Class Notes: Summer 2011

1940s

Cindy K. Rosenberg (BBA ’45, L ’46) relocated from the East Coast to Corvallis, Ore., in November 2009.

Peter Beer (BBA ’49) recently retired after serving 30 years as U.S. District Judge. Beer was appointed by President Carter. Beer received the Justice William Brennan Award from the University of Virginia Law School as Teacher of Advocacy.

1960s

Frank Basile (BBA ’61) is the author of Traveling with Frank and Katrina, a new collection of writings that chronicle some of the off-the-beaten-path trips he and his wife have taken to destinations around the world. Basile, travel columnist for the Indianapolis Business Journal, has visited 174 countries on all seven continents, and the book includes stories drawn from those journeys, including reports from Nepal, Iran, Russia, Bosnia, Antarctica, Zambia, Mongolia, Bhutan, Greenland, Galapagos and more. Basile is a professional speaker, author of 14 books, business and travel columnist, community volunteer, philanthropist and retired senior vice president of the Gene B. Glick Co. For more information about the book and for information on how to order a copy, visit http://www.ibj.com/books.

 

 

Jerry Greenbaum (BBA ’62) was the subject of a story in last summer’s issue of Freeman magazine detailing his plans to convert the sprawling Dixie Machine, Welding & Metal Works building in New Orleans into a high-end steakhouse. Greenbaum was in the process of completing plans for the site, an effort that dragged on for a year due to the complexity of the historic conversion, when the CBD space formerly occupied by Cuvee restaurant suddenly became available. Sensing an opportunity, Greenbaum took over the space and in July 2011 opened Chophouse New Orleans, a 100-seat restaurant specializing in USDA Prime steaks. Greenbaum says the restaurant is similar in concept to his other Prime steakhouses—New York Prime, Chophouse ’47 and Rare Las Olas—but with a New Orleans influence. He and his wife, Barbara, recently bought a condo in the city and plan to spend at least half the year in New Orleans overseeing the restaurant. Greeenbaum says he still hopes to convert the Dixie Machine building into a high-profile restaurant, but the opening of Chophouse means it will probably not be the steakhouse concept he originally envisioned. “After we get our feet wet in our favorite city once again,” Greenbaum says, “we’ll be better able to plan the Dixie project.”

Craig R. Nelson (BBA ’62) has partnered with John F. Fay Jr. and Christina Fay to open the law firm Fay, Nelson & Fay in New Orleans. The firm specializes in maritime, commercial, tort, product liability and appellate matters.

1970s

Ralph Brennan (A&S ’73, MBA ’75) received the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s Thad and Alice Eure Ambassador of Hospitality Award at the organization’s 25th Annual Salute to Excellence. The event took place in Chicago on May 21. The award is presented annually to an individual who has shown extraordinary achievement and exemplary leadership in bringing public focus to the hospitality industry through philanthropy and community service. Brennan is the owner and operator of Red Fish Grill, Ralph’s on the Park and Ralph Brennan’s Courtyard Cafe in New Orleans, Café B in Metairie, Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen at Disneyland, and Ralph Brennan Catering & Events. Brennan is also co-owner of Mr. B’s Bistro and Commander’s Palace in New Orleans and Brennan’s of Houston. Bacco, another of Brennan’s restaurants, ceased operations at its French Quarter home earlier this year, but Brennan is currently scouting sites and plans to reopen the restaurant in a new location.

Reginald H. “Ric” Smith (MBA ’76) became chairman of the Louisiana Bankers Association at its annual meeting in New Orleans in May 2011. Smith is president and CEO of Metairie Bank and Trust in Metairie, La.

 

 

 

Robbert W. Vorhoff (MBA ’77) has been named to the board of the World Trade Center of New Orleans.

 

 

James M. Lapeyre Jr. (MBA ’78) has been elected to serve on the executive committee of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. Lapeyre is president of Laitram Corp.

 

 

David Brain (MBA ’79) was recently honored as Master Entrepreneur of the Year in the Ernst & Young 2011 Central Midwest Competition. The competition covers Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska. Brain is CEO of Entertainment Properties Trust in Kansas City.

1980s

Guy P. Brierre (MBA ’81) has been named treasurer of the New Orleans Ballet Association.

Robert S. Boh (MBA ’81) has been appointed to the board of the Greater New Orleans Foundation. Boh is president and CEO of Boh Bros. Construction.

