Michael C. Pelletier ’98 was named Chief Innovation Officer at BlumShapiro and is helping to move the largest New England-based accounting shop into the future. Mr. Pelletier leverages fast-advancing technology that can help deliver core services more quickly and efficiently, and process client data in search of new insights that can help decision-making. Under Mr. Pelletier’s management, the firm developed a program that uses machine learning to analyze historical data and other variables to help manufacturing clients more accurately forecast their parts-inventory needs in real time, so that they don’t leave excess capital sitting on a storeroom shelf, but also don’t run out.

John W. Mahoney ’89 JD has been named Senior Vice President and Chief Claim Officer at IFG Companies in Hartford.  Mr. Mahoney will be responsible for managing IFG’s nationwide claims organization while serving as a member of the Company’s overall Senior Leadership Team.  Mr. Mahoney comes to IFG with over 20 years of demonstrated success in a variety of claim leadership roles.  He began his career practicing law in the litigation practice of Hebb & Gitlin and Shipman & Goodwin.  Most recently, he spent the last ten years in a variety of claim leadership positions at Zurich North America.

Jess (Hoffman) Moran ’14 MBA was promoted to Senior Vice President within the Consumer Banking & Merrill Edge Business Integration team. Upon graduation from UConn, Ms. Moran joined the Bank of America Consumer Banking Leadership Development Program. Following this two year program, she joined Business Integration, where she serves as a consultant across the various lines of business within the Consumer Bank.

Eric Cernak ’04 MBA has been appointed by The Hanover Insurance Group to lead its cyber practice.  In this role, Mr. Cernak is responsible for overseeing The Hanover’s corporate cyber strategy across all of its commercial lines and specialty business, to ensure a cohesive offering of products and services for the company’s independent insurance agent partners.

Crystal A. Germanese ’02 has been appointed as the Managing Director in the Greenwich, Connecticut, office of Andersen Tax, joining the firm’s Private Client Services practice.  Ms. Germanese has over 15 years of experience and specializes in serving closely held businesses and high net worth individuals on tax matters ranging from income tax planning, compliance, specialized transactions, and family wewalth and tax planning.  Before joining Andersen Tax, Ms. Germanese was a partner at Blum Shapiro & Company, P.C.

Daniel S. Frey ’86 has been appointed as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Travelers Companies, Inc.  Mr. Frey brings to his new role more than three decades of finance and accounting experience.  Prior to his current role, he served as Chief Financial Officer of the company’s Claim and Field Management organizations.  Prior to joining Travelers, he served as Chief Financial Officer of Spalding Sports Worldwide.

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.