing firm before joining Michigan Tech in 2008. After serving as the Director of Marketing for the School of Business and Economics, she chased a career opportunity out west and ultimately landed at POSSIBLE, a global digital marketing agency in Seattle, before returning to the Keweenaw in the summer of 2017. "Working at Michigan Tech after graduation was an amazing way to see the inner workings of a place that believes in students, teachers, and staff. The amount of work that goes into operating a University is astounding and the people make all the difference." While attending classes at Michigan Tech, Lynn says that an exposure to a wide variety of subjects in classes that she enjoyed was essential for her career. . . .

Graduating with honors from Michigan Tech in 1961 with a bachelor's degree in business administration, Makens has been involved in the securities industry for over 35 years as an attorney, regulator and advisor. He was a Director at the Michigan Corporation and Securities Bureau for the Michigan Department of Commerce (1972-1978) and was a Trial Attorney with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (1966-1972). For the past 24 years he has represented broker-dealers, investment advisors, issuers, regulatory authorities and industry professionals in conjunction with compliance with securities regulatory requirements, investigations and regulatory proceedings. He is chair of the firm's Broker-Dealer/Investment Advisers Practice Group. Most recently, he has served as an advisor and mentor . . .

Mark Malekoff jokingly refers to his four companies as his "backup plan." The original plan was to become a star in the National Hockey League. The Grande Prairie-born-and-raised entrepreneur was captain of the local Alberta Junior Hockey League team, the Storm, before receiving a scholarship to play for the Huskies at Michigan Technological University. Plans for an NHL career changed in Michigan, however, as Malekoff studied finance and developed an interest in business and entrepreneurship that set him up to run his own company — then companies — back in Grande Prairie. After graduating in 2008, Malekoff returned home where he quickly found work as a business analyst with Bonnett's Energy Corp. and found an opportunity to volunteer coaching AAA hockey. Not one to sit still, . . .

President and CEO, Winning Futures Since graduating in 1998, Kristina Marshall has been leading Winning Futures, a nonprofit organization that offers mentoring programs for middle school and high school students. Her "life’s mission," Winning Futures promotes character, goal setting, career preparation, and strategic planning—all elements of student success. In her 14 years with the organization, Kristina, president and CEO, has impacted over 22,000 youth; has personally mentored 42 teens; and has awarded more than $1.6 million in scholarships to high school students in metro Detroit. "We want to reach as many children as possible," Kristina said. "Through the workbooks and training manuals we’ve developed, we’ve created a social entrepreneurship arm of our organization. . . .

James J. Martell has spent his entire career in transportation, logistics, and aviation. He began his career loading trailers part- time for UPS. He worked his way up to management before moving to FedEx, being their first expat to open offices in Canada. Martell went on from FedEx to run his own companies. Upon selling Smartmail to DHL in 2004, Martell now serves as chair for logistic providers MyUS.com and Protrans International, and is executive chair of both Ameriflight and UShip.com. He is both an owner and a current board member for Transforce Staffing, Quality Distribution, and Baxter Inventory Systems. Martell has ownership and board leadership roles with successful transportation companies, including Elitediverse.com, Easypost.com, Americantrg.com, Gotologistics.com, and BoxLock.io. . . .

Cynthia May’s career path is as interesting as it is diverse. Since 1997, Cynthia has been the President and CEO of Graminex LLC, a company that grows, manufactures, and markets agricultural products for pharmaceutical and dietary supplement applications. She began her career in 1974 as the CEO/Owner of B&M Electric. She sold B&M in 1980 and started a new career as an Investment Banker at Marathon Investment Partners, a privately held capital funding company specializing in small cap company IPOs and international banking. In 1995, she became the Director of Magna Labs, a company focused on advanced MRI machine development. From 1999 to 2002, she was President of Bigmar Pharmaceutical, an international company specializing in generic oncology drugs. During this same time, . . .

