Cambridge Money & Responsibility: Day 6 & Overview

From inflation to Darwinism to Hamlet, the unknown has become known as a group of strangers has become a group of friends. The week has flown by as we wrapped up on Friday with lectures ranging from the Weimar Republic's inflation to "Everything You Never Wanted to Know About the World of Finance" ending with the role and power of serendipity. As I look back on the week, there is no doubt we leave with a better knowledge and understanding of the world of finance and how to plan and prepare ourselves to navigate it.

More importantly, though, I think at least we leave it as better, more well-rounded and capable young men and women. We've met new people, been forced out of our comfort zone, and seen and learned a great deal both about the world and ourselves. It has been an immense privilege and joy to have been a part of this year's SIBF Money and Responsibility course and for that we thank you all.

Hampton McFadden III, son of Harriet and Hampton McFadden, Jr. (AL, '16)

Cambridge Money & Responsibility: Day 5

Today we went over to the Judge Business School. Here we first learned a few things about banking and investment management. After a break, we were shown the benefits of the popular Bloomberg investment tool. This shows key information on the many possible investments around the world. Later, we had EMEA and CFA director Steve Wallace give a couple lectures on ethical investments. "Do the right thing, even when the wrong thing is legal."

At the end of our time at the business school, we were given some insight on Shakespeare's Hamle before attending the play later in the evening. This presentation was given by Dr. Anne Toner. Before heading back to Clare College, a few of us poked our heads in the Fitzwilliam museum where we saw lots of cool armor, swords, and other weapons over 100 years old. We closed the night with a steak dinner at St. John's Chophouse and the play in St. John's garden.

Cain Poynor, son of Kim and Ham Poynor (AL, '15)

Cambridge Money & Responsibility: Day 4

We started off our day with an exciting punting trip along the River Cam. It was so interesting to see the university from this point of view while experiencing a traditional British activity. Next we dove right into our lectures where we learned about disease research and our moral responsibility towards the issue, how to manage a budget with taxes and inflation, and evolutionary myths by the renowned paleontologist, Professor Simon Conway Morris.

We also had the opportunity to have a proper English tea during one of our breaks. Tonight was a free evening and my group chose to shop around and then head to The Eagle for dinner. This week has been amazing and I'm ready to see what is next to come! Cheers!

Jacklyn Gillette, daughter of Traci and Dan White (OH, '03)

Cambridge - Money & Responsibility: Day 3

On Tuesday, July 25 in Cambridge, we did a lot. We started off the day visiting Madingley Hall. It was a beautiful place with a wonderful garden. While there we had three very interesting classes. The classes taught us about understanding Brexit, credit cards and debt and a class that taught us how our brains work. After the classes, we played croquet and had a great time. After croquet, we departed for the American Cemetery and Memorial.

The cemetery was very nice and taught me a lot. It had an interactive museum and a lot of interesting videos. After leaving the memorial, we went to the home of Tracy-Ann and James Neville. It was a gorgeous house with lots of land. It was so nice of them to have us. They cooked a wonderful dinner comprised of steak, salad, and noodles. Tuesday was such a fun day and I can't wait for the rest of the week.

Parker Davis, grandson of Pam (FL, '98) and Rick (FL, '06) Mooney

Cambridge - Money & Responsibility: Day 2

Today we settled a lot more into Cambridge student life with meeting early at the Buttery for breakfast before lectures and then later dressing up to eat in the great hall. 

Our lectures today reflected on us growing as responsible individuals and, more to my interest, as growing as a business entrepreneur. The lectures were both informative and inspiring. I was also inspired by our tour around the Wren Library, being able to walk through rooms in which the greatest names in history had previously done was very humbling. 

Katie Wardle, niece of Celia and Nigel Wardle (FL, '01)

Cambridge - Money & Responsibility: Day 1

Greetings from Cambridge! Our first day here was wonderful and we definitely got a feel for the city. We began by going on a walking tour of Cambridge, and there are so many interesting pieces of history in such a small area. We saw the laboratory where DNA was discovered, where Isaac Newton had his revelation under the apple tree, where the neutron was discovered, and much more.

We then toured King’s College Chapel that showed much of British history with the numerous battles and changes in architecture. Afterward, many of us went on a double decker bus tour and saw the whole city and listened to its vast history. The meals were absolutely delicious, and it was a great time meeting everyone and getting to know them! I can’t wait for the rest of the week!

