Campus MBA Students
We are proud of our MBA students!
If you are interested in reviewing the MBA resume book, please email Bethany Cooper, Director of MBA Services: bcooper@bus.olemiss.edu
Stephen Altenbach
Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Stephen received his Bachelors degree in Real Estate Finance from the University of Mississippi in 2009. An avid sportsman, Stephen interned at Gulf Coast Hatteras, a yacht brokerage firm, for two summers while an undergraduate and holds a USCG Captains License. During his time with Gulf Coast Hatteras, he received valuable sales, marketing and analytical experience. Although he enjoys the field immensely, he chose to continue his education upon graduation. He now serves as President of The University of Mississippi MBA program, where his main objective is to increase funding for future MBA students. He also holds the position of Vice President of the Ole Miss Research and Investment Analysts group. As a member of this group, he will participate in the CFA Global Research Investment Challenge, as well as assist in the management of a $50,000 investment portfolio. He currently holds an assistantship with the University Department of Outreach, where he assists the Marketing Director. Stephen is concentrating his career path heavily on the Investment Banking industry, with a particular interest in Fixed Income trading, and hopes to enter a Financial Analyst Program at an investment bank upon graduation.
Ashley Czeschin
Before entering the MBA program, in May 2009 Ashley graduated from the University of Mississippi with a major in Real Estate and a minor in Managerial Finance. During her time as an Undergraduate Student she served as Vice President of Social Standards of Delta Gamma sorority, Vice President of Chief Emissary Officers of the Ole Miss Business School, and worked for the Dean of the Business School for two years. Ashley was the recipient of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors Scholarship in 2008 and was elected into Who’s Who Among American Students for the University of Mississippi. She completed an internship with Serenbe Real Estate where she became aware of her passion for sustainable residential developments. She would like to one day do residential developing of her own. Right now she is looking for a job in the Finance aspect of Real Estate.
Matthew Arnold
Matthew Arnold is a 2010 MBA student at the University of Mississippi and is from Germantown, TN. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Memphis in May 2009 with a Marketing Management major and an Economics minor. As an undergraduate student, he worked as a tutor for student-athletes and did landscaping and lawn care. He was awarded the Most Outstanding Student in the Marketing and Supply Chain department in 2009 at the University of Memphis. He was selected to a Business Mentoring Program (Memphis Institute for Leadership Education) in July 2008 and is a member of the national business honor society Beta Gamma Sigma. Matthew is looking forward to pursuing a career in the marketing field following his completion of the MBA program.
Hesham Baeshen
Hesham is pursuing an MBA degree at the University of Mississippi. Upon receiving his Engineering degree from the University of Mississippi, his work experience began in the Emerging Markets’ banking technology segment. Hesham worked as a technology officer for a worldwide financial institution in one of its overseas markets. He has since returned to Oxford, MS where he grew up and looks forward to successfully completing the MBA program. Hesham views the MBAfrom the University Of Mississippi School Of Business Administrationas an opportunity to balance his technical experience with an established education in the operations of the marketplace. He looks forward to forging lasting friendships with fellow classmates and faculty. In the near future, Hesham plans to start his own business in consulting and views his current educational endeavor as an essential part of this goal.
Camden Baird
Camden is currently pursuing an MBA at the University of Mississippi. She graduated in May 2008 from Mississippi State University with a Microbiology degree. She has varied interests, and she is looking forward to increasing her knowledge of the business world and being able to select the right industry for her. Camden interned for the Mississippi Treasury Department where she worked in the unclaimed property division. This experience was very rewarding for Camden as she really enjoyed working with the public and helping others. She is enthusiastic about her future business opportunities.
Sara Balch
My name is Sara Elizabeth Balch, and I from Madison, Mississippi. I graduated May 2009 Magna Cum Laude from The University of Mississippi obtaining a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Marketing and minor in Economics. During my senior year, I was awarded the only Outstanding Undergraduate Marketing Award 2009. I was chosen for Who’s Who Among Students and actively involved in Ole Miss Ad Club, Mortar Board, and Campus Crusade for Christ. I received the Community/Junior College Excellence Award from Ole Miss in 2007 when I transferred from Holmes Community College. At Holmes CC, I was received numerous academic awards and was involved in many organizations including President of Phi Theta Kappa and Ridgeland Campus Editor of the school newspaper. I am currently a John N. Palmer Graduate Assistant and full time MBA student expecting to graduate in May 2010. I plan to pursue a career in the marketing/advertising fields.
Pari Bhatt
Parishweta Bhatt is currently pursuing a part-time MBA degree at the University of Mississippi while working full-time as the Associate Director for Projects for the Institute for Advanced Education in Geospatial Sciences (IAEGS) – a NASA funded initiative to create and deliver state-of-the-art online Remote Sensing & GIS courses using the in-house Virtual Portal software (patent-pending). Pari is the co-inventor of the Virtual Portal software and manages various technical and non-technical teams to ensure product design and delivery, acts as a lead liaison and communicator between external clients and internal teams, and showcases & presents new project ideas as well as existing developmental progress to funding agencies and related Ole Miss departments.
