Class Notes
In addition to recent updates, many Business Badgers shared their greatest accomplishments and proudest moments since graduating from WSB!
1950-1959
Jerald Hage (BBA ’55)
Hage published his 20th book, Solving the Crises of Capitalism and Democracy, which represents the culmination of his life’s work to create a more equitable society with a strengthened democracy. In his book, Hage presents systematic coordinated interorganizational networks, or SCIONs, which can produce radical innovation, train people with more diverse skill sets, and customize health and welfare services.
Donald M. Vold (BBA ’56)
Vold retired in 1990 after a successful career at several companies, including Wisconsin Bell, Inc.; Ameritech; American Bell International; and more. He traveled the world, including a 4,300-mile drive from Iran to Germany. Vold volunteered for the American Red Cross for six years and was also an emergency response vehicle driver. He attended the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding and helped build a 56-foot schooner in Bayfield, Wisconsin.
1960-1969
Ron Peck (BBA ’63)
Peck used his WSB experience to foster a satisfying career after spending 20 years as a naval officer. Peck leveraged his cost accounting studies to manage multimillion-dollar Navy procurement budgets and monitored cost and schedule positions of many programs within the defense industry.
Tim Eisele (BBA ’69, MS ’71)
Eisele received the same degree as his late father, Karl A. Eisele Jr. (BBA ’46). His father attended WSB’s predecessor: the School of Commerce, was captain of the UW cheerleading squad, and went on to work in advertising for Madison Newspapers, Inc. The younger Eisele received a graduate degree in agricultural and life sciences and is currently a freelance outdoor writer, raising awareness of the importance of natural resources. He says that communication is key to success in every position!
Thomas Edward Linnen (BBA ’69)
Linnen says that his degree and love of cost accounting and computers led him to a career as a certified public accountant. He led three initial public offerings and says that the February 2005 New York Stock Exchange listing of MEMC Electronic Materials was the largest electronics deal since the dot-com bubble. The Waupun, Wisconsin, native also has many global travel memories, beginning with a solo trip to Asia in 1971 at 23 years old. His children graduated from Fordham University in New York and the University of California, Berkeley.
1970-1979
Gary Chaudoir (BBA ’70)
Chaudoir moved to Aspen, Colorado, for his military obligation after graduating from UW–Madison. He was in the draft lottery, passed his physical, but ultimately was not called to service. In 1972, he discovered the incredible sport of hang gliding. He’s traveled to many international destinations and feels very blessed to be in his 47th year of teaching and creating stained glass art in Door County, Wisconsin, where he’s also an active volunteer with several organizations.
Craig Laronge (BBA ’70)
Laronge says his proudest achievement is funding a scholarship in memory of the late James A. Graaskamp (PhD ’65). Laronge says he was so fortunate to be in WSB’s outstanding real estate and urban land economics program. Reflecting on fond memories, GR8 4YRS is the inscription on his Union Terrace brick paver.
Ira Vernon (BBA ’70)
Vernon recalls feeling awkward in his dorm room at Ogg Hall at UW–Madison, which was 1,000 miles from home. But in time, he met many friends, was taught important life lessons, and made precious memories that have lasted a lifetime. Go Badgers!
Neil Kosterman (BBA ’72)
Kosterman was named partner at Endeavor Capital, an over 40-year-old venture firm whose portfolio consists of tech-related businesses. Additionally, Kosterman is developing the SAGE Rebreather, which helps with sleep apnea, brain protection, trauma recovery, altitude illness, and more.
William Rauwerdink (BBA ’72)
Rauwerdink found time to complete his Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) application during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a Continental Army member, his fifth grandfather qualified him as a SAR member. Recently, he discovered that another one of his relatives also fought in the Revolutionary War, making him a SAR double member.
Stephen Jarchow (BBA ’74, MS ’76, JD ’76)
Jarchow has been a principal in over 100 real estate ventures and has written six books on real estate and finance, including Graaskamp on Real Estate. Jarchow has also produced over 150 motion pictures, and two of his films have won Academy Awards. He has been nominated for six Emmy Awards, winning one in 2021. He also provided housing and support during the January 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles when many of his colleagues were evacuated.
William Ahlstrom (BBA ’75)
Ahlstrom worked as a certified public accountant for 40 years, specializing in taxation. He was an active member of the Wisconsin Institute of CPAs, acting as chairperson of its public policy committee and holding a membership position on the board of directors. Ahlstrom has been an active member of his church as well, serving as trustee, finance committee chair, and choir member. He’s also dabbled in community theater for a few years. Other personal highlights include traveling to Ireland, Germany, Austria, Jamaica, and historic Route 66.