Meg Hayslip, daughter of Barbara and Vic Hayslip (AL, '14)

John Hagefstration (AL, '06) / Graham Commercial Properties land $200M to support growth, acquisitions

“We’re pleased to announce this new credit agreement which will help us continue to execute on our strategic vision of diversifying our holdings of last-mile industrial properties across the Southeast,” said John Hagefstration, GCP’s Executive Vice President and General Counsel. “In tandem with Blue Ceiba’s recent equity investment, this debt facility will provide greater flexibility so we can act quickly and nimbly to acquire new properties in key markets.”

Since its inception, Graham Commercial Properties has made a number of key acquisitions in the region, including a recent deal in Atlanta. Company leaders have previously told the BBJ about ambitious plans to grow around the region before possibly expanding to other areas of the country. The Wells Fargo deal comes on the heels of Blue Ceiba Advisors’ $100 million investment in GCP. Blue Ceiba is comprised of a group of foreign investors from Latin America, including Devon Investments, which are investing in GCP’s Southeastern growth.

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Mitch Davis (MN, '15) highlights the successes, challenges of Southern Minnesota

Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation has long worked on early childhood programs. The foundation offers literacy and early childhood incentive grants, as well as loans to licensed providers to expand or enhance their services. It connects AmeriCorps corps members with centers serving at-risk children. And it provides training and professional development for licensed providers.

“There are 2,000 early childhood providers offering childcare in home,” Penny said. “They’re always retiring and new ones are starting up.” The tour was told that regulatory changes will further strain the overtaxed network of providers at a stop in St. Peter’s Minnesota Square Park.

Federal rules will require all-day Head Start programming beginning 2021. Head Start is a child care and kindergarten preparation program for low-income families. So far, only Le Center, New Ulm and Blue Earth have that option, said Chris Marven, who coordinates Head Start for Minnesota Valley Action Council in nine counties. “The biggest challenge is the licensed space needed to do it,” she said.

Most of the locations offer several half-day sections where the morning and afternoon groups use the same space. Creating full-day sections will require doubling the space. Head Start will also require a four-year early childhood degree for teachers. “There are no local colleges who offer it,” Marven said.

Other challenges are in finding staff and paying enough to keep them, especially if they are trained for quality ratings through Parent Aware. Three- and four-star ratings are eligible for added incentives through the Child Care Assistance Program, which provides a sliding scale of payments for low-income families to help them secure child care.

The tour also included a visit to New Sweden Dairy, part of Davis Family Dairies, west of St. Peter. The visitors saw cows calving and milking and heard about agriculture’s growing workforce issues. Mitch Davis, general manager, said agriculture, like other sectors, will increasingly have labor shortages, forcing automation. “There is no developed economy like the U.S.,” he said. “Most places have an immigration policy that fills the ‘climb the ladder’ sector that our parents and grandparents filled.”

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VIDEO: CELA 13 Kyrgyzstan

This beautiful video about Kyrgyzstan was accompanied with the text specially prepared and voiced by CELA 13 participants from Kyrgyzstan and shown at the Cultural Night of CELA 2017 Leadership Academy.

David Ford (TX, '90) honored for 42 years of service

Family, friends and colleagues recently gathered to honor Dr. David L. Ford Jr. who, after 42 years of service to The University of Texas at Dallas, will retire Aug. 31.

“Where I am and where I started a number of years ago was to really move beyond success to significance,” Ford, the longest-serving faculty member at the Naveen Jindal School of Management, told guests. “For me, significance is having an impact on other people’s lives and then moving out of their way.”

That impact has been felt by both his peers and what Ford calls his academic sons, daughters, nieces, nephews and cousins, many of whom have gone on to careers in academia.

Dr. Hasan Pirkul (left), dean of the Naveen Jindal School of Management, presents a gift to Dr. David L. Ford Jr. at a recent retirement celebration. After 42 years at UT Dallas, Ford will retire Aug. 31.

“If I chaired your dissertation, then I’m your academic father,” he said. “If I was on your committee, I’m your academic uncle. If I had to write a letter of reference for you, for your promotion and tenure and that was … my main connection with you, or as a mentor, then I’m your academic cousin.”

One of his academic daughters, Dr. Kiran Mirza Ismail MBA’01, MS’02, PhD’06, is now an assistant professor of management at St. John’s University in New York. She wrote a congratulatory note that was part of a video created for the event.