Pari obtained her Masters degree in Computer & Information Science (2001-04) from the University of Mississippi. She also has a Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications (1998-99) and a Bachelors degree in Instrumentation (1995-98), both from the Maharaja Sayajirao University in Baroda, India. She ranked first in her graduating Bachelors class and was awarded the Indian national University Grants Commission (UGC) scholarship to pursue Computer Applications diploma. She then worked from 1999-2001 in the field of web design and development before coming to the US to pursue her Masters in Computer Science at Ole Miss with a scholarship form the graduate school and a research assistantship from the Computer Science department which entailed working 20-25 hours a week. In her final year she received NASA's Mississippi Space Commerce Initiative (MSCI) Fellowship for her research project and on graduation was invited to be a member of the Upsilon Pi Epsilon computer science honor society. She is also a member of the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) and the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) and leads the group Adventure Divas - Women's Empowerment Grounded in Outdoor Adventure - housed at the Sarah Isom Center for Women at Ole Miss.
Pari’s goal in pursuing the Ole Miss MBA is to obtain the required education and insight from the outstanding faculty and industry experts and to increase her skill-set and tool-set in order to become an extremely well-rounded professional with a lot of diverse academic and professional experience in the overlapping fields of Computer Science and Higher Education, Business Management, and more recently Finance.
Matthew Burdine
After graduating from Ole Miss in 2008 with bachelor degrees in Managerial Finance and Real Estate, Matt knew he needed more of an understanding of the business world surrounding him and decided to pursue his MBA. Having a year in between undergrad and graduate school he decided to move to Vail, Co where he dealt in the management of multi-million dollar properties in the Vail and Beaver Creek Ski Resorts. During his time at Ole Miss he served as President of the Ole Miss Ducks Unlimited Chapter raising thousands of dollars for waterfowl conservation and led his committee to win the coveted "Top College Chapter of 2008" award. Other positions he held during undergrad was Vice-President of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity and Business School CEO. These responsibilities have made him appreciate the rewards of hard work and he knows that having a motivated, optimistic attitude towards everything in life is the key to success. He hopes to get involved with commercial real estate and recreational land dealings throughout the world. "I know that the Ole Miss MBA will benefit my future in tremendous ways, not only from what I learn during the program, but from the long-lasting relationships that I know will form throughout the faculty, students, and mentors. It will be a rewarding experience that very few people get to have and should not be taken for granted."
Brandon Blewett
Brandon Blewett is currently an MBA student at Ole Miss and will graduate in May 2010. Brandon graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law in May 2009 and recently passed the bar exam. In law school, Brandon focused most of his coursework in tax, corporate, and securities law. Brandon decided to pursue his MBA in order to develop advanced business knowledge and skills to compliment the legal studies of complex tax, securities, and transactional issues. Brandon graduated from Southern Methodist University in 2005 with Bachelor's Degrees in Advertising/Marketing and English. Brandon has worked as a Project Assistant at a Vault-50 law firm, as well as worked as a Tax Law Assistant and a Sports & Entertainment Law Assistant. Brandon also diversified his work experience by working in real estate as a Buyer's Representative for Keller Williams Realty. Though this is his first year to live in Oxford, he is a life-long Ole Miss fan. Brandon hopes to use his MBA in conjunction with his law degree to pursue a career in tax structuring, mergers & acquisitions, or business consulting.
Jordan Cantrell
My name is Jordan Cantrell and I am from Jackson, MS. I graduate from the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a focus in Banking Finance. Throughout college I participated in Campus Crusade, volunteered for meals on wheels program, and was a member of the philanthropy committee for my fraternity. In the future I want to work in pharmaceutical or orthopedic sales. Currently I am working for Tom Davis Sate Farm where I have been for over a year now. I plan to keep working at State Farm while I get my MBA.
Mary Brette Clippard
Mary Brette Clippard is currently an MBA student at the University of Mississippi. She is also a graduate assistant in the Office of University Relations at the University of Mississippi. Before entering the MBA program, Mary Brette received her undergraduate degree in May 2009 from the University of Mississippi in Marketing Communications. During her time as an undergraduate at Ole Miss, Mary Brette was very involved with her sorority, serving as a rush chairman and a personal presence chair. She also completed two internships; one at the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce and the second at McNeely, Pigott & Fox, LLC. Mary Brette hopes to pursue a career in marketing and public relations.
