Alumni News Roundup: Driving Business in 2020

In 2020, Belk College of Business alumni continued to show they are doers, change makers and leaders.

Despite a global pandemic, Business Niners across the world made a positive impact on business and in their careers. Alumni also gave back to the college and the University, as speakers at events and as volunteers.

Here are just a few highlights.

Alumni on the Frontlines
During the COVID-19 global pandemic, Belk College alumni shared professional expertise, connections and resources to keep business moving and workers safe.

Susan DeVore ‘81 Business Administration, CEO of Premier, offered an insider’s view on how to solve healthcare supply chain issues.

Jane Wu ‘07 MAFI coordinated with China to help secure 40,000 surgical masks, 1,200 N95 masks, 800 disposable masks, and 1,000 goggles for Atrium Health University City.

Nikki Sumpter ‘94 Management, SVP and chief human resources officer at Atlantic Health Systems in New Jersey, talked with “Good Morning America” about how she is helping to keep 17,000 healthcare workers safe during the pandemic.

Christopher Moxley ‘03 International Business, co-owner of 704 Shop, added face masks to the lineup of products in April to help prevent the spreading virus and raising money for COVID-19 relief efforts.

Chris Peek ‘93 Business Administration, president and CEO of CaroMont Health, guided the fast-growing Gastonia-based hospital during the pandemic.

Jeff Davis ‘94 Business Administration helped market new face masks for healthcare workers and first responders.

Will Loesel ‘18 Marketing, a math teacher at Albemarle Middle School, was highlighted on “Ellen” and in People Magazine as he continued to teach from the hospital while undergoing chemotherapy for stage IV cancer.

Alumni Accomplishments
In November, four outstanding alumni and friends were honored at the 2020 Belk College Alumni Awards, which was presented as a livestream broadcast. Verl Purdy, a member of the first graduating class for what would become the MBA in 1973, received the college’s top honor. Also recognized were: Leigh Goller ‘93, chief audit, risk and compliance officer for Duke University and Health System; Jane Wu ‘07 MAFI, founder and CEO of Panorama Holdings; and Malcomb Coley, Charlotte managing partner for EY, honorary alumnus award.

Also of note:
Christopher Moxley ‘03 International Business, named to The Charlotte Business Journal’s (CBJ) “40 Under 40” List

Christi Lewis ‘96 Accounting and Angelica Srivoraphan ‘10 Marketing, named to the CBJ’s Women in Business list

Miguel Avila ‘18 Economics, named to Charlotte Inno’s “Under 25” List

Allison Sigmon ‘08, Belk College’s Staff Member of the Year

Belk College’s 16 inaugural Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) graduates

Also in November, three Belk College alumni were elected to posts. DeAndrea Salvador, ‘13 Economics and Dave Craven ‘12 Accounting were elected to the North Carolina Senate, and Fred Gore ‘98 Business Administration was re-elected to the North Carolina Court of Appeals.

Alumni Giving Back
Business Niner alumni shared their insight, expertise and lessons learned through thought leadership programs for Belk College students, alumni and the business community in 2020. They also gave back to the University as volunteers.

Gene Johnson ‘73 Accounting received a regional CASE award for his decades of service to the Belk College and to UNC Charlotte.

Latesha Byrd ‘12 Accounting, Chuck Howard ‘71 Business Administration, Susan Jamison ‘78 Accounting, and Larry Griffin, Jr. ‘84, and Jane Wu ‘07 MAFI offered their expertise as panelists for the Dean’s Leadership Series.

Scott Case ‘00 MBA and Donta Wilson ‘97 Management, both c-suite executives for Truist Financial Corp., shared their experiences with students during the CEO Speaker Series.

Scott Lieberman ‘12 Management, Christopher Moxley ‘03 International Business, Todd Aldridge ‘97 Art gave a behind-the-scenes look at the new athletics rebrand for Belk Talks Business.

David McKenzie ‘88, ‘91 Economics, Nicholas Sulak ‘17 Management, Management Information Systems, and Rodney Graves ‘97 Economics answered the call to support the Jamil Niner Student Pantry through a scouting food drive and the Axed Recipe Challenge.

Alumni Driving Business
Here are just a few of the ways Belk College alumni are driving business in Charlotte and around the globe.

Sophia Matthews Partlow ‘04 Marketing was named an executive at the Harvey B Hantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture.

Mohammed Albaqami ‘15 Finance opened the first Duck Donuts franchise in the United Arab Emirates.

Kimberly Moore-Wright ‘95 Accounting joined the Truist Executive Leadership Team.

Kristin Cagney ‘19 MBA opened the first seltzery on the East Coast in Charlotte.

Larry Griffin Jr. ‘84 Business Administration opened the first microbrew in Denver (NC), Royal Bliss Brewing.

Alumni Spotlights
In 2020 we were proud to highlight Business Niner Alumni making professional as well as social impact.

Demond T. Martin ‘97 Accounting: Alumnus Joins Obama Foundation Board of Directors

Liz Ward ‘14 MSRE: MSRE Alumna Opens Affordable Housing Advisory Firm

Kelley Earnhardt Miller ‘94 OSCM: Driven to Success: Alumna Shares Her Story of Success

Scott Lieberman ‘12 Management and Sean Newton ‘11 Finance, Political Science
Belk College Alumni Have a ‘Miner Obsession with 49er Sports

Bryan Delaney ‘03 Operations Supply Chain Management: Charlotte Business Buzz: Elevating Queen City Entrepreneurs

Jamie Rivenbark ‘05 Finance, ‘20 MBA: Restaurant Owner Finds Right Mix in the Belk College MBA Program

Have news to share with fellow Belk College alumni? Submit your Class Note on our website.