• Indoor shot of a group of male college students in a modern, sunlit university hallway lobby area; All of them are dressed casually with backpacks

    1960s

    Eugene Cochran (’69, business administration) started his own custom cabinet and furniture business in 1987 called Wood Studio. In 2001, his two sons joined the business creating a family legacy. After a few years in Nashville, Tennessee, Eugene moved the business to Alabama on the banks of Lewis Smith Lake. “My background in business management from the early days of Harbert has supported Wood Studio’s existence since the beginning.”

  • James Cornelison (’67, business administration) started his own consulting company, Carolina’s Human Resource, where he retired in 2009 as senior vice president of Human Resources. Throughout his career he worked for BASF, Black & Decker and Furniture Brands International. As a student, James had the privilege of being in the first graduating class of the School of Business. To honor this achievement James was recognized on field during an Auburn home football game. “Auburn gave me the foundation to pursue a wonderful career; The Auburn Creed was my compass.”

  • 1970s

    Ronnie Bush (’74, business administration, ’80, MBA) recently retired from Oracle Corporation after 33 years of service. During his tenure, he served as account executive, regional director, key account director and finally, account sales manager for enterprise accounts. While getting his Auburn MBA he worked as a teaching assistant for Professor Holley in the school of business and became a life member of the Auburn Alumni Association. Ronnie has an impressive career holding positions such as director of licensure and inspection for the Division of Emergency Medical Services for the Alabama State Department of Health, account executive at Sperry Corporation and vice president of marketing for a local software company. Ronnie and his wife of 34 years, Dena, now enjoy retirement in Germantown, Tennessee.

  • Roy Dobbs (’72, business administration) is a published author with his book, “Rising Above Mediocrity,” available for purchase on Amazon. The book discusses his journey through the Air Force to working under George Wallace, the governor of Alabama at the time, to serving as mayor of his hometown for 20 years. “I love Auburn, not because of our athletic program, but our academics.”
  • Harry Harden (’79, human resource management) recently retired after an impressive 45-year long career in Human Resources. He was the chief human resources officer for Sonic Automotive, Inc. at the time of his retirement.
  • James Hester (’70, business administration) retired as a contract agent from Tennessee Valley Authority in 2003 after serving the company for 30+ years. “I feel that my degree helped me tremendously on the job and in life.” James and his wife of 51 years, Alice, now enjoy spending time with their two grandchildren. They also share a passion for attending and participating in car shows with vintage British sports cars and their Porsche 911.
A wide, shallow-depth-of-field close-up shot of a pile of various promotional Auburn Harbert College of Business pin-back buttons
  • John House (’75, business administration, ’79, MBA) retired from the United States Army but still proudly serves as the Adjutant for the Peachtree City, GA, VFW Post 9949. After his wife, Marilyn, passed from Alzheimer’s, John became an advocate for the Alzheimer’s Association. He travelled to Washington D.C. for the Annual DC Forum and met with Congressman Brian Jack as well as the staff of Senator Rafael Warnock. Upon sharing Marilyn’s story with them, they agreed to support Alzheimer’s research.
  • Larry McElroy (’72, accounting) has retired after working 40 years with the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Upon retirement he held the title of regional business development consultant. He’s now enjoying life in Fernandina Beach, Florida.
  • Jimmy Pool (’71, business administration) retired in 2025 after serving for 16 years as a District and then a Circuit Judge. He does still handle cases on an as-needed basis through an appointment by the Chief Justice. In 2024, Jimmy was formally recognized by the Alabama State Bar for 50 years of service as a licensed attorney. Before his time as Circuit Judge, he served as a Deputy District Attorney, as Chief Deputy in Montgomery County from 1974–1980 and practiced private law from 1981–2009. While not working, he enjoys watching Auburn sports as well as relaxing at Lake Martin. “Being an Auburn man is a great source of pride for me. I treasure the work ethic and desire to serve instilled in me from my days on the Plains.”
  • Tom Raney (’79, marketing) has spent the last 36 years at JE Dunn Construction, the eighth largest domestic general building contractor in the United States. He and his wife, Lynn, of 30 years have two daughters, both Auburn University graduates currently pursuing careers in accounting at Deloitte and hospitality at IHG. “Together we love following all of Auburn’s sports programs and are mighty proud to share our love for Auburn with others.”
  • Elsie Timberlake (’72, MBA) taught both high school and junior college economics and business and spent many years in real estate. At age 76, she was hired by a 501(c)(3) corporation to be their part-time financial manager. After three years of excellent work, she was hired full-time to oversee finance and administration. Now Elsie works as an independent consultant for finance and graduate medical education for the Alabama Medical Education Consortium. She has proudly become a great-grandmother and has no intentions of retiring anytime soon.
  • Mark Wanamaker (’79, finance) currently serves as the sales director for Fluence Energy where he markets their utility-scale energy storage solutions. Fluence Energy, backed by Siemens and AES, is helping the world move to clean energy by providing leading energy storage products and services. Before his current position, he worked for Lockheed Martin Advanced Programs, also in the energy storage industry. He and his family are currently based out of Denver, Colorado.
  • Russell Warren (’74, accounting) founded his first company, Warren Manufacturing Inc., more than 40 years ago. Today, he oversees several family companies, which he has since passed down to his three children, all proud Auburn graduates.

