News from our alumni

David Woeste (Finance and Chemistry, ’97) died May 11 in the crash of two private planes that killed three people. The accident took place in Sharonville, Ohio. Woeste was the owner of Bestnest.com, a very successful online retailer of bird and wildlife products as well as garden accessories. In our April 2006 issue of “From Good to Great,” we spotlighted David and Bestnest.com, which he founded in 1999. David and his wife Beth (Miami ’97) were the parents of four children. A statement from his family, which appeared in the Cincinnati Enquirer shortly after his death, said “[David] pursued every endeavor with a passion – from building a business, to coaching soccer, to supporting Pregnancy Care of Cincinnati, to sharing his knowledge with students in the entrepreneurial program at Miami University. His greatest passions were faith and family.”

Megan Hauer (Marketing, 2000) has been named director of digital media and content for Cleveland-based Optiem, LLC. The interactive marketing agency’s clients include Sherwin-Williams, Case Western Reserve University, the Cleveland Clinic, Calphalon, and Things Remembered. Hauer will manage all aspects of Optiem’s search marketing, online content and media services. She previously was director of marketing at CareerBoard.

Dinesh Paliwal (MBA,1983) has been named president, CEO and vice chairman of Harman International Industries. Paliwal will assume his new position and join the Harman board July 1. He comes to Harman International from ABB Group, where he is currently president, global markets and technology, and a member of the company’s executive committee. ABB is a global technology and engineering company based in Zurich, Switzerland. Harman International designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of products for the automotive, consumer and professional markets. Its brands include Harman Kardon, JBL, Mark Levinson and Infinity.

After retiring from a 29-year career with the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., Ken McCune (Marketing, 1977) has accepted the position of executive vice president of the Indiana/Illinois Tire Dealers Association (IITDA). He has served on the IITDA board of directors for the past five years. He will lead the association in a strategic planning process.

Ernest Thomas (MBA, 1981) has moved to RPM International, Inc. from CF Industries Holdings, Inc. Thomas has joined the company as a senior vice president. He will assume the additional position of chief financial officer effective August 1. RPM International, based in Medina, Ohio, is a multinational holding company with subsidiaries that manufacture and market high-performance coatings, sealants and specialty chemicals.

Carrie Hayden (Accountancy, 1981), an active volunteer with the United Way of Greater Cincinnati, has been elected chairwoman of the agency’s 52-member board. Carrie Hayden has held leadership roles in the United Way for 10 years, helping develop initiatives like Every Child Succeeds and Success by 6. She also led the development of the agency's "Agenda for Community Impact," which took effect in 2005.

Within two years of graduating from Miami, Jason Galli (Finance, Accountancy and Marketing ’05) had started a new restaurant in his hometown of Dublin, Ohio. In January 2007, Galli opened Tacone Flavor Grill, a California based quick-service restaurant that specializes in healthful fare. The business resulted from Galli’s senior capstone project which required him to find a new company, bring it to the Midwest and brand it successfully. "I randomly found Tacone and chose it because it was small and I could talk to the owner," Galli said.

Bruce J. Hammersley (Accountancy, 1985)has joined Civis Financial Group as president and chief executive officer. He will also join the company's board of directors. The financial services company, based in the Chicago area, provides financial services to unserved or underserved individuals. Its financial offerings are based on the CivisCard prepaid debit card. Hammersley began his career with Ernst & Young and most recently was managing director, business development retail services, for Household International.

Orrville, Ohio-based National Bancshares Corp. has elected James R. VanSickle (Accountancy, 1992) as senior vice president and chief financial officer. He will serve in the same capacity for National Bancshares’ wholly owned subsidiary, The First National Bank. VanSickle is a CPA. Before joining National Bancshares he worked with Crowe Chizek and Co. LLC.

Peter Walker (Accountancy, 1995) has been named senior vice president, risk and advisory services, for Assurant, Inc. He will oversee the New York City-based company’s risk monitoring and measuring activities, including the company's Sarbanes-Oxley compliance and audit functions to ensure uniformity and maximize operational efficiency. Walker, who has been with Assurant since 1999, most recently served as its vice president, SEC reporting and compliance.

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