Join the Terry College in congratulating the Class of 2025 and welcome them to the alumni family!

BJ Schaknowski

Rennie Curran

The Terry College welcomed two outstanding alumni back to campus as the Graduate and Undergraduate Convocation speakers. BJ Schaknowski (BBA ’04), CEO of symplr, delivered a powerful message at the Graduate ceremony, sharing personal insights that challenged and inspired graduates as they prepare for what’s next. He urged them to keep learning, keep striving, find their balance, engage in their communities—give back, show up, and invest in people. Schaknowski’s final charge was clear: “Honor the legacy of those who came before you—and leave a legacy for those who come after you.” Rennie Curran (BBA ’17), keynote speaker, author, and CEO of Game Changer Coaching, delivered the keynote address for the Undergraduate ceremony, emphasizing what it truly takes to succeed: build a high NQ—the ability to Never Quit —and surround yourself with the right team, because success is never a solo journey. It’s not about where you start but what you can overcome and accomplish.

The University of Kansas has selected Jide Wintoki (PHD '08), Capitol Federal Professor of Finance, as the next dean of the KU School of Business. Wintoki first joined the school in 2008, and he currently serves as its associate dean of graduate programs. He will begin his new role July 1. As the School of Business dean, Wintoki will serve as the chief academic and administrative officer, overseeing its research enterprise, educational programs and administrative units, engaging faculty, staff, students and other external stakeholders to promote a shared vision of excellence for the school. Since 2020, Wintoki has overseen all business doctoral and master’s programs, including those at the Lawrence and Leavenworth campuses, as well as the school’s online MBA program. He previously served as the area director of Analytics, Information, and Operations. Wintoki earned his doctorate in finance from the Terry College of Business and his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Lagos in Nigeria.

Tim Eber (BBA '18) was promoted to Principal at Nolan Capital, located in Hermosa Beach, California. Eber joined Nolan Capital in 2022 and was promoted to Vice President in 2024. Nolan Capital is a family office that focuses on making equity investments in leading growth companies. The firm invests in the consumer, industrial, business services, technology-enabled services, healthcare, specialty retail and real estate sectors in North America. Prior to joining Nolan Capital, Eber was an Associate in the Acquistion Finance group at Truist Securities, a middle-market investment bank in Atlanta. Eber graduated in 2018 with a BBA in Finance and in Management Information Systems.

Sepp Straka (BBA '15) clinched a thrilling victory at the 2025 Truist Championship, adding another impressive title to his growing PGA Tour résumé. Straka’s path to success began at the University of Georgia, where he played for the Bulldogs from 2011 to 2016. During his collegiate career, he helped lead the team to multiple NCAA Regional appearances and became known for his consistent, high-level play. Even after redshirting a season to improve his short game, Straka returned as a key contributor to the team’s national competitiveness. His journey serves as a powerful example of perseverance, growth, and the enduring impact of a UGA education. He graduated from the Terry College of Business with a degree in Management. 

Alex (BBA '12, MAcc '13) and Katherine Cohen (BBA '12, MAcc '13) are passionate Georgia Bulldogs fans, proudly supporting the Dawgs from their home base in Atlanta, Georgia. As dedicated Double Dawgs and strong advocates for the University of Georgia, they have built impressive M&A, corporate finance, and accounting careers. 

Alex currently serves as Vice President of Corporate Development at CivicPlus. His background includes experience in investment banking, private equity, strategy, and corporate development. He has previously held roles at REPAY, CIVC Partners, Fidus Partners, and Ernst & Young.  

Katherine is Vice President of Finance and Chief Compliance Officer at ASH Investment Partners, where she leads the financial oversight, reporting, and compliance functions. With over a decade of fund accounting and financial reporting experience, she has held key roles at prominent firms such as Optiver, D. E. Shaw, and Ernst & Young.

Both Alex and Katherine are proud 2012 graduates of the Terry College of Business, earning BBA degrees in Accounting and International Business. They continued their academic journey by completing their Master of Accountancy (MAcc) in 2013. During their time at UGA, Alex was actively engaged as a Terry Ambassador, while Katherine made lasting memories in the Institute for Leadership Advancement Fellows program. Both also share fond memories of their study abroad experiences.

