UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Smeal College of Business recognized the recipients of its 2023 Alumni Awards and its latest class of Hammond Society inductees at a March 30 ceremony in the Business Building Atrium.
“We are fortunate and grateful to have such a talented and generous group of alumni,” said Charles H. Whiteman, John and Karen Arnold Dean. “So many of those alumni impact the college in myriad ways. It is an honor to highlight the professional accomplishments and selfless volunteer contributions of the Class of 2023.”
The Smeal Alumni Society Board of Directors recognizes those who demonstrate leadership and service, work to further diversity and sustainability efforts, and attain outstanding career achievements, which enhance the prestige of the college.
Nominations are solicited annually from Smeal faculty, staff, students and alumni.
A full description of each award can be found by clicking on the name of the award in the following list:
- Diversity Leadership Award
- Gerald I. Susman Sustainability Leadership Award
- Outstanding Young Professional Award
- Service to Smeal Award
- Distinguished Achievement Award
A full biography for each honoree can be found by clicking on the name of each recipient.
2023 award recipients
Diversity Leadership Award
- Christine Ramsay (2005, marketing), chief empowerment officer and founder of Ignite Inclusion LLC
Gerald I. Susman Sustainability Leadership Award
- William E. Flederbach Jr. (2005, executive MBA), president and CEO of ClimeCo
Outstanding Young Professional Award
- Jordan J. Zezza (2018, management and organizational leadership), senior manager of data science portfolio management, neuroscience at the Janssen Pharmaceutical Cos. of Johnson & Johnson
Service to Smeal Award
- Timmy Garde (1978, marketing), chief growth officer at Ardelis Health
- Chris Thomas (2003, management and international business; 2008, MBA), principal team leader for Chick-fil-A Inc.
Distinguished Achievement Award
- Brian S. Dreibelbis (1985, operations management), senior director of supply chain human resources/labor and employee relations for Land O’Lakes
- Claudia A. Steeb (1981, finance), senior managing director in the Pittsburgh office of JLL
- Farnoosh Torabi (2002, finance and international business), financial expert, bestselling author, speaker and host, Farnoosh Inc.
- Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Darrell K. Williams (1991 graduate, business administration), president of Hampton University
Hammond Society inductees also were honored during the awards ceremony. The Hammond Society is named in recognition of J.D. Hammond, dean emeritus, for his support and profound influence in the development of the Smeal Alumni Society Board. Induction into the Hammond Society serves to honor alumni who have demonstrated a commitment to the Smeal College of Business and to foster their continued involvement in the college.
2023 Hammond Society inductees
- Matthew Giammanco (2007, finance)
- T. Randall Iles (1973, marketing)
- Susan Lowe (1995, accounting)
- Carole McCabe (1986, marketing)
- Thomas Raymond (2001, marketing)
- Ronald Sloan (1970, accounting)