E. Johann Bultman (MBA ’81) has been named secretary of the LSU Health Sciences Center Foundation.

Bob Kottler (BSM ’81, MBA ’83) has been named executive vice president and director of retail and small business at IberiaBank Corp. Kottler is responsible for the retail segment, including retail operations, credit cards, sales, retail training and small business. Kottler was previously executive vice president for small business banking at Capital One, covering Texas, Louisiana, Maryland, Virginia, D.C., New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Prior to the merger of Capital One Financial Corp. and Hibernia Corp., Kottler was chief sales support officer at Hibernia.

 

Gary S. Pinsly (MBA ’82) is a managing director of Robert W. Baird & Co., an international wealth management and investment banking firm. In that role, Pinsly and his team manage portfolios for executives, endowments and family offices. Pinsly is based in Nashville.

Cameron Weber (BSM ’83) recently published the second edition of his book Economics for Everyone. The book explains main topics in economics in everyday language so readers can understand both the economic and political debates of the day. Economics for Everyone can be downloaded free of charge at Weber’s website, cameroneconomics.com, or purchased online at Amazon.

Stephen J. Bordes (BSM ’84) is chief financial officer of United Malt Holdings, a private equity holding firm. Previously he was an operations partner for private equity at UBC/ACP, a venture capital company. He also worked as a partner at Deloitte and, prior to that, as vice president and CFO of Revlon.

 

Michael S. DePaul (BSM ’84) has been named chief operating officer of LUBA Workers’ Comp in Baton Rouge, La. DePaul had served as CFO since joining the company in 2003. In 2010, he was named to the company’s board of directors.

 

Andrew Friedman (BSM ’84) has been named president and CEO of Learning Ally, the nation’s leading provider of accessible educational content. Friedman joined Learning Ally, formerly Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic, in January 2009 as chief financial officer and was promoted to chief operating officer later that year. He has served as interim CEO since May 2010. Prior to joining Learning Ally, Friedman was founder and partner of iFOS Publishing/Parenting Teens Network, where he raised capital to launch the company, ran all operations and established distribution partnerships with large not-for-profit associations. He was also a partner and CFO for Rosetta LLC and SimStar Inc., a marketing services agency and professional services company, where he defined and implemented ongoing corporate strategy and managed overall operations for the organization.

Jeffrey A. Wolf (BSM ’84) is executive vice president of Herman Procurement & Logistics in Miami.

 

John R. “J” Pegues (MBA ’85) has been elected vice president of the Louisiana Association of Health Plans. Pegues is chief executive officer with Coventry Health Care.

Matthew Schilowitz (BSM ’85) has been appointed to the board of directors of International Development & Environmental Holdings, a leading parking management company. Schilowitz has more than 25 years experience in large-scale real estate and construction development. Most recently, Schilowitz redeveloped the Acanto Hotel, one of the most successful boutique hotels in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Paul B. Kavanaugh (MBA ’86) has been elected vice president of the board of Academy of the Sacred Heart.

Lawrence L. Boudreaux (MBA ’88) has been named treasurer of the World Trade Center of New Orleans.

Vipin Mayar (MBA ’88) was featured on the 2010 iMedia 25: Internet Marketing Leaders and Innovators. Selected by digital professionals, the list recognizes the accomplishments of key influencers in interactive marketing who not only excel in their own business roles but are also able to execute on innovative ideas, share them with peers and consumers, and push the field to new levels of success and significance. Mayar is an executive vice president with McCann Worldgroup in New York.

Jack Laborde (MBA ’88) has been named vice chairman of the LSU Health Sciences Center Foundation.

William R. Seay (BSM ’88) is CEO of Lifepoint in Glen Rock, N.J.

1990s

David Butler (MBA ’90) has joined Federated Sample as a business analyst. The company, a subsidiary of the Jackson Square Group, is a market research technology firm based in New Orleans.

John Gardner (BSM ’91) is co-head of strategic planning with Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans. Gardner is a professor of accounting at the University of New Orleans.

 

Drew Greenblatt (MBA ’91) testified before the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade in March on behalf of the National Association of Manufacturers. Greenblatt, president of Marlin Steel Wire Products, a manufacturer of custom wire baskets, wire forms and precision sheet metal assemblies, addressed the topic of “Innovation in Job Creation and Economic Growth.”

