Class Notes
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Tim Johnson
BSBA ’04
Johnson recently joined real estate development company Kettler as chief investment officer, a strategic addition to the company’s leadership team as it continues to expand its development, investment and property management platform across high-growth markets.
Johnson brings more than 25 years of experience across real estate investment, development and finance. He most recently served as managing partner at Avid Ventures, where he provided strategic leadership and led real estate investment and development across key Florida markets.
Previously, Johnson served as chief financial officer at Strategic Property Partners in Tampa, where he helped guide the financial strategy of a $3 billion mixed-use development platform and contributed to the vision and execution of Water Street Tampa. His background also includes senior leadership roles with Kitson & Partners and Colonial Properties Trust, where he played instrumental roles in finance, capital markets, acquisitions and large-scale development initiatives.
He also served as vice president for the Southeast at Milhaus Development, focusing on market-rate multifamily opportunities and leading new business development, site selection and deal structuring across the region.
He is active in several industry organizations, including the UF Bergstrom Real Estate Center Advisory Board, Urban Land Institute and International Council of Shopping Centers.
May 2026
Robert Norris
Ph.D. ’97
Norris retired in June 2025 as Chief Strategy Officer at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency within the U.S. Department of Defense, where he was employed for 21 years. He was awarded the Outstanding Civilian Service medal for all his contributions to the success of the agency. In April 2026 he permanently moved to Nice, France to enjoy his retirement.
April 2026
Adam Mastrelli
MBA ’11
Mastrelli built 57 Maiden over the past year, a boutique firm advising founders and funds at the intersection of sports, crypto and alternative assets. Work spans NIL insurance infrastructure for collegiate athletics, co-founding Synth Capital (an agentic AI hedge fund trading prediction markets) and bridging Gulf family office capital with U.S. opportunities. Mastrelli operates between Florida and New York, actively building, advising, and investing.
Connect with Mastrelli on LinkedIn.
April 2026
Susan S. Thompson
BSBA ’78, JD ’80
Thompson is a founding and managing member of Smith, Thompson, Shaw, Colón & Power, P.A. She was recently appointed to the ServisFirst Bank Northwest Florida Advisory Board. A Florida native, Thompson co-founded the Tallahassee-based real estate law firm and is widely respected for her leadership in real estate law and service to community and professional organizations in the region.
April 2026
Michael Kaplan
BSBA ’13, MIB ’13
Kaplan was recently promoted to Director, Leveraged Finance at Truist Securities. Since graduating from the UF Warrington College of Business, Kaplan has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to Investment Banking. In this new role, Kaplan will be responsible for leveraged finance origination in the Greater Washington and Maryland regions as well as Auto Dealer Services and Government Contracting Verticals.
Connect with Kaplan on LinkedIn.
March 2026
Feigelson, CPA, was elected as Kaufman Rossin’s next Chief Executive Officer, effective June 1, 2026.
Feigelson currently serves as the firm’s Chief Financial Officer and has been with Kaufman Rossin for nearly three decades. He has helped drive operational excellence and sustainable growth as the firm expands its advisory services and maintains its independence.
March 2026
Nino Mecevic
MIB ’11
Mecevic was promoted to Associate Vice President of FP&A at Verizon, where he leads a 45+ person national finance organization. He recently served as Consumer Finance Integration Lead for Verizon’s ~$20 billion acquisition of Frontier Communications.
Mecevic also serves on the Board of Directors of the Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank, where he serves as Treasurer.
Connect with Mecevic on LinkedIn.
March 2026
Jim Fatzinger
DBA ’20
Fatzinger was elected to the American Council on Education (ACE) Council of Fellows Board. The
ACE leads higher education with a united vision for the future, galvanizing members to make change. The Council collaborates across the sector to design solutions for today’s challenges, serves the needs of a diverse student population, shapes effective public policy and promotes a more inclusive future.
