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UpFront: Message from the Dean

Robert F. Scherer, Dean

Hello! And welcome to this month’s edition of Dialogue. We at the Nance College of Business are dedicated to ensuring that our graduates are able to stand out in a hypercompetitive job market. A Master’s degree will give you an advantage over candidates with only a Bachelor’s degree and increase your lifetime earning power by $1.3 million, according to the US Census Bureau. We offer multiple advanced degrees, including:

Master of Labor Relations & Human Resources - Students choose to focus in Human Resources or Labor Relations. Our faculty have expertise in many areas including human resource management, labor relations, organizational behavior, equal opportunity, international management, and strategic management.

Master of Science in Computer & Information Science - For students who are technologically savvy and have a genuine interest in computing applications and programming. Interested students have the opportunity to work alongside faculty on their research projects.

Master of Accountancy - Geared toward students who desire to build a career in business, internal auditing, government, and accounting. Many of our students are successful at becoming Certified Public Accountants.

Master of Business Administration - For individuals interested in obtaining a Master of Business Administration (MBA), we not only offer the traditional self-paced option but also we are proud to offer a range of specialized MBA programs that cater to the students’ specific needs.

The Executive MBA (EMBA) - For busy professionals with at least five years of professional or managerial experience. You can earn your MBA in as little as nineteen months, taking classes conveniently scheduled on weekends. This program features a manager’s workshop, business practicum and an international study tour.

The MBA in Health Care Administration (MBA/HCA) - It is specifically designed for individuals pursuing a management career in the health care industry. Students gain practical experience which includes shadowing opportunities, professional site visits, and an administrative internship. This program can be completed in four semesters.

The Global Accelerated MBA (AMBA) - I would like to draw particular attention to this specialized program. While the experts continue to debate when the economy will take a positive turn, the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ figures show that the unemployment rate is not improving. During such high employment uncertainty, many people find it worth their while to go back to school. You can earn your MBA in just one year by participating in the Global AMBA program, making you more marketable to potential employers. This weekend program is a great option if your work and personal schedules do not allow you to pursue an MBA in a more traditional format. The all inclusive tuition includes specialized courses in international trade, a global entrepreneurship practicum, and an international study trip.

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) - The DBA program is designed to engage and prepare a new generation of aspiring academicians and driven practitioners for rewarding careers. Classes are held weekdays after 5:00 p.m to allow flexibility with work schedules. Students are admitted to the program every three years in a cohort group. The next class will be admitted to the program in Fall of 2012.

Each of our business programs is accredited by AACSB International, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Scholarships, tuition grants, and assistantships are available to help with financing your graduate business education. Our graduates are well-regarded by reputable companies who actively recruit students from CSU. These companies include Sherwin Williams, Rockwell Automation, Hyland Software, Parker Hannifin, Barnes Wendling CPAs Inc., Progressive Insurance, Eaton Corporation, and Lubrizol Corporation to name a few.

I encourage you to consider earning your advanced degree at the Nance College of Business.

At this time, I would like to wish each of you a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Featured Alumni: Mark Stornes - BBA '83

Mark Stornes

Mark Stornes retired as the chief executive officer of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Quicken Loans Arena in 2008, having served in that capacity since January 2003.  With a wide array of experience in financial and operating roles, Mark oversaw all business and operational aspects of Quicken Loans Arena and the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers. He supervised several business and operating units, including finance and administration, business development, guest services, and building operations.
 
Mark began his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1996 when he served as the senior vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer. In 1999, Mark began serving as the executive director of Cavaliers Charities (a fund of the Robert R. McCormick Tribune Foundation), the philanthropic arm of the Cavaliers. Mark took on the title of executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Cleveland Cavaliers and then Gund Arena in 2001.
 
Prior to joining the Cavs in 1996, Mark served in several financial and operating roles – including executive vice president and COO – for TransAmerica Mailings, Inc., a leading direct mail marketing firm. He was responsible for all financial functions and the operations of the company.  Prior to his position with TransAmerica, Mark was senior auditor for Grant Thornton, one of the world’s largest international public accounting firms, from 1983-1987.

Mark is a 1983 graduate of Cleveland State University, having earned his BBA in Accounting.  Mark states “CSU was an affordable option that provided a flexible schedule that allowed me to continue to work.  Also, CSU provided one of the few accounting programs accredited by AACSB at that time.  Professor Larry Kreiser talked a lot about the career of an auditor in public accounting.  He helped me understand that starting my career in public accounting was the way to go.  I enjoyed many of the non-accounting classes, including the marketing and management courses.” 

Mark is also a graduate of the Leadership Cleveland class of 2002, member of the 50 Club and is the treasurer of the Downtown Cleveland Alliance. He is also a member of Bluecoats, Inc. a charitable organization that is dedicated to providing financial support and counseling for families of police officers and firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty.  Mark serves as Trustee of the Berea Educational Fund Foundation and has served as a past board member of Cleveland Tomorrow. Besides his professional and educational accomplishments, Mark has been very involved in his community having coached over forty teams in the past years.

