Class of 2006/07
The College of Business honored the first inductees into its Alumni Hall of Fame in 2002. Each year the College will name a small number of alumni to the Hall of Fame from nominations submitted by alumni, friends, faculty, and staff. Alumni are recognized for significant career accomplishment and outstanding service to others. A committee of faculty and staff assembled by the dean chooses the honorees from those nominated. The inductees are honored on a permanent plaque in the College of Business.
The College of Business honored its fifth class of Alumni Hall of Fame recipients during the 2006 Homecoming Weekend.
Inductees
Paul Flessner '81
As Senior Vice President of the Data and Storage Platform Division at Microsoft Corp., Paul Flessner '81 leads an integrated product team that delivers application platform products as part of the Microsoft Server and Tools division. His product responsibilities include SQL Server, Microsoft's solution for Enterprise data management and analysis, the Windows File System and File Server business, as well as Windows High Availability technologies.
Paul's passion for addressing the challenges of Microsoft's business and enterprise customers and helping customers achieve greater business agility has been key in evolving Microsoft server software and establishing it as the leading platform for cost-effective delivery of business value in the enterprise.
Flessner joined Microsoft in 1994 as a program manager for enterprise computing. Later promoted to general manager and eventually vice president for SQL Server, Flessner was instrumental in driving Microsoft's breakthroughs in performance, scalability and reliability for the enterprise database market. Flessner has most recently lead the SQL Server 2005 development effort, and focused on delivering Microsoft's Data Platform vision – spanning devices, workgroups, and servers all the way up to the most mission-critical enterprise environments.
After earning his degree in business administration and computer sciences at ISU, Paul spent 13 years developing and managing IT systems for a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of healthcare products. Paul serves on the board of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and lives in Sammamish, WA, with his wife, Sue (Zimmerman), who earned her marketing degree from ISU in 1981. They are parents of two sons, Andy and Jonathan.
Richard Gillette '84
Richard Gillette began his business career within Andersen Consulting, where he delivered bottom-line results and improved operations for numerous Fortune 500 clients in the retail and consumer packaged goods industries. Throughout his 17 years with the firm, Rich dedicated himself to his clients & the teams serving them, becoming an equity partner in 1999. Andersen Consulting successfully IPO'd, as Accenture, in 2001. Rich utilized this opportunity to retire from the Firm and pursue entrepreneurial interests in real estate development and portfolio management.
While running Gillette Investments, Rich became very active on two community boards, Immaculate Conception Grade School and Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Foundation. At ICGS, Rich oversaw the redevelopment plan for the grade school, which was completed this past year. As a member of the Elmhurst Hospital Foundation, Rich led a strategic plan for the foundation, which supports the growth of a new community hospital.
In 2004, a fellow retired partner contacted Rich about a new business opportunity focused on the healthcare industry. Rich joined Accretive Health as an operating vice president and currently assists one of the nation's largest non-profit hospital organizations.
Rich is married to Denise (Keane), '84 B.S. and has two daughters, Deirdre and Maeve. He is an avid golfer and member of the Glen Oak Country Club.
Jack Hartung '79
Jack Hartung joined Chipotle in 2002 after spending 18 years at McDonald's where he held a variety of management positions, most recently serving as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of its Partner Brands Group.
In his current position, Jack oversees all aspects of Chipotle's finance department and real estate development. Specifically, his responsibilities include financial and strategic planning, financial reporting, investor relations, new restaurant development strategy and management, and business strategy. Early this year, Jack led Chipotle's initial public offering, the most successful IPO of the year and one of the most successful restaurant industry IPO's in history. Under his leadership the Chipotle development team has experienced rapid, successful, and profitable growth, from just over 200 restaurants in 2002 to more than 500 today.
According to Chipotle President and COO, Montgomery Moran, Jack approaches everything he does with fairness, integrity, intelligence, competence and humor. That combination has been the foundation for his personal and professional successes.
Jack holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Economics, and a Master's Degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance, both from Illinois State University. He earned his CPA and CMA shortly after graduation. Jack's wife Nancy (Flessor) graduated from ISU with a BS in Accounting in '78 and a Masters in Accounting in 1979. They have five children, including son Chris ‘06, who earned his degree in Finance.
Herbert E. Stoller '64
Herb Stoller served as Chief Executive Officer of Widmer Interiors in Peoria, Illinois since he acquired the company in 1992. In 2006, he became Chairman of the Board, with management of the company transitioning to other family members. Widmer Interiors operates offices in Peoria, Normal and Champaign, and is focused on the interior design and furnishing of businesses, education and healthcare facilities.
For his highly successful repositioning of Widmer Interiors, Herb won a Blue Chip Enterprise Initiative Award from MassMutual in 1996 and received the 2005 Illinois Family Business of the Year Award from Loyola University Chicago Family Business Center and Harris Bank.
Prior to acquiring Widmer Interiors, Herb was employed for 25 years by USA Financial, a financial services company operating 200 consumer loan offices throughout the Midwest and Southeast. During his tenure at USA Financial, Herb held many positions including Chief Financial Officer. He was President of USA Financial at the time the company was sold.
Through the years Herb has been very involved in community service, holding positions of leadership on local school boards, in public radio, Junior Achievement, industry associations, his church and in the Rotary Club of Peoria-North. Currently Herb recently began his first term as president of the Illinois State University College of Business Advisory Board.
In addition to his degree from Illinois State University in Business Teacher Education, Herb has an M.B.A. from the University of Illinois. His wife Nancy (Tanner) '63 earned her degree in Family and Consumer Science at ISU. Married for 43 years, Herb and Nancy live in Germantown Hills. They have three children and nine grandchildren.
Mary Ann Webb '78
Mary Ann Webb is principal partner of Sulaski & Webb CPA in Bloomington. She was the first woman to be admitted to partnership in a CPA firm in McLean County and was named a Woman of Distinction in 1992 by the YWCA in recognition of her career achievements. She is currently a member of the board of directors of the Illinois CPA Society and the Illinois CPA Endowment Fund.
Mary Ann has shown tremendous support for Illinois State University with many years of service. She served on the College of Business Advisory Council from 1997 until 2006 and has been a member of the Department of Accounting's Professional Advisory Council since its inception in 1990. Mary Ann has held leadership positions in the Redbird Club and as a member of the COB Steering committee during the successful Redefining “Normal” campaign.
A long record of service to others is also evident in Mary Ann's community involvement. She has been a director of Citizens First Financial Corporation and Citizens Savings Bank and is currently a director of Main Street Bank & Trust. Mary Ann has served as President of the Children's Foundation, Chair of the Workforce Investment Board, as Treasurer of the Bloomington Rotary Club, and as an officer of the McLean County Chamber of Commerce. Other commitments include her work with the United Way Fundraising Campaign Cabinet and the YWCA board of directors. Mary Ann is currently chair of the multi-county Alzheimer's Leadership Council.
Mary Ann's husband David ‘75 earned his degree in Business Administration from ISU. He retired as Purchasing Superintendent for State Farm Insurance Company. Their daughter Marissa ‘05 teaches math and science in Orland Park.