Robert J. Gronda ’89 has been appointed Vice President responsible for business development and client management activities in the Client Services Group of ASB Real Estate Investments.  Mr. Gronda is a highly experienced institutional investment management professional with strong client service experience developed over a dynamic career in the commercial real estate financial services industry.

Faisal Saleh ’78 MBA is launching a new US-based museum dedicated to researching and preserving Palestinian history, as well as presenting expressive art and individual stories from Palestinians around the world today.  The museum, located in Woodbridge, CT, will feature multimedia collections curated from rare historical photographs and documents, films and digital media, oral histories, and the visual and literary arts, along with public lectures and live performances.  Mr. Saleh, who after over 40 years of entrepreneurial undertakings, is now tackling one of the most ambitious Palestinian media projects in the US.

John F. Rossi ’13 MBA was named one of Hartford Business Journals 40 Under Forty 2018.  He serves as the vice president of operational integration for Hartford HealthCare.  He is primarily focused on improving quality and reducing costs to help HHC provide reliable andefficient health care.  Hired in 2014 to launch a system-wide project management office, he now serves as the leader for the annual operational budget improvement process.

Mahesh Puthenveetil ’10 MBA has received one of the Hartford Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 awards.  He is currently a senior director within the Enterprise Execution Department at Anthem Inc., which is the second largest health insurer in the US.  In his role, Mr. Puthenveetil is leading the new prtoduct and service operations portfdolios that support 30-plus enterprise transformative initiatives impacting Anthem’s top-line and bottom-line growth across multiple commercial segments.

Bradley P. Bentley ’13 MBA has been named Director of the Chautauqua County Department of Public Facilities.  Mr. Bentley’s career spans over 25 years working for public utilities throughout the United States and, most recently, the Jamestown Urban Renewal Agency.  His work experience includes both management and engineering positions while working for American Electric Power in Columbus, Ohio; GridAmerica in Cleveland, Ohio; San Diego Gas & Electric in San Diego, Calif.; and Eversource Energy in Hartford, CT.

Redona Methasani ’18 Ph.D., a Management Doctoral Student, successfully defended her dissertation titled, “Emotional Evaluators: The Influence of Emotions on Performance Appraisal in Organizations.”  In the fall of 2018, Dr. Methasani will be a Visiting Assistant Professor at UConn Stamford.

Yuan Jin ’18 Ph.D., an OPIM Doctoral Student, has successfully defended her dissertation titled, “Essays on Online Two-sided Platforms.”  Dr. Jin has accepted a tenure-track Assistant Professor offer from Texas Tech University.  She will join the Area of Information Systems and Quantitative Sciences faculty at the Rawls College of Business.

Gregory P. Lewis ’91 has been named Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Honeywell.  He will oversee Treasury, Tax, Audit, Business Analysis and Planning, Investor Relations, M&A, Real Estate, Pension, Finance Operations, and Enterprise Information Management (EIM).  Honeywell is a Fortune 100 software-industrial company that delivers industry specific solutions that include aerospace and automotive products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes, and industry; and performance materials globally.

Xian Cao ’18 Ph.D. is a Management Doctoral Student, successfully defended his dissertation titled “Examining the Financial Payoffs to Prior Entrepreneurial Experience.”  Dr. Cao has accepted a tenure track position as Assistant Professor at Ball State University.

Rodney A. Butler ’99 has been named interim CEO of Foxwoods Resorts Casino.  Mr. Butler will be overseeing the casino, operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation.  He will also continue serving as council chairman before the casino announces a permanent CEO and president.