Brittany Cole
Atoka, Tennessee, Brittany Cole graduated magna cum laude from the University of Tennessee at Martin in May 2009 and immediately began the MBA program at the University of Mississippi. While at UTM, she obtained a degree in agriculture economics with minors in business administration and finance. She was extremely involved in the National Agri-Marketing Association, serving as reporter, secretary, and finally as president during her senior year; it was through this organization that she discovered a love for the marketing and public relations industry. She was also active in the Financial Manager’s Association, which allowed her to discover her interest in finance. During the final two years of her undergraduate career, Brittany served as one of twenty National Collegiate Agriculture Ambassadors for the National FFA Organization; to qualify for this position, she was selected through an interview process from a pool of applicants from across the United States. After four years of studying economics, business, and finance at UTM, Brittany was ready to take the next step in her professional education. The University of Mississippi MBA program was the perfect fit for her, and she was lucky enough to be granted an assistantship with the School of Business Administration. Upon completion of the Ole Miss MBA program, Brittany hopes to pursue a career in either the financial industry or the sports marketing industry.
Richard Copp
Originally from Dearborn, Michigan, Richard Copp graduated summa cum laude from Albion College where he was nominated to Phi Beta Kappa. Richard began his 23 year career in the automotive industry in the quality assurance area and practiced as an industrial statistician for 11 years before moving into leadership positions in operations, engineering, supply chain management, and plant management, including operations management at the executive level. He has also worked in the health care, furniture, general construction, and defense industries. Richard has published several articles on applied statistics and the quality sciences and co-authored the book, Statistical Problem Solving. Richard values community involvement and service and has given countless volunteer hours as teacher, coach, and committee member. Richard was a founding officer of a 501(c)(3) corporation addressing affordable housing in the Oxford community. Richard interrupted his manufacturing career to serve for three years as the County Administrator in Lafayette County (MS). Richard’s MBA studies have already added a strong theoretical underpinning to his many years of technical and management experience. Richard believes that energy policy has important implications for our economic future. His passion for manufacturing has led him to develop effective skills in the continuous improvement methodologies of lean manufacturing, statistical problem solving, and kaizen. Richard intends to continue his career with an emphasis on improving the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing while supporting intelligent energy policy.
Anne Drown
Anne is currently completing her MBA at the University of Mississippi. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Accounting, with a minor in Spanish, also at Ole Miss. During her undergraduate work, she was involved in various clubs and organizations across campus. She also studied abroad in both Spain and Costa Rica which inspired her to continue traveling as much as possible. Anne had a very rewarding experience during her internship with PricewaterhouseCoopers, a big 4 accounting firm. After the internship, she returned to school with a greater understanding of the business world and how it works. She will graduate in 2010 and has accepted a full time position as an Assurance associate with PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Tyler Dutton
Germantown, TN, Upon graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Management in the spring of 2009, it became evident to Tyler that higher education is essential in today’s competitive business world. Originally from Germantown, TN, Tyler is currently pursuing his MBA at the University of Mississippi. While working on his Master’s Degree, Tyler has also been awarded a Graduate Assistantship with the Department of Education. This assistantship is funding 75% of Tyler’s tuition, and the Department of Education is excited to be working with a student of Tyler’s caliber. Apart from graduating with honors, Tyler has also held numerous work and internship positions. His previous internship with Galati Yacht Sales in Bradenton, Florida exposed Tyler to a culmination of everyday business procedures. Tyler’s professionalism and work ethic, along with his beneficial work and internship experiences make him a valuable asset to the Ole Miss MBA program. “Being a part of the Ole Miss family has opened so many doors for me. Constant access to the extensive alumni network, faculty, and staff, has enabled me to make many connections that will benefit me throughout my career.” Upon completion of the Ole Miss MBA program, Tyler intends to pursue a career that will maximize his talents and allow him to utilize his leadership and managerial skills.
Brittany Earls
Brittany is currently a full-time MBA student at the University of Mississippi graduating in 2010. She pursued her undergraduate degree in Economics at the University of Mississippi and is from Petal, Mississippi. She was very involved in the Business School as an undergraduate and served as the 2008-2009 Study Body President for the School of Business. Brittany served on the 2008 Business School Dean Search Committee and was also very active on the University Judicial Committee. While graduating top in her class in Economics, Brittany also had a concentration in Russian Linguistics and was a member of Dobro Slovo, National Slavic Honor Society. In the summer of 2008 she studied abroad in the Czech Republic and plans to return to Eastern Europe. Brittany has interned with some prestigious companies such as Gulf Coast Property Acquisition, Inc. and also The Booksmith Group under CEO Steve Giddens. Brittany is currently seeking job opportunities around the Southern United States and hopes to move to New Orleans, LA or Mobile, AL after graduation. She is interested in working with the State Department or in international relations and hopes to take her Russian skills with her on the job.
Destri Evans
Destri
is a 2010 MBA student and is from Newton, MS. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Management from the University of Mississippi in May 2009. As an undergraduate student she was a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She was also inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Honor Society. She is currently employed with Wal-Mart, now for 2 years, and plans on learning and growing within the company while in the MBA Program. After receiving her MBA, she plans to seek a position in which she is able to use her communication skills.