David W. McBride is the owner of McBride Construction Inc. and Northland Self Storage LLC He leads an award-winning team of highly trained professionals who are leaders in the home improvement and storage industry. Dave has grown the Construction Division to become one of the top 500 in the country and the storage division to actively manage three facilities and over 500 customer relationships. McBride Construction has been selected five times as the local builder of the year, as the Remodeler of the month for the state of Michigan and as a member of the Big 50 remodelers in the country. Highlighted projects include developing a 25-acre industrial park in an old gravel mine, converting a Drive in Theater into a commercial center, receiving the Governor's Award for Historic Preservation in . . .

Susan (Sue) Michaelson earned a BS degree in Business Administration from Michigan Technological University in 1973. She continued her education at Marquette University where she earned a Master of Arts degree in Education with an emphasis in counseling and organization development in 1994. Sue began her professional career in 1973 as a Real Estate Specialist in the Land Management Department at Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company in Ishpeming, Michigan. In 1974, she started working for Michigan Tech as an Admissions Counselor in lower Michigan, a position she held until 1979. She then worked as a Human Resources Supervisor of College Relations and Training at Ladish Co., Inc. in Cudahy, Wisconsin until 1983, when she accepted a position at Marquette University. At Marquette University, Sue . . .

Adam Mitteer '03 '17 chose Michigan Tech because of its reputation. "I followed the lead of my older brother after visiting him on campus a few times "I followed the lead of my older brother after visiting him on campus a few times while he was there. Michigan Tech had the right blend of technology programs that I was looking for and still afforded me in-state tuition while being 500+ miles from home." "One of the experiences that stuck with me the most was while attending classes taught by an MIS professor Paul Aho. One of Paul's sayings stayed with me over the years and has really changed my philosophy of what college could be. I may be paraphrasing, but it went something like: "I’m not here to teach you HOW to program, I’m here to teach you HOW to LEARN how to program". This . . .

Chris Moore has reached out pretty far himself. Instead of looking for a new position in his field when the economy took a downward turn, he took a risk and went back to school to get his degree in physical therapy. In 2007, he opened his own physical therapy practice. This was thanks in no small part to the practical education he gained in physical therapy wedded to the skill, insight, and discipline he learned from the School of Business and Economics. "I got a head start on all of the other physical therapists because I understood the financial world, knew the banks, knew business," Moore says. "Compared to most physical therapists, I have an enormous business background: marketing, finance, banking, etc. Most PTs are biologically book smart with tons of medical background, but few of them . . .

Glenn '74 '77 and Gail '86 Mroz are synonymous with Michigan Tech. It’s difficult to summarize a 47-year legacy for a couple who are almost unanimously beloved. That legacy includes time as students, instructors, fundraisers, and for Glenn, 14 years as the University’s ninth president. Coming to and Staying at Tech Glenn, a Chicago native, claims a big part in his decision to come to Tech was that it had a ski hill. He chose forestry over studying architecture at Northwestern or Purdue. Having dated since the eighth grade, Glenn and Gail were married between the second and third years of his undergraduate degree. "I followed Glenn up here, but he promised me when he graduated in two years we’d leave." But they decided to stay. After earning a BS in Forestry in 1974, Glenn . . .

Juli graduated from Michigan Tech in 1987 with a degree in business administration. She then began her career in the financial world accepting a position as Treasury Analyst with Henry Ford Health System. After several years with Henry Ford Health, she moved to Federal-Mogul Corporation, working in International Treasury & Strategic Planning. In 1996, Juli went to work for K Mart Corporation and remains there today. During this time she has held several management positions within the Treasury and Advertising areas of the company. She lead the team to be the first retail to issue plastic gift cards. She is currently Divisional Vice President, Investor Relations. While working full-time she also attended Wayne State University earning her MBA in 1993. In addition, she became a Certified . . .