Chadwick Smith (MS ’75)
Smith went to law school after graduating from UW–Madison and has practiced Indian law for several decades. He was also principal chief of the Cherokee Nation from 1999 to 2011. Additionally, he released his third book, Cherokee Nation—Proceed Undaunted, which provides a history and commentary on the Cherokee Nation’s constitutions and governance.
Joe Fahey (BBA ’76, MBA ’80)
Fahey published his book, Global Entries: Anecdotes From My Travels Abroad, which is about his adventures in international travel. It’s a collection of short stories that begins when he backpacked through Europe as an undergraduate student. The stories, which detail both business and personal travel over five decades, describe his “thrills, chills, and spills” as he navigates the globe.
George Patterson (BBA ’76)
Patterson is celebrating a 49-year career in the Wisconsin insurance industry. He’s held positions at many companies, including Crum & Forster Insurance and CNA Insurance. He’s currently a partner and vice president at Robertson Ryan. Patterson started angel investing 20 years ago and has had several successful exits over the past few years. He plays the drums and continues to participate in UW Marching Band alumni events.
William Schultz (BBA ’76)
Schultz joined the Madison, Wisconsin, office of Grant Thornton, an international CPA firm, after graduating from WSB. He also became the managing partner of that office in 1999. Schultz has volunteered as audit committee chair of Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod for the past nine years and has acted as treasurer of Christ Lutheran Ministries in the Twin Cities for the past three years. Additionally, he served on an advisory board to a humanitarian mission in India for 11 years, assisting several schools and orphanages.
Jeff Blakely (MBA ’77)
Blakely pivoted after receiving his MBA and earned a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania to become an archaeologist. He is now mostly retired from teaching but continues to conduct research full time. Blakely recently became the chairman of the board for the W.F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research in Jerusalem.
Jonathan Strouse (BBA ’78, JD ’86)
Strouse practiced as a certified public accountant for five years after graduating from WSB. He then went to law school and practiced as an attorney in Chicago, specializing in federal tax controversies and federal tax litigation. He has argued cases in many districts and circuits across the U.S.
Gerald Widen (MBA ’78)
Widen joined Rockwell International in 1978, where he worked until his retirement in 2012. He held financial leadership positions and several corporate staff assignments until he reached corporate VP of strategic and financial planning. Widen returned to Madison in 2022 and enjoys an active retirement, which includes season tickets for the Wisconsin Badgers football team. He also enjoys spending winters in Naples, Florida, and skiing in Colorado.
Carole Katz (MS ’79)
Katz spent 22 years in various subsidiaries and spinoffs of AT&T, holding the role of director of global market intelligence before retiring in 2000. Katz also started The World Is Our Classroom during her teaching career, an initiative that’s escorted more than 125 students overseas. She’s now fully retired in North Carolina, where she continues making travel plans and just loving life.
Connie Oak Patton (BBA ’79)
Oak Patton says that WSB prepared her to work for clients in Fortune 1000 companies, Big Eight accounting/consulting firms, national practice groups, and various entrepreneurial endeavors. Thanks to her WSB education, she was conversant in any business specialty that confronted her in various decision-making capacities. She says that WSB offered a rigorous curriculum and a glass-ceiling-breaking adventure!
David Sereno (BBA ’79, BS ’84)
Sereno returned to UW–Madison to pursue a technical degree in mechanical engineering after earning his undergraduate business degree and spending 18 months at Snap-on Tools in Kenosha, Wisconsin—his hometown. He says he received a solid education at WSB and that his business degree gave him credibility when it came to cost estimating big projects.
1980-1989
Brian Hale (BBA ’81, MBA ’87)
Hale says that a WSB class led by the late Alan Filley led to his career as a product manager with Target, Limited Brands, and Macy’s.
John Cato (BBA ’83)
Cato took extensive sabbaticals to Australia and Europe after he left Madison. He also volunteered with his youngest son to build a home for an impoverished family in Mexico. During his career journey, Cato worked in sales at Maytag in Texas, pursued an acting career in Los Angeles, and now hosts his own show on YouTube called That’s Classic!, where he interviews TV celebrities from previous decades.
Juan Marcos (MS ’84)
Marcos had a successful career as a human resources professional, retiring as chief people officer and senior VP of HR from the iconic McDonald’s Corp. He considered his 25 years at McDonald’s to be an incredible blessing and privilege. However, Marcos says his greatest professional privilege was being asked to author The Last Corpsman, a book about a World War II veteran and prisoner of war in the Pacific.
