Full-Time MBA UF MBA Ambassadors
UF MBA Ambassadors provide prospective students with first-hand knowledge into the life of a UF MBA student. They can answer questions about the program, student experience and what can be expected during life as a student at UF MBA. Prospective students are encouraged to reach out to the ambassadors to learn what life is like in the program.
Head Ambassador id="head"
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Jordan JohnsonDesired industry: Industry: Consumer Product Goods Function: Finance
Clubs involved in: VP of Finance for MBAA, Graduate and Career Peer Mentor
Why UF? I chose UF because the Gator network is so strong and large. I also love the size of the program and the family feel within it. Once a gator, always a gator.
Preferred Name: Jordan
Favorite Thing About Gainesville: Night Life
Previous Organization and Role: US Navy
Ambassadors id="ambassadors"
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Ade AdeyemoDesired industry: Consulting, Financial Services, Energy
Clubs involved in: GCAP Mentor, Black Students in Business, Consulting club, Finance club
Why UF? I have always wanted a competitive program with small class size and high ROI. UF MBA program ticked all those boxes. Makes it an easy choice to be part of the Gator Nation.
Preferred Name: Ade
Favorite Thing About Gainesville: Football game
Previous Organization and Role: Banking , Oil & Gas
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Zachariah Ben-ghuzzi
Desired industry: Energy
Clubs involved in: Supply Chain Club, Community Service Chair, Gala Chair
Why UF? Great program, great value, at a great school
Preferred Name: Zach
Favorite Thing About Gainesville: Gainesville Community
Previous Organization and Role: Brothers America Moving /Owner
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Carter Bright
Desired industry: CPG, Tech, Pharmaceuticals/Biotech
Clubs involved in: GCAP Captain
Why UF? I am a double Gator, having done my bachelor’s in chemical engineering, so it was not a hard sell to get me back. However, the Business Career Services’ accolades really sold me on the program. The small cohort size was also a major component.
Favorite Thing About Gainesville: Food Scene
Previous Organization and Role: KDP – Supply Chain
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Stephen Calandrino
Desired industry: Consulting, Financial Services, Entertainment
Clubs involved in: Food and Beverage Chair, International Chair, MBAbility Chair, and Public Speaking Chair
Why UF? Top ranked program in the state of Florida, which is where I see myself long term.
Preferred Name: Stephen
Favorite Thing About Gainesville: Breweries/Nightlife
Previous Organization and Role: Co-Founder: Calandrino’s Old City Vino
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Dan Elkes
Desired industry: Pharmacy Health-System Administration
Clubs involved in: JAMBA, Student Society of Health-System Pharmacists (SSHP)
Why UF? Dual degree combining top-10 PharmD and MBA programs to create a unique learning experience
Favorite Thing About Gainesville: Tailgates
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Gene Galke
Desired industry: Energy Development, Project Management
Clubs involved in: MBA Veterans Club
Why UF? Double Gator, met my wife here, it’s close to family and the best MBA program in Florida, great BCS team
Preferred Name: Gene
Favorite Thing About Gainesville: Football games, outdoors hiking/trail running, SCUBA
Previous Organization and Role: US Army, Aviation Officer / Helicopter Pilot
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Carlos Gimenez
Desired industry: CPG, Biotech
Clubs involved in: UF MBA Internal Affairs Family Chair , UF Beach Volleyball Club, UF Indoor Volleyball Club
Why UF? Double Gator, have loved gainesville as my city while going through college. UF has such a great rep and the BCS team really sold me on the program.
Preferred Name: Carlos
Previous Organization and Role: Leasing/Marketing Manager Gainesville New Developments
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Andrew Han
Desired industry: CPG, Technology, Travel, Professional Services
Clubs involved in: Gator MBA Gear – Co VP of Marketing
Why UF? As a soon to be Triple Gator, pursuing my MBA at UF was an easy decision. Students benefit from the strong ROI, academic rigor, tightknit cohorts, and experiential learning opportunities.