  • 1980s

    Woody Alexander (’87, marketing) spent his first decade out of college working in logistics for various trucking companies, railroads and logistics software companies. Then he spent 20 years in the hearing sector of health care. Through the Starkey Hearing Foundation, went on several mission trips to third-world countries, providing hearing services for the population. “Making a difference in people’s lives was the biggest joy of that profession.” He even went on a mission trip that was featured on a segment of NBC Nightly News called “Making a Difference.” He now works as a realtor in the state of Florida. “My experiences gained at Harbert College have way more to do with the professors, Dr. Laumer, Dr. Horton, Dr. Adams (all in the Marketing-Transportation department) than any classroom material.” The personal interest and time these professors dedicated to students made a big impact on Woody.

  • Amy Carroll (’87, international business) is retired and a recently published author. Her children’s book, “Best Buddies,” can be found on Amazon as well as Barnes & Noble. Taking inspiration from her real life, Amy wrote this book to honor her mother and give her “some purpose to her pain.” Amy tells the story of her therapy dog, Zoey, and the many trips to visit Grandma, who just suffered a massive stroke. Zoey provides encouragement and companionship to Grandma during the recovery. An incredible bond of love and friendship is formed between the two, leaving readers with a memorable, heartfelt story.
  • Jon Hayes (’89, accounting) loved Auburn so much, he never left. Three days after graduating, he started at WestPoint Stevens. Over the years, Jon progressed through various roles with the company, including tax manager. He now works as a certified public accountant and assistant controller for the City of Opelika. Outside of his official role, he serves on the board of directors for a local financial institution and is the association president for his condominium on Dauphin Island. Jon and his spouse, Jing, have two sons. Isaac (’24), is currently a certified public accountant for Auburn University’s Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering, while Zachary is an Auburn student in mechanical engineering and is working for General Electric.
  • Pat Henry (’85, economics) is the president and CEO of Daniel Corporation, a Birmingham-based real estate development, investment and service company. “It is amazing how my relationships from my time at Harbert continue to provide enormous benefits for our company as we engage in activities across the region.” Pat stays connected to Auburn University through service with the Auburn University Foundation and advisory boards within the Harbert College of Business and Athletics. He also engages with the Winchester Institute for Real Estate Development and MRED program at Harbert. While not hard at work, Pat and his wife, Patti, enjoy spending time with their three children and three grandchildren.
  • David Kesterton (’84, management) is president/CEO at Mingledorff’s Inc., headquartered in Peachtree Corners, Georgia. This year marks his 41st anniversary with the company. David started his career in 1977 working in the warehouse and continued to work part-time through college. Mingledorff’s Inc. has 41 branches throughout the Southeast including a branch in Opelika, Alabama and represents major lines such as Bard and Greenheck. His two sons, Will and Beau Kesterton (Harbert graduates) have joined the company alongside their father as a Territory Manager and head of the Pricing Analytics Group. Helen, David’s wife, (’90, AU) is an active member in the community civic and ALTA Tennis leagues in Atlanta.
  • Mary (Schuessler) Lines (’82, aviation management) is a retired photographer and high school and college math teacher. Throughout her career in education, she taught in the public and private sectors in California and Alabama. As a photographer, she has traveled the world capturing landscapes that now hang on the walls of offices within Washington D.C. In her retirement, she enjoys walks on Sanibel Beach, Florida and researching her Scottish ancestral roots.
Auburn School of Accountancy’s Meet the Firms event featuring many college students walking past letters that spell out MTF illuminated by small lightbulbs alongside the school's colorful decorative balloons
Career fairs such as the School of Accountancy’s “Meet the Firms” present professional opportunities to students.
  • Angie McCollum (’88, human resource management) held her first job as an intern at the Farmers National Bank in Opelika while she completed her senior year at Auburn. Her degree then launched her into a role at a Fortune 100 corporation headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. She completed her MBA at Kennesaw State University while working full-time. She started her own consulting and coaching practice after being in the corporate world as a human capital executive for 20 years. Her daughter, Meghan Keller, will be carrying on the Auburn legacy by attending as a freshman this fall. As her daughter leaves the nest, Angie is transitioning her part-time human capital consulting and leadership coaching business, Sophic Partners, to full-time work.
  • Michelle Riehl (’89, marketing) works for a CPA firm, Aldridge Borden & Company, as an account manager. Over time, her focus has shifted from tax preparation to payroll. After earning her bachelor’s degree, she began her career at AmSouth Bank, now known as Regions Bank. Later, after completing her master’s from the University of Memphis, she returned to Regions to work in the marketing department. She takes great pride in her two children, both graduates of Auburn University’s College of Sciences and Mathematics.
  • James “Rob” Stroud (’82, marketing) retired from Hunter Douglas in 2021 after working in the window coverings industry for 50 years. Before his retirement, Rob was successfully managing Hunter Douglas’ two largest inventory categories. Throughout his career he served as the sales manager and product manager for Kirsch and Hunter Douglas. “Harbert College gave me the knowledge to do critical thinking and to understand how the business world changes daily.” In his free time, Rob can be found on the golf course, traveling the world or selling window coverings on the side.
  • Robert Todd (’84, business administration) built a 39-year long career as an industrial specialist with the U.S. Department of Defense, a path shaped by his studies in industrial and operations management at Auburn. By the time he retired, he had risen to the role of program manager, overseeing new production of the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.
  • David Wespiser (’83, accounting) stays busy in his hometown of Oxford, Ohio, running the company he founded with friends more than 30 years ago. They develop and build projects for long-term investment. “Not a day goes by that I don’t apply the principles of my accounting education from the Harbert College of Business.” In his leisure time David and his wife, Lisa, enjoy traveling to visit family and friends.

