Alumni Impact

Hong Kong-based alumnus Laurence “Larry” Lipsher ‘65 is a U.S. tax accountant who has been living in China for more than 20 years.

He was recently interviewed by Reuters for a video about changes to paperwork for U.S. citizens filing from abroad.

Lipsher is a “semi-retiring bean & rice counter; tax entertainer…. full time curmudgeon and author of  the just released epic:  Larry’s 2012 U.S. Tax Guide for Expats and Green Card Holders – In User-Friendly English!”

Learn more about Lipsher here.

By Virginia Mungovan

As Dow Chemical’s manager of innovation and new business development of Latin America, Charly Eid ’05 is getting noticed. In March 2012, news site CNN Expansion recognized this Thunderbird School of Global Management graduate as one Mexico’s “30 Promising Business Leaders in their 30s,” saying his alternative energy initiatives will generate $100 million by 2014.

Eid said people looking at his background might question how he fits into his current position. “I’m an IT guy by background. Not chemical. Not an engineer. But I am here to innovate,” Eid said. “For innovation, you only have to connect with the right people. We always think that it comes from a great idea, but if you don’t connect with someone, it doesn’t happen. My job is managing the collaboration.”

Eid is currently managing a project to build the first solar thermal plant in Latin America. As a Mexico native, Eid believes in what his company is doing for the region. “We are taking care of the community through our efforts in sustainability,” Eid said.

He speaks passionately about the potential for good that he can do within Dow. “Many people in Mexico don’t have clean water,” he said, “but our technologies are being implemented in order to bring clean water to our country.”

Passion is what drives Eid. “I have passion for my life,” he said. “When I was at Thunderbird, I had passion for that. I am passionate about my work. I am passionate about everything that I do.”

That includes his role on the board of Dow’s Disability Employee Network. “It’s not a charity thing,” he said. “It’s trying to give skilled and talented people with disabilities the same opportunities as everyone else.”

The topic of disability hits close to home for Eid. One of his best friends had an accident that caused her to lose motor skills. “She lives in Lebanon,” Eid said. “But for me it’s a way to show her I care about making a better world for her.”

Eid met his wife, Ingrid Gonzalez ’05, when they were classmates in the Global MBA for Latin American Managers program, a dual-degree program with Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico. Eid had intended to leave Mexico for his MBA, but after receiving a promotion at his former job, he also wanted to keep working. The distance-learning program, which uses live satellite technology, allowed him to do both and gave him the international education he was looking for.

“That program opens you up to the rest of the world,” he said. “It puts countries together to talk about problems. It gives you a global mindset.”

Tom Jimenez ’68 has been named as U-T San Diego’s Vice President of Spanish Language Products.

Frances Aldrich Sevilla-Sacasa ’78 has been named Chief Executive Officer of Itau Private Bank International in Miami.

Leslie Miller ’83 has joined Corte California-based Financial Connections Group as a financial advisor.

Don Capener ’85 is the incoming Dean of Business for the Davis School of Business, Jacksonville University in Florida beginning in July.

Robert Monteux ’86 has joined Dream Local Digital as Online Marketing Strategist.

Peter Paul Pardi ’88 has been named Global Head of Distribution for BNY Mellon.

Dave Spalding ’90 has been appointed Senior Vice President of Business Development for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.

Sherry Sharp Sanger ’95 has been appointed Senior Vice President of Marketing for Penske Truck Leasing. Sanger was the company’s Vice President of Marketing since 2004.

Geoff Mathieux ’95 has been appointed CEO of Tickengo, an early stage Internet start-up based in San Francisco.

Nazar Massouh ’96 has left his position as Managing Director with Goldman, Sachs & Co. in New York to join Energy Capital Partners located in Short Hills, New Jersey to launch an energy-focused private equity fund.

Anna Maria Moore ’97 recently accepted a new position with Monster Worldwide Scandinavia, based in Oslo.