Laura received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Michigan Tech in 1983. After graduation, she took a position as Employment and Training Specialist with Career Transitions, Inc. In 1986, she joined Ability Search Group as Personnel Consultant-Marketing Recruiting Services. In 1987, Laura began her career with Ford Motor Company. Laura was initially recruited to help establish a wholly owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company, Geometric Results, Inc (GRI). Her responsibilities included the set up and management of the recruiting department. Later she moved into the operations area of the company. Over the years, she became involved in everything from IT, telecommunications, vehicle testing programs, and automotive components sales. In 1997, Ford sold GRI to MSX but . . .

Captain Amanda (Taylor) Nerg ’10 believes in leaving a place better than when you arrived. "Your actions will affect those around you and you can be that guiding force in creating a better future for those who come after us." For Nerg attending Tech was coming home. During her childhood, she lived near Tech while her mom served as the commander for the Air Force ROTC. "When we moved I missed everything about the area. When I began my search for a college, I only applied to one school, Michigan Tech. It was exciting to return to the place I had once called home." Nerg received a bachelor of science degree in business administration in 2010. In 2014, she earned her master of business administration at the Naval Postgraduate School. She says the training she received at Michigan Tech . . .

Heath A. Nunnemacher graduated from Michigan Tech in 2008 with his Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, followed by his MBA in 2010. Currently, Heath is vice president of global electronics sourcing at Techtronic Industries (TTi), a global leader in cordless tools and floorcare products including brands Milwaukee Tool, Ryobi, Hart, Hoover, and VAX. He has held various positions across TTi and Milwaukee Tool in engineering, supply chain, channel, and product marketing. Prior to joining TTi, Heath was a Product Quality Manager at Apple, Inc., responsible for quality management operations within the desktop group where he led quality oversight at multiple contract manufacturing sites in three continents. Additionally, he managed new product launches and development engineering across . . .

Paula graduated with honors from Michigan Tech in 1985 with a bachelor of science degree in business administration. Following graduation she relocated to Fort Lauderdale, Florida where she accepted a position with Sensormatic Electronics Corporation (a leader in the electronic article surveillance industry) in their finance department. During her three years with the company, she transferred to the marketing department to focus on national sales support. Moving back to the Copper Country in 1988, she accepted a position with the Michigan Tech Fund in January of 1989 as Assistant Director of Annual Giving, moving into the director's position the following year. During this time she has overseen numerous annual giving initiatives including the Michigan Tech Annual Fund, Campus Campaign, Reunion . . .

It’s the helping hand that pulls you up the most when you need it, and Grant Nuttall has never forgotten the hands that have helped him. The retired oil executive and his wife have established the Joseph A. Romig Annual Memorial Scholarship, keeping an important mentor’s name alive and helping the next generation of entrepreneurs. When Grant Nuttall decided to leave Imperial Oil—a colossus of an energy company in his native Canada—to further his education at Michigan Tech, his family had some concern. "They thought it was a bad move," he explains. "My mother, my sister, they didn’t think school was for me. And I had never heard of the place before talking to my uncle. Never heard of Michigan Tech or Houghton," he says with a laugh. "I’d heard of Lake Superior." . . .

Dr. John D. Opie had a long and successful career with General Electric Company, retiring in 2000 after 39 years as the Vice Chairman and Executive Director. John had a rich career at GE; prior to his Vice Chairman position, John rose from Sales Representative to Sales Manager, to General Manager positions in Mining Products, Battery, and Lexan Products Divisions; to Vice Presidencies in Specialty Plastics and Construction Equipment Operations; and to President and CEO of the GE Lighting Division prior to the Vice Chairman position. John and his wife Ruanne have been passionate and generous supporters of the university through several substantial gifts, including the J. Robert Van Pelt and Opie Library, the Ruanne and John Opie Material Science and Engineering equipment endowment, and the Center . . .

