Alumni Awards
2024 Awards & Winners
The 2024 Distinguished Alumni Awards are dedicated to Dean Emeritus H.J. “Jerry” Zoffer.
H.J. Zoffer Medal for Meritorious Service Award
Carrie Woods
Assistant Director
University of Pittsburgh Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business PhD Program
Carrie Woods joined the University of Pittsburgh in 1980 and has a 43-year history with the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business. She has served as the Assistant Director of the highly regarded PhD Program, as well as an advisor to graduate business students. Woods’ passion has been in shepherding students through the process of achieving a PhD and developing life-long relationships with them as alumni. She was an early participant in the PhD Project in 1995 and an early member of DocNet Business Schools (a consortium within the AACSB). Woods’ charity work over the years has included the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, the American Red Cross, and the Katz Committee for United Way.
CBA Outstanding Alumni Award
Maximilian Kneis, BSBA ’18
Project Leader
Boston Consulting Company
Max Kneis started his career in management consulting with Boston Consulting Group, working with clients on transformation, strategy, and pricing projects primarily across the retail and travel & tourism sectors. He remains strongly engaged with the University of Pittsburgh, currently serving on the Business Alumni Associations Board, and previously the Alumni Association’s Young Alumni Council. During the summer of 2023, he worked for Pitt’s Office of University Relations, assisting with strategic planning and advancing the University’s goals with external constituents.
Distinguished Alumnus Award
Nominees for this award must be graduates of either the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business or the College of Business Administration (CBA). This award honors an alumnus/alumna who has attained outstanding business leadership and demonstrated community service.
Tim Knavish, BSE ’87, MBA ’93
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
PPG
Tim Knavish became chairman of PPG in October 2023 and has served as CEO since January of that same year. Knavish joined the company in 1987 at PPG’s global headquarters in Pittsburgh and has held roles of increasing responsibility during his 36 years with the company. Before being named Chairman and CEO, Knavish served as president, CEO, chief operating officer, and executive vice president. He serves on the board of the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania and previously served on the board of Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania.
Distinguished Alumna Award
Nominees for this award must be graduates of either the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business or the College of Business Administration (CBA). This award honors an alumnus/alumna who has attained outstanding business leadership and demonstrated community service.
Lynn Fischer Kirimli, BA ’86, MBA ’90
Board Member & Founder
Title21 Health Solutions
Lynn Fischer Kirimli is the founder and board member of Title21 Health Solutions, a software-as-a-service company delivering enterprise quality management and cell and gene therapy solutions. She founded the company in 2001 with Kent Kirimli (BSE ’82, MBA ’90) with a vision to make biotherapies more accessible to patients. Her previous work includes: Director of Marketing at Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream; Senior Marketing Manager at E&J Gallo Winery; Vice President of Marketing at The Wine Group; and General Manager at M&M/Mars. She currently serves on the Pitt Business Board of Visitors and Advisory Board of Phoenix Children’s Hospital Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. She is a founding member of Women in Advanced Therapies and started the Kirimli Family Charitable Foundation to positively impact children through education and healthcare.
International Distinguished Alumni Award
Nominees for this award must be graduates of either the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business or the College of Business Administration (CBA) and have studied at the Business School as an international student. This award honors an alumnus/alumna who has attained outstanding business leadership and demonstrated community service.
Eunsang Choi, MBA ’89
President, Yojin Construction Company
Chairman, YJ Corporation
Eunsang Choi is the incoming President of the University of Pittsburgh Korean Alumni Association. He is President of Yojin Construction, which was established in 1976 and is engaged in civil engineering, construction work, housing construction, and real estate rental as its central businesses. The company is known for its “Y City” brand and is a leading contractor for the U.S. Armed Forces. Since its founding, Yojin Construction has been dedicated to community outreach and charitable activities, particularly in education and scholarships. In addition, the company is carrying out holistic talent development and sponsorship projects, including a women’s golf team. In 2021, Yojin Construction was awarded the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Forbes Social Contribution Award in the education and social welfare realization category.
Distinguished Service Award
Nominees for this award must be graduates of either the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business or the College of Business Administration (CBA). This award is for special recognition of individuals who have made significant contributions to Pitt Business and/or the University over a long period of time.