Karl Kramer (BBA ’85)
Kramer embarked on a formation journey for Spiral Arts, a nonprofit organization in Riosucio, Colombia. Alongside artist Carlos Delgado, Kramer created Spiral Arts for cultural repatriation of the indigenous Colombian people in this rural area. The organization offers free workshops and helps discover numerous prodigious artists who build economic certainty for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Steve Hasbrook (BBA ’86)
Hasbrook has completed his second year as a philanthropic advisor for the Wisconsin School of Business and has been president of the Porcupine Foundation for the past 24 years, where he’s honoring Shane Hasbrook’s memory. He also launched the LinkedIn newsletter ReInventYou. Hasbrook celebrated his 35th wedding anniversary with fellow Badger Kristin Hasbrook (BS ’88) and is happy to say that all his children are proud Badgers as well!
David Balistreri (BBA ’88)
Balistreri can’t believe he’s approaching 37 years since he graduated from WSB. He remembers scheduling interviews at Commerce Hall like it was yesterday. Balistreri thinks it’s funny that he ended up working in recruiting, something he never thought about when he was in school. He’s owned his own agency, Select Technical Staffing, for 28 years, and is already starting his semi-retirement. His oldest son has been involved in the business for five years now. He says: Time goes fast—enjoy the journey!
1990-1999
Charles Liedtke (MBA ’90, PhD ’97)
Liedtke says that this quote has stayed with him since he graduated from WSB: “Whatever may be the limitations which trammel inquiry elsewhere, we believe that the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.” This quote was first stated in a report by the Board of Regents on September 18, 1894.
Beverly Semmann (BBA ’91)
Semmann is excited to celebrate Rowe Pottery’s 50th year of manufacturing and selling handcrafted pottery in Wisconsin. The business’ owner since 2013, Semmann says that it’s amazing to see the brand grow and thrive after years of struggling financially. Collaborating with brands like Jenni Kayne, Revelry, Modern Prairie, and Room & Board, Rowe Pottery is recognized as an American tradition of handcrafted quality that withstands the test of time.
John Benstead (BBA ’92)
Benstead became a principal of Asset Allocation & Management Company, LLC, an investment management firm for insurance companies, in April 2024.
Dana R. Hermanson (PhD ’93)
Hermanson is Dinos Eminent Scholar Chair of Private Enterprise and a professor of accounting at Kennesaw State University. He was named a 2025 American Accounting Association (AAA) Presidential Scholar and delivered a lecture at the AAA annual meeting in August 2025 titled, “Expanding Our Insights, Audiences, and Impact.” Hermanson has over 500 publications, which include over 70 letters to the editor in The Wall Street Journal.
Brigitte Jagemann (BBA ’93)
Jagemann played on the women’s golf team at UW–Madison and was an Academic All-Big Ten honoree. Jagemann also joined LPGA Amateurs in Madison a few years ago after moving back to Wisconsin. She says that volunteering for events and on the organization’s board has been a rewarding and fun way to meet new people, while also helping others. She has worked for Chase for over 16 years.
Mark Wasserman (MBA ’93)
Wasserman started AJW Phoenix Advisory LLC, a consulting firm focused on interim/fractional CFO roles, litigation consulting/forensic accounting, valuation, and other projects requiring CPA expertise.
Renee Brantner Shanesy (MBA ’98)
Brantner Shanesy says that her proudest career moment so far has been opening the doors to the Midwest’s first luxury dog resort, Ruffin’ It, which includes services for high-end dog day care, hoteling, retail, and training. Brantner Shanesy was a pioneer in the pet resort industry when the ground was broken in 2005 for her business. She says she was often laughed out of most banks when seeking financing, and that part of the challenge was educating the consumer and marketing the concept. The resort was featured in The New York Times and CNN, and exemplifies its tagline: Where dogs’ dreams come true.
Janet Dell (BBA ’98)
Dell says that the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the Wisconsin School of Business created career opportunities and introduced her to a powerful network of alumni. Her first job was the result of a friend and classmate, Emmett McCann (BBA ’97). Since then, she’s gained experience in three industries and taken advantage of countless professional development opportunities. She says there’s no better icebreaker in the world than mentioning her alma mater. On, Wisconsin!