Chang K. Park was born and raised in Korea. He came to the United States as a teenager for higher education. Park graduated from The Brooklyn Academy and received the New York State Regent Award in math. He graduated from Michigan Tech with a dual degree in Electrical Engineering and Engineering Administration in 1973. Following college, Park joined an engineering consulting firm in Philadelphia that specialized in designing rapid transit systems. He worked on the electrification of the Washington Metro subway system and Northeast corridor rail system. Park received an MBA from Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He joined Morgan Guaranty in New York (J.P. Morgan) upon graduation and worked in international financing. Currently, Park is President and CEO of Universal Remote . . .

Eric Peterson, originally from Detroit, completed his baccalaureate degree in civil engineering at Michigan Tech in 1970 and went on to earn a master's in business administration in 1971. Following graduation Mr. Peterson focused his career in the railroad industry, the majority of it with CSX Transportation. After joining the company in 1974 as an Assistant Division Engineer, he rose through the managerial levels including Manager of Engineering and General Manager of Signal Engineering. One of his major projects was rebuilding the railroad corridor between Chicago and Cleveland to increase capacity and train speeds. He was promoted to Assistant Chief Engineer of Signal Design and Construction in 1998 and later to Assistant Chief Engineer of Public Projects before retiring in 2008. During . . .

Laura received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Tech in 1983. As a student she was an active member of the Kappa Sigma Iota and the Accounting Club. After graduation Laura sat for the CPA exam and passed all sections on the first sitting. Laura began her career as a public accountant providing both tax and audit services while employed by CPA firms in both South Carolina and Maryland. Laura joined KPMG LLP as an Audit Manager in1996 and was promoted to Senior Manager in 1997. In 2000, she was elected to the partnership and put in charge of developing the company’s Federal Government Advisory Services Practice. Specializing as an auditor and consultant on financial and operational risk, her duties are to provide federal assurance and advisory services to . . .

When Ed Robinson was growing up in Chicago, he loved to gaze at the El trains, the streetcars, and the many railroad trains - all of which he encountered on his way to school. The good nuns routinely admonished him for being late to class. "I couldn't help it," he recalls. "I loved to watch." It's a natural, then, that Robinson became a leader in the transportation industry. "I'm still fascinated today by moving goods and people efficiently." After graduating from Tech in 1966 with a bachelor's in business administration, Robinson landed a job in the Chicago office of an accounting firm that is now Deloitte & Touche. His career soon was interrupted by two years of active duty in the Army Corps of Engineers, including eighteen months in Vietnam. He was stationed for the most part in . . .

John Rockwell ’79 came to Michigan Tech to play hockey but also because he knew the University had a great engineering program. It was the best hockey program in the country and was my first choice of school to play hockey," he says. Rockwell says he has great memories of playing hockey, but also had many professors and classes who helped him prepare for the future. That influence led him to switch from chemical engineering to business, graduating with a bachelor’s in business administration from Michigan Tech. He also earned a MBA from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. "I learned and developed all the traits, characteristics, and skills to succeed within my family, work, and community," he says. "I developed these in the classroom and out of the . . .

Jillian Rothe has established a sterling career at Caterpillar in short period of time, using her mechanical engineering and business administration degrees with a minor in Spanish. She’s also given her time and talents to many worthwhile causes over the years. She is currently Caterpillar’s Energy and Transportation Marketing Support Representative for Asia Pacific based in Singapore. Within this newly created role, she ensures that business partners have the Extended Protection Products to support their go-to-market strategies. Rothe has held increasingly responsible management roles in Peoria; Monterrey, Mexico; Minneapolis; and Nashville. Outside of her job duties, she has been involved in the Caterpillar Latino Connection Leadership Team, Women’s Leadership Forum, Military . . .

Mark was named executive vice president of General Dynamics in March 2013. He is responsible for the company's Combat Systems group, which includes three companies: European Land Systems, Land Systems and Ordinance and Tactical Systems. He was appointed vice president of the corporation in October 2008. Previously, Roualet served as president of General Dynamics Land Systems from October 2008 to March 2013. Roualet joined General Dynamics Land Systems' predecessor, Chrysler Defense Inc., in 1981 as a quality engineer. He held positions of increasing responsibility throughout his employment with General Dynamics Land Systems to include plant manager of the Sterling, Mich., manufacturing facility; vice president of the Interim Brigade Combat Team program; vice president of Wheeled Vehicle Systems; . . .

