To celebrate 60 years of the Nebraska Master of Business Administration program, alumni from each decade and diverse industries share their stories of success, highlighting how the skills and experiences gained through their MBA degrees have shaped their careers. From small business owners to corporate executives, these University of Nebraska–Lincoln alumni reflect on the value of their MBA in driving innovation, leadership and career growth, demonstrating the lasting impact of Nebraska's business education on a global scale.
1960s
David Krecek, ’64 & ’65 MBA
Retired, Omaha, Nebraska
David Krecek was one of the first four graduates of the newly established MBA program at Nebraska. While earning his degree in electrical engineering, he took elective business courses as the College of Business finalized its MBA program. The engineering and business education opened doors for Krecek after graduation.
"The MBA and engineering degrees were a great combination as I received job offers from every Fortune 500 company I interviewed with," said Krecek.
Krecek’s career spanned 21 years at Northwestern Bell Telephone, where he rose to the position of division manager before transitioning to small business management and consulting. He later taught managers leadership skills through P.I. Worldwide for 30 years.
"My favorite MBA professor was Keith Broman, who taught finance. He had a great laid-back teaching style," Krecek said.
Even after retirement in 2022, Krecek’s contributions to business and leadership continue to resonate, as his MBA paved the way for a long and successful career.
1970s
David Kroon, ’70 & ’71 MBA
Retired, Houston, Texas
After graduating with his chemical engineering degree, David Kroon walked across the parking lot from Avery Hall to the former College of Business Administration (CBA) building and started taking MBA classes that summer. He combined his degrees to become a financial engineer.
“Life is like investing. Making good choices and investments can be hard. Luck plays a part in the outcome of choices. Fred Luthans was my favorite administrator as he told me, on a stairway in CBA, about a job opening at Mutual of Omaha in investments. Crossing paths with him that spring of 1971 was lucky,” Kroon said. "My engineering and MBA degrees helped me succeed."
Barron Harvey ’74, ’75 MBA & ’77
Dean Emeritus & Associate Provost for Academic Innovation and Strategic Initiatives, Office of the Provost, Howard University
Barron Harvey planned to become an accountant until he took Fred Luthans' Organizational Behavior course as an MBA student and decided to earn his Ph.D. He taught numerous accounting and organizational behavior courses throughout his career at the University of Miami, Georgetown University and Howard University before being named dean of Howard's School of Business where he served for 26 years.
"I'm so indebted to the Nebraska College of Business for the experience I had and the lifelong friendships that developed. The support I received from faculty and staff was significant, and they became a resource for the rest of my life. I've been proud to say I'm a Nebraska graduate, and the education offered here is respected and has opened doors."
After his time as dean, he joined Howard's Office of the Provost to launch innovative and strategic initiatives, including online programs. He also serves on the Dean's Advisory Board at the College of Business at Nebraska.
1980s
James (Jim) Steward, ’84 & ’86 MBA
Retired, Littleton, Colorado
Jim Steward applied the skills from his MBA during nearly 34 years of federal service and four years of government consulting. He started the Nebraska MBA program after earning a degree in chemical engineering.
“The combination of the engineering degree with the MBA made it possible to pursue my goals of managing technical programs and projects and eventually entering the highest ranks of senior management. My MBA gave me a solid management foundation to rise in the ranks of federal civil service, initially in technical project management and then holding senior management positions, including 12 years in senior executive service,” Steward said.
Susan Birnie, ’84 & ’89 MBA
Retired, White Lake, Michigan
Susan Birnie began her career as a statistical analyst for Ford Motor Company in the Heavy-Duty Truck Division in Dearborn, Michigan. Her ability to drive an 18-wheeler set her apart and landed her in the Wall Street Journal. Her MBA propelled her into technology-focused roles at Ford and four other Fortune 500 companies.
“Getting to lead innovative projects within the banking industry, such as the first national check image exchange, and in the automotive industry with near real-time vehicle telemetry and diagnostics were some of the many fun and cherished work opportunities I had due to my Nebraska MBA,” Birnie said.
