Class Notes: Spring 2025

1970s

An interview with Ken Willcox, ’72 MBA, regarding his U.S. Navy experience during the Vietnam War was accepted into the Library of Congress archive as part of the Veterans History Project. Willcox served as mayor of Wayzata, Minnesota, from 2008 to 2020.
 

1980s

Maureen Steinwall, ’81 MBA, wrote Managing Optimism: Employee Empowerment. She has previously published and taught at the university level on management and leadership, and she is known as an innovator in the plastics industry.
 

1990s

Derek Dunham, ’92 MBA, has been named president of Varsity, Pavone Group’s senior services marketing agency. 

Paula Stumne, ’92 BSB, started a new role as wealth and fiduciary advisor with Evercore Wealth Management. 

Gabriel Castaneda, ’93 BSB, started a new role as chief revenue officer at FlyteHealth. 

Melanie Rose, ’93 MBA, retired in 2024 after a career in enterprise software sales, including six years at SAP. Her experience included stops at IBM, Wipro, Oracle, and Lucent. 

Bill Gould, ’96 BSB, ’06 MBA, is now a board member at TrxNow. Gould is executive vice president at Allied Solutions. 

Dana Klein, ’97 BSB, ’13 MBA, is now senior director of technology for HR Applications at Target Corporation. 

Jim Moeller, ’98 BSB, founded Moeller Law PLLC, a boutique law and consulting firm that specializes in business law services, including corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, and contract negotiations. 

Sean McKenzie, ’99 MBA, started a new role as chief financial officer at The Specialized Marketing Group Inc. 

Sylvia Strobel, ’99 MBA, received the Distinguished Alumni Award from St. Olaf College for her leadership as president and CEO of Twin Cities PBS (TPT) and her 30+ years in public media.

Stacy Lemmer, ’97 BSB, is the owner and operator of The DRIPBaR in Edina, Minnesota. This med spa focuses on promoting healthier and happier lives through intravenous vitamin therapies.
 

2000s

Mark Flakne, ’00 BSB, started a new role as chief financial officer at Included Health. 

Sam Rosen, ’01 BSB, was named CEO of Mobile Pro Systems. He will lead the company’s growth and innovation in mobile surveillance technologies. 

Brooke Zinter, ’01 BSB, started a new role as general counsel & secretary at Malibu Boats, Inc. 

Scott Holstine, ’02 MBA, started a new role as chief commercial officer at Nyxoah. 

Brian Price, ’02 MBA, started a new role as senior vice president of marketing at Ceribell. 

Craig Schmidt, ’03 BSB, is now head of regulatory reporting, controls & oversight – controllers at Wells Fargo, a promotion from head of enterprise controls & oversight. 

Steve Tipler, ’03 MBA, started a new role as managing director in the financial sponsors group at Piper Sandler.

Steve Horsfield, ’03 MHRIR, the executive director of Simpson Housing Services, is overseeing the development of a new shelter in south Minneapolis. The four-level facility, slated to be completed in November 2025, will support people who are experiencing and transitioning out of homelessness. The building will have a combination of supportive housing units, designed to help people transition into independent living, and shelter beds with onsite services for shorter stays. Explore how Steve uses his business degree to make an impact..

AACSB International—the world’s largest business education association— named Michael Ramlet, ’09 BSB, to the 2025 Class of Influential Leaders. Ramlet is the co-founder and CEO of Morning Consult, a global decision intelligence company changing how leaders make decisions.

Ross Hedlund, ’08 BSB, ’16 MBA, (left) co-founded Tradition Commercial Real Estate LLC with Dean Williamson. The firm, based in Edina, Minnesota, specializes in leasing and development. Prior to entering the commercial real estate field, Hedlund served for eight years with the Army National Guard, including two deployments to Iraq.

Ashwani Monga, ’04 PhD, started a new role as interim president of the University of West Georgia. 

Steve Silvers, ’04 BSB, is now executive vice president & senior audit director at U.S. Bank, a promotion from senior vice president & senior audit director. 

Brian Durmaskin, ’05 BSB, started a new role as general manager of the microtek & OEM division at Medline Industries. 

Andrew Shafer, ’05 MBA, started a new role as chief marketing, customer, and brand officer at Gevo, Inc. 

Charlie Schaller, ’05 BSB, started a new role as vice president of marketing strategy and operations at OptumRx. 

Kris Pauna, ’05 MBA, started a new role as principal at Kearney. 

Tiffany Beitler, ’06 BSB, is the owner and chief marketing officer of Plaid Moose Creative. She recently acquired a digital marketing firm and founded the Eli Hart Foundation, raising over $300,000 for a playground in his honor. Beitler also authored Lake Minnetonka Eats. 