William A. Sapon, MBA ’17, MPPM ’23
Founder and President
Tri-Sector Advisors LLC
William Sapon is a visionary leader with 13+ years of experience in energy and sustainability. As the Founder and President of minority-owned Tri-Sector Advisors LLC, he drives social and environmental change via cross-sector collaboration. His passion for community service extends beyond his professional career and he serves on multiple non-profit boards, including the University of Pittsburgh’s Business Alumni Association and the Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities, the designated regional organization for all U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities initiatives. He is also a vital figure in the foundation of Pitt’s Center for Sustainable Business.
Corporate Appreciation Award
Level Agency
Award accepted by Patrick Van Gorder, COO and President
Level Agency is a Pittsburgh-based performance marketing agency that prides itself on creating hypothesis-driven digital marketing that creates value, builds trust, and drives change through a unique Test Learn Grow framework. Level Agency has been a program partner with Pitt Business since 2020. Their support includes financial contributions and encouraging employees to be guest speakers in the undergraduate Digital Marketing Institute (DMI). Over three years as a partner, they have hired nine students into full-time positions and five interns. Level Agency’s Jenna Bluedorn has supported undergraduate education by serving as an Executive-in-Residence. Not only does she work with the DMI program teaching students how to pass the Google Ad and SEO certifications, but she also holds student appointments and helps students find internships and jobs.
Past Awards & Winners
CBA Outstanding Alumni Award
The CBA Outstanding Alumni Award recognizes a College of Business Administration graduate who has made exceptional contributions to his profession, discipline, or community since graduation.
2023
Theresa Boras, BSBA ’03
Director of Performance Marketing,Disney Advertising Sales
2022
Symone Redwine, (BSBA ’04)
Partner, Esquire Litigation Group
2021
No awards presented
2020
Christopher M. Curd (BSBA ’03, MBA ‘11)
Owner & League Commissioner, Pittsburgh Flag Football League (PFFL)
2019
Kirsten R. Albert (BSBA ’01)
Assurance Partner, PwC
2018
Andrew S. Richert (BSBA ’07)
President, Go Realty
2017
Karla G. Geci (BSBA ’01)
Strategic Media Partnership, Facebook
2016
Andrew T. Myerson (BSBA ’05)
Chief Haymaker, Haymakers for Hope
CEO, Hinterlands
Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Accomplice
2015
Ian C. Buggs (BSBA ’03)
Associate Manager Financial Reporting and Analysis
Pfizer – Africa/Middle East
2014
La’Tasha D. Mayes (BSBA ’03)
Founder and Executive Director
New Voices Pittsburgh: Women of Color for Reproductive Justice
2013
Kenneth M. Shamus (BSBA ’01)
Finance Manager
Ford Motor Company
2012
William C. Price (BSBA ’98)
Partner, Thorp Reed & Armstrong
2011
Darren Jones (BSBA ’00)
Associate Director, Risk Mgnt. Consulting Practice, Protiviti
2010
Joan S. Kuhl, (BSBA ’01)
Senior Manager, Segment Marketing, Forest Laboratories, Inc.
CBA Outstanding Alumni Award
The CBA Outstanding Alumni Award recognizes a College of Business Administration graduate who has made exceptional contributions to his profession, discipline, or community since graduation.
2023
Theresa Boras, BSBA ’03
Director of Performance Marketing, Disney Advertising Sales
2022
Symone Redwine, (BSBA ’04)
Partner, Esquire Litigation Group
2021
No awards presented
2020
Christopher M. Curd (BSBA ’03, MBA ‘11)
Owner & League Commissioner, Pittsburgh Flag Football League (PFFL)
2019
Kirsten R. Albert (BSBA ’01)
Assurance Partner, PwC
2018
Andrew S. Richert (BSBA ’07)
President, Go Realty
2017
Karla G. Geci (BSBA ’01)
Strategic Media Partnership, Facebook
2016
Andrew T. Myerson (BSBA ’05)
Chief Haymaker, Haymakers for Hope
CEO, Hinterlands
Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Accomplice
2015
Ian C. Buggs (BSBA ’03)
Associate Manager Financial Reporting and Analysis
Pfizer – Africa/Middle East
2014
La’Tasha D. Mayes (BSBA ’03)
Founder and Executive Director
New Voices Pittsburgh: Women of Color for Reproductive Justice
2013
Kenneth M. Shamus (BSBA ’01)
Finance Manager
Ford Motor Company
2012
William C. Price (BSBA ’98)
Partner, Thorp Reed & Armstrong
2011
Darren Jones (BSBA ’00)
Associate Director, Risk Mgnt. Consulting Practice, Protiviti
2010
Joan S. Kuhl, (BSBA ’01)
Senior Manager, Segment Marketing, Forest Laboratories, Inc.