Matthew Finelli
A native of Pensacola, Florida, Matthew is a recent graduate of the University of West Florida, where he earned a B.S.B.A. with dual concentrations in Accounting and Finance. Currently a full-time MBA student at the University of Mississippi, Matthew hopes to further build upon his foundational knowledge through pursuing a graduate business degree. Throughout his undergraduate studies, Matthew held a variety of full and part-time employment positions. A significant duration of his time was spent working with the City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation Department where he had the opportunity to assist with community programs and activities. He plans to become a certified public accountant and is in the process of studying for his CPA examination. Upon graduation, Matthew is interested obtaining a position in public accounting or financial management.
Deirdre S. Furr
Deirdre is currently an MBA student at the University of Mississippi. Deirdre attended undergrad at Boston College and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education and American History and a Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction. While at Boston College, Deirdre worked in the Office of Residential Life as a resident assistant and then as a Graduate Staff Assistant, living and working in the resident halls. After graduation, Deirdre began teaching fifth grade at a Catholic school in Rockville, MD. It was at this time that she met her husband, Edward B. Furr III, who is a doctoral student at the University of Mississippi. After completing the program, Deirdre hopes to tie her education background with the knowledge gained from the MBA program in order to have a career as a head of a private school. “The Ole Miss MBA program has given me the tools necessary to achieve success in any endeavor I choose.”
Jacob Garber
Hattiesburg, MS, Jacob is currently an MBA student at the University of Mississippi. He received both football and soccer scholarships to Pearl River Community College where he chose to play football for two years and was selected as one of the team captains. While at Pearl River he received an Honor’s Scholarship, Academic Excellence Award, and the Keith Daniels Memorial Scholarship. He then went on to earn his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Mississippi where he majored in Marketing, and was selected into Beta Gamma Sigma. He has worked as an Assistant Manager at the Trophy Shop in Oxford, MS for the past three years. Upon completion of the MBA program at Ole Miss, Jacob is interested in obtaining a marketing/management position in a large, possibly global firm, requiring relocation. “It is both an honor and privilege to be a part of the Ole Miss MBA Program.”
Greg Gowen
My name is Greg Gowen from Oxford, MS. I received my undergraduate degree in Entrepreneurship from the University of South Alabama. While at South Alabama, I was a member of the golf team, three-year member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and three-time Academic All-Conference. Upon graduation in May of 2008, I moved back to Oxford and began working for Charter Medical, LLC. I am currently the Operations Manager and a part-time MBA student at the University of Mississippi. My expected graduation date is May of 2011. I plan to pursue a job in healthcare administration.
Todd Grow
Todd is from Winston-Salem, NC. He pursued undergrad at Ole Miss – Major in Banking and Finance, Minor in Chinese-Mandarin Graduated May ’09. Current Ole Miss MBA student - completion May ’10. While attending the Ole Miss MBA Program I am narrowing down my focus in the field of finance. I would like to pursue international finance in order to utilize my Chinese-Mandarin minor and 2 month study abroad in Beijing, China. Also I hope to develop a better organizational and management understanding while working as a graduate assistant at Ole Miss. Would love to pursue jobs along the east coast!
Hampton Harrison
As a student in the MBA program at The University of Mississippi, Hampton is working on expanding his abilities and knowledge in the business world. Born and raised in Bradenton, Florida, he received his undergraduate degree from Auburn University, majoring in Finance. He graduated Magna Cum Laude and received a membership in the honor society Phi Kappa Phi while at Auburn. Following his graduation, Hampton decided to further his education and broaden his social network by pursuing his MBA. With all the tools he will have received upon his completion in the program, Hampton hopes to obtain a position in the financial services industry, with an emphasis in consulting. He has previous work experience in the fields of management, logistics, and finance and believes his strengths lie in his ability to problem solve and adapt during adversity. Although his preference is to work in Atlanta, Nashville, or Charlotte, he is open to the possibilities of working elsewhere.
Michael Horner
Michael was born and raised in the southern part of Germany. At age seventeen he moved to the United States. He attained his undergraduate degree in Marketing at the University of Mississippi and graduated summa cum laude. While working on his undergraduate degree, Michael was elected vice president as well as secretary of his fraternity. He is currently pursuing his Master’s degree at the University of Mississippi. He hopes the additional education will give him further understanding of the business world and the essential processes involved in operating a profitable company. After completing his graduate level work, Michael would like to work for an international company’s marketing department, preferably German, in order to employ his creative thinking and to utilize his language skills.
Drew Hull
Drew comes from the Insurance/Risk Management/Financial Planning program at Mississippi State University. He completed his degree in May of 2009. In his time at Mississippi State, he was very involved in his fraternatity, Sigma Chi, in which he held many leadership roles, such as Recruitment Chairman and disciplinary board. He is now gaining his MBA with a focus on having an advantage against others in his job search. He hopes to find something in Management, but is very open to his career options.