Brad Pogalz, ’06 MBA, is now chief financial officer at Donaldson, a promotion from vice president of finance. 

Radha Chavali, ’08 MBA, started a new role as chief information officer at Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union. 

Ryan Kromminga, ’09 BSB, ’14 MBA, started a new role as vice president of finance at Healthcare Outcomes Performance Company. 

Avi Sethi, ’09 BSB, started a new role as chief finance & operations officer at District of Columbia International School. 

Steve Shepherd, ’09 BSB, was named Minnesota Commercial Association of Real Estate’s Broker of the Year for 2023.
 

2010s

Martin Costanian, ’10 MBA, was appointed executive president at Holcim Colombia. 

Andy Post, ’10 BSB, is now general manager of global communications, investor relations, and corporate strategy at Delta Air Lines. 

Shelly Latimore, ’11 MBA, is now head of commercial marketing strategy & deployment at Pernod Ricard, focusing on global marketing strategies and brand growth. 

Marcelo Fernandes, ’12 BSB, ’16 MBA, is now finance director – portfolio management, VSS CFO at Medtronic, a promotion from finance director – neuroscience portfolio FP&A. 

Alex Halverson, ’12 BSB, ’20 MBA, is now director of customer fulfillment at General Mills, leading initiatives to improve supply chain and customer service operations. 

Joel Livingood, ’12 BSB, is the general manager and CEO of Interlachen Country Club in Edina, Minnesota. Hear him describe what it means to be in the business of community. 

Christina Sanfelippo, ’12 BSB, was named a 2024 honoree of the American Bankruptcy Institute’s 40 Under 40 Emerging Leaders award. Sanfelippo is an associate in Cozen O’Connor’s Bankruptcy, Insolvency & Restructuring Practice. 

Martin Caride, ’15 BSB, is now vice president of international technology at Subway, a promotion from senior director, guest data and marketing technology. 

Steven Kislenko, ’16 BSB, is now senior manager at Deloitte, a promotion from audit manager. 

Cozy Morton, ’16 BSB, started a new role as global health equity marketing manager at Medtronic, focusing on addressing disparities in pulse oximetry. 

Alejandro Aguirre, ’18 MBA, started a new role as president at Minnesota Dental Association. 

Kaitlyn DeMartleaer, ’18 BSB, was promoted to senior product analyst at Surescripts. 

Holly Williams, ’18 BSB, started a new role as senior solution engineer – IT digital manufacturing at Kimberly-Clark. 

Kshitij Kohli, ’19 MBA, is now chief technology officer at Church Mutual Insurance Company, a promotion from assistant vice president. 

Katrina Renacia, ’19 BSB, is now senior advisory trading specialist at Ameriprise Financial Services, a promotion from advisory trading specialist.
 

2020s

Abigail Anderson, ’20 BSB, published her memoir, Eaten Alive, which details her experience living with and recovering from anorexia. Through sharing her raw account, she hopes to help others who may be struggling with an eating disorder. 

Ben Broos, ’20 MBA, is now vice president of sales at The Bluebird Group, a promotion from senior director of sales.

Brian Waddick, ’20 BSB, and Cole Schaefer were named to the 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30 list. They co-founded SMACKIN’, which produces seasoned sunflower seeds, in their dorm room, testing flavors on their classmates. This year, revenue is expected to top $20 million, thanks to placements in retailers like Walmart, Dick’s, and 7-Eleven, and a strong social media following.

Rachel Schow, ’20 BSB, was named to the 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30 list for her work in venture capital. A vice president at Left Lane Capital, she has helped deploy over $235 million across 11 companies, including League One Volleyball. She also serves as a board member or observer for six companies.

Mitch Conzemius, ’20 BSB, started a new role as a consultant, brand & marketing services – North America at Alpha Agency (formerly White Marble Consulting). 

Paola Mita, ’20 BSB, started a new role as senior associate of corporate development at Mayo Clinic. 

Nathan Liu, ’21 BSB, launched a new business, Principal Marketing Associates, offering marketing solutions for alternative investment managers. 

Kristin Greyson, ’22 MBA, started a new role as vice president of process engineering at JPMorgan Chase. 

Rachel Burbach, ’23 BSB, is now a marketing associate at Viden Marketing, a promotion from account associate. 

Melani Shaffmaster, ’24 BSB, wrapped up an impressive career on the University of Minnesota volleyball team. She is the sole Gopher to achieve 4,000 assists, 1,000 digs, 300 kills, and 300 blocks. Shaffmaster signed a contract to play professionally in Greece. Melani reflects on her Gopher legacy.