Mark states “the most rewarding aspect of my career has been the relationships established with many diverse people I had the pleasure to meet as customers, associates and clients.  The relationships we make in life are great assets.”

Mark resides in Middleburg Heights with his wife and four children.  Currently, Mark has made investments in several local businesses through MRSM Enterprises and is looking for other businesses.  His goal is to find small businesses where he can bring investment, as well as his experience, to help the businesses grow.

Featured Student: Rozann De Freitas

Rozann DeFrietas

Originally from the southern Caribbean island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, our featured student Rozann De Freitas is currently in her final year of the MBA in Health Care Administration program.

Rozann grew up as the last of five children. Her parents taught her and her siblings from an early age about the value of family, work and above all religion. She was an active member of the Girl Guides Association from the tender age of five, up until her post-secondary school years. She stated “being a part of this organization gave me the necessary tools to develop leadership skills and understand the importance of service to the community.” Rozann desired from an early age to have a career as a doctor, but as she got older she became very active in the family-owned business. Her career choice then turned to business management.

In the fall of 2005, she moved to Cleveland to pursue her undergraduate degree in Business Administration at CSU. Beginning her freshman year, she worked at the Career Services Center and lived in Viking Hall. In her sophomore year, Rozann moved to Fenn Tower where she became a resident assistant (RA). During her three years as an RA, she had many responsibilities which contributed to the overall safety and well being of the residents. As an undergraduate, Rozann completed a fifteen month internship at University Hospitals.

In 2007, Rozann was selected as the Rainmaker of Tomorrow scholarship recipient. This award recognizes female students for their ambitious goals and academic performance. In the spring of 2009, Rozann received the Rotary Club of Cleveland’s Award for Senior Excellence in Management & Labor Relations.

She consistently earned a spot on the Dean’s list of honors during the four year period of her undergraduate program. Rozann was inducted into the Golden Key International Honor Society and the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society. She then went on to graduate Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and Labor Relations.

Equipped with a business degree and a desire to work in the field of health care, Rozann started the MBA in Health Care Administration at CSU in the fall of 2009. “Although my initial desire to become a doctor was quenched, I still felt inclined to pursue a career in the health care industry,” she says. Rozann was awarded a graduate assistantship from the Dean’s office and was placed at the Cleveland Clinic for two semesters. She is currently working in the Dean’s office and will graduate in the spring of 2011.

“I came to Cleveland not knowing what to expect. I had never visited the city and there were no personal connections before I arrived. Fortunately for me I was able to make great connections with people who were genuinely interested in my success and wellbeing. In addition, many wonderful opportunities came my way and I was sure to make the most of them,” said Rozann.

One of her greatest initial challenges was being far away from home, family and close friends. Another was getting used to Cleveland’s unforgiving winters. Coming from a place where the temperatures are 80-90 degrees year round, nothing could have prepared her for the weather that she would have to endure. She stated, “the long winters in Cleveland are really tough, but after five years I’m still here!”

When she’s not busy with classes and work, Rozann likes to unwind at the beach, travel and have a good laugh with friends and family. She also enjoys watching a good game of basketball, soccer or cricket.

Visiting Committee Member Endows New Scholarship

Linda M.Kane

In June 2010, alumna Linda Kane – BBA ’79 established the Linda M. Kane Endowed Scholarship, which will provide a scholarship with preference to alumnae from St. Joseph Academy (Cleveland, OH) – of which she is an alumna.  Linda is a CPA and holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Cleveland State University. She is a member of the Visiting Committee of the Nance College of Business and was inducted into the Nance College of Business Hall of Fame in 2009.

Linda is the senior vice president, chief accounting and administrative officer of Forest City Enterprises, Inc. She joined Forest City in 1990 as financial manager for Forest City's Residential Group, became asset manager for Forest City's Commercial Group in 1992 and was Forest City’s corporate controller from 1995 to 2007.

Prior to joining Forest City, Linda was a senior manager at Kopperman & Wolf CPAs, where she was responsible for audit, tax and consulting services for the firm's largest real estate client. She has almost 30 years of experience in the real estate industry.

Linda is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants and Commercial Real Estate Women. As an active member of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, she is the co-chairman of the organization’s Best Financial Practices Council.

She is a member of the Board of Trustees at St. Joseph Academy, has served as treasurer of the Great Lakes Theater Festival, and was a trustee of the YWCA of Greater Cleveland, from whom she received the Women of Achievement Award.

Alex Machaskee Endowment for Global Business

Alex Machaskee

On October 14, 2010, Alex Machaskee established the Alex Machaskee Endowment, which will provide funding to support the mission and activities of the Global Business Center in the Nance College of Business.  The Global Business Center was created to sustain education and training programs in global business, promote the region’s global competitiveness and to expand the presence of our region’s entrepreneurs in the global market.  The Global Business Center relies on the expertise of a cross-functional, interdisciplinary team of faculty, scholars and Advisory Board members. The team provides our region with innovative international business education programs, research, and related business services.  In addition, the Center has partnered with World Trade Center Cleveland and the Beachwood Business Development Center to provide customized services and programs to foreign companies looking to invest in local markets. The partnership also serves domestic companies looking to invest in most foreign markets.