Christian Knox
Christian is a native of Evanston, Il and a graduate of Evanston Township High School class of 1992. In the fall of ’92 Christian entered The University of Mississippi with a piano scholarship. After switching majors to first Mechanical engineering Christian then changed to history and graduated from Ole Miss in ’97 with a B.A. in Hist/English. In the Spring of ’98 Christian was admitted to the graduate school of History at Ole Miss and completed one semester before deciding to obtain a teaching license.
Teaching public high school in Holly Springs, Ms and Memphis, TN for two and a half years Christian taught a variety of courses including History, Geography and English. In 2002 Christian obtained his real estate license and began working for Walter Utley in the real estate field. From the years 2002-2009 Christian worked for Utley Real estate, Holly Springs, Ms, John Green Realtors, Collierville, Tn, Crye-Leike realty, Holly Springs and Rebel/Right-way Realty in Oxford. As a Realtor Christian listed, marketed and sold properties all over North Mississippi with a special focus in acreage and exclusive properties and was consistently a top producer. In his spare time Christian devotes time to physical fitness and runs over fifteen miles per week. Christian is an avid automotive enthusiast with over twenty years experience buying and selling cars and motorcycles of all kinds. He has sold collector vehicles to buyers from all over the U.S. as well as Australia, Canada and Croatia via the electronic marketplace of Ebay. Christian hopes to utilize his passion and extensive knowledge of all things automotive in the field of marketing/product development in the automotive industry.
Sarah Lovett
Originally from Port Gibson, Mississippi, Sarah received her undergraduate degree in Marketing in 2002 from Mississippi State University. Soon after graduation, she moved to Oxford, MS where she joined the University of Mississippi staff. She was first employed as a Staff Assistant and within two years was promoted to Program Coordinator for a Department of Defense research project within the University of Mississippi’s National Center for Physical Acoustics. In 2005 she transferred departments and was again promoted, this time to Manager of Project Resources within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration funded National Institute for Undersea Science and Technology, and the University of Mississippi’s state funded Field Station and Center for Water and Wetland Resources. Her current job responsibilities include monitoring contract and subcontract task progress, budget management, federal funding proposal preparation and submission, purchasing, staff management, fielding requests for information from the public and other government agencies and she also aides the Executive Director in both long term project planning and daily project management. Sarah married Jay Lovett in the fall of 2007 and they reside in the Oxford area. She is currently a part time student in the MBA program and will graduate in May 2010. She intends to stay with the University and implement the skills she learned during the MBA program to more effectively manage an ever-growing research department.
Caleb Lugar
Caleb began studying in the program after graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi. He has spent many years in leadership positions that include being the Drum Major in high school and continuing into college. He was the President of multiple clubs during college one of which was the largest collegiate organization at USM. He left Northwest as the top student in the School of Business. His summers during his undergraduate degree gave him experience with different businesses around the world. His diverse experience with international cultures has given him a desire to learn more about the interworking between businesses around the world. Caleb has either lived in or visited 10+ countries. Everything from working in a coffee shop start-up in Afghanistan to being hired as a professional musician has helped shape his world-view. Caleb hopes to relocate to an international destination upon graduation where he will continue his journey as a student of whatever he finds himself in.
Blair McDonald
Ruston, LA, Blair completed her undergraduate work in May 2009, receiving a degree from the University of Mississippi with a major in Accounting, minor in Managerial Finance. Wanting to pursue a career other than in Accounting, she decided to pursue an MBA. As an Undergraduate, Blair held several offices in her sorority, as well as, being involved in different campus organizations. She currently holds an internship in the Development Office of the university that works in raising money for the Ole Miss Foundation. Blair is trying to use this time to learn as much as possible about the many different career options available to her.
Paul Pak
Paul Pak is a Fall 2008 graduate at the University of Mississippi in Managerial Finance with a Corporate Emphasis. Prior to enrolling into the MBA program, he served as the Program Coordinator at the University of Mississippi, working closely with IT and performing special projects in SAP. In the past, Paul has tutored English in South Korea and has successfully completed the Korean Language Institute program at Yonsei University. Paul currently has an assistantship with Information Technology at the University of Mississippi and continues to work on special projects with SAP, including SAP BW and BI. He is also the teaching assistant for Introduction to ERP using the SAP ERP System and the ERPSIM game. On his spare time, Paul likes to actively manage his stock portfolio and research publicly traded companies, including Synaptics and TeeKay Tankers, in hopes to learn more about stock trends in the US and international markets, a passion that formed after participating in the TVA Investment Challenge. After graduation, Paul plans to pursue a career as a financial analyst or enter law school.