  • 1990s

    Jeff Call (’95, accounting, ’96, MAcc) serves as CEO of Bennett Thrasher, a top 65 accounting and consulting firm in the U.S. with offices in Atlanta, Dallas and Denver. Jeff has been named in the Georgia Trend 500 list of the state’s most influential leaders, mentioned in the 2025 Forbes’ first-ever America’s Best-In-State CPAs list and is included in the 2025 Georgia Titan 100 list.

  • Al Cheatham Jr. (’90, accounting) recently became the president and chief executive officer of Bonnie Plants, the largest vegetable and herb distributor in the U.S., which is headquartered in Opelika, Alabama. For 24 years, Al served in various roles at Alabama Farmers Cooperative, most recently as the executive vice officer and chief operating officer. He and his spouse, Leslie Cheatham (’90), have two sons, Trey (’20, ’21) and Mack (’23, ’24), who both earned undergraduate and master’s degrees in accountancy from Auburn. They are now certified public accountants working in Birmingham, making their parents proud.
  • Tony Chimera (’91, management) started four years ago as the chief talent officer and was recently promoted to chief administrative officer for Westfield Specialty, a commercial property and casualty insurance company. His responsibilities now cover human resources, real estate, marketing, distribution and underwriting operations. He credits Dr. William Holley’s mentoring as the reason he pursued a career in human resources.
  • Brian Collier (’95, information systems management) juggled married life, raising a newborn and commuting from Montgomery while earning his degree. He credits Harbert with launching his career in healthcare IT, which has included roles in consulting, database management, and healthcare analytics. Brian currently serves as a project analyst leader, conducting healthcare analysis for a company based in Dallas.
  • Darryl Cox (’98, international business) has served on the board of his former fraternity, Sigma Pi Alpha Delta Chapter, for the last three years as a mentor for the next generation. He is the senior vice president of enterprise sales for the largest data center owner and operator in North America. In this role, he helps some of the most advanced enterprise clients meet their artificial intelligence, real estate, cooling and information technology power demands. The intersection of technology, land, and power in this rapidly evolving sector, which has transformed from a cottage industry into a daily focus on Wall Street has been the most exciting development of his career.
  • Darby Duncan (’97, finance) is managing director at Merrill Private Wealth as well as senior partner for the Valdes Group (Valdes, Shimberg, and Duncan). The team was recently honored by Forbes magazine, ranking as the number one private wealth team in Florida and number nine nationally. “It was my time at Auburn that made me realize how much I loved the financial industry.” Darby began his career in banking with Barnett Bank and over the years has advanced from managing banking centers to working in premier investments to leading the wealth management banking division for the Tampa Bay region. Today, at Merrill Private Wealth, he works with high-net-worth families in the $10 million+ range, and his team manages more than $13 billion in client assets. His son, Hayden, recently graduated from Auburn and is set to join the team at Merrill Private Wealth. His daughter, Hannah, also an Auburn graduate, is a PICU nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa.
  • Tim Fitzpatrick (’97, accounting, ’99, MAcc) is the vice president of accounting at Stone River Company in Birmingham, Alabama. Most of his career has been in real estate and private equity. “The Harbert College of Business and School of Accountancy provided a strong education in accounting principles, which enabled me to pass the CPA exam, and helped develop the analytical skills required in my career.” Tim is proud to have two daughters that call Auburn University home. His oldest daughter, Marion, graduated in 2025 while his youngest daughter, Lily, is a sophomore studying pre-business.
  • Don Harrison (’97, accounting) was appointed by President Donald Trump in 2025 as acting administrator of the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor. “It’s a privilege to help uphold and advance our nation’s labor standards on behalf of America’s workers.” The words of the Auburn Creed serve as a personal motivator for him in his work. He and his wife, Ginny (’02, AU), just celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary and are excited that their oldest daughter, Caroline, is following in their footsteps by attending Auburn.