He serves as Associate Professor, School of Engineering, Vanderbilt University; Fulbright Specialist, U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs; President, Kentucky Chapter of the Fulbright Association; and ACE Fellow 2011–12 (Outreach and Engagement Committee).
March 2026
Allie Smith
BSBA ’05, MBA ’19
Smith joined Burger King as Vice President of Marketing Communications.
Prior to her role at Burger King, she served as Senior Vice President of Marketing for MSC Cruises. She also served in marketing director roles for hunterblu media and Norwegian Cruise Lines, in addition to marketing roles at Crispin Porter + Bogusky, Zimmerman Advertising and ZenithOptimedia Group.
March 2026
Alexander Llanos
MBA ’21
Llanos, M.D., is an interventional and structural cardiologist at Holy Cross Medical Group. He is Chief of the Cardiovascular and Thoracic Service Line for the Jim Moran Heart and Vascular Institute at Holy Cross Health. Llanos also serves on the Holy Cross Physician Board at Holy Cross Health.
He organizes local, national and international conferences in cardiovascular disease and physician leadership. His focus areas include interventional cardiology, structural heart disease, transcatheter aortic valve replacement, atrial septal defect closure and paravalvular leak closure.
Board-certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease and Interventional Cardiology, Llanos is extensively involved in medical research and clinical trials.
March 2026
Matthew Bush
MBA ’06
Bush has been appointed chief executive officer of Hirebotics, LLC, a leading provider of collaborative robot (cobot) solutions for the metal fabrication industry. Bush, the former chief operating officer, succeeds co-founder Rob Goldiez, who is retiring from the company after more than a decade of leadership.
Since Bush and Goldiez launched Hirebotics in 2015, Bush has overseen the company’s electro-mechanical product development, manufacturing operations, and customer success initiatives, with the company’s Beacon™-powered cobot welding and cutting systems now deployed in fabrication shops across the globe.
Prior to Hirebotics, Bush held multiple senior leadership positions at several of IDEX Corporation companies and The Scott Fetzer Company, where he led operational improvement initiatives as a Master Black Belt, Director of Operations and Director of Global Engineered Solutions.
March 2026
Adam G. Suess
BSBA ’07, JD ’12
Suess has joined the firm Squire Patton Boggs as a principal in its global Environmental, Safety & Health Practice Group, based in Washington, D.C. Suess previously served as Senior Counselor to the United States Secretary of the Interior and as Acting Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Suess brings a broad background and extensive experience across senior in house roles, governmental affairs leadership, high level public service and law firm practice. At the Department of the Interior, he guided major legal, regulatory, and policy initiatives and oversaw key land and energy related agencies, working closely with the Administration, Congress, states, territories, tribes and external stakeholders.
In the private sector, he has held several senior executive positions with Fortune 200 and other leading companies, directing government affairs, external relations, customer experience and legal strategy. He also served as a judicial law clerk for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida and as an Assistant State Attorney in Florida.
February 2026
Twanda Mickle
MBA ’03
Mickle serves as chief operating officer (acting) at the CDC Foundation, where she oversees internal operations, including finance, human resources, IT and strategic operations.
Established by Congress, the CDC Foundation is an independent, 501(c)(3) public charity. The CDC Foundation helps save and improve lives by unleashing the power of collaboration between national health agencies like the CDC, philanthropies, corporations, organizations, individuals to protect the health, safety and security of America and the world.
Previously, Mickle was vice president of strategic operations, leading workforce services, business operations and IT & data governance. In this capacity, she led initiatives that strengthened public health infrastructure, optimized enterprise technology solutions and mobilized resources to deploy thousands of public health professionals nationwide.
Before joining the CDC Foundation, Mickle spent more than 15 years in management and IT consulting, leading global teams and client engagements across Fortune 500 organizations. She has held leadership roles with Arthur Andersen, KPMG and ASAP Solutions Group, specializing in organizational change and human capital transformation.
