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Student Anastasia Sotiropoulos receiving an Early Career Achievement Awards.

Early Career Achievement Awards

Early Career Achievement Awards (ECAA) recognize younger College of Business graduates who have demonstrated innovative and responsible professional leadership, the potential for future distinction and a commitment to serving others. One honoree is selected from each College of Business degree program. They return to campus to receive their award and share advice with current College of Business students through panel discussions.

 

2022 - 2023 Award Recipients

 

  • Portrait of Jhoanna Astudillo

    Jhoanna Astudillo '07

    Jhoanna Astudillo graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and International Business.

  • Portrait of Richard Barnes

    Richard Barnes '14

    Richard is a 2014 graduate of Illinois State University in Marketing.

  • Portrait of Jerrod Campbell

    Jerrod Campbell '14, M.S. '16

    Jerrod Campbell is an Account Director for Sports Business Journal.

  • Portrait of Erin Dullard

    Erin Dullard '13

    Erin Dullard is a graduate with a double major in Insurance and Finance.

  •  Portrait of Jon Goldsher

    Jon Goldsher '13, M.S. '13

    Jon Goldsher is the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer at Boyne Capital.

  • Portrait of Chad Halloran

    Chad Halloran '12, M.S. '12

    Jon Goldsher is the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer at Boyne Capital.

  • Portrait of Frannie Heine '09

    Frannie Heine '09

    Since graduating, Frannie has spent her career at Maui Jim Sunglasses where she’s held various roles across Human Resources, Global Operations, and Supply Chain.

  • Portrait of Matt Hornback

    Matt Hornback '05

    Matthew Hornback is a Sales & Management leader with 16+ years of building relationships, people, process and business.

  • Portrait of Tyler Kirby '07

    Tyler Kirby '07

    Tyler Kirby is the Executive Vice President of Business Development for the Kansas City Chief.

  • Portrait of Kevin Martin

    Kevin Martin '09

    Kevin Martin, in his current role, serves as principal in the Parkway School District in Missouri.

  • Portrait of Warren McCarty

    Warren McCarty '09

    Warren McCarty is a trial lawyer focusing on technology-related litigation in federal courts.

  • Portrait of Renee Nelson

    Renee Nelson '13

    Renee Nelson is the Director of Marketing Operations for Americaneagle.com.

  • Portrait of Ben Owen

    Ben Owen '15

    Ben Owen has worked as a high school business teacher, MTSS coordinator, school administrator, and recently a new role as a Career and Technical Education Educator at NIU.

  • Portrait of Luke Peifer

    Luke Peifer '13

    Luke Peifer is a Senior Manager in Miller Cooper’s Transaction and Advisory Services group and a member of the firm’s Assurance and Accounting Department. 

  • Portrait of Riley Phipps

    Riley Phipps '18

    Riley Phipps is Lead Support Engineer at iManage and is on their Cloud Advisory team.

  • Portrait of JD Schurter

    JD Schurter '11, MBA '17

    JD Schurter presently works at Wells Fargo as the Head of Cash IPV in Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Portrait of Jonathan Strok

    Jonathan Strok '11

    Jonathan Strok is an inverstment analyst and a Porfolio Manager for COUNTRY Financial.

  • Portrait of Kelly Tabor

    Kelly Tabor '14

    Kelly is currently a senior managing consultant in international tax services at FORVIS.

 

Nomination Guidelines

Nominees must be graduate students from one of the programs in the College of Business.
Nominations close March 10, 2023.

  • Career Accomplishmentse

    • Exemplary professional capabilities as demonstrated through entrepreneurial success, rapid promotions, industry recognition, or innovative practices leading to measurable outcomes.
    • Demonstrated innovative and responsible professional leadership and the potential for distinction in the long term.
  • Personal Characteristics

    • Embodies the five core principals outlined in the College of Business Standards of Professional Behavior and Ethical Conduct: responsibility, honesty, respect, fairness, and trust.
    • Shown a substantial commitment to the service of others.
    • Continued his or her professional growth through education or professional credentials.

More Information

If you have any questions about the Early Career Achievement Awards, please contact:

  • Steve Vandiver

    Executive Director of Marketing
    College of Business
    Campus Box 5500
    Normal, IL 61790-5500
    shvandi@ilstu.edu