  • Artemas Holloway (’99, business administration) serves as a full-time supply chain technology and logistics instructor at Ingram State Technical College, while also teaching as an adjunct instructor at Athens State University and Chattahoochee Technical College. Artemas has also taken on expanded responsibilities in curriculum development for logistics certification training and actively serves on an advisory board whose goal is to align educational programs with workforce needs. He recently completed his doctoral studies in curriculum and instruction at Southeastern University. “I continue to seek new challenges to elevate my teaching impact and industry influence in logistics, supply chain management, and workforce development.”
  • Mat Hultquist (’94, accounting, ’95, MAcc) is two decades into owning and running The Hultquist Firm, Certified Public Accountant, Professional Corporation, in Greenville, South Carolina. As president he employs 23 people, with plans to grow and add more. From his days at Auburn, he recalls that one professor in particular, Dr. Charles Price, was the best teacher he’s ever had. The way he challenged his students to truly use their minds and think critically about solutions to problems is something that Mat has carried with him.
  • Erica Hunter (’96, accounting) has recently been promoted to internal audit manager for Capital City Bank Group, Inc. She is also a Certified Internal Auditor and Certified Sarbanes-Oxley Professional, as well as a board member for Grady Help Agency, a nonprofit that provides support to those in need. “I spearhead audit teams and develop innovative risk management strategies, drawing daily on the technical skills and leadership principles I first cultivated at Auburn.” She credits the rigorous coursework and mentorship she received at Harbert for empowering her to progress in her career.
  • Matt Olsen (’98, international business) was recently reelected to a fourth three-year term on the Koniag, Inc. Board of Directors. Koniag is one of the 13 original corporations formed under the 1971 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. It is a for-profit corporation with over 4,000 shareholders and generates nearly $1 billion in revenue annually. In addition to his work with Koniag, Olsen enjoys growing and managing his own company, Kodiak Ventures, which he founded in 2003. Kodiak Ventures is a development, investment, management, and brokerage firm. Outside of work, he is proud of his three high schoolers and notes his eldest son will be applying to Auburn University.
  • Laura Sellers (’92, human resource management) has worked in real estate for over two decades and currently is a realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Real Estate, the official real estate partner for the Auburn Tigers. Laura thanks her human resources education for giving her a strong foundation in communication, problem solving and understanding the needs of those she serves. Specializing in helping families, faculty and newcomers find their place in Auburn, she feels it’s a privilege to serve the town that helped shape her. “Being an Auburn alum has deeply influenced my journey. Auburn is more than just where I worked, it’s where I’ve lived since 1988, where I raised my daughter and where I continue to build my life.”
  • Brett Stansell (’91, international business) retired at the young age of 50 after a successful career in software development. His jobs and contracts varied through many industries. One project even included work on a human genetics system. During his time at Auburn, he studied Austrian economics and became a member of the Ludwig Von Mises Institute. Residing in North Florida, he spends his free time offshore fishing, kayak fishing and playing on a senior men’s tennis team.
  • Tony Truitt (’90, finance) hosts a positive, non-political radio program called Truitt News Radio Show. He has broadcast more than 200 episodes, which air on weekends throughout Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, and Mississippi. He enjoys discussing all things related to construction and real estate development. He especially appreciates that Auburn University continues to build impressive new facilities on campus and is recognized as one of the top building science schools in the country.
  • A vertical, multi-level indoor shot of a modern university building showing a few college students walking and another student looking down at his phone seated down in a chair

    2000s

    Austin Bohlman (’08, finance) started a new position as managing director at Safra National Bank in Palm Beach, Florida. Safra National Bank is a family-owned U.S. private bank specializing in wealth management for ultra-high net worth individuals, family offices and corporate entities.