Corporate Appreciation Award
Award accepted by Albrecht T. Powell, Managing Director
KPMG
2021
No awards presented
2020
IBM
Award accepted by Wayne Balta, Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Product Safety
2019
Eaton Corporation
2018
Vanguard
Award accepted by Christopher Sicilia, Principal, Financial Planning and Analysis
2017
EY
Award Accepted by Lynette Horrell, Managing Partner, Pittsburgh Office
2016
PNC Financial Services
Award accepted by Sy Holzer, President, PNC Bank
2015
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Award accepted by Tom Kelly, Managing Partner, Pittsburgh Office
2014
Texas Instruments
2013
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Accepted by David Mossé, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary
2012
Crane Company
Accepted by Tony DiFruscia, Vice President Human Resources
Crane Co. Fluid Handling
2011
Giant Eagle Inc.
Accepted by John Lucot (MBA ’87), executive vice president and chief operating officer
2010
BNY Mellon
Accepted by Barrie Athol (MBA ’88)
Head, Corporate PMO
2009
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Accepted by Robert C. Denove
Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna Award
Listed below are the recipients of the Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna Award. Each recipient is listed under the year when the award was presented; title and company were at time of nomination.
2023
Christopher V. Dodds, MBA ’83
Co-Founder & Managing Member, Crown Oak Advisors LLC
Deborah Ricci, MBA ’91
Partner and Chief Financial Officer, Guidehouse
Abhiskek S. Mehta, BSBA ’05
International Awardee
Founder and Chief Investment Officer, Blue Lotus Investment Fund
2022
Ben L. Fryrear (MBA ’64)
Retired President, Aerospace Optics, Inc.
Rosalie Joseph Myers (MBA ’98)
Vice President, Finance Manager, PNC
Venkat A. Ramaswamy (MBA ’91)
International Awardee
Vice Chairman, Edelweiss Financial Services Limited
2021
No awards presented
2020
Helen B. Eggers (MBA ’81)
Wealth Management Business Controls, Governance, and Operational Excellence Executive, Bank of America
San-e Ichii (MBA ‘92)
Senior Managing Director and Secretary General, VIPO
Gerard M. Moufflet (MBA ’69)
CEO, Acceleration International Corporation
2019
Jerry J. Fedele (MBA ’86)
President & CEO, Boca Raton Regional Hospital
Mary M. Hartner (MBA ‘75)
President, Mancini’s Bakery
Somphote Ahunai (MBA ’92)
CEO, Energy Absolute Public Company Limited
Blanca Shulan Huang (MBA ’92)
Former Executive, Energy Absolute Public Company Limited
2018
Jeff Hansberry (BA ’86, MBA ’89)
President and Chief Commercial Officer, Advantage Solutions
Chien-fu Li (MBA ’85)
Founder and CEO, China-tunes (Taiwan)
Chairman, Chinese Musicians Exchange Association
Andrea J. Thompson (MBA ’91)
Senior Vice President of U.S. Programs, BAE Systems (United Kingdom)
2017
John T. Harper (MBA ’82)
President, Store Design, Visual, Construction, and Store Operations, Macy’s Inc.
Robert B. Harrison (MBA ’91)
Chief Omnichannel Officer, Macy’s Inc.
Ferry A. Soetikno (MBA ’87)
International Distinguished Alumni Awardee
President Director, CEO, Dexa Medica (Indonesia)
2016
Julie A. Dobson (MBA ’79)
Corporate Director, Safeguard Scientifics,
American Water Corporation, and Telogis, Inc.
Retired Chief Operating Officer, TeleCorps PCS, Inc.
J. Roger Glunt (BBA ’60)
President, Glunt Development Co., Inc.
