Class of 2011/12

Sue Brody '79

Sue G. Brody is President and CEO of Bayfront Health System Inc., a conglomerate of health services,  distinguished by its hallmark hospital, Bayfront Medical Center - a private, not-for-profit 480-bed teaching hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Over the last two decades Brody’s leadership and vision have significantly increased the system’s market share, transformed its facilities and enhanced its programs. The Florida Medical Business newspaper called Brody Florida’s “Best Hospital CEO.” Bayfront has been named one of Thompson’s Top 100 Hospitals and one of Working Mother magazine’s 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers nine times, thanks to its family-friendly culture and benefits.

Defined by more than a century of service, Bayfront operates Pinellas County’s only trauma center and a wide range of award-winning services that span obstetrics to rehab. Brody’s vision cements the hospital’s special role as a mission-driven community asset that answers the call-to-care with a tremendous response, as underscored by an annual community benefit commitment of more than $30 million, including nearly $27 million in charity care.

Before joining Bayfront, Brody worked as a VP at Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital in North Carolina and a consultant with Arthur Young & Company. She is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, past chair of the Florida Hospital Association and served as a gubernatorial appointee on Jeb Bush’s Health Insurance Task Force and Lawton Chiles’ Workforce Development Initiative.

Brody, who also earned a Master’s in Health Administration from Duke University, is the proud mother of two daughters, Nora and Emma.

Kenneth Glover '73

Kenneth Glover retired several months ago after 35 years with ExxonMobil Corporation. His last position was as president and CEO of Univation Technologies, a joint venture between ExxonMobil Chemical Company and Union Carbide Corporation, a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company.

Univation, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a global petrochemical technology licensing company and supplier of related catalysts. Its activities are focused on innovation through leading edge R&D, licensing proprietary technologies, and developing and selling related catalysts. Nearly a quarter of the world's polyethylene is produced by companies using Univation’s proprietary process technology.

Glover’s career covered a range of functions within ExxonMobil including accounting/finance, strategic planning, global marketing, line management, and vice president positions in varying businesses including specialty chemicals, coal and uranium mining, packaging related plastics, and petrochemicals. An experienced international executive, Glover held positions in several locations in the United States and Europe and managed business initiatives throughout the world.

In addition to Mr. Glover’s professional achievements, he was a member of the St. John Fisher College Advisory Board (Rochester, NY), Treasurer and Board member of the International School of Brussels (Brussels, Belgium), and he is currently a member of the Illinois State University College of Business Advisory Council. Other community support activities include the United Way, school fund raising and coaching.

Ken and his wife Deborah (Hypke) Glover ’73 have three children and three grandchildren.

Patti Hart '78

Patti S. Hart has been Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of International Game Technology (IGT) since April 2009, where she leads one of the most innovative and profitable gaming companies in the world. With a market capitalization over $5 billion, nearly 5,000 employees and offices on six continents, IGT is a leader in the design, development, and manufacture of gaming machines and systems products, as well as online and mobile gaming solutions for regulated markets.  Ms. Hart has served on IGT’s board of directors since June 2006.

Prior to joining IGT, she was the Chairman and CEO of Pinnacle Systems Inc. from 2004 to 2005 and of Excite@Home Inc. from 2001 to 2002.  Ms. Hart was previously Chairman and CEO of Telocity, Inc. and held various executive positions at the Sprint Corporation from 1986 to 1999, including President and COO of Sprint’s Long Distance Division where she graced the inaugural Fortune list of “Most Powerful Women” in 1998.

Hart is on the Board of Visitors at the Public Policy School at Duke University.  Her past service includes the Illinois Task Force for Literacy, the Southern Methodist University Meadows Art School Board and the Steppenwolf Theatre Board in Chicago. The latter boards reflecting her love for the arts and her dedication to furthering their missions.

In addition to her community involvement, Ms. Hart currently serves on the Board of Directors of Yahoo! Inc. and the American Gaming Association.  Ms. Hart resides in Las Vegas, NV.

Diane Irvine '81

Diane Irvine former CEO of Blue Nile joined in 1999 and served as CEO, president and director from February 2008 until November 2011. A publicly traded company listed under the symbol NILE on the NASDAQ, Blue Nile is the only jeweler to receive Forbes Magazine’s “Favorite” online jeweler award. Larger than the next three largest online jewelers combined, the company has created a highly respected, upscale brand. Its innovative use of technology and social media educates customers about buying diamonds and facilitates instant price comparisons, both of which have enhanced Blue Nile’s visibility and momentum.  The company ended 2010 with record sales of $333 million, up from $302 million the previous year.

Prior to joining Blue Nile, Irvine served for five years as vice president and CFO of Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc., a timberland management and wood product company. From 1981 to 1994, Ms. Irvine worked in various capacities, most recently as a partner, with the accounting firm Coopers and Lybrand LLP. She is a founding board member of the Fulcrum Foundation, an organization that provides financial support for all Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Seattle.  Ms. Irvine holds a B.S. in Accounting from Illinois State University and holds an M.S. in Taxation from Golden Gate University.

A married mother of three, Irvine grew up on a farm near Libertyville, the second of five children. Her family raised cattle, as well as chickens that produced some 4,000 eggs daily. Irvine believes that background of hard work has been invaluable to her career success.

Bill Kirkendall '75

Bill Kirkendall is the CEO of D.A. Weibring/Golf Resources Inc., a worldwide golf course design, management and consulting firm.  Prior to joining Golf Resources, Kirkendall was CEO of Pure Motion Inc., which develops and markets technology-based training aides for recreational sports.

Kirkendall’s executive experience and in- depth knowledge of the athletic retail, sporting goods and golf industries has enabled him to provide several companies with valuable guidance in management, brand building, operational issues and assessment of business and industry trends.

From 1999 through 2002, he was CEO of Orlimar Golf, a manufacturer and distributor of golf equipment worldwide. For 18 years he held various senior management roles at Etonic Inc. (Etonic/Tretorn/Puma USA), a manufacturer, distributor and licensee of athletic footwear and apparel brands worldwide, including serving as President from 1991 to 1998. During his tenure Kirkendall was a driving force in developing these worldwide brands into industry leaders within their respective fields. He has served on the Board of Directors of the public company, Finish Line, a 665 store mall-based specialty retailer of athletic footwear and apparel since 2001, was Chairman of the Audit Committee and currently serves as the Chairman of the company’s Compensation Committee.

Kirkendall, who attended Illinois State on a golf scholarship, was inducted into the Illinois State Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996. A native of Galesburg, he lives in Frisco, Texas with his wife Corinne ‘74. They have two daughters, Molly and Maggie, and two grandchildren.