Judges Biographical Information DAVID AJEMIAN Managing Director, Citi Private Bank David Ajemian is currently a Managing Director with Citi Private Bank where he heads the Beverly Hills Private Bank office. He and his team tailor comprehensive wealth management strategies and solutions for ultra-high net worth individuals and families. Prior to his appointment at Citi, Mr. Ajemian worked at Bank of America’s Private Bank as a Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager and was a Principal Consultant with the Investment Management and Securities Consulting practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP. Mr. Ajemian received his B.S. in Accounting from California State University, Los Angeles, his M.B.A. in Finance and investments from USC and his J.D. from Southwestern University School of Law. He is FINRA Series 7, 63, and 65 licensed, and also served as a mentor in the USC Marshall School’s Career Advantage Program. David currently serves on the USC Marshall School of Business Undergraduate Advisory Board. DARYA ALLEN-ATTAR Financial Advisor, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Darya Allen-Attar focuses on Strategic Wealth Management for high-net worth families, nonprofits, foundations and endowments. Her investment process draws upon her knowledge of asset allocation, investment management, and income and estate tax issues and structures. As a Financial Advisor to family wealth and/or foundation and endowment clients, Ms. Allen-Attar brings a wealth of knowledge of the investment markets, 22 years of experience in financial services, and draws on the significant institutional and consulting resources of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney (MSSB). She has been a Financial Advisor at MSSB for 15 years. After earning her CPA at KPMG Peat Marwick’s – Nonprofit practice group, she joined Morgan Stanley in New York and later worked for MSSB in Chicago and Los Angeles. Ms. AllenAttar earned her B.A. from Kalamazoo College, a Certificate in Accounting from Northwestern University, and her M.B.A. in Finance from Fordham University. ROGER BERDOULAY Consultant, Berdoulay Consultants Roger Berdoulay is currently an advisor to enterprises focused on strategic approaches to Supply Chain and Procurement Management. This includes strategy development, organizational structure/talent assessment, risk management, market/economic analyses, negotiation, value analysis, and performance tracking. He previously worked at Nestlé USA, Inc. as the Head of Purchasing, Vice President, and Chief Procurement Officer. He has also worked at Pepsi Cola Bottling Group (PepsiCo) as the Vice President of Purchasing, Director of Financial Services and the Director of Venture Planning. His expertise includes advising commercial organizations on sourcing materials and services to improve quality, competitiveness, and profitability. He is active in volunteering his consulting services to nonprofits focused on individual development and maintaining networks of industry professionals. He received his B.S. from Rider University and his M.B.A from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Judges Biographical Information GASTON BERNSTEIN JESSICA COPENHAVER Vice President, Industry Relations, Coram, LLC Vice President, Citi Private Bank Gaston Bernstein is a 25-year pharmaceutical industry veteran. Over the last 10 years he has specialized in Specialty Pharmacy and Infusion Therapies. He has worked with payors since 1989 and joined the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy in 1990. Mr. Bernstein joined Coram Healthcare in July 2006, as Vice President of Managed Care. He was promoted to Vice President and General Manager of CoramRx Specialty Pharmacy, a leading national specialty pharmacy organization and to Corporate Vice President, Industry Relations representing both Coram Specialty Infusion and CoramRx Specialty Pharmacy with pharmaceutical manufacturers. Prior to Coram, Mr. Bernstein joined ivpcare, inc., as National Director of Managed Care, to develop and lead the Managed Care division. He was also the Western Regional Director for Priority Healthcare, Inc. Before Priority Healthcare, Mr. Bernstein held various Account Management and Sales Management positions with Pharmaceutical Manufacturers, including Sanofi-Aventis and Schering-Plough. He holds a B.S. in molecular biology and biochemistry from the University of California, Irvine and an M.B.A. from USC Marshall. Jessica Copenhaver is a Vice President at Citi Private Bank. She acts as a trusted advisor to ultra-high net worth clients in developing and coordinating customized wealth management strategies ranging from investment management, banking and cash management to estate planning and customized credit. Ms. Copenhaver holds Series 7, 63 and 66 licenses. She