“May you retire knowing that your positivity, dedication, and mentorship inspired generations of doctoral students and peers. You surely will be missed by the academic community,” Ismail wrote.

About 125 people attended the event. Arthur Gregg, assistant vice president for Multicultural Affairs and director of the Multicultural Center at UT Dallas, served as emcee. Festivities included a farewell tribute from Dr. Hasan Pirkul, dean of the Jindal School, and an introduction of Ford’s wife, Jackie, whom he gave effusive thanks and a large bouquet.

Ford came to UT Dallas in July 1975 as an associate professor of management and administrative sciences. He served in that position until September 1983, when he was promoted to his current role of professor of organizations, strategy, and international management.

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Marco Roca (FL, '01) appointed President of Global Development at CEC

Mark Frissora ,CEO of Caesars Entertainment Corporation (CEC), is set to implement an aggressive global expansion strategy with CEC looking to grow its corporate assets ‘beyond gambling’.

Last week, Frissora confirmed the appointment of two key executive hires, placing former Hard Rock International VP Marco Roca as new ‘President of Global Development’ and leisure sector M&A veteran Michael Daly as ‘VP of Group Strategy & Acquisitions’.

Speaking to investors, Frissora stated that the executive appointments would help the US gambling operator ‘unlock new growth channels’ and ‘bring more focus to Caesars international network expansion’.

Appointed in 2015 as CEC leader, Frissora has navigated Caesars Entertainment’s complex bankruptcy and group restructure. The CEO has detailed that the company will official exit all its bankruptcy proceedings this September, marking a ‘new chapter’ for CEC and its stakeholders.

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SIBF Alabama Sporting Clays

Date: Friday, July 28, 2017

Time: 2:00pm
 
Location: Selwood Farm, 706 Selwood Road, Alpine, AL 35014

Cost: $50 (ages 10 and up)
 
Details: Clay shoot followed by cocktails at Weewoka Creek Farm hosted by Patsy and Stan Graves (AL, '99). Cost includes golf cart and cocktails, attendees should provide their own gun and ammunition (available for purchase on site) This program presents a perfect opportunity to introduce your contacts to SIBF. Invite them to attend as our guest! Contact Membership Consultant Kathy Payne for assistance.

Peter Siegel (FL, '13) joins Starkweather & Shepley as Area President, Southeast Sales Leader

Starkweather & Shepley, one of the largest independent insurance brokerage firms in the U.S., today announces the launch of its new Tampa, FL office lead by Industry veteran, Peter Siegel. Highlighting this expansion, S&S has tapped 23-year insurance veteran, Peter Siegel to become the Area President.

Siegel will lead new business growth and retention efforts, as well as target select agency and talent acquisitions that meet Starkweather’s criteria.  “Peter has the right relationships and energy to make our expansion throughout Florida successful,” said David Soforenko, President & COO of Starkweather and Shepley. “Our firm views Tampa as the next logical next step to our continued growth and we are excited to have Peter lead that effort.”

Siegel joins the company from AJ Gallagher, where he was Area Senior Vice President and was responsible for handling Healthcare, Manufacturing and Large Multinational accounts. Previously, he was a Vice Present at Marsh. Peter is a graduate of Northeastern University in Boston.

Established in 1879, Starkweather & Shepley is presently the largest independent agency in Rhode Island and the 72nd largest insurance brokerage firm in the U.S. Starkweather & Shepley, held in Trust since 1935, insures the firm will remain privately-held in perpetuity, providing certainty to clients and associates alike. The firm provides commercial and personal insurance, health and employee benefits, surety bonding and risk management services. These services are provided nationally and internationally, through its partnership with Assurex Global. Headquartered in East Providence, RI, Starkweather has additional branch offices in Westerly, RI; Bristol and Shelton, CT; Westwood, Sturbridge, and Martha’s Vineyard, MA; and Fort Myers, FL.

Fellowship Award Named in Suzanne Nuckolls' (DC) Honor, Recognizing 38 Years of Teaching

St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School (SSSAS), a college preparatory, Episcopal day school in Alexandria, Virginia, has renamed its 8th grade Fellowship Award as the Suzanne Griffin Nuckolls Fellowship Prize in honor of Suzanne's 38 years of teaching at the School.   Suzanne was recognized with a surprise announcement on June 7 during Middle School Prize Day with the renaming of the Fellowship Award in her honor.  According to Head of School Kirsten Adams, "the eighth grade class confers this award upon the boy and girl in the eighth grade who possess the best qualities of a true friend. Recipients demonstrate in their daily lives true friendship through the qualities of loyalty, compassion, trust and service to others which Mrs. Nuckolls exemplified in our Saints community".