  • Jacob Crist (’08, international business) was recruited by the Port of New Orleans as part of a succession plan after graduating from Auburn. The organization sponsored his pursuit of an MBA at Louisiana State University. After spending 12 years in the public sector, Jacob transitioned into development brokerage and valuation services for port and logistics projects with Colliers International. “I believe in Auburn and love it!” Jacob currently resides in Fairhope, Alabama, and serves as associate vice president of Colliers International’s new Gulf Coast office. He recently welcomed his second child, Julia, into the world.
  • Adam Fielding (’09, finance) began his role in May as chief compliance officer at Platinum Dermatology Partners. In this position, he ensures that practices across Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada and Texas maintain a culture of ethics and compliance through adherence to government rules and regulations. “My experience at Harbert College taught me how to navigate decisions and, most importantly, be flexible.” Fielding has lived in Phoenix, Arizona, for the past five years, where he is active in the local community. He serves as a Fiesta Sports Foundation Committee Member, working with community leaders, sponsors, volunteers, staff, and the Board of Directors to support the Foundation’s events, including the annual Fiesta Bowl football game.
  • Lee Kennedy (’01, marketing) proudly serves as president and head distiller at Leiper’s Fork Distillery in Williamson County, Tennessee, and has overseen successful operations since 2016. The distillery is a small batch, grain to glass producer that crafts premium whiskeys using local ingredients, time honored techniques and meticulous attention to detail. “My experience at Harbert College provided me with the skills necessary, as an entrepreneur, to create, grow and manage a successful business in a unique industry.” The distillery maintains a relationship with Harbert College and is currently engaged in a consulting project with the MBA program. It is also preparing to open two additional locations in Franklin, Tennessee, and downtown Nashville, Tennessee.
  • Brandon Kennemer (’02, information systems management) was recently named senior vice president of EHSTracks, LLC. He is enthusiastic about contributing to the continued growth of EHSTracks, where he is responsible for expanding and maintaining the company’s diverse client base across multiple industrial sectors. He also focuses on increasing the company’s reach to consulting and engineering firms nationwide. As the company’s client base rapidly grows, Brandon collaborates with the development, customer support, and sales teams to enhance EHSTracks’ product suite. His goal is to deliver advanced safety and preventative maintenance solutions while continuing to add value for clients already utilizing the company’s SPCC, stormwater, waste, and LDAR tools.
  • James Long (’01, accounting, ’02, MAcc) has the honor of being the current assistant dean of global programs for the Harbert College of Business. “I lead a passionate and talented team of faculty and staff that orchestrates transformative study abroad experiences for students and delivers exceptional global programming to prepare future business leaders to embody Auburn values, create knowledge that drives innovation, and positively impact society.”
  • Zach May (’04, information systems) is the director of cybersecurity at Cox Enterprises in Atlanta, Georgia. Right out of college he landed a job at Acuity Brands Lighting thanks to an Auburn University career fair. From there, he progressed in his career from a technical role in database and identity management to a leadership role over the identity and access management program at Cox Enterprises. Personally, he is proud of his oldest son who will be attending his first year of college at Samford University.
  • Doug Nagode (’01, finance) was promoted in 2019 to tax managing director at Deloitte Tax LLP, specializing in indirect taxes. He has been pivotal in expanding the indirect tax practice across the Southeast region and nationally within the transportation and hospitality industries. In recognition of his performance, he was recently named the indirect tax leader for the Atlanta, Birmingham, Memphis, and Nashville markets, as well as for the transportation, hospitality, and services industry. Outside of work, he is helping his daughter apply to colleges, with Auburn University as her top choice. She aspires to follow in his footsteps.
  • Ebony Ruffin (’05, finance) finds her career as a finance partner in the video software and solutions industry very fulfilling. She leads cross-functional initiatives spanning systems implementation, tax compliance, cash forecasting, payroll, procurement, global finance operations and much more. “Just as there are checks and balances for a company, the same applies to one’s personal life and family.” She is also a licensed insurance agent and has been recognized in Forbes, NerdWallet, InsuranceNewsNet Magazine, Money, Business Insider and others. She stays connected to her alma mater through service as a council member on Auburn’s Black Alumni Council. She has also been a guest judge for the Business Graduate Services Final Mile Case Off, as well as numerous other competitions, and has served as a keynote speaker for various classes, events and podcasts.
  • Sarah Sommerville (’05, marketing) is employed with a community bank as a mortgage loan originator and recently celebrated her 17-year anniversary in this role. Despite having a marketing degree, she found her “home” in a community bank’s lending department. The skills she learned from marketing have come in handy, though, when selling mortgage products or customizing lending solutions for her clients. She also assists with the bank’s social media presence and the design of its print materials.
  • Rob Stanford (’03, information systems management) recently received a promotion to IT manager for business and administration at Auburn University. He has been with the university since 2013, previously working in IT within Facilities Management. In his current role, he leads a team of application systems analysts who support all enterprise systems that enable the university’s operations from a facilities perspective. In February, he became a proud grandfather to a baby girl. He enjoys traveling with his beloved wife, innovating business processes at work and spoiling his granddaughter.

  • 2010s

    Asim Ali (’11, MSIS) holds the title of executive director of the Biggio Center at Auburn University. With a bachelor’s and doctorate from Auburn, Asim was also elected board president for the University Professional and Continuing Education Association, the nation’s leading online and professional education association. In 2026, he will ascend to the role of president, and in 2027 will serve as past president.

