Monica A Caldas Benton ’01, currently deputy chief information officer at Liberty Mutual, has been named executive vice president and chief information officer of Liberty Mutual effective January 2023. Prior to joining Liberty Mutual, Caldas Benton spent 17 years at GE before leaving to become executive vice president and global CIO for GRM.
All News & Notes
The News & Notes is a resource for alumni and current students of the University of Connecticut School of Business to stay up-to-date with their alumni network. We hope by providing information about our accomplished alumni, students and other alumni will have the opportunity to gain a better understanding about their industry and broaden their network.
Brian Gragnolati ’79
Brian Gragnolati ’79 has joined Concord Health Partners, a healthcare focused investment firm, as executive partner. Gragnolati currently serves as president and CEO of Atlantic Health System, and has also served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the American Hospital Association (the “AHA”).
Christopher Newell ’14
Christopher Newell ’14, director of the Akomawt Educational Initiative and former director of the Abbe Museum, has joined the Board of Directors of the New England Foundation for the Arts. Newell is a citizen of the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township.
Michael Colonnese ’09
Michael Colonnese ’09 has joined H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC’s Equity Research Department as a senior equity analyst focusing on Cryptocurrency & Fintech. Colonnese joins HCW with over 13 years of experience in the financial services industry.
Arda Zuber ’14 MS, ’22 Ph.D.
Arda Zuber ’14 MS, ’22 Ph.D., Operation and Information Management doctoral student, has successfully defended his dissertation titled, “Applications of Inferential and Prescriptive Analytics in Information and Operations Management”. Zuber has accepted a position as an applied science manager with Uber.
Asif Mahammad Syed ’11 MBA
Asif Mahammad Syed ’11 MBA, vice president, Data Strategy at HSB, a Munich Re Company, has joined CDO Magazine’s Global Editorial Board. The editorial board shares expert opinions and innovations in data and analytics, through editorials, content development, as well as speaking engagements, interviews, and research.
Vikram Nafde ’05 MBA
Vikram Nafde ’05 MBA has been named executive vice president and chief information officer in charge of Information Technology for Webster Financial Corporation, the holding company for Webster Bank, N.A. As a member of Webster Bank’s Executive Management Committee (EMC), Nafde is responsible for the strategy and execution of all Webster technology, including cybersecurity, data strategy and tech innovation.
Hendrik Deurloo ’98 MBA
Hendrik Deurloo ’98 MBA, senior vice president and chief commercial officer at Pratt & Whitney, was appointed President of P&W’s Commercial Engines.
Major General Francis Evon Jr. ’89
Major General Francis Evon, Jr. ’89 has been reappointed by Governor Ned Lamont to serve another four year term as adjutant general of the Connecticut National Guard. He has served in this role since July 2018.
Deborah C. Beebe ’99
Deborah C. Beebe ’99 has joined the accounting firm of Harper & Whitfield PC as a manager in their Farmington office. Deborah has over 20 years of both public and private industry experience, providing a variety of professional services, including audit, annual compliance, internal control system reviews, and attest engagements.