February 2026
Chuck Voleti
MBA ’02
Voleti was appointed as CTO of Aurix Security. In addition to his appointment as Chief Technology Officer of Aurix Security, Voleti also serves as Chief Information Officer (CIO), overseeing IT strategy and operations across all brands within the group, including Specialized Security, M1 Global Security and Metro One Security.
Based in the New York City metropolitan area, Voleti brings around 30 years of progressive IT leadership experience to his role.
Prior to joining the organization and its affiliated brands, Voleti held senior leadership roles at IPC Systems, where he served as Head of Information Technology, along with key management positions at C&S Wholesale Grocers and Office Depot. In these roles, he built a strong foundation in enterprise systems, solution architecture and large-scale digital transformation initiatives.
February 2026
Kathryn Collins
MBA ’22
Collins has been appointed Vice President, Marketing at Davidson Hospitality Group.
Joining most recently from Remington Hospitality where she served as Senior Director of Marketing & Digital Strategy, Collins is well-versed in driving strategy and execution across paid media, website development, analytics, creative and market research to drive measurable results.
Previously, she was Director of Brand Marketing at Bryte, where she led brand and marketing strategy for the luxury technology startup, launching integrated direct-to-consumer and business-to-business programs across e-commerce, hospitality and retail channels. She also spent more than 12 years at Marriott International advancing through multiple promotions and was recognized for leading high-performing teams, driving revenue growth, and executing transformative brand and marketing strategies across the United States, Caribbean and Latin America.
February 2026
Ruijiao “Rachel” Xu
MBA ’26
Xu is Global Marketing Manager for Johnson & Johnson MedTech.
She shared about how she transitioned from engineering to marketing thanks to the University of Florida’s MBA program in the Warrington News.
February 2026
Kerri Paun
BSBA ’01
Paun is the owner of Gambler’s Bay Distillery, a family-owned craft distillery bringing 4 generations of recipes to Tampa, FL.
She was recently featured in the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
February 2026
Michael O’Malley
MSRE ’04
O’Malley was recently named Farbman Group’s new executive vice president of Illinois.
Based out of Farbman Group’s Chicago office, O’Malley will be responsible for driving the firm’s growth strategy, deepening relationships and expanding its full-service platform across Illinois.
O’Malley brings over two decades of commercial real estate leadership experience to his new role with Farbman Group, including leadership roles overseeing multi-market portfolios, value-add repositioning strategies, REO portfolios and institutional-grade asset services.
Most recently, he served as managing director for Pearlmark, where he oversaw $1.5 billion in assets.
February 2026
Sarah Peerson
MSF ’07
Peerson recently began a new role with Wells Fargo as Group Head – Specialty Housing. She has been with Wells Fargo for 19 years, most recently leading as managing director.
Read more about Peerson in this story from Warrington.
February 2026
Jennifer (Blackburn) Futch
BSAc ’12, MAcc ’13
Futch, a CPA, was recently promoted to Senior Tax Manager at James Moore & Co.’s Gainesville office. She has been with the firm since she completed her master’s degree in accounting at the University of Florida Fisher School of Accounting in 2013.
January 2026
Alan Levine
MBA ’93
Levine is Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ballad Health, an integrated health system serving a large region of Appalachia, including Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, Eastern Kentucky and Western North Carolina. Prior to serving as chairman and CEO of Ballad Health, Vice Chair Levine served for more than 25 years as chief executive officer of hospitals and health systems ranging from a small rural hospital to one of the largest public health systems in America.
He was recently named the Board of Governors Chair for the State University System of Florida.
January 2026
Stefanie Ink Edwards
MBA ’23
Ink Edwards is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Community Cooperative. Active in her community, she is a member of the Florida Gulf Coast University Foundation Board of Directors, the PACE Center for Girls Advisory Board and the Meals on Wheels Florida Board of Directors.
She was recently appointed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to the Florida Commission on Community Service.
January 2026
Richard B. Franz III
BSAc ’98
Franz is the Chief Operating Officer and Southeast Regional Managing Partner at Sorren, Inc. Active in his community, he is a member of the American and Florida Institutes of Certified Public Accountants and previously worked as a Certified Public Accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers.