Archana N. Hingorani (PhD ’93, MBA ‘86)
Chief Executive Officer, IL&FS Investment Managers Limited (IIML)
2015
Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba (KGSB ’90)
(International Distinguished Alumni Award Winner)
Former Deputy Secretary General, Commonwealth Secretariat
Botswana/United Kingdom
Charlotte B. McLaughlin (KGSB ’81)
President and Chief Executive Officer
PNC Capital Markets, Incorporated
John E. Heller, Jr. (KGSB ’90)
Chief Executive Officer
Pacific Architects and Engineers, Incorporated
2014
Susan E. Arnold (MBA ’80)
Vice Chair/President, Procter & Gamble (retired)
Operating Executive, The Carlyle Group
Board member, Walt Disney Co. and McDonald’s Corp.
Max H. Mitchell(MBA ’89)
President and CEO
Crane Company
Kulpatra Sirodom (PhD ’87)
(International Distinguished Alumni Award Winner)
Associate Professor in Finance, Thammasat University Business School
Board member, Thai President Foods PCL, Thai Wacoal PCL, President Bakery PLC PCL, The Siam Commercial Bank PCL
2013
Samme Thompson (MBA ’70)
Founder and President
Telit Associates, Incorporated
Handy Soetedjo (MBA ’95) – (1st International Distinguished Alumni Award Winner)
President Director, Midasia Capital
Jakarta, Indonesia
Kenneth R. Woodcock (MBA ’66)
Senior Vice President (Retired)
AES Corporation
2012
Christine Moorman (MBA ’88; PhD ’88)
T. Austin Finch Sr. Professor of Business Administration, Fuqua School of Business, Duke University
Joseph C. Guyaux (MBA ’84)
President, The PNC Financial Services Group
Frederick Sutherland (MBA ’74)
Executive Vice President, CFO, and Group Executive, ARAMARK Corporation
2011
Claudio Abreu (PhD ’96; MBA ’90; MS ’90)
President and CEO; Bayer Business and Technology Services
Howard W. Hanna Jr. (BBA ’42; MLIT ’49)
Founder; Howard Hanna Real Estate Services
Robert Pasterick (BA ’77; MBA ’78)
President; Boeing Shared Services Group
2010
Jeffrey A. Davis (EMBA ’92)
Senior Vice President of Finance, Store Operations, Walmart U.S.
Donald R. Fischer (MBA ’98)
Senior Vice President of Health Affairs and Chief Medical Officer, Highmark Inc.
Barbara K. Mistick (MBA ’92)
President and Director, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
2009
Andrew Hannah, ’92
President and CEO, Plextronics, Inc.
Jeff Kelly, ’76
Chairman and CEO, Hamill Manufacturing Company
Delena Spencer, ’92
Vice President, Controller, High Volume Analog and Logic, Texas Instruments Incorporated
2008
Thomas A. Christopher, ’80
President and Chief Executive Officer-Areva NP., Inc. and Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer-Areva Enterprises, Inc.
Rohit Deshpande, ’79
Sebastian S. Kresge Professor of Marketing and Henry B. Arthur Fellow-Harvard Business School
Frank N. Domeisen, ’82
Area Vice President-Yanni Partners-A Division of GBS Investment Consulting, LLC
Cynthia Zydel, ’91
Vice President Strategic Planning and Medicare-Gateway Health Plan
2007
Wesley A. Coleman, ’72
Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer—Walt Disney Company
Jackie Johnson, ’86
Founder and Chief Executive Officer—Corazon, Inc.
Dennis S. Meteny, ’88
President and Chief Executive Officer—Cygnus Manufacturing Company
Daniel C. Smith, ’89
Dean, Professor, and Clare W. Barker Endowed Chair in Marketing—Kelley School of Business, Indiana University at Bloomington
2006
Gregory M. Coticchia, ’86
President and CEO—LogicLibrary, Inc.
Joseph Charles Muscari, ’69
Executive Vice President and CFO—Alcoa Incorporated
Susan Baker Shipley, ’88
Senior Vice President and Director, MidAtlantic & International Cash Management—Citizens Bank
2005
Mary Beth Lewis, ’86
CFO and Executive Vice President—Noodles & Company
Kevin P. March, ’84
Senior Vice President and CFO—Texas Instruments Inc.
Dennis L. Zeitler, ’76
Vice President, CFO, and Treasurer—Mine Safety Appliances Co.
