The Metro Atlanta Chamber has launched a new Community Development team to advance industry growth across the 29-county region. Barton Lowrey (BBA '09) has been named the team’s first hire, stepping into the role of Vice President of Community Development. Lowrey brings extensive experience in economic development, most recently serving as Director of Statewide Projects at the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Lowrey has a strong track record of cultivating partnerships that drive regional growth and innovation. In his new role, he will focus on strengthening collaboration across business, government, and community stakeholders to enhance metro Atlanta’s competitiveness.

Paige Tom (BBA '85) has been promoted to Executive Director of the Augusta Symphony in Georgia, stepping into the role after four years as Finance Director for both the Symphony and its home venue, the Miller Theater. Tom brings over 35 years of multi-sector accounting experience spanning nonprofit, public, private, and government sectors. She is deeply embedded in the local arts and nonprofit community, having been active with the Augusta Choral Society, Suzuki Strings of Augusta, and currently serving as board treasurer for the Greater Augusta Arts Council, in addition to volunteering with the Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival. Tom graduated from the Terry College with a BBA in Accounting. 

With more than 25 years of experience in business development and marketing, Ira Gleser (BBA '81) has built a career helping companies strengthen customer relationships, drive growth, and create innovative solutions. He has held leadership roles with Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Newell Brands, and Burson-Marsteller, and later founded his own B2B consultancy. Drawing on this experience, Gleser recently published Stewardship for Business, a practical playbook for building stronger, more valuable customer relationships. In the book, he shares insights gained from decades of working with leading brands and industry associations, offering strategies for driving business success while fostering lasting client trust.

Cheryl Blake (BBA '01) has been named Senior Vice President within the Employee Benefits Group at Alliant Insurance Services, where she will partner with clients nationwide to design customized benefits strategies that drive efficiency and business growth. Based in Georgia, Blake brings specialized expertise in benefits strategy, global compliance, and HR technology integration, with experience advising employers across all 50 states and helping international companies establish U.S. operations. A nationally recognized top sales performer, she also provides strategic counsel on PEO structures, 401(k) design, and insurance compliance. Blake earned her BBA in Marketing from the Terry College of Business, a foundation she continues to build on in her work as a trusted advisor and industry leader.

The Terry College is excited to welcome Dunkin' and Newk's to the Business Learning Community. Located in the Rothenberger Café in Amos Hall, Dunkin' and Newk's are owned by former UGA football captain and Terry College alum, David Weeks (BBA '95). Weeks is the owner of nine top-performing Barberitos restaurants, eight Dunkin' stores and four Newk's Eatery units in and around his hometown of Athens, Georgia. After graduating from Georgia with dual business degrees in management and marketing, Weeks gave up a high-paying pharmaceutical sales position to take a chance on a restaurant career. “I guess I always wanted to be my own boss, and the one thing I realized early on was that I really love food and I wasn’t smart enough to come up with my own concept,” he said. “Thank goodness for franchising and the great brands I chose.”

Ashley and Nick Friedmann

Nick Friedmann (BBA '06), a proud alumnus of the Terry College of Business and a member of the UGA Alumni Association’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2017, has spent his career helping others steward wealth and make a lasting impact. Now, he’s doing the same for students at his alma mater—by honoring the memory of someone who helped shape countless lives at Terry: his father, Dr. Roberto “Bobby” Friedmann.

Nick, a Senior Client Strategist at BNY Wealth, works directly with individuals, families, investors and foundations to craft investment strategies and personalized philanthropic, trust, and estate planning solutions. With over 18 years of experience at firms like Citibank and Wells Fargo, he has built a reputation for guiding clients with insight, care, and purpose.

That same sense of purpose has driven Nick to create the Dr. Bobby Friedmann Passport Terry Endowment, a scholarship that supports international travel opportunities for deserving Terry College students.