joined the Private Bank from Citi’s Investment Banking Division in New York where she was most recently a Vice President covering North American Power companies and private equity owners of infrastructure assets. As an investment banker, she advised financial sponsors on numerous M&A transactions including the sale of minority stakes in portfolio companies and the sale of portfolios of contracted generation and transmission assets. She also advised clients on a full range of capital markets transactions including equity (IPOs, private placements, continuous offering programs and follow-on offerings) and debt offerings (high grade, leveraged finance and liability management). Prior to investment banking, Ms. Copenhaver worked as a paralegal in securities litigation at LeClair Ryan and at the White House as a staff assistant to the Social Secretary. She has a M.B.A. with a concentration in finance from The McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University and a B.B.A. in Economics and Public Policy from The George Washington University. Judges Biographical Information DESMOND DALY Certified Financial Planner, Shuster Financial Group at AXA Advisors, LLC Desmond Daly is a Certified Financial Planner professional with Shuster Financial Group at AXA Advisors, part of the Global AXA Group. Prior to joining AXA in 2001, he worked in consumer goods sales for eight years as an independent contractor managing more than $5 million in sales for 15 manufacturers. In 1993, he was the Western Regional Sales Manager for a frozen food manufacturer where he was responsible for $17 million in sales to club retailers. From 1988 to 1992, he was a buyer and category manager at Ralphs Grocery Co. He started at Ralphs supermarket chain in store staff positions in 1980 after emigrating from Ireland. Mr. Daly received his B.S. in marketing from USC and his M.B.A. in finance from California State University, Fullerton. He completed the required courses for the CFP designation at the University of California, Irvine. MICHAEL DeSTEFANO Management Consultant, Wolfhagen, LLC Michael DeStefano is currently the president of Wolfhagen, LLC, a management consulting company. He has over 20 years of professional experience working with Fortune 500/Global 100 companies, primarily in the entertainment and media industry. Mr. DeStefano specializes in large-scale program and project management, corporate and operations strategy, organizational design, change management and communications, Six Sigma/LEAN process improvement, performance management, data warehousing and business intelligence analytics, and IT systems integration. Prior to founding Wolfhagen LLC, he was a consultant with IBM Business Consulting Services, PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting, and Price Waterhouse LLP. Mr. DeStefano holds an M.B.A. from Pepperdine University and a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. MARY EK Finance Director, C-17 Globemaster III Integrated Sustainment Program, The Boeing Company Mary Ek is currently the Finance Director for the C-17 Globemaster III Integrated Sustainment Program (GISP). Primarily located in Huntington Beach, the staff includes all finance disciplines responsible for managing the program that is executed in 9 States and 11 International locations. The GISP program is responsible to the US Air Force and International customers for all maintenance, modifications and upgrades for the 247 C-17 Globemasters in operation. Ms. Ek has held a variety of Finance positions at The Boeing Company in both California and Texas. She received her B.S. from California State University, Long Beach and an M.B.A. from the University of California, Irvine. Judges Biographical Information SUNEEL GARG Financial Advisor, Northwestern Mutual Suneel Garg is a Financial Advisor with Northwestern Mutual. He works in the small business and personal planning markets and has an expertise in tax planning strategies for both. He develops lifelong relationships with his clients focused on investments, both retirement and non-retirement, as well as insurance and tax strategies based on goal planning and strategy. Prior to this role, Mr. Garg was the Vice President/COO at ChemTrans, a hazardous materials transportation company, where he was responsible for the daily operations as well as the growth and strategic plan for the company. He also worked at Ernst & Young. He received his B.S. in accounting from USC and his M.B.A. from the Darden School at the University of Virginia. THOMAS HAMILTON Executive Vice President, Mortgage Management Consultants, Inc. Thomas Hamilton is Executive Vice President at Mortgage Management Consultants, Inc., a full-service mortgage banking company. Prior to this role, he was President and Co-founder of Flagship Mortgage Company, a residential