Sonia Patterson ’98 has been hired as the Executive Director of the Christian microenterprise development organization Five Talents.

Rick Cid ’05 has joined Equinox Exploration as Vice President of Business Development.

Joshua Golka ’10 has been named to the Board of Advisors for Vermont Law School’s Sports Law Institute.

Photo: Lea Ellermeier Nesbit is in the middle

By Virginia Mungovan

When Lea Ellermeier Nesbit ’94 saw a news report that technology giant 3M had bought a dental company for $97 million, she knew the time was right to sell her startup. Nesbit and her partner had launched Lingualcare in 2003 with no money or customers, but after four years their customized orthodontic braces had successfully gone from concept to reality.

The product was unique because it was 100 percent customized, making it easier for orthodontists to place it on the back side of the teeth, completely hidden from view. Lingualcare was not only manufacturing and selling these braces, the company held several patents related to the dental technology.

Nesbit knew she had a valuable product, but she didn’t wait for 3M to approach her. Instead she tracked down the investment banker who made the $97 million deal and hired him to help sell her company. 3M presented a cash offer for Lingualcare in 2007, and Nesbit and her partner decided to sell.

Getting to that point was not easy, though. “I didn’t get here on the straight path, that’s for sure,” laughed Nesbit, a Nebraska native.

Her father died when she was young, and Nesbit became estranged from her mother and left home at age 16. After that, Nesbit was left to her own devices.

“I dropped out of high school,” she said. “I had to. I needed to get a job.” While working, Nesbit earned her GED and even attempted college at the age of 17. “College didn’t go well,” she said. “I came back to work as a short order cook for a hotel in the morning and I sold shoes in the afternoon.”

But Nesbit did not believe this was all life had for her. “I decided I was meant for more,” she explained. At 19 years old, Nesbit took another try at college and never looked back – earning her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at El Paso and her MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management.

“Coming out of Thunderbird I was changed. Thunderbird made the world a smaller place for me. I wasn’t afraid of not being able to figure it out,” Nesbit said. “You realize it’s just about people and those people have the same hopes and dreams and fears that you have.”
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Nancy Napier ’75 was recently featured in Newswise in an article called “Effective Use of Creativity and Innovation is Key.” The article provides some insight into how organizations use creativity and innovation to boost performance.

Scott Gabehart ’84 recently co-wrote an article in Collier’s magazine about the democratization of data and its relation to entrepreneurship and business valuation.

Bob Saum ’91 was recently featured in farmanddairy.com because he is a 4-H alumnus who was recently appointed country director of the World Bank for Afghanistan and Bhutan.

John Strobel ’92 was the subject of a March 2012 article in Global Trade Magazine entitled “Visionary Volk.” He is the VP Global Sales and Marketing for Volk Optical, a recipient of the 2011 U.S. President’s “E” Award presented by U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke last May. The award is the highest U.S. government recognition any American entity may receive for supporting export activity.

Alejandro Erb ’98 has published an article in Cronista.com, a newspaper in Argentina that deals with the impact of the European financial crisis on the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. Erb is a professor of finance at the University of Palermo in Buenos Aires.

Richard Schmock ’05 was recently profiled in the Phoenix Business Journal in the “On the Move” section. Schmock works for Merrill Lynch and has joined the DrugFreeAz.org Board of Directors in overseeing financial and policy decisions that guide and sustain the organization.

Laura Clise ’08 was featured in GreenBiz.com in an article entitled “France vs. US: Which work culture is more sustainable.” Clise leads the sustainable development department for Areva North America and provided insight from her experience working for a French company.

Thunderbird School of Global Management transferred presidential authority to U.S. Ambassador Barbara Barrett during a special ceremony April 27, 2012, following spring commencement on campus in Glendale, Arizona.

During the ceremony, Thunderbird’s ninth President Ángel Cabrera, Ph.D., shared memories from the past eight years and talked about the impact that T-birds and the school have had on his life.