Charlotte A. Zuschlag, ’81
President and CEO—ESB Financial Corporation
2004
Louise K. Goeser, ’89
Vice President, Quality—Ford Motor Company
R. Charles Moyer, ’68 & ’71
Dean Emeritus and GMAC Insurance Chair of Finance—Babcock Graduate School of Management
Regina Dressel Stover, ’81
Senior Vice President—Mellon Financial Corporation
2003
Connie M Cibrone, ’83
President and CFO—Allegheny General Hospital
Paul P. Skoutelas, ’84
CEO—Port Authority of Allegheny County
Charles M. Steiner, ’63
CEO—Branch Group, Inc.
2002
Mary Del Brady, ’91
President—Biospace Development Company
Thomas H. Patrick, ’67
Executive Vice President and CFO—Merrill Lynch
James D. Roy, ’66
President and CEO—Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh
Robert W. Smith III, ’73
Controller, Vehicle Service and Programs—Ford Motor Company
2001
Frank B. Fuhrer Jr., ’51
Chairman of the Board—Frank B. Fuhrer Jr. Holdings
Mark G. Miller, ’88
CEO—Solutions Consulting, LLC
Eddie N. Moore Jr., ’75
President—Virginia State University
2000
Bibiana Boerio, ’76
Finance Director, Jaguar Cars Ltd.—Ford Motor Company
Earl Hord, ’77
Managing Partner—Keystone Minority Capital Fund
Kenneth A. Rowles, ’64 & ’65
Co-Managing Shareholder—Schneider Downs & Co., Inc.
Randall L. C. Russell, ’70
Chairman and CEO—Ranbar Technology, Inc.
1999
Mary Ellen Pohl Rodgers, ’75
CFO—American Home Patient
David L. Wohleber, ’65
Executive Vice President and CFO—Eat ‘N Park Restaurants, Inc.
1998
Robert S. Rosati, ’61
President and CEO—Transtar, Inc.
1997
Tom W. Olofson, ’63
Chairman and CEO—Electronic Processing, Inc.
1996
James R. Allen ’64
President—National Development Corporation
1995
Ronald M. Puntil, ’58
President—Grubb & Ellis/Axion
1994
James S. Broadhurst, ’67
Chairman and CEO—Eat ‘N Park Restaurants
1993
Samuel A. McCullough, ’60
Chairman and CEO—Meridian Bankcorp Inc.
1992
Raymond W. Smith, ’69
Chairman and CEO—Bell Atlantic
1991
*Charles T. Russell, ’63
President and CEO—Visa International
1990
*Thomas Marshall, ’57
Chairman and CEO—Aristech Chemical Corporation
1989
H. Jerome Zoffer, ’52 & ’53
Dean—Katz Graduate School of Business
1988
Farrell Rubenstein, ’53
Retired Partner—Deloitte & Touche
1987
*James B. Tafel, ’50
Retired Chairman—Technical Publishing
1986
Donald R. Beall, ’61
Chairman—Rockwell International
1985
Joseph V. Anania, ’56
Partner—Price Waterhouse
1984
Thomas G. Bigley, ’56
Managing Partner—Ernst & Young
1983
*Robert E. Seymour, ’52
Director—Rockwell International and Former Chairman—Pittsburgh Brewing Company
1982
William P. Snyder III, ’38
Trustee Chairman—W.P. Snyder Charitable Foundation and President—Wilpen Group, Inc.
1981
*Thomas V. Fritz, ’60
Vice Chairman and Managing Partner, East—Ernst & Young
1980
*John G. Henderson, ’48
Retired Partner—Price Waterhouse
1979
*Edward W. Kay, ’49
Co-Chairman—Ernst & Young
1978
William E. Bierer, ’54
President—Lesker Office Products
1977
*Desmond J. McTighe, ’23
President—McTighe, Weiss & Stewart
1976
*Lou Mervis, ’21
President—Loura Corporation
David M. Roderick, ’56
Retired Chairman and CEO—USX Corporation
*Louis A. Werbaneth, ’56
Regional Partner—Touche Ross & Co.
1975
*Curtis E. Jones, ’50
Retired President—Mellon Bank
1974
*Henry E. Haller Jr., ’36
Retired President—National Valve & Manufacturing
1973
*Andrew F. Gustafson, ’26
Athletic Director—University of Miami
*Harbaugh Miller, ’22
Senior Partner—Miller & Entwisle
*Raymond O. Strothman, ’45
Executive Vice President—Alexander & Alexander
1972
*Arthur J. Brosius, ’35
Consultant—Phibro Division of Salomon
*Douglas G. Sisterson, ’19
Retired Chairman—Hillman Co.