mortgage brokerage firm, for more than 15 years. Earlier in his career Mr. Hamilton spent 18 years at GMAC Mortgage in various positions including Vice President and Corporate Broker for California. Mr. Hamilton has helped thousands of homeowners with the financing of their residential properties and trained hundreds of mortgage loan originators to treat their customers as they would be treated if they were the customer. He has a California real estate broker license and Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System endorsements for CA, AZ, and TX as well as California fire, casualty and life insurance licenses. Mr. Hamilton has been a longtime supporter of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. For the last 12 years, he has mentored undergraduate students in the USC Marshall School of Business Career Advantage Program. 2013 will be the seventh year Mr. Hamilton has been a judge in the Marshall International Case Competition. He graduated from the USC Marshall School of Business in 1975. PAUL HIGDAY Operating Vice President, Marketing, Owens & Minor, Inc. Paul Higday serves Owens & Minor, as Operating Vice President, Marketing – a role he assumed in 2012, where he is responsible for the development and implementation of Owens & Minor’s industry leading supply chain programs. Prior to taking on this new role, Mr. Higday served as Vice President, Strategic Planning and Development for five years. During his time at Owens & Minor he also served as Vice President, Information Technology and Chief Architect & Director, External Systems. Mr. Higday, who joined Owens & Minor in 1997, was responsible for systems architecture, technology integration and implementation of provider and supplier-facing systems. He was also instrumental in developing Owens & Minor’s e-commerce systems, including the company’s extranet and intranet sites, and the company’s EDI systems. Before joining Owens & Minor, he was an information technology consultant, including working for Ernst & Young, LLP. Mr. Higday earned both a B.S.E. in Management from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a B.S.E. in Computer Science from the Moore School of Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania. Judges Biographical Information ERNIE HOFFMAN MIKE LOUIE President, Raiseline Ventures Senior Manager, Specialized Services, Hitachi Consulting Ernie Hoffman is currently the President of Raiseline Ventures, LLC. Raiseline is a private investor incubator and consultancy focusing on the media and entertainment industry. He has over 15 years of finance, business development and management consulting experience for entertainment and consumer product companies. His areas of expertise include process improvement, organizational design, change management, and business intelligence analytics. Prior to founding Raiseline, Mr. Hoffman worked as a Sr. Director of Finance and Business Development at EMI Music Marketing and as a Principal Consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting/IBM Business Consulting Services. He was also a Senior Accountant at Price Waterhouse, LLP and is a CPA licensed in California. He received his B.S. with an emphasis in entrepreneurship and a M.Acc. with an emphasis in public accounting from USC. LINDSEY LEVINE Michael Louie is currently a Senior Manager at Hitachi Consulting where he is the primary Aerospace and Defense Industry Subject Matter Expert in the Pacific Southwest Region. He also provides support to Hitachi Consulting’s Workforce Transformation solutions at the national level. He and his teams tailor functional and technology solutions to meet Aerospace and Defense industry needs across corporate strategy, business intelligence/performance management, program capture, and workforce transformation. Prior to joining Hitachi Consulting, Mr. Louie was a manager at The Boeing Company supporting Missile Defense and a Senior Software Engineer at Lockheed Martin supporting the Atlas/Centaur launch vehicle. He received his B.S. in aerospace engineering from UCLA, his M.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Colorado at Denver, and his M.B.A. from USC. District Manager, Altria MICHAEL LUMUNSAD Lindsey Levine is currently a District Manager at Altria Group Distribution Company where he is responsible for the sales of Philip Morris products in the Los Angeles market. He and his team of 30 are responsible for the execution of both promotional and merchandising programs in over 3,000 retail stores in Los Angeles. Mr. Levine has been with Altria for 20 years, where he has held numerous positions in the sales department. Prior to Altria, Mr. Levine was the Sales Manager at Empress Foods, a small health food manufacturer in the Los Angeles area. He is a frequent guest speaker at the USC Marshall School of Business. He