Alumni Notes

40 Under 40 - The College of Business is proud to recognize three University of South Florida business school graduates included in the prestigious “40 Under 40” roster.  Presented by Gulf Coast Business Review, the list included Amy C. Hunt, assistant vice president of commercial lending at the Bank of Commerce; Andrea Gonzmart, part of the fifth generation on the management team at the Columbia Restaurant; and Henry Gonzalez, executive vice president of commercial lending at the Bank of Tampa.  Congratulations!

Christopher A. Arnette has been named COO of AnazaoHealth.  His previous experience includes service as managing principal with IBM Global Services as well as a leadership role with Kelly Services.  He earned an EMBA from USF in 1990.

Curt Baker is Centra Health’s new director of Cancer Care Services, a role that will include its new Alan B. Pearson Regional Cancer Center. He was formerly with H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute.  Baker is the new point person for oversight of all Centra’s cancer care programs, such as mammography, radiation oncology and in-hospital patient units. He holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Florida Southern College and is enrolled in USF’s MBA program.

Samuel Barrera recently joined Grant Thornton’s business advisory services practice.  He is a 2006 graduate of the School of Accountancy.

Jimmy Bass began his career in June when he accepted a position as assurance associate at Grant Thornton LLP.  He is a graduate of USF’s School of Accountancy.

Michael A.G. Burton is now a vice president and senior associate at WilsonMiller, Inc.  as well as Southwest Florida and Tampa Bay regional manager of the firm’s Ecological & Water Resources corporate business.  The 2003 USF MBA graduate specializes in the areas of finance, management information systems, and international business.

Nicole (Stepp) Buzard, an alumnus of the School of Accountancy, has accepted a position with Moffitt Cancer Center as a research financial analyst.  She is married to fellow accounting alumnus Luke Buzard, a senior associate at KPMG.

Sharon Caldwell has joined American Land Lease.  She is a graduate of the School of Accountancy.

A graduate of USF’s School of Accountancy, Dawn (Smith) Dailey recently joined Moffitt Cancer Center as a senior accountant. 

Matt Dumar has been promoted to a partner in the offices of Grant Thornton LLP.  He earned both a Bachelors degree and MAcc from USF’s School of Accountancy.

Kevin Elliott recently joined Ernst & Young as a staff 1.  He is a graduate of USF’s School of Accountancy.

A graduate of USF’s School of Accountancy, Jeff Farrington was recently promoted to senior associate at Grant Thornton LLP.

Mark Henson recently began his career as an assurance associate with Grant Thornton LLP.  He is a 2005 graduate of the School of Accountancy.

Marie Hunniecutt has joined Moffitt Cancer Center as director of special projects.  Her works entails assessment and implementation of an institution-wide policy infrastructure. She earned both a Bachelors degree and MAcc from USF’s School of Accountancy.

Jeff Kubacki, a 1999 USF EMBA alumnus, was recently appointed CIO at Kroll.  In this role he will oversee the firm’s global information technology systems and drive strategies to realize operational efficiencies.

Craig Frank has been named senior applications engineer at Apogee Interactive.  The 1991 graduate holds an MBA from USF.  He will work to advance the next generation of analysis engines behind the company’s online energy management, data presentment, and demand side management applications.

Amber LaFountain began her career in September as an assurance associate with Grant Thornton LLP.  She is a recent graduate of the School of Accountancy.

David E. Levitsky, who earned a bachelors degree in marketing from USF in 1980, has been named CFO for the Olney Company.  He previously served as vice president of finance for the Freeman Company’s community development and homebuilding business segment. 

Michael M. Mashke has joined NorthStar Bank as senior vice president, senior loan officer and commercial banking manager.  Mashke, who earned a BA in Finance from USF, often donned USF’s donning the Rocky the Bull costume during his tenure at USF, serving as the university’s official mascot.

Highwood Properties announced that David Matthes will join the senior leadership team of the company as Corporate Vice President, Leasing. Highwoods is the the largest owner and operator of suburban office properties in the Southeast.

Airgas, Inc. has named Kevin M. McBride president of Airgas Great Lakes, headquartered in Cleveland.  He will lead a region spanning Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, with more than 40 locations and 500 associates.  McBride is a 1976 graduate of USF’s marketing and management programs.

Joseph Nygard recently accepted a position as an assurance associate with Grant Thornton LLP in Columbia, SC.  He is a 2006 graduate of the School of Accountancy.

Shirley Payne recently joined Northeast Utilities in Hartford, CT, where she serves as controller and VP of accounting.  An alumnus of the School of Accountancy, she was previously with TECO in Tampa.

Lana Rash recently accepted a position as an assurance associate with Grant Thornton LLP.  She is a 2005 graduate of the School of Accountancy. 

A graduate of USF’s School of Accountancy, Lauren Richards was recently promoted at Grant Thornton LLP.  She now serves as a senior associate with the firm.

National Naval Medical Center Commander Rear Adm. Adam M. Robinson, Jr. has been nominated by President George W. Bush to become the next Navy surgeon general.  If confirmed by the Senate, Robinson will become the 36^th chief of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery in Washington.  He is a graduate of USF’s MBA program.

Thomas J. Sadowski received the Association of Government Accountants' Frank Greathouse Distinguished Leadership award, presented to individuals in government service who have provided sustained, outstanding leadership in financial management over a period of years, resulting in notable contributions to the profession. Sadowski is director of accounting for the State of Missouri.  He earned his bachelor's degree in accounting from USF in 1974.

A graduate of USF’s School of Accountancy, Ashley (Howard) Smith was recently promoted at Grant Thornton LLP.  She now serves as a senior associate with the firm.

Jim Weber, who earned both a bachelors degree in Finance and MBA at USF, launched a new executive search firm for the food service industry, New Century Dynamics.  The company’s mission is to provide hands-on support and executive search services, with particular emphasis on marketing, operations, business development, finance, and accounting executives.

Harris Corporation, an international communications and information technology company, has named Jeremy Wensinger group president.  He will lead the company’s civil agency, intelligence agency, and technical service programs.  He is a 1989 USF MBA alumnus.

Lakeland-based Summit, a leading provider of worker’s compensation insurance, named James Wood VP of sales and marketing.  He will consolidate the efforts of sales teams in three regions and focus on building the company’s presence outside of Florida.

Nick Zurek has joined Grant Thornton LLP in the Business Advisory Services practice.  He is a 2001 grad from the School of Accountancy.

We want to hear from you!  Alumni, please forward career information to the College of Business at cobaalum@coba.usf.edu.  As space permits, we will share job changes and basic information about your new company, provided you include your name, job title, company title, and contact information.

This information is accurate to the best of our knowledge; any errors should be reported to cobaalum@coba.usf.edu.