1971
*Harvey J. Haughton, ’34
Retired Vice President of Finance—Jones & Laughlin Steel
*James M. Underwood, ’30
Retired Chairman—Vulcan Inc.
1970
*Birger Engstrom, ’23
Chairman—McDowell Manufacturing
*Philip K. Herr, ’24
Executive Vice President—PNC Bank
*Charles R. Wilson, ’27
Senior Vice President—Realty Growth Corporation
1969
*Robert D. Fleming, ’31
Retired State Senator—Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
*George Ketchum, ’17
Founder—Ketchum
*G. Herbert McCracken, ’21
Retired Chairman—Scholastic Magazines, Inc.
1968
*Theodore W. Biddle, ’29
President—University of Pittsburgh
*George G. Main, ’26
Vice President—Westinghouse
*Wilbert A. Walker, ’31
Retired President—U.S. Steel
1967
*Michael Bachrach, ’23
Not available
*Joseph M. Barr, ’28
Mayor—City of Pittsburgh
*Carlton G. Ketchum, ’16
Chairman—Ketchum
*Walter J. Rome, ’26
Director—Children’s Hospital
1966
*William W. Booth, ’20
Partner—Reed, Smith, Shaw & McClay
*Louis Broido, ’17
Executive Vice President—Gimbels and Commissioner—New York City Department of Commerce
*Paul W. Kearney, ’26
Director—U.S. Steel Foundation
*Norman MacLeod, ’17
Executive Vice President—Ketchum
1965
*Frank Armour
Chairman—H.J. Heinz Co.
*H. Donald Borger, 1900
Chairman—Consolidated Gas Co.
1964
*Malcolm E. Lambing, ’31
President—Pittsburgh National Bank
* Deceased
Distinguished Service Award
Listed below are the recipients of the Distinguished Service Award. Each recipient is listed under the year when the award was presented; corporate affiliation was at the time the award was presented.*
2023
Brigette Koreny, BA ’10, JD/MBA ’13
Senior Corporate Counsel, Harsco Corporation
2022
John Algie (BSBA ’03, JD/MBA ’09)
Partner, Reed Smith LLP
2021
No awards presented
2020
Lisa M. Polar, MBA ‘98
Human Resources Director, Strada
2019
Robert J. Gilbert (PhD ’97)
Clinical Associate Professor Business Administration, University of Pittsburgh
2018
Kathleen M. Foody-Malus (A&S ’82, MBA ’83)
Executive in Residence, Pitt Business
Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager (retired), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
2017
Tricina Cash (EMBA ’09)
Strategic Initiatives and Business Consultant
President, Pitt Black MBA Network (PBAN)
2016
Mark A. Frantz J.D. (MBA ’96, LAW ’96)
Co-Founder, Blue Delta Capital Partners
2015
Timothy P. Robison (MBA ’75)
Former Assistant Dean for MBA Programs
Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business
University of Pittsburgh
and Retired, Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer
Mellon Financial Corporation
2014
Gloster B. Current Jr. (MBA ’72)
Immediate Past President, Pitt Black MBA Network (PBAN)
Board member, A.O. Smith Corp.
2013
Jeffry Marzina (MBA ’87)
Executive Vice President
Bill Few Associates, Inc.
2012
Masanobu Tsukagoshi (MBA ’88)
Managing Partner, IncTANK Inc. Japan
2011
Jan Bamford (MBA ’94)
Marketing Manager, BNY Mellon
2010
Robert Schnoes (BSIM ’49)
Vice Chairman, Ultrasonic Power Corporation
2009
Kazunobu Nakao, ’94
Owner, Nakao International Human Resource Consulting
2007
Christine M. Kretz, ’93
IBM Corporation
2003
S. Jeffrey Kondis, ’82
Watson Standard Company
2002
Jagdish N. Sheth, ’63 & ’67
Emory University
2001
Michael Walsh, ’90
Buchanan Ingersoll, P.C.