received his B.A. at the University of Rhode Island. As Manager of Market Insights and Strategy at Advanced Bionics, Michael Lumunsad is tasked with providing the actionable market intelligence and strategic insights for his company’s brand, product, and marketing communications strategies. He interfaces with product management to determine the direction for next generation new core products and accessories. Prior to his role at Advanced Bionics, Mr. Lumunsad worked in the advanced product development and planning groups at Honda Research and Development and Nissan North America. He graduated magna cum laude from the USC Marshall School of Business with his B.S. degree in 2002. Manager, Advanced Bionics Judges Biographical Information JULIE MaCMEDAN Vice President, Investor Relations, Demand Media, Inc. Julie MacMedan is a senior executive with more than 20 years of experience in strategic financial and communications roles. Ms. MacMedan joined leading digital media company Demand Media in May 2011 after nearly nine years at interactive entertainment company, THQ Inc., where she was Vice President of investor relations and corporate communications. Prior to joining THQ, she was a Vice President with PondelWilkinson Inc., a Los Angeles based corporate and investor relations consulting firm. Ms. MacMedan joined PondelWilkinson after a multi-year career with NASDAQ OMX, where she served as a director of market services, counseling public companies regarding the strategy and practice of investor relations. She is currently President of the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Investor Relations Institute and was nominated for “Best Investor Relations Officer – Small Cap” by the 2011 IR Magazine Awards. Ms. MacMedan earned an M.B.A. from George Mason University and a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Richmond, where she graduated magna cum laude. JAMIE MARCH Worldwide Director of Health Economics, Outcomes Research and Policy, Biosense Webster, Inc. Jamie March serves as Worldwide Director of Health Economics, Outcomes Research and Policy for Biosense Webster, a Johnson & Johnson medical device company that is the industry leader in the technology used to diagnosis and treatment cardiac arrhythmias. She has over 25 years of experience in the medical device industry serving as director of U.S. marketing for Biosense Webster prior to her current assignment with the company and in market development and product management positions at St. Jude Medical and Karl Storz Endoscopy. Ms. March began her career in the device industry in research and development at Baxter Healthcare and is the inventor of one U.S. patent. She has also co-authored several publications on the economic burden of atrial fibrillation. She holds an M.B.A. from the University of LaVerne and a B.S. in biology and chemistry from the State University of New York at Geneseo. MARK MYERS Consultant, Myers Enterprises International Mark Myers is currently a consultant and tutor advising students and professionals on issues of corporate strategy, intellectual property monetization and process optimization in the areas of accounting, finance and IT for domestic and international operations. Mr. Myers has worked in a variety of industries, including aerospace manufacturing, construction and engineering, entertainment, film distribution, theme park construction, food manufacturing, hospitality, elder and hospice care, Internet marketing and metrics, museum-related products and services, operations and maintenance, petroleum engineering, retail construction, royalties, participations, licensing, storyboard/concept art and timeshares. He received his B.S. in International Finance from USC and his M.B.A. in International Business from California State University, Northridge. Judges Biographical Information RICHIE OLSON Senior Financial Analyst, Walt Disney Imagineering Richie Olson is a senior financial analyst for Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI), the branch of The Walt Disney Company that dreams up, designs and builds all theme parks, attractions, cruise ships and other immersive entertainment experiences at Disney destinations around the globe. He is responsible for financial advisory to various divisions and projects within WDI, including developing annual operating plans, forecasts and project cash flows, with particular support to the Creative Entertainment, Project Management, Construction Management and Pre-Development teams. Mr. Olson began his Disney career in 2007 as a financial analyst in the Food, Health & Beauty division of Disney Consumer Products. Since moving to WDI in 2008, he has supported the financial aspects of the expansion of Disney California Adventure Park, the expansion of Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park, Shanghai