  • Nicole Arnett Sanders (’18, MBA) just completed her Ph.D. in marketing at the University of South Alabama and has since taken an entrepreneurial leap by launching her own boutique marketing agency. Her agency uses a consumer research driven approach with a focus on understanding and better reaching the female demographic. Nicole actively applies the rigorous research methodologies she developed during both her Ph.D. program and her foundational time at Auburn to help her clients better understand their target markets. “The agency is growing steadily, and I’m particularly energized by the opportunity to help brands better connect with female consumers.”
  • Dane Block Jr. (’19, finance) works at Latticework Capital Management, a Dallas-based healthcare-only private equity fund with more than $650 million in assets under management. He is a member of the investment team and works with founders and entrepreneurs to form partnerships, accelerate growth and execute revolutionizing care delivery models. In only two years with the company, he has already completed 42 deals and new partnerships across Fund I and Fund II. He previously spent four years at Stephens Inc. as a banking analyst, where he focused on healthcare mergers and acquisition sell-side advisory work. Outside of his career, he is enjoying his first few months of marriage with his newlywed, Emery Grace.
Auburn University's tiger mascot in a business suit attire leaning against a wood-paneled wall and above the mascot is a sign that reads HARBERT | inspiring BUSINESS
  • Charley Bolack III (’13, aviation management) serves as an account manager specializing in pumps and generators in the heavy equipment industry. He is also proud to announce the launch of his new business, Swing Away Golf Club, located in Birmingham, Alabama. His goal is for the facility to become the gold standard by which all indoor golf centers are measured. The concept bridges the gap between traditional green grass golf and cutting-edge virtual reality technology. He and his business partner/wife, Anna Davis, use advanced simulator systems and hospitality experience to create a truly immersive golfing experience. Charley credits Harbert College with providing a broad understanding of general business practices and a solid foundation in accounting.
  • Megan Broccard (’16, MBA) accepted a promotion to director of integrated operational planning and strategic transformation at Delta Air Lines. “The Harbert College of Business gave me the tools to navigate the business world successfully.” She feels the knowledge and experience she gained at Auburn allows her to engage confidently at the executive level.
  • Crista Cotton (’10, business administration) founded her own company, El Guapo Bitters, which specializes in cocktail mixers, syrups, bitters and canned bitters and soda. Based in New Orleans, they manufacture “everything but the booze” using meticulously sourced ingredients with no artificial flavors, colors or extracts. Crista has received the 2025 Tory Burch Foundation Founder Award, been featured on the Oprah Daily O List: Made in the USA and has been featured twice on The View. Her products can be found in 5,000 stores across all 50 states in the U.S. as well as eight countries.
  • Ted Finn (’18, MBA) was recently promoted to chief financial officer at Integer Technologies, a defense technology company that develops digital tools and software to help users make better, faster decisions. The company was recognized as the fastest growing business in South Carolina last year. Ted applies principles learned during his coursework to effectively lead the company’s back-office team, which includes accounting, human resources, information technology and operations.
  • Harrison Holman (’19, finance) was recently promoted to assistant vice president and portfolio manager following his company’s acquisition by a larger firm. Harrison works for Longhorn III Investments, a hard money lender based in Dallas, where he is responsible for managing the company’s capital stack. The firm oversees $500 million in funding and utilizes complex instruments such as swaps. With his recent promotion and the prospect of starting a family with his wife, he is excited to embrace this new chapter of life.
  • Peter Hutchings (’19, aviation management) is a cost price estimator for General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Incorporated. His work involves supporting Army contracts for the MQ-9 and MQ-1C programs—military drone systems used for intelligence, surveillance and precision strike missions. “Harbert helped me prepare with my aviation management degree and coursework surrounding supply chain management, both of which have helped me find success in my career!” Outside of his work, Peter is also proud to be the father of three children.
  • Trey Lowe (’11, business administration) celebrated a recent promotion to director of trailer original equipment manufacturer sales. In addition to his professional achievements, he proudly serves in the U.S. Navy Reserves and is set to be promoted to lieutenant in December 2025. At home, Trey and his family welcomed a new baby girl, Elizabeth Ann Lowe, on April 10, marking an exciting new chapter in both his personal and professional life.
  • Sam McManus (’19, management) applies the knowledge and skills he gained at Auburn University in his current role at Impact 360 Institute. Through his position, he enjoys connecting with and building relationships with hundreds of donors around the world. In early 2025, he published his second book, “Reclaiming Singleness: Maximizing Your Single Years as a Young Single Man.” Sam has found it incredible to see consumers purchasing and valuing his book.
  • Emmalyn Merrill (’17, human resource management) set a milestone this May, becoming the first person in her family to obtain a juris doctor degree. Tackling the Alabama bar exam is next on her list, but she is excited to begin her first role as an attorney representing the people of Alabama.
  • Lauren Rasbury Horstman (’17, marketing) enjoys working as a flight attendant and a training instructor for American Airlines in Dallas, Texas. She recently advanced to the role of instructor, where she trains new flight attendants and delivers annual training sessions for current attendants at company headquarters. The skills Lauren gained from her marketing degree have proven to be quite valuable when interacting with passengers and coworkers alike. “I make jokes (that) I continue to use my Marketing Degree every day at American Airlines.” Although Lauren resides in Dallas she hasn’t strayed too far from her alma mater, coming back as a guest speaker for one of Auburn’s aviation management classes.
  • Rhyan Ruf (’15, marketing) just celebrated her promotion at OneTeam Partners going from athlete relations, where she managed and negotiated athlete deals across various player associations, to her new title of partner marketing. OneTeam Partners is a company dedicated to uniting The Players Associations with elite athletes to maximize their collective value through licensing, sponsorship and marketing. She leads sponsorship and athlete marketing programs from start to finish, handling everything from creative concept development to execution, reporting and optimization. She lives in Chicago with her dog, Dax, and enjoys traveling whenever she can. She also finds great joy in being an aunt to her new godson, Luke.
  • Tom Rush (’15, MAcc) is the executive vice president of Newport Federal Bank in Newport, Tennessee and has spent decades in the banking industry. Besides banking, he and his wife are in the midst of taking on more responsibility with a family farm raising registered Shorthorn cattle. They are also very excited to have recently become grandparents to their granddaughter, Macie Lynn.
  • Ben Taylor (’18, supply chain management) works for Acuity Brands Lighting, a leading lighting manufacturer. Thanks to a Supply Chain Career Fair, Ben started with the company’s Leadership Development Rotational Program and has since held roles as a factory supervisor and manufacturing engineer. Recently promoted to factory manager for Acuity’s RELOC® product line, he leads a team of six professionals and oversees an additional 95 hourly employees responsible for daily production. “Harbert College’s supply chain program gave me a great foundation upon which to build my career in manufacturing operations.” While working in a world full of classically trained engineers, Ben has been able to differentiate himself by bringing valuable business perspectives to the table that other engineers may not traditionally have.

