Ten Career Lessons

Jack Klues ’77 our current Chairman of the Gamma Zeta Board of Trustees and former CEO of ViVaki highly recommends this article written by Rishad, one of his closest agency friends…

Ten Career Lessons

“Great advice from one of my closest agency friends.  I owe a great deal of my personal and corporate success because of this man’s big brain.  I urge you to follow him in Social Media.  Thought it worth sharing

Best

Jack

Jack Klues”

ATO Gamma Zeta Private Equity Networking Lunch

Hello Gamma Zetas,

Private equity firms raised nearly $300 billion in new funds during 2015 and they did it again in 2016.  That means that there are huge opportunities in this space.  Whether you are directly involved in a Private Equity firm, in a financial services, accounting or consulting firm that works with PE, own or are an executive in a mid market business or division of a large business that may have an interest in PE investment or otherwise have a career interest somewhere in this world you should be interested.

We have Gamma Zetas serving in leadership roles throughout this network.   We’ve formed an esteemed panel to discuss and share how we can all help each other succeed and prosper by taking advantage of this Private Equity opportunity at our next ATO Gamma Zeta Networking lunch on March 3.  Here’s the panel:

Patrick Jensen ’98 – Partner, Prairie Capital
Jeff Piper ’00 – Managing Director, Svoboda Capital
Dan Barry ’84 – Senior Managing Director, Antares Capital
Dave Lundstedt ’75 – former CEO, Armored AutoGroup Inc. (been CEO of at least 3 different PE portfolio companies)

Moderator
Mike Barrett ’80 – PE Practice Director, Patina Solutions (30 years in PE with Mesirow)

If you fall into one of those groups mentioned above with a very specific interest in Private Equity or… you are just interested in reconnecting with old ATO friends and meeting new ones, please join us for the ATO Gamma Zeta Private Equity Networking Lunch:

Date:           Friday, March 3
Time:           11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Location:      University Club – 76 E Monroe St., Chicago
Cost:           $50
Registration: Click Here to Register  (Note… register early, space is limited!) Guests are welcome! See list of guys who have registered as of 2/20 below.

Looking forward to seeing everyone on March 3!!

Dane

Dane Luhrsen
Gamma Zeta ’77
Director of Alumni Relations
Editor Gamma Zeta News
daneluhrsen@gmail.com
630-638-8572