Disney Resort and several other large-scale capital projects. He holds a B.S. degree in business administration with a concentration in finance from the USC Marshall School. RAMON REYNOSO Senior Manager, Ernst & Young Ramon Reynoso is a Senior Manager with the Climate Change and Sustainability Services practice at Ernst & Young. Mr. Reynoso specializes in identifying and capturing energy-efficiency and renewable-energy incentives for his clients. In addition, his practice also focuses on green strategies such as the certification of real estate under sustainable standards, as well as offering a turn-key solution for renewable energy projects. Prior to his current position, Mr. Reynoso worked at KPMG, LLP where he focused on green and energy incentives under the Global Location and Expansion Services practice. After obtaining his B.A. at USC, Mr. Reynoso spent 15 years in the insurance industry with Prudential Financial where he rose through the ranks to become managing director of one of the top sales offices in his company. Subsequent to obtaining his M.B.A., also at USC, he worked at Gartner, Inc. as an IT strategy consultant in the state and local government practice. EDWARD RHODES Manager, Deloitte Consulting Edward Rhodes is a third year Manager in Deloitte Consulting’s Strategy practice focused on Customer, Digital, and Competitive Strategy. Mr. Rhodes rejoined Deloitte as a Senior Consultant within Deloitte’s Strategy and Operations group in September 2008 after completing his M.B.A. While in school, Mr. Rhodes worked in the Internet and Media/ Entertainment industries. Previously, he spent three and a half years working in Deloitte’s Technology Integration practice on IT Strategy and Analysis projects. He graduated with an M.B.A. from UCLA Anderson in 2008 and with a B.S. in Business Administration (Information Systems Concentration) from USC in 2002. Judges Biographical Information GLENN ROSTEN General Partner, Centinela Associates Glenn Rosten currently owns and manages a portfolio of small office/ commercial and industrial buildings. During his professional career, Mr. Rosten worked in a number of different industries, including publishing, consumer goods manufacturing and distribution. He also owned a small chain of photography studios. Currently, he serves on the boards of various charitable and government organizations and does volunteer work teaching underprivileged children about careers and business. He received his B.S. in Business Administration from USC and his M.B.A. from the University of Arizona. ELLIOT SAINER Founder and CEO (retired), Aspen Education Group A leader in the behavioral and education fields for over 30 years, Elliot Sainer, as the CEO and Founder of Aspen Education Group, grew the company from its inception into the nation’s leading and largest therapeutic education company. He was recognized in 2007 as the Entrepreneur of the Year for the Los Angeles area for consumer services, and was one of four finalists for the National Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2007. Prior to starting Aspen, Mr. Sainer was a health care executive for the country’s largest psychiatric hospital company. Since selling the private equitybacked (Warburg Pincus and Frazier Healthcare) company and semi-retiring in 2007, he currently serves on the Board of Directors of five other private companies in the health care and education fields, and he continues to make investments in growth-oriented private companies. He is also a board member of the National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems, Chairman of the Board of the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Los Angeles and founding Board member of the new USC Hybrid HS, a charter high school sponsored by USC. Mr. Sainer also continues to mentor students at the USC Marshall School of Business. He received his M.B.A. from George Washington University and his B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh. CRAIG SMITH President and Chief Executive Officer, Owens & Minor, Inc. Craig Smith is President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Owens & Minor. Mr. Smith was named CEO in July 2005, after serving as President and Chief Operating Officer since 1999. He was also named to the Owens & Minor board of directors in 2005. He joined Owens & Minor in 1989 as the Los Angeles Division Vice President, and later served in a variety of roles including: Group Vice President, Western Region; Senior Vice President, Distribution and Information Systems; Executive Vice President, Distribution and Information Systems. He was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in 1995. Prior to joining Owens & Minor, Mr. Smith was the Operations Manager for National Healthcare’s Los Angeles division. Before that, he served in a variety of sales and