Ian Seidenfeld, ’22 BSB, won a bronze medal for table tennis while competing in the at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris. This marked his second time reaching the podium at the Paralympics, after winning gold in Tokyo.
 

MSPBJ 2024 CFO of the Year Honorees

Congrats to these alumni honored by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal:

Mike Blair, ’89 MBA, CentraCare Health

Vanae Pearson, ’94 BSB, FRSecure

Kelly Olson, ’94 BSB, Ascentek

Angela Riley, ’96 MBA, CommonBond Communities

Amy Hillman, ’96 BSB, ’14 MBA, Bold Orange

Carolyn Peterson, ’00 MBA, EideCom

Ben Oertel, ’03 BSB, CMA, Miller Milling Company

In Memoriam

Longtime Board of Advisors member Robert “Bob” Buuck, ’70 BA, ’72 MBA, died on January 4, 2025. In 1972, he co-founded the medical device company American Medical Systems, beginning a career devoted to advancing the healthcare industry. For his visionary leadership, he was a recipient of Medical Alley’s Lifetime Achievement Award. 

The Buuck family has been ardent champions of the school, through philanthropy, speaking engagements, and mentorship. Over the past 30 years, Bob inspired the creation of the Entrepreneurship program at the Carlson School, endowed a faculty chair in entrepreneurship, funded more than 100 annual scholarships, and worked directly with faculty and students to launch courses and create student fellowships. For his dedication, he received the Carlson School’s Outstanding Achievement Award in 2003. Bob’s memory will live on through his legacy.

 

Information & Decision Sciences Professor Emeritus Carl Adams died in November 2024. Carl spent 43 years at the Carlson School teaching and researching strategy and structure of information systems and information technology. He served as a department chair for 18 years and the director of the Management Information Systems Research Center for six years. After retiring in 2013, Carl remained a strong presence within the University, actively participating in the University of Minnesota Retirement Association. His dedication to innovation and collaborative spirit were invaluable. Carl will be remembered and missed by many.
 

1960s

John P. Skalbeck, ’60 BSB, died in July 2024. 

Michael F. Mee, ’68 MA, died in September 2024.
 

1970s 

Andree Jaszczak, ’72 BSB, died in October 2024. 

Dennis C. Costello, ’74 BSB, died in July 2024. 

Greg A. Abramson, ’76 BSB, died in August 2024. 

Gary D. Esping, ’76 BSB, ’78 MBA, died in July 2024. 

Bradley F. Van Garder, ’79 BSB, died in July 2024.
 

1980s

Joel A. Johnson, ’80 BSB, died in December 2024.
 

1990s

Peggy A. Athman, ’91 BSB, died in October 2023. 

Michal Doll, ’92 BSB, died in October 2024. 

Tom Dean Johnson, ’05 MBA, died in December 2024.
 

2000s

Patrice Marie Jones, ’00 BSB, died in July 2024.
 

2010s

Kristinn J. Thorsteinson, ’18 BSB, died in June 2024.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Dave Christians, a current MBA student, his wife Alison Zellmer, and his daughter, Chloe, celebrated the birth of their son, Henry, in March 2024.

Trevor Daddona, ’23 MBA, and his wife, Morganne, welcomed the birth of their son, Lincoln, in September 2024.

Kim Rosenfield, ’20 MBA, and her husband, Jon Keljik, welcomed their daughter, Miriam, in June 2024.

Alex (Purnell) Heifort, ’15 BSB, her husband, Ernie, welcomed their son, Hunter, in August 2024—grandson to Kevin, ’93 MBA, and Ann Purnell, ’94 MBA.

Prathika Shetty, ’18 MS SCM, and her husband, Raj Pawar, welcomed their second son, Krishaan, in May 2024.

Katie (Vogel) Twelves, ’12 BSB, and her husband, Scott, welcomed their daughter, Ivy, in July 2024.

Tao Yang, ’15 PhD, and his wife, Shan, welcomed their daughter, Evelyn, in December 2023.

Abby (Guggisberg) Kramer, ’21 BSB, married her husband, Kyle, in August 2024

Holly (Bjelland) Wichman, ’22 MBA, married her husband, Travis, in August 2024.

Jordan Boonstra, ’19 MSBA, married Catherine Vaught, a fellow UMN graduate, in April 2024.

Hallie (Davidson) Reisman, ’22 MBA, and Max Reisman, ’13 BSB, welcomed their first child, Miles, in August 2024.