He was recently appointed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to the St. Petersburg College District Board of Trustees.
January 2026
Jen Frazer
BS ’98
Frazer recently moved into a new position at Carter’s, Inc. as Vice President of Human Resources & Talent Acquisition. She has been with the baby and children’s apparel company for more than 10 years and previously served as Senior Director of Talent Acquisition. Prior to Carter’s, she served in several human resources roles for Target over 14 years, including Group Human Resources Manager – Atlanta.
January 2026
Tamas Kereszy
MSM ’20
Kereszy is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Fire Neural Network (FNN™), a wildfire detection company powered by AI. In his role, he oversees the company’s detector manufacturing and deployment operations. He brings extensive experience in engineering and operations, having previously served as a Technical Engineer at Procter & Gamble and as a Mechanical and Operations Engineer at Alchemr.
He was recently named to the 2026 Forbes 30 Under 30 Energy & Green Tech list.
January 2026
Stephen Bunch
BSAc ’98, MAcc ’99
Bunch is Partner In Charge at the Tampa Bay offices of Sorren. He was recently appointed to the Hillsborough Community College District Board of Trustees by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Bunch is a member of the Fisher School of Accounting Advisory Board and previous member of the UF Alumni Association Board.
January 2026
Michelle Barnett
BSBA ’00
Barnett is an attorney and founding shareholder of Alexander, DeGance, Barnett, P.A. Active in her community, she is a member of the Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute Board of Trustees.
She was recently reappointed to the Jacksonville Aviation Authority by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
January 2026
Zack Seltzer
BSBA ’19
Seltzer is the Broker and Owner of Seltzer Real Estate in Panama City Beach, FL, a family-run boutique firm known for a client-first, no-nonsense approach. A born entrepreneur, Seltzer launched a successful mobile iPhone repair business at 16, building deep local ties across the Panhandle before moving full-time into real estate. Her earned his Sales Associate license in 2016 and Broker license in 2018.
January 2026
Adam Goldstein
BSBA ’01
Goldstein is Founder and CEO of Archer Aviation. The company recently announced its plans for a Miami area air taxi network that would connect Miami, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale with 10-20 minute electric flights.
Read more about the plans from Archer Aviation.
December 2025
Patricia Goodwin-Peters
DBA ’25
Goodwin-Peters contributed a chapter to the book, “Shaping AI Without the Hype: How Women Turn Technology Into Real-World Impact,” which was recently published. In the book, the authors set out to tell a different story about AI: one rooted in real experiences, real challenges, and the real opportunities ahead when technology and humanity move forward together.
In her chapter, Goodwin-Peters shares why the future of AI depends on people—on the leaders who will design work differently, on the employees who bring insight and creativity, and on the cultures that make innovation possible. AI may scale intelligence, but people create meaning.
December 2025
Updated March 2026
Charles F. Cory | MBA ‘56, JD ‘67 | 1988 | Cory, of Ponte Vedra, Florida, passed on March 23.
Wesley C. Rose | BSBA ‘01 | 2017 | Rose, of Oviedo, Florida, passed on August 6. He is survived by his wife, Amy; children, Addison, Preston and Lawson; parents; and brother, Brandon.
Devitt J. Adams | BSBA ‘59, JD ‘65 | 2021 | Adams, of Atlanta, Georgia, passed on January 15.
Glenn E. Brown | BSBA ‘52, JD, ‘64 | 2024 | Brown, of Anderson, South Carolina, passed on December 10. Brown served in the United States Air Force for 6 years. During his time with the military, he helped develop the Instrument Kanding Unit and served as a tail gunner in Korea. After his service, he practiced family law in Tampa. Glenn is preceded in death by his son, Glenn, and his brother, Kenneth. He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Abbie; his children, Whitney, Kimberly and Eric; and extended family.