“We may leave Thunderbird the campus,” Cabrera told the students. “But we will never leave Thunderbird the community.”

As Cabrera steps into his new role as president of George Mason University in Virginia and Barrett leads Thunderbird as interim president, a 12-member committee is continuing its worldwide search for Thunderbird’s next president.

The search coincides with an ongoing search for a new chief academic officer and provost. During commencement, David Bowen, Ph.D., officially handed over duties to Interim Chief Academic Officer and Provost Larry Penley, Ph.D.

But before all of the ceremonies and formal farewells, T-bird faculty and staff on campus had one final chance to have fun and say goodbye to their president during a surprise party April 25, 2012, in the Thunderbird Commons. See photos here.

One by one, a handful of faculty and staff members stood up and shared memories of working with Cabrera. Students and staff also performed cultural dances. Dr. Beth Cabrera and the Cabrera children sang a Spanish song, and a staff band performed Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida,” a favorite of the outgoing president.

The party ended with an emotional Cabrera saying goodbye and thanking the Thunderbird community for its hard work and accomplishments.

“This event was just one small way of showing Ángel as a collective whole how much we appreciate his leadership and immense contributions to Thunderbird over the last eight years,” said Special Assistant to the President and event organizer Gbemi Disu ’06.  “Almost 200 staff and faculty showed up to show their support and love for him.”

Over the past eight years, Dr. Cabrera has helped Thunderbird grow in new ways and has connected the school with some of the world’s most influential and effective global organizations, such as the United Nations, the World Economic Forum and the Clinton Global Initiative. These are just a few of the relationships Dr. Cabrera has cultivated to strengthen Thunderbird’s recognition in the international community and among global leaders.

“As president of this great institution, I’ve been touched by personal stories of courageous women entrepreneurs from Kandahar to Lima,” Cabrera said.  “I’ve been honored to share time with world figures like the Dalai Lama, Sandra Day O’Connor and Bill Clinton. Most importantly, I have taught and been taught by hundreds of amazing students from every part of the globe.”

Barrett, who formerly served as U.S. Ambassador to Finland, will bring world-class credentials in business, diplomacy and philanthropy to Thunderbird. She has also been an executive, lawyer, and entrepreneur and has broken many barriers in these positions. She is also an instrument-rated pilot and certified astronaut.

“I am conscious of what a great privilege and responsibility it is to lead such a special place as Thunderbird,” Barrett said during her first speech as Interim President. “I look forward to the privilege of being part of this extraordinary Thunderbird faculty and family.”

Thunderbird Alumni Network Board President and Thunderbird Global Council member Karen Longo ’88 called Ambassador Barrett a true global leader.

“Thunderbird is in the most capable hands we could imagine for this transition,” Longo said.  “I am confident that she will strengthen Thunderbird through her leadership, guidance and wealth of experience and continue the mission of the No. 1 international business school in the world.”

This Mother’s Day honor your mother, grandmother, sister – or any woman who has inspired you – with a Project Artemis tribute card. Empower an Afghan entrepreneur (see Fatema’s story) to develop her own business and create a better life for herself, her family, and her community.

Give a gift today in support of Thunderbird’s Project Artemis and the inspirational woman or women in your life will receive a beautiful personalized card that recognizes your gift in her honor and tells the story of Project Artemis.

The selection process for the January 2013 class of Project Artemis fellows is underway. You can enable an unsung heroine such as Fatema to expand her business acumen at the world’s #1 school for international business. Your gift defrays costs for a fellow in the following manner:

$25 = Graduation celebration dinner
$50 = One day of meals
$100 = One cultural experience day
$200 = Health care and insurance costs
$500 = Ground transportation during program
$1,000 = Lodging for duration of program
$3,000 = Round trip airfare from Kabul, Aghanistan to Phoenix, AZ
$15,000 = Complete program cost

Investing in Project Artemis has an important multiplier effect. Your gift will help generations to discover sustainable prosperity through business development that grows and sustains local economies even in such a war torn country as Afghanistan. 

