Honors/Accomplishments

Professor Ray Aldag, Glen A. Skillrud Family Chair in Business, and executive director of the Weinert Center for Entrepreneurship, has completed his three-year elected term as dean of the Fellows of the Academy of Management, the Academy’s honorary society. Aldag also received the Outstanding Reviewer Award from the Academy of Management Review.

Accounting Professor Larry Rittenberg moderated a discussion on what information CEOs and corporate boards feel they need to handle risk. The discussion was part of a two-day conference by the Council on Competitiveness held Oct. 30-31 in Wilmington, Del. Other members of the panel discussion are Chad Holliday, CEO of DuPont; Tom O’Neil, Principal, Sandler O’Neil; Deborah Wince Smith, president of the Council on Competitiveness and a NASDAQ director; and Robert Reynolds, CEO, Putnam Investments. The overall theme of the conference was Risk Intelligence and Resilience Issues. The Council on Competitiveness is a group of corporate CEOs, university presidents and labor leaders committed to the future prosperity of all Americans and enhanced U.S. competitiveness in the global economy through the creation of high-value economic activity in the United States.

Professor Urban Wemmerlöv, Erdman Center executive director, was ranked in a shared 10th place in a recent study of 1,376 operations management/management science researchers and their impact, measured in terms of citations of articles published since 1985 (see Jiang, B., “How to Do Research: Advice from Stellar Scholars in the POM Field,” OSM Forum, Journal of Operations Management website: http://nebula.bus.msu.edu/JOM/osm.asp, September 2008).

Mo O’Connor, was nominated for the ATHENA Young Professional Award given by the Business Forum, a local professional organization for women. The award recognizes emerging leaders, ages 25 to 40, whose professional achievements and community activities make them ideal role models for women in our community. The 17 nominees are a diverse group of young professionals working in health and human services, higher education, law and communications. The winner of the award will be announced Nov. 12. O’Connor was nominated by one of her former advisees, based on O’Connor’s qualifications in the areas of professional leadership, community service and personal leadership.

Dan Olszewski, director of the Weinert Center for Entrepreneurship, presented on the “Key Success Factors for Student Start-ups” at the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers Conference held at the University of Arizona in October.

Senior Lecturer John Walsh has been elected to the Claims Committee of the State of Wisconsin’s Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund and the Wisconsin Health Care Liability Insurance Plan (WHCLIP). Walsh is an attorney with the law firm of Axley Brynelson, LLP. He has taught at the Wisconsin School of Business for more than 20 years.

ARRIVALS

Sarah Wortham has joined the Wisconsin School of Business as its marketing director and will lead the efforts of the school’s Marketing Services unit. Since 2005, Wortham served as director of creative services for Famous Footwear. Prior to Famous Footwear, she was a marketing consultant and freelance copywriter. She also previously served as executive copywriter for American Girl. Her work for American Girl and Famous Footwear won Addy Awards from the Madison Advertising Federation between 2000 and 2006. In announcing her appointment, Dean Michael Knetter highlighted her “strong background in creating and overseeing brand-building marketing communications.” Wortham has a BS in journalism and a minor in economics from Northwestern University.

Jennifer Weld has joined the Office of the Dean part-time as a senior administrative program specialist, working with Dean Michael Knetter. Previously, she was assistant director, admissions and marketing, for the Cornell Executive MBA program. She has an MBA from Cornell and a BA from the University of Michigan.

Lindsey Marsch has joined the business school as director of building and conference services. Since 2005, she has worked with Wisconsin Union Central Reservations, most recently as university conference coordinator. She has a BS in human ecology from UW-Madison.

John Graham has accepted the position of web design/marketer with the Executive Education unit of the Wisconsin School of Business. For the past five years, he has been the web manager for External Relations in the UW-Madison School of Education. Previously, he worked in the Instructional Media Development Center working on web courses, and worked briefly for an advertising agency. He has a bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Kris Hammargren has joined the Graaskamp Center for Real Estate as its senior associate director. She has extensive experience as a marketing manager in industries that include retail, hotels and lodging, and printing and publishing. Her MBA is from Georgetown University.

Michelle Harris has joined Executive Education as a university services associate 1. Previously, she was with the UW-Madison Department of Zoology. He has her AD from Madison Area Technical College.

Alexander André has joined the Technology Support Center as an associate media specialist. Previously, he was on the production crew of WHA-TV, Wisconsin Public Television. He has a B.A. in Communication Arts from UW-Madison.

DEPARTURES

Kathie Brown, director of Human Resources and Employment Relations for the business school, retired in October.

Roger McMunn, who directed the school’s Conferences Services unit, had his last day in the office October 30.

Melani Quarles has resigned her position as student status examiner with Undergraduate Academic Services.

Kay Hauser, database marketing manager in Executive Education, has resigned. Her last day will be November 4.

TRANSITIONS

Belle Heberling has taken on a new position for the Wisconsin School of Business. Her official title is now university grants and contracts specialist. She will continue to serve as the PhD/MS coordinator and will now provide support for grant administration including pre-award, budget development, and post-award reporting. In this new role, Belle will also be serving as the school’s effort coordinator and will work closely with the financial management office to monitor and support grants and awards.

Paula Hubred of the Dean’s Office retired in October. Julie Tran has assumed her responsibilities for Chairs and Curriculum Committees. Ilsa Valdez will handle issues relating to the subcommittee, promotions and tenure.

Posted in Faculty-Staff News