University at Buffalo School of Management

Buffalo Business Address changes and other correspondence can be sent by email to mgt-editor@buffalo.edu or by completing the enclosed business reply card. Telephone inquiries can be made at 716-645-2833. Editorial offices are located at the University at Buffalo School of Management, 160 Jacobs Management Center, Buffalo, NY 14260. Number 35 x Spring 2016 ConTenTS ................................................................ Paul E. Tesluk Interim Dean, University at Buffalo School of Management Jacqueline Molik Ghosen, APR Editor Kevin Manne, APR Contributing Editor Matthew Biddle Contributing Editor Deb Engel/Ivan Ereiz Art Direction/Design e8 Creative ................................................................ School of Management Dean's Advisory Council CHAIR Richard M. Ferranti, EMBA '97 Executive Vice President & COO, Rich Products Corp. Buffalo, N.Y. COUNCIL Kenneth M. Barna, BS '69, Partner Rubin & Rudman LLP, Boston, Mass. Thomas M. Barney Jr., MBA '00 Vice President – Finance for Parks and Resorts Delaware North, Buffalo, N.Y. Douglas C. Bean, MBA '87, COO Eric Mower & Associates Inc., Buffalo, N.Y. Joseph H. Bell, EMBA '99, Vice President Moog Inc., East Aurora, N.Y. Paul F. Ciminelli, BS '87, President & CEO Ciminelli Real Estate Corp., Williamsville, N.Y. Mary L. Collins Sanborn, CEL '98, Chair Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Advisory Board Michael W. Cropp, EMBA '03, President & CEO Independent Health, Williamsville, N.Y. Donna L. DeCarolis, BS '81, MBA '83 Vice President for Business Development National Fuel Gas, Williamsville, N.Y. Louis A. DiBerardino Jr., BS '80, Partner – Tax Services Ernst & Young LLP, Boston, Mass. Edward Dong, MBA '91 Arcadia, Calif. Richard R. Floersch, BS '80, MBA '80 Retired Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer McDonald's Corp., Hinsdale, Ill. Glenn A. Fosdick, BS '74 Glenn A. Fosdick Consulting LLC, Ann Arbor, Mich. Howard D. Koenig, MBA '76, CEO Aruspex, San Francisco, Calif. James P. Lederer, BS '82, MBA '96 Retired Executive Vice President Qualcomm Inc., San Diego, Calif. Gerry Murak, CEL '91, EMBA '96, Principal Murak & Associates LLC, Buffalo, N.Y. Michael J. Murray, BS '75, MBA '85 Retired Managing Partner Ernst & Young LLP, Hamburg, N.Y. Andrew G. Peer, BS '06, President School of Management Alumni Association Sharon D. Randaccio, BS '76, MBA '81 President & CEO Performance Management Partners Inc. Williamsville, N.Y. Mark C. Rizzo, BS '96, MBA '03 Vice President – WNY Commercial Banking M&T Bank, Buffalo, N.Y. Steven H. Shepsman, BS '75 Executive Managing Director NewWorld Realty Advisors LLC, New York, N.Y. David F. Simon, BS '74, Chief Legal Affairs Officer Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Philadelphia, Pa. Mara E. Swan, BS '81, Executive Vice President Global Strategy and Talent ManpowerGroup, Milwaukee, Wis. Sujata Yalamanchili, BS '88, MBA '89, Partner Hodgson Russ LLP, Buffalo, N.Y. Robert M. Zak, BS '80, President & CEO Merchants Insurance Group, Buffalo, N.Y. Sprinting Ahead An MBA student runs across the country for cancer awareness. Maximizing the Minimum Compensation expert discusses the wage debate. Conquering the C-Suite The evolution of women in leadership. After Hours Faculty members pursue artistic and creative passions. DepArTMenTS Startups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 NewsBites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Stepping Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Insights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Honor Roll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Class Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 The magazine for alumni and friends of the University at Buffalo School of Management 6 8 10 18 6 21 16 4 8 On the Cover: School of Management alumna Judy Vredenburgh, MBA '75, with Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz and media mogul Oprah Winfrey. Photo courtesy of Starbucks Corp. 19

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