“International travel and working abroad shaped my father’s worldview, and he encouraged his students to expand their horizons beyond the state of Georgia,” Nick said. “This scholarship ensures students who might not otherwise have the opportunity are able to take part in the Terry study abroad program.” 

Dr. Bobby Friedmann, a native of Uruguay, served as an associate professor in the Department of Marketing for 27 years and directed Terry’s International Business Programs for 12. His legacy is defined not just by his academic contributions, but by his commitment to cultural exchange and global learning. He taught and gave seminars around the world—from France to Finland, China to Chile—and believed strongly that immersion in other cultures was essential to a well-rounded business education.

Following his passing in 2011 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, former students and colleagues remembered Dr. Friedmann as a passionate educator known for his open debates, candid discussions, and genuine care for his students. Now, through the Passport Terry Endowment created by Nick and his wife, Ashley (ABJ '06), Dr. Friedmann’s commitment to global learning lives on.

Nick remains deeply involved with the UGA community as a founding member of the UGA Mentor Program and a dedicated volunteer. “It’s meaningful to give back to a place that gave me so much,” Nick shared. “This scholarship is a permanent reminder of my dad’s contribution to higher education, and a rewarding way to keep his memory and legacy alive.”

Help Support the Dr. Bobby Friedmann Passport Terry Endowment

By contributing to this endowment, you’re not just supporting student travel. You’re helping carry forward the legacy of a beloved professor and creating life-changing experiences for the next generation of business leaders.

Every gift matters. Every mile matters. Help us honor Dr. Friedmann’s memory—and open the world to Terry students.

The August Alumni of the Day were Jason Greenblatt, Myrlande Demosthene, Neil McGowan, and Gina Rosen. Greenblatt graduated in 2017 with a BBA in Finance and is the Director of Finance & Strategy at Big Happy. Demosthene graduated in 2022 with a MBA and is the Co-Founder of Heart of Moisture. McGowan graduated in 2021 with a Master of Business and Technology and is the Director of Technology Shared Services & Desktop Engineering at Augusta University. Rosen graduated in 1998 with a BBA in Finance and is the Owner of Seasons Jewelry. 

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. 

Join Terry College Alumni at our annual Homecoming Tailgate, Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the Business Learning Community as we gear up for the big Dawgs vs. Cats matchup as Georgia takes on Kentucky! Don’t miss out—register now for a day filled with fun, food, and great company. The tailgate will begin at 9 AM, three hours before kickoff. This event has limited capacity and typically sells out.

Join us at Terry Third Thursday on September 18 to hear from Paul Donahue and Will Stengel of Genuine Parts Company. Paul Donahue, Executive Chairman, has more than two decades of leadership at GPC, including serving as CEO from 2016 to 2024. He is also active in the Atlanta community through service with United Way, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and the Woodruff Arts Center. Will Stengel became President & CEO in 2024 after holding key leadership roles at GPC and previously at HD Supply. He also serves on the advisory board of Skyland Trail, a nonprofit mental health organization. We hope you’ll join us for this conversation with two dynamic leaders shaping the future of Genuine Parts Company. 

With access to state-of-the-art facilities, award-winning faculty, unmatched career services and an alumni network 85,000 strong, Terry College students are primed for lasting success. We call this The Terry Edge. Yet one-third of Terry students have a documented financial need. This can prevent them from taking full advantage of all the college has to offer. With your support, we can ensure all students have the needed tools to learn, then lead.

Interested in helping a student take full advantage of their learning and leadership opportunities at Terry? Let’s talk. Contact Natalie Glenn at nglenn@uga.edu.

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! 

Students attend Back to Business organization fair in Coca-Cola Plaza.

Meet the 2025-2026 Student Philanthropy Council!

Keith Credendino (BBA '97) kicked off the 2025-2026 Terry Third Thursday lineup.

Catch Rennie Curran (BBA '17) and Jake Fromm (BBA '22) on Atlanta News First Gametime pre-game and Overtime post-game shows.

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