Zahra Tohidinia ’18 PhD successfully defended her dissertation titled, “Interpersonal Consumer Dilemmas: Egocentric and Prosocial Manifestations.”   Dr. Tohidinia will begin her career as Assistant Professor at Framingham State University.

Yanhui  Zhao ’18 PhD  successfully defended her dissertation titled, “Option Market, Return Predictability and Term Structure.” Dr. Zhao will begin as Assistant Professor at University of Wisconsin, Whitewater in Fall 2018.  Best wishes Yanhui!

Nian Wang ’18 PhD successfully defended her dissertation titled, ” Product Returns and Bad Debts in Direct Marketing: Implications for the Targeting Dilemma and Return Policies.”   Dr. Wang is the 207^th student in the PhD Program to defend her dissertation.

Sean P. Palleschi ’02 has been appointed Vice President, Financial Operations and Controller for Defense Business for Cubic Global Defense, business division.  Mr. Palleschi will be responsible for the general and cost accounting activities for CGD and will be the key financial advisor to the business division president.  Cubic is a market-leading, worldwide technology provider of integrated solutions for transportation and defense.

Peter J. Sena II ’05 is the Co-Founder, CEO, and Chief Creative Officer of Digital Surgeons, the cutting edge Elm City innovation and marketing firm. Digital Surgeons is moving into District New Haven, a former bus garage, which been transformed by an investment of $19 million and aims to bring the spirt and style of Silicon Valley to Connecticut. The project will be complete, with the restaurant open and events happening in the amphitheater, by summer.

Lauren E. Miller ’03 is now a Certified Gallup/Clifton StrengthsFinder coach. This strengths-based approach to management and leadership powers the greatest teams in the world’s most successful organizations. In addition to applying this certificate to her role at Salesforce, one of the largest and most respected tech companies in the country, Ms. Miller is also accepting new clients who seek leadership development coaching. You can find out more at LaurenCMiller.com.

Dwight A. Pike ’78 MBA  is an experienced professional with over 35 years of investment experience, has been hired by Lantern Investments, Inc., a full service retail and institutional broker-dealer. Prior to joining Lantern, Dwight was affiliated with Westport Resources Investment Services, Inc.

Bryan K. Larson ’17 EMBA has been appointed Senior Vice President, Finance & Administration at the Kaman Distribution Group, the distribution segment of Kaman Corporation. In this role, Mr. Larson will lead all finance activities for the segment. Mr. Larson joined Kaman in 2005 and most recently served as Executive Director, Corporate Development. Kaman Corporation was founded in 1945 by aviation pioneer Charles H. Kaman and is headquartered in Bloomfield, Connecticut. Kaman conducts business in the aerospace and industrial distribution markets.

Gregory J. Dickinson ’91  has been named South Carolina Market President at Aqueta Bank. He is based in the newly opened Charleston Office. Previously, he was commercial banking market manager at Capital Bank. He is a deacon at Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church, Etiwan District Chairman for Coastal Council BSA and a volunteer lacrosse coach in the Town of Mount Pleasant and City of Charleston Recreation departments.

Jacinth C. Smiley ’91  has been named Chief Accounting Officer at LyondellBasell, one of the largest plastics, chemicals and refining companies in the world. Ms. Smiley joins LyondellBasell from General Electric Oil & Gas, where she served as Chief Financial Officer for the North America Region.