Favorite Thing About Gainesville: nature / outdoors
Previous Organization and Role: PwC – Senior Associate
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Josh Jacobs
Clubs involved in: The John Marshall Bar Association, JAMBA, Journal of Technology Law and Policy, Jewish Law Students Association
Why UF? The ability to do a dual degree in three years was crucial to my decision. The friendliness of every student made my decision incredibly easy. I love the community here.
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Savannah Kay
Desired industry: Management Consulting
Clubs involved in: Wellness Club chair; GCAP
Why UF? Competitive program with individualized attention from BCS to help me achieve career goals; Small cohort size provides a more meaningful academic experience
Preferred Name: Savannah
Previous Organization and Role: Public Education (Teacher) and Healthcare (HR/Operations)
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Sam Presley
Clubs involved in: Inclusive Excellence Vice President, Finance Club
Favorite Thing About Gainesville: Florida Athletics & Sports Games
Previous Organization and Role: Army Officer
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April Rowland
Desired Industry: Consulting
Clubs involved in: Gator MBA Gear – VP of Product Innovation
Why UF?: The career services department works closely with students and is invested in their career success.
Favorite Thing About Gainesville: The Hawthorne Trail, Depot Park, and off-beat food trucks
Previous Organization and Role: Instructional Support Manager, ABA Technologies
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Thomas Venezia
Desired industry: Human Capital
Why UF? I chose UF because the BCS team here has a deeply vested interest to best prepare incoming MBA students as future leaders in the world of business.
Preferred Name: Tom
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David Hurst
Desired industry: Anything science-related. I want to manage people doing cool science
Clubs that you’re involved in: Gator MBA Gear – VP of Operations and Logistics, MBAA – External Case Competition Chair, GCAP
Why UF? It was a no brainer- I’m a third-generation and double-Gator. I’ve been working across the street in education, interacting closely with undergraduate and graduate students in Warrington.
Preferred Name: David
Favorite Thing About Gainesville: Businesses stay open late.
Previous Organization and Role: Manager, Study Edge
Frequently Asked Questions id="faqs"
- Do you have questions about the admissions process or application steps?
Contact the admissions office via email or visit the MBA Apply page.
Ways Ambassadors Can Help
- Can I ask the ambassador how they balance academics and everything else in life?
Yes! Our ambassadors are your best resource to understanding the time commitments to being successful in an MBA program while maintaining important relationships outside of the academic experience.
- Can I ask the ambassador why they choose UF MBA?
Yes, this is exactly why our ambassadors exist! Choosing an MBA program is a big decision and they’ve been in your position before. Ask them to share their stories, you may find you have a lot in common!
- Can I ask the ambassador what some fun activities are in the area?
Absolutely! Ambassadors and staff can help you get a feel for life in Gainesville including the best eats, outdoor activities, and gameday favorites; even late-night study spots. Our ambassadors will be a great resource for these types of questions.
- Can I request a meeting with an ambassador?
Yes, you are more than welcome to reach out to our ambassadors. As their time permits, they may be available to meet with you virtually or via phone (their preference). Meetings should focus on experiential questions are outlined in these FAQs.
- How soon should I expect a response from an ambassador?
Please keep in mind our ambassadors are current MBA students. These students have volunteered their time to be a resource for you while maintaining a rigorous curricular and co-curricular schedule. Please allow for 48- to 96-hour response times during the academic year (ambassadors may be unavailable during break weeks to maintain appropriate work-life balance).
When to Talk with Admissions Instead
- Can I ask the ambassador if my work experience is competitive enough to apply?
Work experience questions should be reserved for admissions staff members. These individuals are best positioned to provide feedback on work experience competitiveness.
- Can I ask the ambassador if my GMAT score is competitive for admission?
Questions about the strength, components, or documents in your application should be directed to admissions staff only.
- Can an ambassador review my resume?
Most likely, no. While our ambassadors have great insight into the resume creation process, we want to make sure that prospective students are saving this engagement piece for our staff members. Remember, work experience and application documents should be saved for staff members.
- Can an ambassador write a letter of recommendation for me?
Recommendation letters should come from professional recommenders, or UF MBA alumni. Current students cannot serve as one of your recommendation letters.
- Can I schedule an in-person meeting/tour with an ambassador?
All in-person meeting or tour requests are managed by MBA staff. Please reach out to a staff member for more information.