  • 2020s

    Heather Ambrose (’24, MBA) works as a logistics support analyst for a consulting firm. In this role, she coordinates the procurement plan, inventory, shipping of materials and prepares spreadsheets that help influence decisions for the program. Since graduation, she has married and moved to a small town in Virginia.

  • Ashley Belshe (’24, marketing) graduated last year, but began pursuing both her master of business administration and master of science in finance at Harbert this year. “It’s been a meaningful experience to continue my education at a place that feels like home.” Over the summer she worked as a finance department intern at K-LOVE, a Christian radio broadcasting network in Nashville, Tennessee. This was a great opportunity for her to grow professionally and gain insight into the finance side of the music industry and she’s excited for what her future holds.
  • Grey Bethune (’21, accounting) works at Ernst and Young as a risk consultant in Atlanta, Georgia where he was promoted to senior last year. The work he performs is focused on the internal audit and enterprise risk management space for public advanced manufacturing and mobility firms. He’s had the opportunity to travel to many different states and even abroad to perform these engagements. “I credit the Harbert College of Business for fostering an atmosphere that embraces new challenges and pushes their students to try new things.” Grey spends his free time volunteering as a varsity wrestling coach and recently married his Auburn sweetheart.
  • Abby Camlic (’24, business analytics) positioned herself for success prior to graduation. During her final semester, she reached out to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, interviewed, and was offered a position as a healthcare analyst. Having interned with the company while still in school, the transition to full-time employment was a natural next step. In her current role, Abby conducts utilization, trend and ad hoc analysis to help the company gain deeper insights into its members.
Outdoor shot of the Raymond J. Harbert College of Business building on a sunny day showing college students walking nearby on a path
  • Colby Council (’22, MSIS) caught the entrepreneurial bug and launched his own company, Oglethorpe Business Consulting. He attributed his degree from Harbert to helping him pursue his dream of becoming a business owner. “Thank you, Harbert!”
  • Elaina Eichorn (’23, marketing) is employed by the University of Chicago as the social media manager for the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering. She develops the social media strategy for the school, creates and curates digital content across all platforms and collaborates with faculty, students and partners to amplify key initiatives. Before her current role, her time as a student in the Harbert College of Business inspired her to pursue her master’s and work as a communications and marketing graduate assistant for Auburn Student Involvement.
  • Anna Estes (’25, aviation management) has just begun her exciting career with Leidos, a Fortune 500 company that primarily focuses on government projects. As project engineer on the Cargo Mission Contract in Houston, Texas, she collaborates with NASA on a wide range of mission support projects. “I use my unique experience gained at the Auburn RFID Lab to come up with systems and deploy RFID across the contract, certifying flight hardware design, and more.” Anna met the team she now works for while giving them a tour of the Auburn University RFID Lab. After securing a business card from one of them, she sent over her résumé and landed an interview. Just one short month later, she began her first day at Leidos.
  • Declan Feely (’21, supply chain management) started his career as an operations supervisor with DHL Supply Chain in Atlanta, Georgia. He credits his connections to Auburn with getting his foot in the door and has since been promoted from senior procurement analyst to procurement manager. He’s responsible for driving high delivery performance and low costs with his suppliers while strengthening their long-standing relationships with the company. In his personal life, it has been an eventful year. After receiving a promotion at work and proposing to the love of his life, they are now happily engaged.
  • Olivia Hurst (’20, supply chain management) is the principal supply chain procurement specialist for Northrop Grumman, a global aerospace and defense technology company. Following a student internship with the company, she was hired as an entry-level procurement specialist and was promoted twice. In her day to day, she works in the corporate sector for the Maintenance, Repair and Operations team, purchasing long-term services and large laboratory equipment, among other commodities. Purchasing her first home, completing her master’s degree and adopting a dog, Olivia has been busy since graduating from Auburn.