Louis I. Davis | BABA ‘09 | 2024 | Davis, of Jacksonville, Florida, passed on May 30. He is survived by his wife, Lindsey; daughter, Tula; son, Finn; parents; and sister, Elissa.
David S. Rockwood | BABA ‘66 | 2025 | Rockwood, of West Palm Beach, passed on January 25. At 19, he enlisted in the Coast Guard and served as an Aviation Electronicsman Second Class Petty Officer. After his service, he earned his bachelor’s in business administration from the University of Florida. Rockwood taught at Florida Trust School for 24 years and was named Florida Bankers Association Trust Banker of the Year. Rockwood lived a life of service, dedication, love and strong faith. He is preceded in death by his mother, Mildred, and his sisters, Jacolyn and Patricia. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Georgeanne; his daughters, Debra and Karen; his sons, Benjamin and Brian; his sister, Barbara; and extended family.
Harold E. Evans | BSBA ‘67 | 2025 | Evans, of Sanford, North Carolina, passed on December 28. At the University of Florida, Evans earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and was a member of the Alpha Kappa Psi fraternity. His professional career included owning and operating Southern Business Supply and working as Vice President of Merchandising and Operations for W. Koury Co. He was also active in the Jonesboro Rotary Club and Relay for Life. He is preceded in death by his parents; his son, Andrew; and his sister, Virginia. He is survived by his son, John; his daughter, Sarah; and his brothers, Clayton, Wesley and Eric.
Michael J. White | BABA ‘72 | 2025 | White, of St. Pete Beach, Florida, passed on June 21. A life dedicated to learning and teaching, White received his Ph.D. from the University of Florida and later taught information technology at the University of South Florida. White is survived by his partner, Radhames Senior; his brother, Patrick; and his sisters, Christine and Carol.
James L. Gonnering | BSAc ‘74 | 2025 | Gonnering, of Tampa, Florida, passed on December 15. After graduating from the University of Florida with an accounting degree, he married Charlotte Hutto and adopted two children, Elizabeth Ann and Daniel Lee. He began his professional career as a Controller at the Tampa Tribune and continued working in similar positions. Gonnering was also a faithful member of Indian Rocks Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife, his children and his grandchildren.
Fred B. Pace | BSBA ‘80 | 2025 | Pace, of Trenton, Florida, passed on April 30.
Jacquelyn D. Sneed | BSBA ‘83 | 2025 | Sneed, of Greenville, Florida, passed on December 16. During her time at the University of Florida, she was a Warrington student and a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Sneed was known for her wholehearted love, her warm smile and lively personality. She is preceded in death by Leroy Sneed. She is survived by his mother, Jeanette; her son, Chikoski; her grandchildren; and extended family.
Marc S. Schoenbaum | BSBA ‘99 | 2025 | Schoenbaum, of Atlanta, Georgia, passed on December 22. After graduating from the University of Florida, he moved to Georgia and married Samantha. He was a dedicated Florida Gators fan and loved coaching his sons’ sports teams. He is survived by his parents, Ray and Susan; his beloved wife, Samantha; his three sons, Max, Ryan and Nate; and extended family.
John Coniglio | BSBA ‘53 | 2026 | Coniglio, of Ellaville, Georgia, passed on January 7. After graduating from the University of Florida, Coniglio studied at Stetson Law School and practiced law in Sumter County for more than 40 years. He also served in the US Naval Reserve. Coniglio’s life was marked by hard work, integrity and dedication to his faith. He is preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Annete; his brother, George; and his parents. He is survived by his son, John; his daughters, Cathy and Debbie; his stepchildren, Brenda and Marty; and extended family.