Eugenio Caldentey (MBA ’99)
Caldentey has led logistics consulting projects across Latin America since graduating from WSB and recently launched a platform that combined supply chain insights with data science. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in machine learning and data science at the University of Arizona. One of his proudest moments was a road trip through Patagonia with his kids, which was full of glaciers, gravel, and lifelong memories. He’s proud to be part of WSB’s 125-year legacy and looks forward to many more years to come!
Chad Sorenson (BS ’99, MS ’01, MBA ’02)
Sorenson has started three companies since graduating from WSB. His current company, SunPeak, implements solar systems for businesses. He also started and sold two companies in the consumer and agricultural industries: Sologear and Fluent Systems. Sorenson remains active with the UW–Madison community by serving on the Wisconsin Applied Ventures in Entrepreneurship board. He and his wife, Tanya—who owns and runs the Madison restaurant RED—live in Pleasant Springs, Wisconsin, with their 2-year-old son, Denver.
2000-2009
Quraish Baldiwala (MBA, MS ’02)
Baldiwala says the skills he learned from his WSB education have helped craft his career working in health care and delivering products to those who most need them around the world. Some of his accomplishments include establishing an in-country supply chain that won the Shingo Prize; developing a ground-up, end-to-end supply chain for a startup; leading employee affinity networks that contribute to the communities that they live and work in; and leading the development of 100% recyclable packaging to help rural communities in South Asia.
Katie McCarty (BBA ’06, MAcc ’07)
McCarty is the executive director of the Cornerstone Foundation of Northeast Wisconsin Inc. and administrator of K.C. Stock Foundation Inc., where she oversees $60 million in assets. She manages operations, investment stewardship, and charitable giving. With diverse experience in public accounting, treasury, and business ownership, she excels in financial strategy and leadership. She says that UW–Madison shaped her career, providing the skills and network to succeed. Go Badgers!
Ed Paradowski (MBA ’06)
Paradowski says that his experience in WSB’s executive MBA program was life changing, noting that the career success he’s achieved is a direct result of the program. He says that lifetime friendships were made from his two years at UW–Madison, and that the international studies trip to China was a tremendous experience for the entire Class of 2006!
Jennifer Knox (BBA ’07)
Knox made a cross-country move to Denver, where she met the love of her life, after living in Washington, D.C., for 15 years. In 2025, they got married and traveled to Japan to ski and snowboard. Knox has been the national director of organizing and tech innovation for the Working Families Party for five years. She is looking forward to organizing a movement that puts governing power in the hands of working people across the U.S.
2010-2025
Seth Wooll (BBA ’10, MAcc ’11)
Wooll is now the client solutions director of Brillect, a Midwest-based consulting and advisory firm. In this role, Wooll leverages his extensive finance and accounting experience—along with a collaborative, strategic approach—to help clients navigate complex challenges and drive practical, results-driven outcomes.
Andrew “Drew” Maxfield (MBA ’12)
Maxfield has lived at the intersection of arts and business since studying at WSB’s Bolz Center. As a composer, his work has been commissioned and performed by groups ranging from the Utah Symphony to The Gesualdo Six. He returned to Madison in September 2025 to lecture for the Bolz Center’s arts entrepreneurship seminars and to see the Madison Symphony Orchestra perform his music.
Ping Ren (MS ’12)
Ren says that the Wisconsin School of Business has some of the best professors and lecturers, and that they are invested in both educational quality and the career development of students. Ren says that his graduate program equipped him with the academic knowledge and practical skills for industry jobs through coursework and networking with professors, lecturers, and classmates. Additionally, he says that WSB’s alumni connections also helped him during his search for an internship.
Abbe Klein (BBA ’13)
Klein says that her marketing degree from WSB gave her the confidence to build her own brand and create a hand-poured candle company, Black Pearl Candles. She makes them out of her home with 100% organic soy wax and nontoxic fragrance oil, so they’re free of carcinogens and endocrine disruptors. She says that being a business owner is the most fun, challenging, and rewarding career she could imagine.
Cassie Warton (BBA ’19)
Warton says that one of her favorite ways to stay connected to WSB is through the Grainger Center for Supply Chain Management Alumni Advisory Board. Warton—who recently started a new position as consumer offer manager at bp pulse—says that the experience has been incredibly rewarding and has allowed her to connect with both undergraduate and graduate students, provide guidance, and offer recruiting opportunities. She is grateful to the faculty for making this board possible and to the students for always making the experience worthwhile!
Correction: In the Spring/Summer 2025 issue of Update, David W. Grainger’s name was incorrectly printed as David W. Grainger III.