Cayce Pegram
Upon graduating from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising in May of 2009, Cayce chose to pursue a Master in Business Administration from the University of Mississippi. During her four years of study at Georgia, she spent her summers studying and traveling abroad, and participating in internships with Senator Thad Cochran in Washington, D.C., and in New York City with AEFFE, a couture fashion sales company. Her experiences in various aspects of business and academics have led her to realize the need and importance of gaining more knowledge through the MBA program in order to better prepare herself for the challenges and goals that lie ahead. Cayce is delighted to have opportunity to gain this degree in her hometown of Oxford and be a part of the Rebel experience.
Joe Pegram
I was born in Oxford, MS but moved to Memphis, TN in third grade where I attended St Georges Day School and graduated high school from Memphis University School. I graduated with a Bachelors degree in Banking and Finance and a Minor in Real Estate in 2006 from the University of Mississippi. Upon graduation I moved to Lake Tahoe, CA to work in Guest Services at Squaw Valley ski resort for the Ski Season before moving to Washington, DC where I worked in real estate as well as for the Federal Lobbying arm of the National Rifle Association for two years. I am currently interning for the Randall Perkins Group Real Estate Advisory Team and running a few of my own side companies including Buzz Off Mosquito Systems(MS) and Capitol Valet Dry Cleaning(DC) while in the MBA program.
Ryan J. Pritchard
Ryan J. Pritchard completed his undergraduate degree in June 2009 upon graduating from Princeton University. During his time there he participated on the football team, winning the 2006 Ivy League Championship, receiving multiple individual awards, and distinguishing himself as only the second player in storied history of Princeton football to play in 40 consecutive football games. In terms of academics, Ryan graduated with a degree in Economics. He also completed a comprehensive thesis that studied the effects of child health on the father’s presence in disadvantaged households. Despite the immense knowledge and experience he gained during his undergraduate time, Ryan felt that an M.B.A. could only strengthen his business acumen and give him a better platform for launching his business career. Ole Miss provides the extensive coursework, along with one of the strongest alumni networks in the South, that Ryan was searching for in a graduate school. Upon completion of his M.B.A Ryan hopes to utilize his previous work experience in the fields of financial private client advising, non-profit education, and academic research to obtain a position that will allow him to work in a competitive, dynamic field.
Samuel Savage
Mobile, AL, Samuel Savage is currently pursuing his Juris Doctorate degree along with an MBA from the University of Mississippi. Samuel graduated Suma Cum Laude from the University of Alabama where he received his undergraduate degree in Management and Entrepreneurship. He served as the head of the SGA committee of student affairs for his junior year. In his junior and senior years he served as the treasurer of Sigma Nu fraternity. He started a web-based student ticketing company called www.CollegiateTickets.com, which he sold after graduating from U of A. He currently owns and operates a web design firm called FlowSo Studio, www.FlowSo.com, and is starting a new business venture named Rebel Exchange, www.RebExchange.com. His scholastic achievements while at the University of Alabama include: Management Honors Student, Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society, Order of Omega Honor Society, and Alabama Management Society Member.
Jill Scarbrough
Jill Scarbrough is currently pursuing her MBA degree at the University of Mississippi and will graduate in May 2010. She obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Mississippi, graduating cum laude in May 2009, majoring in Business Management with an emphasis in Human Resource Management. While pursuing an undergraduate degree, she was involved in numerous organizations and obtained valuable leadership skills in positions held. She was elected President of Delta Gamma sorority, Mortar Board secretary, Lambda Sigma secretary and community service coordinator, Business School CEO and was a mentor in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America organization. Currently she is working as a graduate assistant in the business school and upon graduation plans to pursue a career in Human Resource Management.
Gail Sims
Gail is currently pursuing her MBA degree from the University of Mississippi and will graduate in August 2010. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Southern Mississippi in May 2009 with a major in Biological Sciences and a minor in Economics. While pursuing her undergraduate degree she was involved in many organizations in hopes of leaving her campus better than she found it. She was elected Vice President of Chi Omega Sorority, Vice President of Order of Omega Honor Society, and Homecoming Director and Miss Southern Miss Pageant Director of the Student Government Association. She was also involved in the 2006 Study Abroad Program, Lambda Sigma Honor Society and Golden Key International Honor Society where she was chosen as a 2009 Presidential Inaugural Conference Scholar. She was named “Most Outstanding Freshman Female” of the University of Southern Mississippi, Who’s Who Among American College Students as well as Who’s Who of Students of USM. She currently serves as Co-Director of the MBA Foundation Committee and is working as a leasing agent. She hopes to use her resources and diverse background to pursue a career in Finance, Real Estate, or Healthcare.
Brady Stern
Atherton, CA, Brady completed his undergraduate studies in May of 2009 from Arizona State University, obtaining a B.S. in Human Communication and a business minor. Originally from Atherton, CA, Brady is now living in Oxford pursuing his MBA with the class of 2010. He has experience interning with real estate investment groups and working in restaurant management. In his words: “I was excited for the opportunity to be with a group of people who share similar lifetime goals as my own. I feel you are a product of your environment. With the challenges and resources Ole Miss offers, it is a great place to be a part of.” Brady is an active member in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and a John N. Palmer award recipient for the MBA program. He looks forward to continuing to develop his skill-set during his time here and represent the University well in his future endeavors.