Alex Machaskee is the retired publisher, president and CEO of The Plain Dealer, Ohio’s largest newspaper. During his 46-year career with the PD, he also served as promotion director, assistant to the publisher, director of labor relations & personnel, and vice president & general manager. He retired in June 2006. Today, he is president and CEO of Alex Machaskee and Associates, LLC.

A 1997 recipient of CSU’s Distinguished Alumni Award, he has been recognized throughout his career for his commitment and leadership. His many honors include the Urban League of Cleveland’s Whitney M. Young Humanitarian Award, World Trade Center Cleveland’s International Executive of the Year Award, Inside Business’ Nonprofit Board Executive of the Year Award, the International Services Center’s Golden Door Award, and the Associated Press’ Award for Exemplary Service in Print Journalism. He was inducted into the Northeast Ohio Business Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Cleveland Journalism Hall of Fame in 2006. In 1999, he was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor by the National Ethnic Coalition Organization, one of the highest national awards in America.

Mr. Machaskee earned a BBA degree from the Nance College of Business in 1972 and was inducted into the Nance College of Business Hall of Fame in 2010.

OSM Students Visit Lincoln Electric

OSM Students at Lincoln Electric plant.

Lincoln Electric, the world leader in welding machine production, based in Cleveland Ohio, invited Operations and Supply Chain Management (OSM) majors to attend a dinner presentation and facility tour in October.  Mr. Wael Dardir, manager of distribution and finished goods planning, and Mr. Mike Schrieber, manager & manufacturing assembly and supply, made presentations regarding Lincoln Electric’s sourcing and distribution strategies.  OSM students toured the plant and observed the production and inventory management systems.

Lincoln Electric, a 115-year-old company, has 37 manufacturing locations in 18 countries with a worldwide network of distributors covering more than 160 countries. The company was in the news last year with their “guaranteed employment” commitment to its employees.  Even during the recession, they kept their promise and did not lay off any employees.  "People come to work here every day knowing that if they work hard and if they contribute to the success of the company, they are going to have a job," CEO Stropki stated.  Dr. Tukel, chair of OSM Department indicated that they are in talks with Mr. Dardir regarding starting an internship program in their supply chain division.

Cleveland State University Represented at NSHMBA Career Fair in Chicago

From R to L: Robert Romero, Claudia Silvana Ochoa, and Maria Alejandra Amaya at NSHMBA Career Fair in Chicago.

On October 21-23, the National Society of Hispanic MBAs held their annual Career Fair in Chicago under the theme “Winds of Opportunity.”  The event had approximately 7000 attendees and the presence of more than 250 hiring companies.

Being the sole educational institution from the State of Ohio, Cleveland State University was represented by students of the NSHMBA Cleveland Chapter. Robert Romero, Executive-in-Residence at CSU along with students Claudia Silvana Ochoa, Maria Alejandra Amaya, and Yary Cora provided information on academic programs offered by the Nance College of Business. Participation by CSU was an indication of their commitment to diversity and support of the NSHMBA organization.

In addition to providing informational sessions with a variety of companies, the Career Fair also offered workshops in leadership training, career development, and entrepreneurial success. On the final day of events, the Brillante Awards Gala was held to recognize several professionals and companies for their contributions to the Hispanic Community.

Cleveland State University and NSHMBA have partnered to provide a graduate assistantship to a Hispanic student who wishes to pursue an MBA. For more information please contact Catalina Gutierrez at education@cleveland.nshmba.org or visit http://www.csuohio.edu/business/news/news.html

Nance Forms Diversity Outreach Advisory Council

Members of the Diversity Outreach Advisory Council: Robert Romero, Dr. W. Benoy Joseph, Donna Whyte, Claudia Silvana Ochoa.

A charter has recently been ratified to establish the Diversity Outreach Advisory Council (DOAC) of the Nance College of Business. The purpose of the DOAC is to increase enrollment of diverse students at the Nance College of Business, with an emphasis being placed on underrepresented minorities and females. In the long-run, the efforts of the DOAC are expected to contribute to a diverse, educated workforce for our nation.

Mr. Robert Romero, Executive In Residence and Dr. Benoy Joseph, Associate Dean in the College of Business serve as co-chairpersons of the DOAC. The Council reports to the Dean of the Nance College of Business.

The DOAC is made up of 13 individuals who are appointed by the Dean in consultation with the co-chairpersons, and the director of student services. In keeping with the promotion of diversity, members are selected to represent the demographics of CSU with regard to race, gender, staff, students, faculty, other university departments, and also community representatives. Council members are expected serve for a minimum of one two-year term.

Promoting diversity in all aspects of the college, including strategic management planning initiatives, is just one of the many responsibilities of the DOAC. They are expected to review procedures, practices, and activities that are in place and to make recommendations that promote diversity and assure the highest return on investment in recruitment, retention, financial assistance, and outreach.

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