  • Caleb Karonka (’25, finance) started his new role as a business analyst at Targa Resources in Houston, Texas this year. His work as a business analyst involves performing revenue projections for different assets as well as variance analysis. Scoring the job through mutual connections, his position aligns perfectly with what he was looking for coming out of college as a finance major.
  • Mansi Kumar (’23, marketing) is the business owner of The Fusion Rasoi, an Indian fusion restaurant located in Opelika, Alabama. Taking classical Indian flavors and marrying them with other cuisines creates an explosion of flavors that The Fusion Rasoi is known for. Owning a business presents many challenges but her degree is key to the operation. “The classes I took gave me such insight about marketing and how much a business can benefit from a great marketing plan. Whether it’s making a social media post, planning our weekly orders or managing my team, I find my education from the Harbert College of Business to be highly valuable and rewarding.”
  • Kasey Mansfield (’22, supply chain management) was able to land her current job with the help of Auburn’s career services and résumé support. She is now a program manager at Meltwater, a global media intelligence company, where she leads enterprise software implementations, collaborates cross-functionally with teams across the globe and helps clients extract value from media analytics platforms. She is earning her master of business administration online through Auburn University. “The program offers the flexibility to balance professional growth with academic advancement. It’s been a challenging but rewarding experience that’s helping me elevate both my technical and managerial skills.”
  • Jace Odom (’24, marketing) began his career in real estate at RE/MAX of Gulf Shores, Alabama. He and his fiancé, who he met during his time at Auburn, are planning to open a coffee shop together. “The skills I learned in sales, negotiation, finance and accounting have helped me excel in my first year in the business.”

    • A diverse group of college students walking along a paved campus walkway on a bright, sunny day as they are situated nearby a large brick university building with white columns

    Four students sitting side-by-side and smiling in different various Auburn Harbert College of Business merchandise

  • Robert Shaddix (’22, MSIS) is project manager for the City of Gulfport’s Engineering Department, where he oversees a wide range of capital improvement projects. His work focuses on enhancing the city’s infrastructure and overall quality of life, an aspect of the job he finds both challenging and rewarding. In addition to his MSIS, Robert earned an MBA with a concentration in project management from Columbia Southern University in 2020. “Each academic step has shaped my perspective, but it was at Harbert that I truly honed my ability to lead complex projects and drive meaningful results.” Robert is happily engaged to his fiancée, an attorney at Morris Bart in Gulfport. Together, they are raising three energetic dogs and planning their destination wedding in Jamaica.
  • Jondell Stephens (’23, MSIS) serves as the market chief operating officer at Monogram Health for the South Alabama region. He leads all facets of market operations, strategy execution, and team leadership, applying the tools he gained through his degree on a daily basis. Since joining Monogram Health, Jondell has helped scale performance across key markets while supporting the company’s mission to transform care delivery for patients with polychronic conditions. He also takes great pride in serving as an adjunct professor at the Sorrel School of Business at Troy University. Most importantly, Jondell proudly claims the title of “girl dad” and prioritizes being an active, present father despite the demands of his professional responsibilities.
  • Bailey Woods (’21, MBA) enjoys his role as a financial advisor at Nicholas Wealth Management after spending more than eight years in executive wealth management at Goldman Sachs. He now helps provide holistic financial planning and wealth management for his clients, which includes investment planning, tax planning, retirement planning and more. Taking courses at Auburn that directly related to portfolio management helped provide him with a solid foundation of knowledge to better serve his clients.
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