Richard M. Turkel | BSBA ‘55 | 2026 | Turkel, of Tampa, Florida, passed on January 19. During his time at the University of Florida, he earned a bachelor’s degree in business, was a member of the Pi Lambda Phi fraternity, and served as Student Head of the Intramural Program. After graduation, Turkel joined the US Army as a Second Lieutenant. His business career began with Master Packaging, where he was honored with both the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award and the State of Florida Small Business Award. He also had a passion for community service, serving on the Executive Committee of the Tampa Chamber of Commerce and as Head of the City of Tampa Dog Park Advisory Committee. Turkel is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Edythe; his sister, Suzanne; and his brother, Robert. He is survived by his beloved wife, Sandra; his daughter, Nancy; his sons, Kenneth and Brian; and extended family.
Leon J. LaChance | BABA ‘61 | 2026 | LaChance, of Seaford, Delaware, passed on February 6. After obtaining a degree in business from the University of Florida, LaChance dedicated his life to agriculture. He served three years on the Maryland Agriculture Commission as well as on the DPI Board of Directors and Grower Health Insurance Committee. He was also an avid collector, a 50-year member of the American Philatelic Society and treasurer for the Dover Stamp Club. He is preceded in death by his sister, Mary, and his parents, Josen and Fae. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Dorthy; his daughters, Babette and Toni; grandchildren; and great-grandson.
Steve Riddler | BSBA ‘63 | 2026 | Riddler, of Rockledge, Florida, passed on January 7. He graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in marketing and began his career with Martin Marietta. Afterwards, he worked to become one of the youngest Sears managers at the time. Above his professional aspirations, he was dedicated to his community, serving and volunteering with the Titusville and Cocoa Beach Chamber of Commerce, Central Brevard Heart Association, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and more. Riddler was known for his warmth, humor and genuine connection with others. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, George. He is survived by his wife, Judy; his sisters, Ann, Mary and Linde; his children, Beth, Stevan, Jose; and Dan; and his eight grandchildren.
David A. Whitaker | Ph.D. ‘71 | 2026 | Whitaker, of Richmond, Virginia, passed on January 19. Whitaker served as an officer in the US Navy in South Carolina and Virginia. After he completed his active duty, he served as a captain in the Naval Reserve. Professionally, Whitaker founded several local businesses and provided consulting services on development projects. Whitaker was known for his welcoming and supportive heart. He is preceded in death by his wife, Patricia. He is survived by his daughter, Teresa; and his sons Scott and Todd.
John N. Kunnen | BSBA ‘77 | 2026 | Kunnen, of Palm Harbor, Florida, passed on February 6. Kunnen was an avid tennis player; during his time at the University of Florida, he won 1st place in the SEC Championships for tennis in 1975, 1976 and 1977. Upon graduation, Kunnen was given the Doug Belden Award for his excellence in athletics and his studies. Kunnen became a leader in the construction industry, serving as vice president of Big K Construction and president of John Kunnen and Associates. Above all, he was known for his character and loyalty. He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Laura; his wives, Sue and Ann; and his brother, Guy. He is survived by his two daughters, Julie and Jackie; his grandsons, Banks, Weston and Colson; and extended family.
Sandra I. Taylor | BSBA ‘81 | 2026 | Taylor, Summerfield, North Carolina, passed on January 10. After graduating from the University of Florida with a Warrington degree, she began her professional career as a road right-of-way agent. Her career was focused on state and local government, specifically working as the Real Property Management Director of Collier County, Florida. As director, she would help build schools and parks for her community. She is remembered for her empathy, energy and her joyful outlook on life. She is preceded in death by her father, Walter. She is survived by her husband of 39 years, Richard; her mother, Elfriede; her children, Jessica, Jamie and Jonathan; and her extended family.
David Scribner Jr. | Ph.D. ‘84 | 2026 | Scribner, of New York, New York, passed on January 3. He earned his Ph.D. at the University of Florida to fulfill his goal of becoming a college professor in real estate appraisal. As a professor, he mentored and guided students for 30 years. He was a lifelong student and was a part of The Amateur Comedy Club for more than 50 years. Scribner is survived by his wife of 35 years, Cheryl; his five children, Anne, Elizabeth, David, Robert and Katherine; and his extended family.