First Name Last Name Title Company Grad Yr
Ron Bess CEO Myelin Communications 1968
Robert Alley Chairman IAC at ERS Texas/IAC 1970
Jeff McGill Owner JCM Retirement Plans Plus 1973
Bill Ganey VP Sales Just Play Products 1975
Dave Lundstedt Former CEO Armored AutoGroup Inc. 1975
Mike Tolzien Midwest Region Manager Derbigum Americas 1975
Donald Armstrong Director of Estate and Financial Planning Northwestern Mutual 1977
Patrick Barron Chair | Peer Group Advisory Board Facilitator | Confidant Vistage Worldwide, Inc. 1977
William Barry EVP Draper and Kramer 1977
Jack klues Former CEO VivaKi 1977
Dane Luhrsen Managing Director Patina Solutions 1977
William Brennan CEO Forsythe Technologies 1978
James T Hemphill Entrepreneur 1979
John Aymond Director Institutional Sales RBC Capital Markets 1980
Michael Barrett Private Equity Practice Director Patina Solutions 1980
John Cochrane Senior Vice President UBS Wealth Management 1982
Larry Eppley Managing Partner, Chicago Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP 1982
Greg Ewert Physician Michigan Avenue Internists 1982
Shuler Griffin Minister Fountain Anglican Church 1982
Bill Rolander Executive Managing Director Newmark Grubb Knight Frank 1983
Wynn Smiley CEO ATO National 1983
Dan Barry Sr. Managing Director Antares Capital LP 1984
Mike Stibich Partner Deloitte 1985
Norm Bilsbury President Topline Consulting & Training, Inc. 1992
Alex Bagne President ICS Tax, LLC 1994
Thomas Bentle Senior Analyst Jones Lang LaSalle Valuation & Advisory 1995
Mark Liyeos Accounting Supervisor Simpson Estates 1997
Patrick Jensen Managing Director Prairie Capital 1998
Brian Ruff Realtor D’Aprile Properties 1998
Terry Turman CEO ATO Foundation 1998
John Frank President & CEO  Third Road Management LLC 2000
Jeffrey S Piper Managing Director Svoboda Capital Partners LLC 2000
Scott Schneider Senior Research Analyst Great Lakes Advisors 2001
Ryan Anthony Principal LaSalle Capital 2002
Joseph Patrevito Director of Business Development at Digital Bridge Solutions 2002
Tim Derry Managing Director – Head of Upper Midwest & Canadian Private Equity Originations PNC Business Credit 2003
Chris Conversa Senior Vice President, Commercial Banking MB Financial Bank 2004
Phillip Coover Principal/Attorney  Schenk Annes Tepper Campbell Ltd. 2004
Michael Piper CEO ICS Tax, LLC 2004
Joe Wolsfeld Senior Vice President MB Financial Bank 2004
Doug Brashler Commercial Banking Huntington National Bank 2005
Dan Kostelny Director of Industrial Property InSite Real Estate LLC 2005
Robert Erfort Director KPMG Advisory 2006
Michael Patrick Keeley Associate Kirkland & Ellis LLP 2007
Tim Lackie Vice President Allegiance Capital Corporation 2007
Dan Lundstedt Franchise Owner Sir Grout 2007
John Dudek Associate JP Morgan 2008
Jim Lyznicki Transactions Advisory Ernst & Young 2008
Brett Moore Partner Residential Dynamics Group LLC 2008
Patrick Riggio Senior Associate Lake Capital 2008
Jeff Vranek Vice President Prairie Capital 2008
Ted Dimiropoulos Manager  KPMG Valuation Services 2009
Andrew Nicholas Equity Research Associate William Blair & Company 2010
Blake Overlock Business Performance Advisor Insperity 2010
Matt Dixon Associate Latham & Watkins 2011
Brett Newman Associate Kirkland & Ellis LLP 2011
Jake Bailey Investment Banking Analyst J.P. Morgan 2012
Jack Hickey Financial Advisor Merrill Lynch Wealth Management 2012
Matt O’Neil New Projects Manager Parker Plastics, Inc. 2012
Dan Passarella Consultant Deloitte Consulting LLP 2012
Paul Garcia Senior Financial Analyst Baker Tilly 2013
Steven Ogdon Senior Financial Analyst Hill-Rom 2013
Raymond Tiernan Analyst | Valuation & Financial Opinions Stout Risius Ross 2013
Lenny Allegretti Consultant – Corporate Finance/Transaction Services FTI Consulting 2014
Thomas Heinz Asset Management Assurance Staff EY 2014
Sam Less National Real Estate Audit Associate RSM US LLP 2014
Chad Lieber Associate, National Retail Group Marcus & Millichap 2014
Lexa Pezzati Deal Advisory Associate KPMG US 2014
Kevin Breckenfelder Analyst BMO Capital Markets 2015
Michael Chada Security & Infrastructure Consultant West Monroe Partners 2015
Mark Giarelli Analyst, Real Estate Advisory Group  Duff & Phelps 2015
Alex Schwartz Consultant in Transaction Services FTI Consulting 2015
Spencer Stiltz Investment Analyst Aon Hewitt Investment Consulting 2015
Joe Grazioso Healthcare Analyst – Financial Planning Strata Decision Technology 2016
William Hanson Analyst Duff & Phelps 2016
James Lawlor M&A Transaction Services Consultant Deloitte 2016
Benedict Volk Investment Banking Analyst  Lazard 2016
Matt Kovatchis Undergrad ATO 2017
Matt Stemper Undergrad Treasurer ATO 2018
Will Walsh Undergrad ATO 2018
Quinn Gaughn Undergrad Philanthropy Chair ATO 2019
Dan Reinke Undergrad Worthy Master ATO 2019
Tim Crenshaw Simpson Estates Inc
Reuben Donnelley Simpson Estates Inc
Jon Mellin Simpson Estates Inc

 

Gamma Zeta Undergrad Resumes

The next few months are when many of your companies are recruiting for summer interns. If you are aware of internship opportunities at your company, please pass them on to our Alumni Relations/Career Development undergrad Chairs Joseph Binkowski jbinkows@gmail.com – 708-717-0725 or Jon Vaccaro – vaccarojc@gmail.com – (847)226-5577 or even better, take a look through our undergrad’s resumes at this link and reach out to guys who match your requirements directly – https://www.dropbox.com/sh/k7xg1yy1nzktzid/AABLB0vz3K4BU4TIUUpVxfiTa?dl=0

Thanks!