David Rowe earned two degrees from Michigan Tech and is doubly grateful for having them. He earned a bachelor's degree in biological sciences in 1984 and went on to medical school for a few years. Later, he realized business was his passion and came back to Michigan Tech in 1991 for a business degree, in preparation for an MBA in finance from Michigan State University in 1992. He says his education honed fine analytical skills that have served him well. "Michigan Tech taught me to be a critical thinker." Rowe was born and raised in Calumet. His father, the late Ken Rowe, was a physician, and he started out following his father's footsteps but soon realized "that wasn't where my heart was." Rather, he was fascinated with the world of finance, the stock market, and entrepreneurial endeavors, . . .

Graduating in 1984 with a B.S. in Business Administration from Michigan Tech, few would predict that Jay Ruohonen would become president of an engineering design and product development firm. Ruohonen, the youngest of five children, was the first to graduate from college. After 23 years in the finance industry, Jay now directs the research, development and commercialization of proprietary and external technologies and products for Talon Research. Ruohonen works directly with his wife Dorothy (Daavettila) Ruohonen, also a Michigan Tech Alumna. In 2005, the Ruohonens moved their company into MTEC SmartZone business incubator. Ruohonen committed himself fully to his wife’s start-up endeavor, previously Hawk Technologies Inc., in 2008. Expanding from two to 12 employees – mostly Michigan . . .

Josh Rzeppa, a native of Sterling Heights, Michigan, turned Husky, is currently working in Detroit as an associate consultant for INVENSITY Inc. Josh earned his BS in Mechanical Engineering in 2018 before completing the Tech MBA® in 2019 while running cross-country and track for the Huskies. He says the Tech MBA® has advanced his career more than he ever thought possible. He leans on the MBA teachings every day in his work as an engineer: "I was assisting an older, more experienced colleague with a business marketing strategy when I thought back to the customer experience map we created in Dr. Soonkwan Hong’s class for the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge project," said Josh. "I pulled it up to see if it could help in my work setting. As soon as I showed my colleague, he was amazed at the . . .

Athletic director since 2005, Suzanne Sanregret, PhD, has continued Michigan Tech's traditions of excellence both on and off the field of competition. Her vision within the Huskies' athletic programs and work on conference and national committees has positioned Michigan Tech as a leader in collegiate athletics. Suzanne, who was named 2009 Division II Central Region Athletic Director of the Year, served a five-year stint on the NCAA Division II Management Council from 2006–11. During that time, she was also the chair of the NCAA Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee and member of other NCAA committees on strategic budget planning, championships and membership. In addition to her NCAA work, Suzanne has functioned as the chair of both the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference . . .

Carrie Halborg Schaller ‘87 retired from Midland, Michigan-based Dow, Inc. in 2022, capping off a career with the materials science leader spanning 35 years. Schaller served as the business process director for manufacturing operations at Dow, overseeing systems for manufacturing, engineering, and environmental health and safety operations. She led the team that implemented the next generation of tools and processes for manufacturing and engineering (M&E) globally and was responsible for teams leading manufacturing cybersecurity, M&E architecture, and M&E IT project management. Schaller earned her Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration from Michigan Tech with a focus in management information systems, becoming a certified Six Sigma black belt. In addition to . . .

Tina graduated from Michigan Tech in 1984, receiving Bachelor of Science degrees in both chemical engineering and business engineering administration. Upon leaving Tech, she accepted a position as Operations Manager with Procter & Gamble in Green Bay, WI where she moved through assignments of increasing responsibility over the next 17 years of her career. In 2002, she resigned from P&G following her assignment as the Operations Leader for North American Towel to focus on her family and earn her MBA. In 2003, she received her MBA from UW-Oshkosh In 2004 she went to work for Oshkosh Corporation, a leading manufacturer and marketer of access equipment, specialty vehicles and truck bodies for the primary markets of defense, concrete placement, refuse hauling, access equipment and fire . . .

