COB Hall of Fame Induction, Presentations April 2

Eight new members will be inducted into Illinois State University's College of Business Hall of Fame on Thursday, April 2.  The Hall of Fame induction is part of the College's Business Week activities and honors individuals for their outstanding business careers and professional service. 

College of Business Alumni Hall of Fame inductees will give individual presentations on diverse business topics that evening at 7 p.m. and Hall of Fame Service Award winners will interact with students during Business Week Transition Seminars that afternoon from 2 - 4:30 p.m. in the Bone Student Center Brown Ballroom. Please visit www.cob.ilstu.edu/businessweek for complete information on speakers, presentations and locations. 

2009 College of Business Alumni Hall of Fame inductees

"Information Technology Means Business: Create Real Wealth Combining Technology With Business," LaVerne Council '86 MBA , corporate vice president and CIO, Johnson & Johnson, College of Business Building Room 357.  In her position Council oversees Johnson & Johnson's global information technology group and is responsible for managing information technology and related systems.  Her presentation is hosted by Pi Sigma Epsilon, Financial Management Association, American Marketing Association and Business Information Systems Club.

"The Law of Karma in Business: Build Success One Good Deed at a Time," Andrew Jackson '80 BUA, president, BravoTECH Inc., College of Business Building Room 366.  Bravo Technical Resources, Inc. (BravoTECH) is a business technology, professional services, and IT staff augmentation firm that services the entire United States from its headquarters in Dallas.   Jackson's presentation is hosted by Beta Gamma Sigma, Beta Alpha Psi, MBA Association and Sigma Iota Epsilon.

"The Road Ahead for Illinois: Politics, Government, and Business," Dan Rutherford '78, BUA, vice president, ServiceMaster Company, and Illinois state senator, College of Business Building Room 139.  Rutherford began his career as a legislative assistant in Springfield and was first elected to the Illinois Senate in 2002 following a ten year term in the Illinois House of Representatives.  His presentation is hosted by Delta Sigma Pi, Business Administration Association, Toastmasters, and International Business Club.                                    

"Focusing on the Important Tasks: Achieving Extraordinary Results with Basic Management and Personal Skills," Stefanos "Scottie" Venable '86 Finance, managing partner for The PrivateBank and lieutenant colonel, U.S. Army Reserve, Schroeder Hall Room 244.  Venable oversees all loan, syndications, and capital market operations at the PrivateBank in Chicago.  He received his commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army through Illinois State's Army ROTC program.  His presentation is hosted by Gamma Iota Sigma, Organizational Leadership Club and Collegiate Entrepreneur's Organization.

"Decoding Generational Differences: The Business Model of the Future," James Schlesser '74,'76 M.S., partner, Deloitte Tax LLP, Schroeder Hall Room 238.   Schlesser has been a partner within Deloitte Tax LLP for over 22 years, with 32 total years with the organization. He was the first Illinois State student to earn the Illinois CPA Society Gold Medal for the highest CPA exam score in Illinois.  His presentation is hosted by Student Accounting Society, Society for Human Resource Management and Sports Marketing Student Association.

College of Business Hall of Fame Service Award Winners

Vern McGinnis, retired vice president, strategic planning and corporate services, GROWMARK.  McGinnis attended Illinois State University's School of Agriculture before receiving his degree in agriculture from the University of Illinois. He earned his master's in agricultural economics in 1965. He retired from GROWMARK in 2007 after 42 years with the company.  He serves on Illinois State's College of Business Advisory Council and is active in the United Way of McLean County, McLean County Chamber of Commerce, and Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development.

Jack North, retired senior executive vice president, State Farm Insurance Companies. North's State Farm career began in 1981 as an agent in western Pennsylvania.  He is currently a board member of the Timber Pointe Charitable Foundation anda member of the foundation board at Second Presbyterian Church in Bloomington.  He earned his bachelor's degree in education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and his master's degree in education from Slippery Rock State University.

Sharon Rossmark, retired assistant vice president of agency distribution, Allstate Insurance.  Rossmark is an innovative business leader with a thirty-year proven track record in the areas of sales strategy, implementation, change management and process management.  She currently serves on Illinois State's College of Business Advisory Board and the Katie School of Insurance Board. Rossmark is a graduate of Illinois State University and holds an MBA from the University of Illinois - Chicago.