Cheryl Lupenui (MBA ’91) is president and CEO of YWCA of Oahu, Hawaii.

Bruce Miller (MBA ’91) was recently promoted to director, corporate audit, at Pepisco Inc. Miller is based in Chicago.

Maria Shirey (MBA ’91) was inducted as a Fellow of the prestigious American Academy of Nursing in November 2010, and in May 2011, she received the Lifetime Membership Award for her sustained career contributions to the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. Shirey is an associate professor of nursing at the University of Southern Indiana College of Nursing and Health Professions.

 

Eric M. Goldberg (BSM ’92) is president of All American Events & Tours in Pittsburgh, a sports incentive company specializing in unique and customized experiences for retail and corporate clients. Prior to that, Goldberg served as principal of GKK Capital, a commercial real estate development company, and as general counsel for Native American Nations, a company focusing on developing business strategies for Native American tribes. Goldberg also serves on the board of API Technologies Corp.

Luis Zervignon (MBA ’92) has been appointed to the board of the Greater New Orleans Foundation. Zervignon is founder and principal of Crescent City Capital Consulting.

Kevin J. Williams

Kevin J. Williams (MBA ’93) recently completed his first feature-length documentary, Fear of a Black Republican. The film, which took Williams six years to make, looks at why there are so few black Republicans and what that means for America’s two-party system. Williams interviews an array of subjects, including Michael Steele, Mike Huckabee, Edward Brooke, Cornel West, Mitt Romney, Tavis Smiley, Newt Gingrich, Grover Norquist, Michele Malkin, Ann Coulter, John McCain and Christine Todd Whitman, to try to answer those questions. He also examines the political ramifications of Hurricane Katrina and the federal response in New Orleans. The independently financed and distributed film was released on both DVD and through community screenings around the country. For more information or to see the trailer, visit the film’s website, www.fearofablackrepublican.com.

 

Roderick Anderson (MBA ’94) and his wife, Marta, are proud to announce the birth of a son, Zebinus Jerome, on April 17. Zeb’s older brothers Xavier and Rigby and older sisters Zelie and Felicity are enjoying the new arrival.

Josie Lewis (BSM ’97) and her husband, Vishwas, are proud to announce the birth of a daughter, Meera, in February 2011. Lewis is co-portfolio manager/analyst with Harding Loevner in Somerville, N.J.

 

Katie LeGardeur (MBA ’99) has become treasurer of Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans. LeGardeur is market manager for private wealth management at JPMorgan Chase.

Trey Morice (MBA/MD ’99) is co-founder of Fourchon Launch Services in Morgan City, La. While practicing obstetrics and gynecology in Morgan City, Morice became increasingly involved in marine supply and service businesses. Fourchon provides transportation services for oilfield companies over water throughout the Gulf of Mexico. Morice also cofounded Maritime Medical Services and provides medical support for oilfield companies both offshore and on. Morice also runs Complete Marine Services, an oilfield service company that repairs marine engines, gear and electrical systems.

Wil Richardson (BSM ’99) is founder of Wil’s Apps, a software development company dedicated to designing custom applications for mobile platforms. In addition to designing promotional and utility apps for customers, the Louisianabased company also designs its own games, including Pling Plong 2, successor to the company’s popular Pling Plong game. Pling Plong 2 debuted in the Apple App Store in February. For more information about the game, visit plingplong2.com.

2000

James O’Neill (MBA ’00) and his wife, Lynn, recently relocated from New York to Chapel Hill, N.C., with their 2-yearold. O’Neill works for Raleigh-based Credit Risk Management, where he focuses on the valuation of distressed loan portfolios for due diligence purposes.

Gonzalo Palacio (E ’99, MBA ’00) and his wife, Aly, are proud to announce the birth of Santiago Palacio in March 2011. Palacio is a vice president and analyst with Capital One Services Inc. in Arlington, Va.

 

 

 

 

2003

Amy Walters (BSM ’03) is vice president of projects with the Young Leadership Council.