Joe Grazioso ’16 and the Gamma Zeta Mentor and Internship Matching Programs

0af7c5dJoe Grazioso ’16 worked as an intern this past summer at Belmont Bank whose CEO is Bill McCarty ’79. Joe was referred to Bill by his ATO Mentor John Aymond ’80. The following is an excerpt from a note that Joe’s supervisor at the bank passed on about his experience.

“Joe has a tremendous work ethic, with great attention to detail, and routinely demonstrated a self-starter approach to his day-to-day responsibilities at the Bank.

He is a gentleman, someone who listened closely and took notes whenever a new concept was being presented to him.

The Gamma Zeta chapter of ATO is fortunate to have him as a member and I believe his commitment, dedication, and hard work sets a great example for the qualities that ATO promotes as “America’s Leadership Fraternity”, and will continue to contribute and prove beneficial to the long-term success of the House.”

Great work Joe!!

We’ve got some great guys in the house. If you know of internship opportunities at your companies, please pass them on to Dan Passarella ’13 (dpassarella16@gmail.com) and Jim McGuffin ’96 (jmcguffin@2020-4.com) who are the alumni overseeing our Mentor and Internship matching programs respectively and they’ll help match up appropriate candidates with the opportunites.

Gamma Zeta’s 15’s – Congrats Guys!!

15s back in their freshman year

15s back in their freshman year

Most of the Gamma Zeta ’15’s will be graduating soon and I thought that all would like to see what they plan to do next.  Many already have jobs or grad school lined up but some are still looking for a best fit.  Please take a look through the list and if you have any ideas that you think would help, reach out to the guys individually and let them know how you can help.

Congrats to all of the 15’s and good luck to you as you move on to the next phase of your lives!!

 

Name: Samuel Less
Major: Accoutancy
Hometown: Vernon Hills, IL
Plans after graduation:
I plan on getting my Master’s in Accounting Science this May. I started studying for my CPA in March and will complete the CPA examination process by October where I will start full-time at McGladrey LLP in Real Estate Assurance. My resume is part of the Resume Book.

Name: George Adams
Major: Accountancy
Home Town: Glenview, IL
Plans after graduation:
I am currently building a start-up company called StockClash LLC. It’s a website that allows users to compete with each other in fantasy stock competitions for a chance to win real cash prizes. Along with my fellow co-founders, I hope to work on this full time after graduation. My resume is part of the Resume Book.

Name: Kevin Breckenfelder
Major: Finance
Home Town: Bettendorf, IA
Plans after graduation:
I am working as an investment banking analyst at BMO Capital Markets in Chicago.

Name: Jacob Eble
Major: Architecture
Hometown: Mokena, IL
Plans after Graduation:
I plan on attending graduate school at the University of Michigan. I am actively seeking a summer Architecture internship. My resume is part of the Resume Book.

Name: Mark Giarelli
Major: Economics, Political Science and Business Minor
Home Town: Arlington Heights, IL
Plans after graduation:
Next year I will be working as a Market Search Manager for InSite Real Estate (Gerry Kostelny’s company). My resume is part of the Resume Book.

Name: Robert Kleinhans
Major: General Engineering
Home Town: Elmhurst, IL
Plans after graduation:
I will be starting June 8th working full-time for Strata Decision Technology in downtown Chicago. I will be a software implementation consultant for their decision support team. I plan on attending part-time MBA schooling within the next 5 years to study Information Technology and Data Analytics. My resume is part of the Resume Book.