Rod Thompson
Memphis, TN, Rod Thompson is a 2010 MBA student at the University of Mississippi and is from Memphis, TN. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Memphis in May 2009 with a major in Economics with a concentration in Finance. As an undergraduate student, he completed two tax internships with Thompson Dunavant, PLC in Memphis, as well as a one year internship with Cardinal Wealth Advisory in Memphis. He also worked as a temporary staff employee at Memphis in May Inc. during the Memphis in May International Festival in 2007, 2008, and 2009. In 2009 he served as the Assistant to the Program Director. Other employment background during his undergraduate years at Memphis includes restaurant experience and leading a property maintenance crew for a construction company in Memphis. Upon graduation, Rod will be pursuing a career in finance and/or consulting for small businesses.
Memphis, TN, Rod Thompson is a 2010 MBA student at the University of Mississippi and is from Memphis, TN. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Memphis in May 2009 with a major in Economics with a concentration in Finance. As an undergraduate student, he completed two tax internships with Thompson Dunavant, PLC in Memphis, as well as a one year internship with Cardinal Wealth Advisory in Memphis. He also worked as a temporary staff employee at Memphis in May Inc. during the Memphis in May International Festival in 2007, 2008, and 2009. In 2009 he served as the Assistant to the Program Director. Other employment background during his undergraduate years at Memphis includes restaurant experience and leading a property maintenance crew for a construction company in Memphis. Upon graduation, Rod will be pursuing a career in finance and/or consulting for small businesses.
Antroine Townes
Memphis, TN, Antroine Townes began his professional career in 2006 upon graduation from Morehouse College with a B.S. in Mathematics and Georgia Tech with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. He joined GE Aviation’s Operations Management Leadership Program (OMLP). During this 2-year program he worked at various locations such as Peebles Test Operation, GE Aviation’s HQ, and Greenville Airfoils Facility in roles consisting of Process Engineer, Quality Specialist, and Production Control. After successful completion of the program he accepted the role of NPI Lean Specialist at GE Aviation’s newest facility, Batesville Composites Operation. The numerous opportunities Antroine has had in engineering and supply chain operations are a result of his graduation from two very prestigious institutions. Now he’s aiming to take his skill set and career to the next level and Ole Miss’ MBA program will enable him to be successful. He’s striving to strengthen his business acumen to complement his technical background. Antroine has a strong interest in supply chain management, consulting, and education.
Miller Vance
Tupelo, MS, Miller, a native of Tupelo, MS, recently graduated from The University of Mississippi in May 2009 where he earned a Bachelors of Business Administration with a focus in both economics and marketing. He is currently pursuing a Masters of Business Administration at The University of Mississippi with an anticipated graduation date of May 2010. Miller has held part-time jobs throughout his undergraduate career where he gained experience in customer service, sale, and a deeper knowledge of the business environment. These experiences helped Miller enhance his problem solving and communication skills. Upon graduation from the MBA program Miller wishes to pursue a career in healthcare administration. “Something my father has always said to me is that success is where preparation meets opportunity. You must be ready so that when your opportunity comes you can take it and run.” As Miller continues to grow and prepare as an MBA student he looks forward to his future opportunities.
Jonathan Russell Varney
My name is Jonathan Russell Varney from Madison, MS. I graduated undergraduate from the University of Mississippi with a degree in Marketing. While in undergrad I was a Business School CEO and involved in Students for a Safe Ride. I have had work experiences through an internship the Ramey Agency, College Sports Television (CSTV), and the University of Mississippi Business School. I am currently involved in an Assistantship through the University of Mississippi’s Financial Aid Office. Upon graduation from the University of Mississippi’s MBA program, I hope to pursue a career in Marketing or Wealth Management.
Megan Vickery
Megan Vickery is currently a student in the MBA Program at the University of Mississippi, and she is a native of Dallas, Texas. She attended Ole Miss for her undergraduate education earning degrees in both Risk Management & Insurance and Banking & Finance. In addition, Megan served as captain of the Ole Miss women's soccer team in 2008 and helped the team to an SEC West Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2005. Megan was awarded SEC Academic Honor Roll and UMAA Honor Roll each year from 2004-2009, and has learned the ability to manage a rigorous schedule while maintaining a dedicated and competitive work ethic. She has also participated in several community service projects around Oxford, including Reading With the Rebels and the Jean Jones Walk/Run, and is currently working with the University Counseling Center as co-coordinator for the Jean Jones Walk/Run. Megan is excited about opportunities to work in the Risk Management/Insurance fields, and is using her time in the MBA program not only to learn, but to enhance her character both professionally and personally.