Adrienne Pakis Gillon [spouse of Bill Gillon (TN, ’14)], Suzanne Nuckolls, Carl and Marilyn Shedlock, and Randy Nuckolls

Suzanne joined the all girls St. Agnes School in 1978, to teach mathematics.  She became Chairman of the Middle School math department ten years later when St. Agnes merged with the nearby St. Stephen's boys School. She served on various committees including Admissions, Professional Growth, and Development, and three, 10-year evaluation committees. Suzanne was instrumental in leading SSSAS to adopt single sex math and science classes at the middle school level.   Her innovative math class was profiled by several local and global news agencies including an article in The Washington Post titled, “An Equation for Equality.”
 
For Suzanne and her husband, Randy (DC, ’83), being a Saint is an essential part of their family story. Their daughters, Emily ’02 and Caroline ’07, are proud alumni of the school.

Congratulations Suzanne. 

Honorary Canadian Consul General Leigh Shockey (TN, '09) talks NAFTA

After a week in the Volunteer State, Canadian Chamber of Commerce chief Perrin Beatty was convinced Tennesseans want more Canada: More trade, more tourism, more business partnerships.Leading a Canadian delegation to Memphis and Nashville, Beatty said he found fertile ground for Canada’s pro-trade agenda and tepid support for scrapping the 23-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement.

“The message I’ll give to our business community is, these are folks interested in doing business and we should be looking for ways to do more,” Beatty said Friday in Memphis. Leigh Shockey, chief executive of Drexel Chemical and honorary Canadian consul general in Memphis, said trade with Canada is responsible for about 170,000 Tennessee jobs. Tennessee has a $3 billion trade surplus with Canada, the state’s largest trading partner.

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Josh Jaquish (FL, '15) & Tribridge jail management system scores win

Tribridge is based in Tampa. Virginia-based DXC Technology acquired Tribridge, which focuses on cloud computing software and services, in a deal announced July 5.

Offender360 is a tool for correctional and public safety institutions to manage inmates from intake to release. Tribridge Offender360 will help the sheriff’s office manage inmate housing; grievance and appeals processing; court operations and inmate programs, according to a press release. Terms of the contract weren’t disclosed.

“Like many state and local institutions nationwide, Maricopa County is under close watch to provide streamlined jail management operations and ease sustained burdens on taxpayers as public funds continue to wane,” says Tribridge Public Sector Vice President Josh Jaquish in a statement. “Tribridge Offender360 is already helping agencies like the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office establish a more refined jail management system, one that’s both cost-effective and rehabilitory for offenders in the system.”

Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office serves the unincorporated areas of Maricopa County and several contract cities.

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Will Ratliff (AL, '89) appointed to Board of Councilors at The Carter Center

The Carter Center, a not-for-profit organization advancing peace and health worldwide, has appointed 21 new members to its Board of Councilors, bringing total membership to 211.

The Board of Councilors is a leadership advisory group that promotes understanding of The Carter Center and its activities among opinion leaders and the broader community. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, and staff members give updates about the Center’s activities to board members throughout the year.

"Our Board of Councilors creates an intimate link between The Carter Center, the city of Atlanta, and the state of Georgia by helping us to promote the work and mission of the Center in their communities," President Carter said.

Since its founding in 1987, the Board of Councilors has been led by some of Atlanta's most distinguished civic leaders, including its current chair, Shan Cooper, chief transformation officer, WestRock Company.

Following are the new councilors:

Dr. Raphael Bostic, president and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
Julie Haley, CEO & co-founder, Edge Solutions
Philip E. Holladay, Jr., partner, King & Spalding
Lynne Homrich, founding executive chairwoman & CEO, League of Change Institute
Sue Kolloru Barger, partner and managing director, Boston Consulting Group
Craig Lesser, managing partner, Pendleton Group
Daniel McMorrow, general manager, D-Mac Industries
Bartow Morgan, Jr., chief executive officer, Brand Group Holdings
Richard Novack, president and general manager, MidSouth Market, Cigna
Helen Smith Price, vice president of global community affairs, The Coca-Cola Company
William T. Ratliff III, CEO, Collateral Companies
Matt Richburg, Ph.D., managing partner, Ampersand Leadership Group
E. Hearst Roane, Esq.
Caroline Scott Talley, senior counsel, Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs
Bernard Taylor, Sr., partner, Alston & Bird
Paul E. Viera, Jr., CEO and partner, EARNEST Partners
Jeff Williams, managing partner, US Strategic Capital Venture Fund
Rocky Williform, founder and CEO, MixP3 Corporation
Jim Winestock, senior vice president (retired), United Parcel Service
John C. Yates, partner, Morris, Manning & Martin
Cynthia Hardy Young, CEO & founder, Pivot Global Partners