 

Shaun Sanghani (MBA ’03) is working with Edwin Edwards to develop a reality TV show about the former Louisiana governor, who recently was released from federal prison after serving a 10-year sentence on racketeering charges. The show will focus on Edwards’ post-incarceration life with new wife Trina Grimes Scott and her two children. Sanghani’s Los Angeles-based production company, SSS Entertainment, has developed a number of recent TV projects, including “Guardian Angels,” a reality show about the volunteer crime-fighting group that aired on A&E, and “Girls, Guns, Gators,” a Travel Channel series that examines the trials and tribulations of 25-year-old Lindsey Simmons as she adjusts to taking over the family business, one of the largest sporting goods stores in Louisiana.

 

2004

Josh Goldman (BSM ’04) graduated from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business with an MBA with honors. He recently joined Wellington Management Co. in Boston as an equity investor.

2005

Rod West (MBA ’05) has been promoted to chief administrative officer for Entergy Corp. West was formerly CEO of Energy New Orleans.

2007

Haley Dupree (BSM/MACCT ’07) and Chris Gismondi (TC ’06) were married in May 2009 in New Orleans. Dupree is a CPA with Ziff Brothers Investments. The couple resides in New York City.

Katie Crosby (MBA ’07) has become a director of New Orleans Commercial Real Estate Women. Crosby is chairman of Fidelity Homestead Savings Bank.

Brook Bissinger (MBA ’08) has joined Federated Sample as a project analyst. The company, a subsidiary of the Jackson Square Group, is a market research technology firm based in New Orleans.

2008

Michael Brodie (BSM ’08) and Rooney Wilus (PHTM ’08) were married in January 2011 in Miami. Brodie is a vice president at Aon Corp. The couple resides in Miami.

David W. Kearney (MBA ’08) of the Kearney Companies has been named vice president and president-elect of the World Trade Center of New Orleans.

Robert L. Wall (MBA/JD ’08) is managing director of Wall Martinen, a boutique, full-service real estate brokerage and asset management firm based in Los Angeles.

2010

Xavier Cabo (MBA ’10) and Chonchol Gupta (MBA ’10, MGM ’10), founders of Rebirth Financial, have been invited to participate in FinovateFall 2011. Finovate is the nation’s premier conference for financial technology innovation, and its fall conference will take place in New York on Sept. 21 and 22. Rebirth Financial is just the second Louisiana-based company to be invited to participate in the conference, following the Receivables Exchange, which participated in last year’s fall conference. Rebirth Financial is the nation’s first online marketplace connecting small business borrowers directly with individual and institutional lenders. The company has been labeled an “idea to change the U.S. finance system” by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.

 

Jeff Good (MBA/JD ’10) has joined the law firm of Jones Walker as an associate. Good, who was previously an associate with McGlinchey Stafford, will practice in the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group in New Orleans.

 

Ashish Patki (MBA ’10) has been promoted to energy business planner at FMC Lithium. Patki joined the company in August 2010 and was most recently an energy analyst with the company. He is based in Charlotte, N.C.

Derrick Rogers (MBA ’10) has been named vice president of membership for the Young Leadership Council.

2011

Skip Wilson (MBA ’11) planned to get a traditional corporate job following his graduation from the Freeman School, but after winning this year’s NewDay Challenge social entrepreneurship competition with his idea for a digital download service for classical musicians, he’s singing a different tune.

“I never thought I’d be starting my own business, but it looks like that’s the path I’m going to be taking,” says Wilson, who delivered the student address at this year’s Tulane Commencement Ceremony. “I’m pretty excited about that.”

An award-winning classical clarinet player, Wilson earned an undergraduate degree in music, education and communications from Vanderbilt University and went on to work for MTV Networks’ Country Music Television, where he produced marketing events at the CMT Music Awards, the Austin City Limits Music Festival, Coachella and the CMA Music Festival.

After four years with CMT, Wilson enrolled in the MBA program in 2009. Inspired by the business school’s emphasis on entrepreneurship and conscious capitalism, he wrote a business plan for Surround Sound Accompaniment, a digital download service that provides classical musicians with recorded accompaniment to practice with. Wilson plans to use student musicians from New Orleans to record all the selections, providing the talented young performers with income and professional experience.

Wilson made it to the finals of the Domain Companies New Orleans Entrepreneur Challenge with his plan, and he won the $10,000 grand prize in the NewDay Challenge. Since then, he’s also received $30,000 in seed capital from an angel investor.

“There has been extreme interest in actually moving this venture forward,” he says. “This has just been happening to me in the last month, so I think I will remain here to explore the viability of this business for at least the next year.”

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