The magazine for alumni and friends of the UB School of Management
Issue link: http://ubschoolofmanagement.uberflip.com/i/261286
B B Spring 2014 S t e p p i n g U p S t e p p i n g U p The Dean's Advisory Council (DAC) is a group of exceptional alumni and leaders who assist the dean and the School of Management by providing external perspective, advocacy and finan- cial support for the school's programs and strategic priorities. The council was first established as a Corporate Advisory Board by Dean Joseph Alutto in 1978. Then in 1994, Dean Frederick "Rick" Winter reconstituted the board to include distinguished alumni as well as local executives, and renamed it the Dean's Advisory Council. Since then, the council has shifted and changed to meet the needs of the dean, the school and the business world. In 2011, with Dean Arjang Assad at the helm, DAC chair Steven Shepsman '75, executive managing director of NewWorld Realty Advisors, created an ad hoc subcommittee to set the goals and expectations of what would unofficially come to be known as the "New DAC." Sharon Randaccio '76, MBA '81, president of Performance Management Partners, was named chair of the subcommittee and led the group through the development of a survey for all DAC members. "We wanted to take the pulse of the organization that supports the dean," says Randaccio. "We were thankful for the solid founda- tion set by previous DAC members and chairs, and wanted to build upon that, get current members more engaged, and provide even more support for the new dean and his strategic priorities." They set out to diversify both industrially and geographically, and they succeeded. Current council members represent a variety of industries from all over the world—from Western New York to Kobe, Japan. "When you bring in alumni leaders beyond the core of Western New York industries, the dean can mine them for their experiences and perspectives," says Jim Lederer '82, MBA '96, executive vice president of Qualcomm Inc., who joined the DAC in 2011. "Being able to provide that is what's really resonated with me." The meetings themselves, typically held in Buffalo or New York City, have moved beyond the state. One meeting was held in Arizona, and the May 2014 meeting will be hosted by Lederer in San Diego. In addition, DAC members set goals to increase their financial contributions to the school and to make meetings and the overall experience more valuable for council members. Lou DiBerardino '80, partner – tax services at Ernst & Young LLP, has served on the Dean's Advisory Council for 10 years, includ- ing a term as chair. He says that in just a few short years, the DAC feels like a whole new organization. "The subcommittee's recommendations were spot-on and have been a resounding success," says DiBerardino. "We've recruited several outstanding new members, begun holding the meetings in exciting new places, featured interesting 'brain food' content and succeeded in increasing financial support for the school." Celebrating those who MAKE A DIFFERENCE to the School of Management The 'New DAC' Leading by Example "When you bring in alumni leaders beyond the core of Western New York industries, the dean can mine them for their experiences and perspectives." Jim Lederer '82, MBA '96 "We wanted to take the pulse of the organization that supports the dean. We were thankful for the solid foundation set by previous DAC members and chairs, and wanted to build upon that." Sharon Randaccio '76, MBA '81