15 Minutes with Sean Hartness (SC, '99)

Sean P. Hartness is actively involved in real estate development in Greenville and Charleston. Mr. Hartness earned a bachelor’s degree in history in 1992 from the University of South Carolina. He is an active pilot and aviation enthusiast.

After a 20-plus year career in packaging with Hartness International, he founded Hartness Development in Greenville and was part of the leadership team that established King and Society, a full-service real estate firm in Charleston. Since making this career move, he led efforts to develop the Homestead at Hartness, a 140-homes for lease innovative development in Greenville.

Currently, he is a board member of Furman University, Board of Visitors; Airplane Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the Greenville County Museum of Art and Triple Tree Aerodrome. He is a past board member of the Peace Center for Performing Arts and the Community Foundation of Greenville Inc.

He is active with the Society of International Business Fellows and attends First Baptist Greenville.

1.) How long has your family been a part of the Greenville community?

My grandfather moved to Greenville from North Carolina in the early years of WWII to start a Pepsi franchise in the Upstate.

2) Who originally purchased the property now being developed?

My father, Thomas P. Hartness, began to purchase property in the late 1970s. Back then, the land was considered to be far outside of Greenville. My family built a home there in 1980. Hartness International began purchasing adjacent property in the mid-1980s and relocated their HQ on the property in 1986. So, the land has been in our family for over 40 years.

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Nancy Peterson Hearn (TN, '91) named to The Conservancy Board

Nancy Peterson Hearn (TN, '91)  has been elected to the Board of Directors of The Conservancy for the Parthenon and Centennial Park, a nonprofit organization in Nashville, Tennessee, whose mission is to preserve, enhance and share the Parthenon and the park so that all future generations may benefit from these enriching cultural and educational landmarks. A nationally recognized business entrepreneur, Nancy Peterson Hearn is chairman and chief executive officer of Peterson Tool Company, Inc. Under her leadership, the company has made exponential gains in sales, production , and reputation, and is ranked among the world’s premier designers and manufacturers of custom insert tooling. Peterson Tool received ISO 9001 certification and has earned numerous quality and certification awards including General Motors’ Targets for Excellence Award and Caterpillar’s coveted Certified Supplier of Quality Materials Award.  An active member of SIBF, Nancy also serves on the Aquinas College Board of Governors and the Mississippi University for Women’s National Board of Distinguished Women.

Jimmy and Dee Haslam (OH, '09) are committed to making an impact in Cleveland

The Browns have agreed to pledge more money than originally expected to cover the cost of the installation of two new synthetic turf football fields to Cleveland city schools, according to Cleveland.com.

Last year, the Browns announced that they would install turf fields at five high schools for an estimated cost of between $2 and $2.5 million. According to Cleveland.com, that work has already been done at three city fields -at Roye Kidd Stadium for John F. Kennedy High School, Bump Taylor Field near Glenville High School and the field at James F. Rhodes High School.

But two schools – John Adams and John Marshall – need more work than expected. That’s where the Browns and owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam stepped in, agreeing to cover those costs according to school district CEO Eric Gordon. The Browns told Cleveland.com the combined amount for the two schools will be about $500,000.

With the new work and the addition of scoreboards, the total is expected to be around $3.5 million. The five schools had to play the bulk of their games in other parts of the city or on the road last season.

“The entire Browns organization and Dee and Jimmy Haslam are committed to making an impact in Cleveland,” Jenner Tekancic, a spokesperson for the team, told Cleveland.com. “By providing five high-quality synthetic turf fields, this project will help provide quality opportunities for youth football and other community activities, as well as an additional learning space outside of the classroom and help encourage school attendance and participation.”

Tekancic added: “It was important to our team that we ensured these educational resources were available to CMSD and its students this fall.”

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Via @CLEMetroSchools