2000
James A. Yard, ’69
Parker/Hunter, Incorporated
1999
Joseph E. Bryan, ’90
Brysco Foodservice Company
1998
Regina Dressel Stover, ’81
Mellon Bank
1997
Michelle Keane Domeisen, ’82
Grubb & Ellis
1996
David L. Wohleber, ’65
Eat ’N Park Restaurants, Inc.
* Not awarded every year because of eligibility requirements.
H. J. Zoffer Medal for Meritorious Service Award
Listed below are the recipients of the H. J. Zoffer Medal for Meritorious Service. Each recipient is listed under the year when the award was presented.
2023
Geoffrey Muessig, MBA ’08
Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, PITT OHIO
2022
John P. Surma
Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer United State Steel Corporation
2021
No awards presented
2020
Robert S. Atkin, Ph.D. ’96
Clinical Professor, Pitt Business
2019
Ira J. Gumberg (A&S ’75)
Chairman and Chief Executive, J.J. Gumberg Company
2018
Herb Shear
Chairman, Shear Family Office
CEO, GENCO (former)
University of Pittsburgh Trustee
2017
Ben L. Fryrear (MBA ’64)
President and Chairman (Retired) and Board Member, Applied Avonics, Inc.
2016
Thomas L. Saaty
Distinguished University Professor of Business Analytics and Operations
Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business
University of Pittsburgh
2015
James P. Waite (UPJ ’85)
Director, Alumni Relations
Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business
and College of Business Administration
University of Pittsburgh
John T. Delaney
Henry E. Haller Jr. Dean
Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business
and College of Business Administration
University of Pittsburgh
2014
George A. Davidson Jr. (ENGR ’61)
Chairman, Dominion Resources, Inc. (Retired)
Pitt Business Board of Visitors Member
University of Pittsburgh Board of Trustee Emeritus
2013
Professor Josephine E. Olson
Professor of Business Administration and
Director of International Business Center
Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business and
College of Business Administration
2012
William C. Byham, PhD
Chairman and CEO, Development Dimensions International
2011
Stephen Tritch (BSME ’71; MBA ’77)
Retired Chairman, Westinghouse Electric Company
2010
Shekar Narasimhan (MBA ’75)
Managing Partner, Beekman Advisors, and Chief Executive Officer, Beekman Helix India Partners
2009
Sy Holzer
President, PNC Bank – Pittsburgh
2008
Kristen Holloway, ’05
2006
Richard F. Dickinson, ’88
2005
Elizabeth Adams
Robert M. Keene
2004
Paul C. Beer, MBA ’87
2003
Christopher J. Porter, MBA ’93
2002
Lisa Cherok
Dennis P. Slevin
2001
Ann Dugan, MBA ’85
Gena Neugebauer, BSBA ’99
2000
Marick F. Masters
Edward J. Palascak
1999
Alison Sterne Frederick, MBA ’95
Audrey J. Murrell
Robert Nachtmann
G. Thomas Welsh, MBA ’88
1998
Andrew R. Blair
Joan B. Craig
S. Jeffrey Kondis, MBA ’82
1997
Audrey Sabol Kilmann
* Not awarded every year due to eligibility requirements.
Distinguished Alumni Fellows (University award)
The Distinguished Alumni Fellow is the most prestigious alumni award conferred by the University of Pittsburgh. The Pitt Alumni Association in partnership with Chancellor Pat Gallagher are proud to acknowledge the contributions prominent alumni have had locally, nationally, and globally.
Legacy Laureates (University award)
The Legacy Laureate program honors alumni who demonstrate the pinnacle of achievement in professional and civic leadership. The following are awardees who have affiliations with the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business and/or College of Business Administration.
2014
Kenneth Woodcock (MBA ’66)
2013
Howard Hanna (BBA ’45; MLIT ’49)
2012
Tadeu Carneiro (MBA ’98)
Charles M. Steiner (BBA ’63)
2011
James S. Broadhurst (MBA ’66)
2010
Prof. Jagdish N. Sheth (MBA ’62; Ph.D. ’66)
2009
Frank B. Fuhrer Jr. (MBA ’51)
2008
Frank Gaoning Ning (MBA ’85)
2005
Raymond W. Smith (MBA ’69)
2002
Bibiana Boerio (MBA ’76)
Christopher V. Dodds (MBA ’83)
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
The Career Center and everyone who works there has been so helpful and has made me feel so prepared and confident in searching for an internship.
Pitt Business has given me the confidence and guidance necessary to excel in my given field.