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.
Stephen R. Rush ’16 Ph.D. has successfully defended his dissertation titled, “Essays on Information diffusion and Adverse Selection.” Stephen has accepted an Assistant Professor position at Bowling Green State University, Ohio.
Stephen C. Pikiell ’90 has been hired by Rutgers University as its new men’s basketball coach. Mr. Pikiell was captain of the 1990 team that won Huskies’ first Big East title. He was also previously the coach of Stony Brook and led them to six 20-win seasons in the last seven years.
Nicole Jones Young ’15 PhD successfully defended her dissertation titled, “The Impact of Social Class in the Hiring Process” on March 8th, 2016. Ms. Young has accepted an Assistant Professor position at Franklin & Marshall College.
David C. Strang ’83 has been appointed to Director of Sales in the Northeast at Teneo Hospitality Group. Prior to this position, Mr. Strang spent the last eight years with Jumeriah Hotels & Resorts as a Global Sales Executive, and previous to that, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. He has more than 20 years of hotel sales experience and strong client relationships in New York City, New Jersey, Boston and Connecticut.
Peter van Dernoot ’57 maintains his title as Chairman but relinquishes his title as Executive Director of The Children’s Treehouse Foundation. Mr. van Dernoot founded the organization in 2001 in Colorado to provide emotional support for young children of parents with cancer. The unique support program, CLIMB®– Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery, is now provided, entirely free, in 80 cancer centers in the United States and in 25 cancer centers in seven foreign countries.
James M. Thomson ’79 has been promoted to the Regional Vice President for the San Diego based General Atomic Aeronautical Systems business development activities, as well as the global offices in the Middle East and North Africa regions.
James R. Valente ’95 MBA has been appointed to Global Head of Real Estate for MSCI Inc. Mr. Valente has been with MSCI since 2011, where he has managed both the North American client base, as well as the Global Product functions for Real Estate. He has more than 20 years of experience in the institution real estate investment management industry having previously held senior research and strategy positions at BentallKennedy, ING Clarion and SSR Realty. Mr. Valente is a Fellow of the Homer Hoyt Institute and a member of the Pension Real Estate Association’s (PREA) Research Affinity Group. He is also a frequent speaker at industry events and his research and views on real estate have appeared in both academic and trade publications.
Anthony L. Mattacchione ’98 MBA has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer of Bruker Corporation. Mr. Mattacchione previously served as Bruker’s Senior Vice President of Finance and Accounting. He has served as Chief Financial Officer of EMD Millipore Corporation as well as Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer. He has also held various financial leadership roles during his 16 years at Gerber Scientific. Mr. Mattacchione has more than thirty years of financial, accounting, operational and management experience.
Thomas O. Barnes ’78 MBA has been elected as the chairman of the Connecticut Science Center Board of Trustees. Mr. Barnes has served on the Science Center Board since 2004; most recently as vice chairman. He currently serves on the Executive Committee of Barnes Group, Inc. and has served on the Board of Directors of the company for more than 30 years. He has also been chairman, trustee or director for many non-profit organizations, including the Connecticut Science Center.” .
Titian N. Solis ’12 has joined the New York Metro Market of The Siegfried Group as a senior associate. Mr. Solis was most recently with PricewaterhouseCoopers where he gained three years of audit experience in a variety of industries including healthcare, pharmaceuticals and manufacturing.