Alums Team up to Engineer a Better Beer Chas Thompson '91, computer science, had a good reason for becoming a brewer. "I was thirsty," he says, pouring beers from the Schmohz Brewery counter at the recent Grand Rapids alumni tailgate party. Jim Schwerin '87, owner and brewer at Schmohz (pronounced shmoes), had a similar reason. "I couldn’t find a beer I liked," he says. So, he bought an old building near the airport in Grand Rapids and extended his love of homemade beer into his own brewery, starting with his own brewer, Thompson, who tracked him down when he heard a new brewery was opening in Grand Rapids. "Once we got together, we found out we had quite a few friends in common, including my brother who was at Tech around the same time as Chas," Schwerin says. Schwerin, a mechanical . . .

Darnishia Slade graduated from Michigan Tech in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a certificate in International Business. Upon leaving the University, she spent two years with the Up With People - Worldsmart International Leadership Program as a student and as the education and community service coordinator. She went on to work for the Boys and Girls Republic Treatment Facility in Farmington Hills, Michigan, and the Mosaic Youth Theater of Detroit as youth support director. Darnishia returned to Michigan Tech in 2005 and continued her Michigan Tech legacy by accepting a position as regional admissions manager in southeast Michigan. In 2012, she put her International Business Certificate to good use moving to Tech’s International Programs and Services . . .

Restoring the Past and Supporting Tech’s Future Ronald Staley, who earned an associate’s degree in civil engineering technology in 1977 and a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1980, has high praise for Michigan Tech. "I learned how to study hard," he recalls, "and I remember working hard. I wouldn’t be where I am today without Michigan Tech." With his dual degree, he says that he was able to understand building construction and such critical business principles as overhead, return on investment, balance sheets, and income statements. That capability set him up for creating a new business niche—historical preservation—for his employer, The Christman Company, a construction firm headquartered in Lansing. In 1988, the firm began to restore the . . .

Linda earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1971and her Masters of Science in Business Administration in 1978, both from Michigan Tech. She went on to Purdue University to earn her Masters of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1989. She is currently a consultant at Engineered Systems Associates in Pocatello, Idaho. She was an Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering at Michigan Tech from 1981-82. From the 1996 Presidential Council of Alumnae Induction

Fresh out of Tech, Joel Tacey '01 was not enthused by his first marketing or sales rep option. So, he gave himself an ultimatum. "I told myself, if I could make the same kind of living by doing magic as my friends did in traditional jobs, I would stick it out," he says. "It's been the best decision of my life." Now, through Tiptop Entertainment, his family-brand of magic ("card games and visual stuff") has vaulted him to performing at Red Wings games, the Super Bowl, and the All-Star Fan Fest during baseball's All Star Game. He's found his niche in four areas while growing his revenue each year, he says. "I offer a Just for Fun Show Series and a Laugh and Learn Show series, delivering positive messages for younger children; Game Fest, running video game contests for teens; and the High . . .

Joyce Ten Haken Strikes a Proper Work/Life Balance As Michigan Tech was suffering with below normal temperatures and above average snowfall, Joyce Ten Haken ’70 was lamenting unseasonable January heat and historically dry conditions in northern California. But, she’ll adapt, just as she has all during her long, successful career in accounting. A partner in the Ten Haken Hinz & Company firm, she’s prided herself on helping clients adapt, too. "I’m more than just a tax or financial advisor," she says. "I often help them with personal issues, too." It’s a reflection of how she operates in and out of the office, and it’s a lesson learned from legendary accounting professor Sam Tidwell. "Sam taught us to do a good job but also be good to people." Perseverance, . . .

