News & Stories
In other news: August 2023
More insights and highlights from the UNC Kenan-Flagler community
Thought leaders
- A study led by Gerald Cohen, chief economist with the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise, ranks the greater Research Triangle region’s economy as the third fastest-growing in the U.S.
- Adam Brown (MBA ’13), founder of ABIG Health and professor of the practice of organizational behavior, outlines how artificial intelligence technology might help with professional burnout but won’t fully replace doctors.
- Finance Professor Ric Colacito is among 14 professionals working to combat climate change in unique ways that are profiled in the new book “Climate Warriors: Fourteen Scientists and Fourteen Ways We Can Save Our Planet” by Laura Gehl. The book, geared toward ages 9-14, showcases Colacito as a world leader in the study of how climate change affects the economy.
Nicole Outlaw
Presidential honor
Nicole Outlaw, senior program manager of NCGrowth, a national economic development center at the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise, was selected as a member of the inaugural cohort of the Obama Foundation Leaders USA, a six-month leadership development program.
Outlaw manages NCGrowth’s technical assistance program in eastern North Carolina and is executive director of the emerging nonprofit Pride of Bertie, which aims to support projects for citizens of Bertie County.
Standout students and alumni
Taylor Vaughn (MBA ’19)
- Marissa Parrish (MBA ’04) was promoted to executive vice president of Bank of Oak Ridge. She has been with the bank since 2011, most recently as chief people and marketing officer.
- Taylor Vaughn (MBA ’19) was named one of Triangle Business Journal’s 40 under 40 for 2023. He is a market president with United Bank.
- Pamela Watkins-West (MBA ’07) is on Multifamily Executive’s list of 10 Women to Watch in the multifamily industry.
- Kep Sweeney (MBA ’96) is the new CEO of PDQ restaurants. He co-founded PDQ in 2020 and has served as its president for first three years. The chain has 62 locations in five states, including North Carolina.
- Cam Patterson (MBA ’06) was named one of the top physician leaders in the U.S. by Becker’s Hospital Review. He is the chancellor of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and CEO of UAMS Health.
- Brian S. Bucher (MBA ’08) was appointed CFO of Bluewater Technologies Group Inc., a leader in the workplace and event technologies field. He most recently served as CFO of Centria Healthcare.
- Alona Gornick (BSBA ’03) discussed private-credit investing trends as a guest on VettaFi’s “Gaining Perspectives” podcast. Gornick is a managing director, senior investment strategist and co-head of the Chicago office of Churchill Asset Management.
Spotted on social
2023 EY Entrepreneur of the Year nominees Nick Black and Jeremy Berman of GoodUnited.
After co-founders of nonprofit GoodUnited Jeremy Berman (MBA ’13) and Nick Black (MBA ’13) were named finalists for Ernst &Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Berman took to LinkedIn to reflect on the good news (and share past bad advice):
“‘Don’t quit to start a company,'” they said. ‘You have a comfortable job at IBM.’
“We took the risk anyway.”
Save the date
Family Business Forum
- The Family Enterprise Center will host its 10th annual Family Business Forum Oct. 26-27 at the Rizzo Center. This year’s theme is “Pathways to Thriving Family Enterprises” and is geared toward family businesses at every stage of growth. The special guest speaker is Peter Begalla, a multi-generational family enterprises consultant and the conference chairman for Family Business and Directors & Boards magazines. Registration is limited.
- The 2023 UNC Tax Summit, a continuing education event for accountants and lawyers hosted by the UNC Tax Center, is scheduled for Nov. 3 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Friday Conference Center. This year’s keynote speaker is Danny Werfel (JD ’97), commissioner of the Internal Review Service.