Chris White
Chris is currently an MBA student at the University of Mississippi. As Chris approached the end of his undergraduate studies, it become aware to him that he would need a deeper understanding of business to achieve his short-term and long-term career goals. Chris majored in managerial finance as an undergraduate while also being elected to leadership positions including Fraternity Rush Chairman during 2006-2007 and Fraternity President during 2007-2008. Serving in these leadership positions taught Chris more than he could have learned in a classroom setting. Chris showed leadership qualities in establishing various committee plans and annual budgets. In addition, he was able to establish and maintain effective communication with University officials, national chapter officials, and alumni. Most importantly, these leadership positions taught Chris how to effectively prioritize his time and handle a variety of tasks and issues as they arise. Chris was also a member of the University of Mississippi Financiers Club as an undergraduate. Chris completed an internship with Horizon Wealth Management, a wealth management firm located in Sydney, Australia, during the summer of 2008. While working abroad, Chris gained experience working effectively with diverse groups of employees and clients from different cultures. Chris desires to gain from the MBA program a strong sense of how to run a successful business in which he can apply his leadership qualities and experience. Upon completion of his MBA degree in May 2010, Chris hopes to start a career in consulting or wealth management with a small to medium sized firm that will allow him to travel or relocate.
Winsor Yuan
Winsor is currently pursuing an MBA at the University of Mississippi. Winsor, born in Taipei, Taiwan, has lived in Brandon, Mississippi since the age of one. At a young age, Winsor has pursued many creative endeavors. Taking piano lessons for 12 years, Winsor was the president of the Mississippi Federation of Music for two consecutive years. This experience instilled much of the leadership skill he brings to his current activities. Winsor has been making films since the age of 12 and hopes that an MBA will help him strengthen his skills and advance himself towards his future goals. This allowed him to gain interpersonal skills with people through directing and producing actors and crew members. He attended the University of Mississippi for his undergraduate degree, where he received degrees in both Business Management and English achieving Cum Laude in both majors in 2009. During the senior year of his undergraduate tenure, Winsor completed the first film for an honors thesis in conjunction with the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College. On the film, he led a team of over 30 cast and crew and worked in every facet of the production. The film is currently making rounds in film festivals across the nation. Upon completion of the MBA program, Winsor plans on going to film school where he can further his dream to become a producer and director at a major film and television studio.
Not Pictured
Maris Cooper
Maris completed her undergraduate studies in May of 2009, receiving a degree from Mississippi State University. While at Mississippi State, Maris majored in Risk Management, Insurance, and Financial Planning, and minored in Economics. Upon graduation, Maris interned for the Mississippi Insurance Department, in the Financial & Market Regulation Division, during the summer of 2009. During college, Maris was an active member of the Stennis-Montgomery Association, a political science organization which seeks to improve political relations between MSU and the state’s elected officials. She was also a member of the Shackouls Honors College and Order of Omega Greek Honor Society. Upon completion of the MBA program, Maris looks to pursue a career in the insurance industry.
Julianne (Qualls) Fowler
Julianne is currently an MBA student at the University of Mississippi. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee in December of 2008 with a major in Finance. During her time at the University of Tennessee, she had the opportunity to complete two internships in Germany. Julianne worked with clients and colleagues from all over the world while interning in the Logistics and Marketing Divisions of Bernard Krone GmbH. This gave her valuable insight to the corporate cultures and ethics that exist worldwide. She further explored her passion for finance while working for Sparkasse Emsland Bank. This was a comprehensive banking internship that focused on the Commercial Lending, Private Wealth Management, and Consumer Credit Rating Divisions. After completing the MBA program, Julianne hopes to use the knowledge that she has gained through her studies and experience to obtain a position with an investment banking firm. “I feel confident that an Ole Miss MBA will provide the necessary tools to achieve all the goals I have set for myself.”
Karen Evans
Originally from Florence, Alabama, Karen received her BSBA from American University in Washington, DC. After graduation, she worked in marketing communications roles at the National Rifle Association headquarters and at Robert Siegel Architects in New York. After receiving her MBA, she aims to pursue a career in marketing/brand management in the South. She feels that Ole Miss MBA coursework has sharpened her analytical skills, and the alumni have been an invaluable resource in establishing professional connections.
John C. Wahl
John is currently an MBA student at the University of Mississippi and hails from St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated summa cum laude in 2009 from Ole Miss’ Honors College with a double major in economics and Spanish. As an undergraduate, John spent half a year studying at the University of Barcelona, received numerous academic awards, and was granted membership to several honor societies. John is a recipient of the John N. Palmer Assistantship and has had internships with Zimmerman Electric in the fields of marketing and finance, as well as with Regions Financial Corporation in the fields of investment banking, commercial banking, trust, and others. Throughout the summer of 2009 he interned for the Internet start-up company Calendarfly.com based in New York compiling a report on the statistics of its competition. After the MBA program, John hopes to pursue a career in either finance or the energy industry.
Biographies Coming Soon