operations positions with Bergen Medical Supply. Mr. Smith is active in his industry and community as a volunteer. He serves on many boards including the University of Richmond’s Robins School of Business Executive Advisory Council, the USC Marshall School Board of Leaders, the CrossOver Ministry of Richmond, VA, and he served as the Chairman of the successful 2009 Central Virginia United Way Campaign. A native of California, he received his B.S. in History from USC. He also completed the executive program at the Darden School of Business Administration at the University of Virginia. Judges Biographical Information WALTER UNGER CHRISTOPHER WAGNER Principal, Unger & Associates: A Healthcare Advisory Group Chief of Appeals, Internal Revenue Service Walter Unger is a veteran consultant to healthcare providers, manufacturers, law firms, and others in the areas of finance, insurance, reimbursement, marketing, strategic planning, litigation support and expert witness services. He specializes in cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and oncology services as well as clinical laboratory services, integrated delivery systems, managed-care organizations, Medicare prepaid health plans, and Medicare payment policies. Prior to launching his consulting practice in 1985, he spent more than a decade in Washington, D.C. serving the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA). He graduated from USC in 1969 with an M.B.A. and in 1967 with a Bachelor’s Degree cum laude in finance. He has devoted his entire professional career to the healthcare field. GREG VECELLIO West Area Controller, Aggreko Greg Vecellio is currently West Area Controller for Aggreko where he oversees accounting, budgeting, forecasting and management reporting for the western United States. Prior to joining Aggreko, Mr. Vecellio was Director of Financial Planning and Analysis for a division of SunGard. He received his B.S. from California State University and his M.B.A. from USC Marshall. Christopher Wagner serves as Chief of Appeals for the Internal Revenue Service. In this position, he is responsible for overseeing the operations of the administrative forum for taxpayers contesting an IRS compliance action. Mr. Wagner began his IRS career as a revenue agent in 1977 while he was a co-op student at the Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. Prior to entry into the Executive Development Program, he served in numerous managerial positions with responsibility for both collection and examination programs. Mr. Wagner has had a diverse executive career in the Internal Revenue Service. His first executive assignment was as Director, Centralized Workload Section, where he was responsible for selection and delivery of examination and collection cases to IRS campuses and field offices. Mr. Wagner also served as Deputy National Taxpayer Advocate for the Taxpayer Advocate Service, where he managed operations and directed employees who advocated for taxpayers by helping them resolve problems and recommending changes to prevent problems. Following this assignment, he served as the Deputy Commissioner for the Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division. Next, Mr. Wagner worked as the Deputy Commissioner for Small Business/Self-Employed (SB/SE). In August 2008, he was selected as the Commissioner of SB/SE where he was responsible for the service and enforcement programs for taxpayers who file personal, corporate, employment, excises and estate and gift tax returns as well as other service wide programs. Judges Biographical Information JAMES WETRICH President and General Manager, Molnlycke Health Care James Wetrich has been involved in health care for the past thirty years. While at USC he was one of the University’s first Health Advocates, highly trained peer counselors who provided unique health counseling services to students. USC awarded Mr. Wetrich with an Outstanding Senior Recognition award upon his graduation. After serving at a variety hospitals and health care service providers, Mr. Wetrich formed The Wetrich Group to offer comprehensive sales and marketing advisory services to clients. The Wetrich Group has worked with both suppliers and providers on a number of projects including marketing, sales, and operational improvements. He joined Molnlycke Health Care in June of 2006 as President of the U.S. and Latin America wound care businesses and General Manager of the US operations. In June of 2011, he became President and General Manager of the Americas responsible for all operations, both wound care and surgical products, in the U.S. and Latin America. He earned his B.S. in Biological Sciences at USC, then went onto Tulane University where he earned a Master of Health Administration. He also holds his M.B.A. from the Goizueta School of Business at Emory University.