Ways to Give:
By phone: Gifts can be made securely via phone at 602 978-7309 (M-F; 8a-5p)or 800-457-6981 toll free (US only)

Online: For online gifts please make sure to enter the name of the honoree and her address in the appropriate text boxes.

 Make your gift today.

For more information about Project Artemis, please visit: thunderbird.edu/projectartemis

Three T-birds recently found themselves together in Monterrey, Mexico during a business meeting to discuss process automation and paperless business.

Garth Knudson ’99 – who shared this great photo with us – has been working for the past four years in international sales for HandySoft, a software and solutions vendor based in Washington D.C. One of his roles is to develop partnerships in Latin America, so he has been working with T-bird Enrique Vignau ’00 (2nd from left) since 2010.  Most recently, he met Ruben Dario Trevino Gonzalez ’00 (on right).

Thank you T-birds for sharing this photo with us! Have a photo to share? E-mail alumni@thunderbird.edu

Join T-birds in Southern California for the 20^th annual Day at the Races, which celebrates World Trade Week and the running of the Kentucky Derby.

Enjoy a buffet lunch on the Finish Line Café, network with fellow T-birds and global trade professionals, place your wager on the Kentucky Derby or the group race, win raffle prizes and simply enjoy a great afternoon.

DATE: Saturday, May 5, 2012

WHERE: Hollywood Park – Finish Line Café

TIME: Open seating begins at 10:30 a.m., Post time (1^st race): 11 a.m.

DRESS: Casual to dressy. No jeans. Ladies wearing hats is a Derby Day tradition

COST: $50.00 per person. Cost includes entry to Hollywood Park, lunch, private seating on the Finish Line Café, general parking and program.

Seats are limited! Advanced purchase is required. To register, go tohttp://www.wit-la.org/event_detail.asp 
For questions and additional information, e-mail 20thDayattheRaces@gmail.com

Imagine sipping local wine on a sprawling patio in Ensenada while the rays of the setting sun glisten on the sea. You watch a group of dolphins swim by as you delight in the sounds of acoustic guitar.

This may sound like a scene from a vacation advertisement, but it’s just another one of the many interesting events hosted by the San Diego Alumni Chapter.

Nearly 40 alumni, friends and family members gathered March 3, 2012, for a day of whale watching, local wine tasting and a lobster extravaganza. The event was organized by Fernando Gaxiola ’08, Veronica Yepez Reyna ’08, and David Betts ’96, Bobby Lipton ’03 and San Diego Alumni Chapter Leader Scott Krawitz ’05.

“We had an amazing day and it felt like a family,” Yepez said. “It’s a great feeling to belong to a group that is doing so many things.”

The alumni began by driving 60 miles south along the scenic Pacific coast to Ensenada and boarded “El Guero III” for a four-hour whale watching trip to see gray whales traveling during their annual migration.

Following a morning at sea, the group drove to Las Ventanas, where Betts and his wife, Carla, and their children and neighbors hosted an oceanfront sunset reception complete with acoustic guitar, dolphins swimming by, appetizers and local wines.

The wine was provided by the family of T-bird student Carlos Husson Igelstad, who owns the Baja Californian winery, Santa Ursula. Additional sponsors included Adobe Guadalupe and Bodegas Malagon. Acoustic guitar was played by Miguel de Hoyos and Alex de Pue, who have played all over the world and performed at Carnegie Hall.

To top it all off, the group went to El Pescador lobster house in the heart of Puerto Nuevo and shared margaritas and fresh lobster during a cozy candlelight dinner by the sea before heading home to San Diego.

Yepez said she, her husband Ignacio Ruelas Rodriguez ‘08 and the rest of the Leadership in San Diego will continue working with the chapter to organize diverse events – both social and professional.

“This year has been tough for our Thunderbird friends,” Yepez said about the job market. “We want to also create events that will help those who are actively job seeking.”