Their connection to UGA extends well beyond their academic accomplishments. As members of the President’s Club, Dean’s Circle, and the Third Pillar Society, they have been dedicated supporters of the Terry Excellence Fund. Recently, they committed to a Terry Edge Scholarship, aimed at helping future generations of UGA students. This philanthropic effort reflects their passion for supporting others and the profound impact scholarships had on their college experiences, especially the opportunity to study abroad.

Their continued support ensures that the Terry College will remain a place where future students can thrive, just as they did, and we are deeply grateful for their enduring commitment to UGA's success.

The May Alumni of the Day were Amanda Ridley, Carson Trent, Kate Neri, and Alex Freeman. Ridley graduated in 2021 with a BBA in Economics and is a franchise owner and area developer with Perspire Sauna Studio. Trent graduated in 2024 with a BBA in Economics and is an Investment Banking Analyst at Canaccord Genuity. Neri graduated in 2010 with a BBA in Marketing and is CEO of Syrup. Freeman graduated in 2015 with a BBA in Marketing and is the Vice President of Sales for Techtronic Industries.

Each week, we feature an Alum of the Day, where alumni share their career, company, activities they enjoy in their downtime, favorite Georgia memories, and how they choose to give back to their community. The goal of the Alum of the Day series is to show current Terry students the types of career opportunities that exist and give them great contacts in their industry. 

Be sure to check out @terryalumni on Facebook and Instagram each Wednesday to see our next featured alum! Head to the Alum of the Day page for more information and to fill out the form. 

Master of Marketing Research students partnered with Michelin for their corporate project, conducting research on employment and job attractiveness through qualitative and quantitative analysis. The graduate students had the unique opportunity to lead on-site focus groups with current Michelin employees and launch a national segmentation study to help the company better understand today's job climate. MMR students are immersed in rigorous course work with hands-on use of the same analytics tools and research methods used by marketing research professionals to guide business decisions. In addition to the research tools, the MMR program emphasizes business applications and students acquire a solid grounding marketing strategy.

Make plans to attend the June MBA Lunch & Learn, with speaker Vicki Williams (MBA '00). Williams is chief human resources officer for NBCUniversal, a legacy leader in the entertainment industry with approximately 70,000 employees across more than 30 countries. In her role, Williams is responsible for leading NBCUniversal’s human resources strategy, including its culture, employee engagement, organizational design, rewards and recognition, talent acquisition, the employee service center and human resources systems and operations. Williams earned a bachelor’s degree in education and an MBA from the University of Georgia. After serving six years on the Terry College of Business Alumni Board, she now serves on the Emeritus Board. All alumni are welcome to attend. Register here.

Join the Terry College for an evening of connecting, networking and socializing with fellow Terry alumni as we hear from college football expert Tony Barnhart on what to expect from our Georgia Bulldogs and other SEC teams this fall.

Join Music Business Dawgs at an alumni gathering in your city this summer. Reconnect with fellow alumni and friends, with David Barbe, Director of the Music Business Program. Don't miss this opportunity to network, reminisce, and celebrate the impact of the Music Business Program. Register now.

The Music Business Program is geared toward those aspiring to be leaders in the music industry. Students learn from key industry experts, including artists and managers, while gaining hands-on experience coordinating and marketing events, producing content, managing artists, and operating labels. The Music Business Program is open to all University of Georgia students and heavily relies on private donations to continue its programming. 

Make Your Mark—Purchase by May 31 to Be Included in This Summer’s Installation

Support the future of the Terry College by purchasing a commemorative brick. Your $500 gift goes directly to the Terry Excellence Fund, our most flexible resource used to: attract and retain world-class faculty, provide critical scholarships and create exceptional learning experiences for our students.

Etch your name—or honor someone special—into the legacy of Terry College. It’s a lasting tribute and a powerful investment in our future. Bricks purchased by May 31 will be engraved on site this summer in the Foley Courtyard—join us in building a lasting foundation for the Terry College of Business. Purchase a brick here.

Are you interested in mentoring a current student? Are you looking for a new job? Do you want to connect with classmates and share advice? TerryConnect is the hub for student-alumni networking for the Terry College. Students are encouraged to join and build relationships with Terry Alumni, leading to shared information and advice, hiring opportunities, and long-term networking. Whatever your question, whatever your need: TerryConnect can find a helping hand and keep you connected within the Terry community. Tip: Turn on post notifications so you don't miss any opportunities! 

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