Richard graduated with honors from Michigan Tech in 1970 with a bachelor's in accounting. He married his high school sweetheart Joyce {Guenther} Ten Haken, also a 1970 graduate with a bachelor's in accounting, in 1968. He was a founding member and treasurer of the Theta Kappa Chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity, Accounting Club member and Air Force ROTC scholarship recipient. He received his MBA from Oklahoma City University in 1975 and was named Outstanding Young Man in America in 1979. Richard earned his USAF pilot wings at Vance AFB in Oklahoma. He was assigned there as a T-38 instructor pilot and was named Instructor Pilot of the month for his squadron in March, 1975. He was transferred to Beale AFB, CA, where he served as a KC-135 Q instructor pilot and wing staff officer, . . .

After graduating from Michigan Tech in 1980, Jan Tervonen joined the Eastman Kodak Company as a Programmer/ Analyst. In 1986 she left Kodak and took several years off to raise her children. Two of those years were spent in Paris. She returned to the work force initially as a consultant, and then in 1993 accepted a position with Mammography Reporting System, Inc. (MRS) as a Senior Programmer/Analyst. MRS is the leading provider of mammography information systems in the US. She worked her way through the ranks as a Product Manager, Technical Director, and ultimately became the Vice President, Technology. After many years as a successful commercial software executive, she found another passion to augment her creativity - watercolor painting. Mostly self-taught, she has developed minimalistic . . .

Switching from mechanical engineering to business worked out very well for Jim Trethewey. The Ironwood native was inspired to switch by legendary accounting professor Sam Tidwell and never looked back. Beginning his career with Copper Range, a local mining concern, he soon joined Cleveland-Cliffs (now Cliffs Resources) and advanced through management positions over the years. From Ishpeming to Ontario to Cleveland, Trethewey worked in positions of increasing responsibility and became vice president-controller and chief accounting officer. Along the way, he also earned his MBA from Baldwin-Wallace College. In his final years with Cliffs, Trethewey was senior vice president of business development and worked with the senior corporate team in reshaping the company, adding international experience . . .

Dr. Tripp has over thirty-five years of experience in the areas of military logistics systems design, development, management, and evaluation. At RAND Corporation since 1996, he currently leads projects that evaluate how support policy, practice, and technology options impact the effectiveness and efficiency of Air and Space Expeditionary Forces. He is the first recipient of the RAND Project Air Force Research Excellence Award. His education includes a Ph.D. in Business Administration with a concentration in business logistics from the University of Minnesota, MS in Business Administration, and BS in Metallurgical Engineering from Michigan Technological University. Dr. Tripp served in the Air Force and retired as a Colonel.  During his Air Force career, he held several key logistics positions. . . .

In their classes at the School of Business and Economics, Steve Vizanko ’04 and Caleb Wendel ’07 learned how to craft a detailed business plan and meticulously estimate a new enterprise’s growth. As owners of The Bike Shop in Houghton, Vizanko and Wendel are discovering the thrills and challenges of running a flourishing business that has quickly exceeded their on-paper projections. "Our first year has been phenomenal," said Wendel. "And this year has been even busier than last year." Vizanko and Wendel opened The Bike Shop in April 2008. As longtime bicycling enthusiasts, they knew the sport’s popularity was booming. While working together at a local cycling store during college, they discovered that many cyclists in the area would welcome a new business offering . . .

Abraham Wagner is not the kind of guy who can sit still. He has this inner drive to contend with. It started long before he decided to become a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter and step into a cage with huge men intent upon inflicting as much damage upon him as possible . . . . . . before he moved up the corporate ladder to become director of finance and operations for an industrial supply company . . . before he received a mechanical engineering degree from Michigan Tech while earning four letters and all-conference accolades as a member of the football team . . . probably even before he left his foster home to work on a farm in exchange for room and board. Somewhere in a troubled past—one that included countless episodes of abuse from his father—Abe made a choice that kick-started . . .