Name: Michael Lazzaroni
Major: Agribusiness Markets & Management with Business Minor
Home Town: Barrington, IL
Plans after graduation:
I am actively seeking a full-time career in finance. I am waiting to hear back for a full-time decision from my summer internship as a CRN Data Intern with CME Group and recently interviewed with AIM.

Name: Jack McAndrew
Major: ACES Consumer Economics and Finance
Home Town: Park Ridge, IL
Plans after graduation:
I have started studying for my Series 7 certification, will soon begin studying for my Series 63 certification, and then will begin the process of obtaining CFP certification. Upon completion of my Series 7 I will begin work as a financial advisor at AXA Advisors.

Name: Brian Mulcrone
Major: Business Administration
Home Town: Western Springs, IL
Plans after graduation:
I will be interning with the Cincinnati Reds this summer. I plan to get a full-time position in Sports Marketing or Sponsorship Sales after I graduate in May 2016.

Name: Joseph Pearson
Major: Economics
Home Town: Park Ridge, IL
Plans after graduation:
I am actively seeking a position in the financial services, banking, insurance, and government sectors. My resume is part of the Resume Book.

Name: Jack Polancich
Major: Accountancy
Hometown: Naperville, IL
Plans after Graduation:
I am completing my undergraduate in May 2015 but I will come back for one year of graduate school. Afterwards I will take the CPA exam. This summer I have an internship doing forensic accounting with Meaden & Moore in Chicago. I was looking for either a forensic accounting job or an audit position. I have no experience in either field before this summer and do not fully know which I want to pursue as a career. My resume is part of the Resume Book.

Name: Spencer Stilitz
Major: Economics and Communication
Hometown: Lake Bluff, IL
Plans after graduation:
I will start work as a Business Delivery Specialist/Consultant with Aon Hewitt.

Name: Brett Williams
Major: Accountancy
Home Town: Schaumburg, IL
Plans after graduation:
I will be interning at McGladrey as a Risk Consulting Intern this summer, and then attending graduate school for my Master of Accounting Science degree at the University of Illinois.

Thanks to Sam Less for gathering this info!!

PLAID Weekend #4

Gamma Zetas complete the 4th of 4 weekends with the Plaid leadership development consultancy.  Officer job description development, SWOT analysis and Initiative Prioritization, Strategic Planning training.  Great stuff!!  Congrats guys!!

Jon Osacky ‘16.5 recognized for creating phone application, Meter for Uber

Just yesterday, Internet culture website, the Daily Dot, acknowledged Gamma Zeta Undergraduate Jon Osacky for creating the Android, and soon to be I-phone application, Meter for Uber. Meter for Uber gives Uber users a breakdown of exactly what they are paying for when they decide to ride with Uber.

Osacky came up with the idea while he was interning in California for another phone application company called Slice. Since he did not have a car, Osacky depended on Uber to get him from place to place and became interested in how Uber calculates its final cost. From here, Osacky began working and developing what would eventually become Meter for Uber.

Currently, Osacky is back in California interning for Facebook and will remain there over summer for an internship with Uber.

Jon speaking to an audience for ACM Open House at U of I.

Jon speaking to an audience for ACM Open House at U of I.

Congrats Jon on all your achievements, and I’m sure there will be many more to come!

Daily Dot article: http://www.dailydot.com/technology/meter-uber-app-track-bill/

Gamma Zeta Alumni Undergrads coordinate Mock Interview Day in Chicago with alumni

photo 2 (21)On Monday afternoon, January 12, Gamma Zeta undergrad Ben Volk ‘16.5 coordinated a Mock Interview Day at the Illini Center in Chicago.  Each undergrad had the opportunity practice their interview skills and refine their resume with the support of experienced alumni.  Here’s a link to pictures.

Thanks to Ben for coordinating a great event and special thanks to the following alumni and undergrads who participated.Continue reading

Networking Tips for College Success: How to Build Relationships and Land a Great Job After College

Image-1I came across another article on the value of networking for college students from the Art of Manliness that I think is very relevant for our undergraduates.  In addition to the tips mentioned in this article, they have the benefit of their mentor and the entire Gamma Zeta alumni network. Here’s the link – Networking Tips for College Success: How to Build Relationships and Land a Great Job After College