Kevin serves as Chief Financial Officer of Dollar Tree Inc., a Fortune 150 Company based in Chesapeake, Virginia, which operates more than 14,500 retail stores across 48 states and five Canadian Provinces. Stores operate under the brands of Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, and Dollar Tree Canada. Kevin leads a team of 250 associates across Accounting, Treasury, Tax, Risk Management, Asset Protection, Non-Merchandise Purchasing and Investor Relations. Most recently, he led the financing for the Company's $9.1 billion acquisition of Family Dollar Stores, Inc. in July 2015, which more than doubled the Company's revenue and store count. Prior to joining Dollar Tree, Kevin served as Chief Financial Officer of The Finish Line, Inc., from October 2003 to November 2008 and held various senior leadership . . .

In their classes at the School of Business and Economics, Steve Vizanko ’04 and Caleb Wendel ’07 learned how to craft a detailed business plan and meticulously estimate a new enterprise’s growth. As owners of The Bike Shop in Houghton, Vizanko and Wendel are discovering the thrills and challenges of running a flourishing business that has quickly exceeded their on-paper projections. "Our first year has been phenomenal," said Wendel. "And this year has been even busier than last year." Vizanko and Wendel opened The Bike Shop in April 2008. As longtime bicycling enthusiasts, they knew the sport’s popularity was booming. While working together at a local cycling store during college, they discovered that many cyclists in the area would welcome a new business offering . . .

As part of a continuing effort to empower student-athletes and develop strong leadership throughout the Michigan Tech community, the athletic department set up a leadership committee made up participants from all 15 varsity sports this fall semester. The committee meets weekly via zoom and is hosted by Tech football alumni Jaylyn Williams-Boone. Boone is a motivational speaker, whose company tailors' programs for personal development to various audiences. Boone's primary goals this semester in working with Michigan Tech student-athletes are to help them grow through an understanding of three main goals. The program is nicknamed "Build with Boone". Eradicate insecurity. Introduce student-athletes to their gifts. Teach student-athletes how to leverage their positions so they can create lifelong . . .

Why did you choose Michigan Tech? Tech appealed to me because of its reputation as an academically rigorous university. It was also an opportunity to live in and explore a part of Michigan that I previously had not experienced. Tell us about a memorable experience you had with a class or about a favorite professor? Dean Johnson is one of the best professors I’ve ever had. He is great at reaching his students and getting his message across in a comprehensible manner. He often went out of his way to ensure students were not only memorizing a formulaic process to reach an answer, but gaining the intuition to allow for practical utilization of information. Now, how about a memorable experience outside of class? I was a member of the football team while at Tech and on 10.30.10, under . . .

Contemporary automakers integrate wireless technology and fuel efficiency instead of fins and chrome. Knowing what to put into a car and how consumers will respond is JoAnn Heck’s job. She is the director of Consumer and Market Insights for Chrysler Group LLC, and a 1985 graduate of Michigan Tech with a degree in economics. "We try to understand their pain points," she says of consumers. "Then our findings go to the engineering product planning teams who identify ways to meet those needs. People know what they want and need to function in life, and we have to figure out what tangible things might fill that gap, like a rear backup camera when they tell us they want to back up without hitting anything." While the look and feel of a car may get eyeballs, customers want to know what the . . .

William J. Raduchel, a native of the Keweenaw, attended Michigan Tech before earning a bachelor's degree in economics from Michigan State University and both a master's and doctoral degree in economics from Harvard University. He served on the Harvard faculty eventually becoming Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid. In the business world, Raduchel has held executive positions with industry giants Xerox, Sun Microsystems, AOL Time Warner and McGraw-Hill, eventually becoming CEO of Ruckus—a global supplier of advanced wireless systems for the mobile internet infrastructure market. With more than 20 patents, Raduchel continues to be an innovator and technology leader. Author-filmmaker Ted Leonsis calls him "a technology guru, a thought leader and an evangelist for all things digital." . . .