1990s
Dean Edson, ’86 & ’91 MBA
Executive Director, Nebraska Association of Resources Districts, Lincoln, Nebraska
Dean Edson earned his bachelor’s degree in agribusiness and animal science at Nebraska in 1986. He started the MBA campus program a year later while employed full-time by Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation as the director of state governmental relations. Today, he serves as the executive director of the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts in Lincoln.
“I pursued the MBA because I wanted to learn more about running a business. It was a great experience, and I enjoyed the professors and staff at Nebraska. I appreciated that classes were offered in person with different options, including summer and evening, so it would fit in around my work schedule,” Edson said.
Brett Harris, ’90 & ’92 MBA
Co-owner and Managing Broker, Greenleaf Commercial Real Estate, Lincoln
Earning his business administration degree from Nebraska, Brett Harris decided to gain additional business acumen by earning an MBA. A franchise course taught by former professor Ron Otte stood out to Harris due to the experiences shared about being a restaurant franchisee.
“My MBA provided a good foundation for understanding business fundamentals, which has been helpful in each stage of my career,” Harris said. “It also gave me an additional level of confidence in my understanding of the various aspects of managing a business.”
2000s
Charlie Colón, ’05 MBA
Owner, Chick-fil-A, Lincoln
After starting the Nebraska MBA in 1993 and pausing for his blossoming career at Gallup, Charlie Colón returned in 2004 as part of the second cohort of the Executive MBA/MA program.
“The Gallup MBA program proved to be an invaluable opportunity, especially courses in leadership, organizational behavior, and international business. Professors like Sang Lee and Fred Luthans in management and Ravi Sohi in marketing left a deep impact, blending academic rigor with real-world insights, while fostering meaningful relationships."
Today, Colón applies those lessons as the owner of a Chick-fil-A franchise, leading a team of 120 employees. His focus on organizational behavior and connections with employees and guests guide his business. His entrepreneurial spirit continues as he continues to build his business and maintain the strong relationships formed during his MBA experience.
Jeanette Milius, ’07 MBA & ’19
Associate Professor of Accounting, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln
After 20 years in public accounting, Jeanette Milius pursued the Nebraska MBA, which helped her transition to a career in higher education. She taught at a community college while pursuing her Ph.D. at Nebraska.
"I never considered other programs as I have a love and loyalty to Nebraska and the College of Business. I am proud to say I am a UNL MBA graduate and Ph.D. graduate too. I had no doubt that the degree I would earn from UNL would carry me far in not only the knowledge/education I would receive but also in the respect a degree from UNL signifies," she said.
She enjoyed how Ron Hampton blended real-world events into the course curriculum, as it validated the importance of the material she was learning and its application to real-world environments. She also made valuable friendships and connections at Nebraska.
"Judy Shutts was so helpful in her role in the MBA office, offering expertise in navigating the program and support. I was also privileged to work as a graduate assistant for D'Vee Buss teaching BSAD 101, an introductory course required for all freshmen. I learned many valuable teaching skills and formed many lasting friendships with professors, staff and students."
Dipti Rane, ’09 MBA
Co-CEO, Talent at Work, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
After earning her undergraduate degree in engineering from Mumbai, India, Dipti Rane sought out MBA programs worldwide and chose Nebraska’s MBA for its affordability and focus on human resources.
"Earning my MBA at the University of Nebraska wasn't just a qualification, it was a launchpad for my career. The program instilled in me the core business skills that became the foundation for my success. Those skills empowered me to navigate the international landscape as I climbed the corporate ladder at my previous company. But the most rewarding aspect of the program was the leadership development," said Rane.
During her time at Nebraska, two professors made a major impact on her. Jerry Sellentin taught her a life lesson when he said, "It is all about perseverance," and Gwen Combs became a big influence as the first academic human resources expert she met.
After graduating, Rane’s MBA helped her navigate international roles in cities such as Dubai; Alexandria, Egypt; and various locations in India.
"The MBA transformed me from an employee to an entrepreneur. The leadership training I received gave me the confidence and vision to strike out on my own and build a thriving business."
2010s
Josh Hoefler, ’13 MBA
Chief Financial Officer, Midwest Barrel Company, Louisville, Kentucky
Josh Hoefler started the Nebraska MBA program after he earned two bachelor’s degrees in accounting and psychology. During the hands-on learning course with Union Pacific, he enjoyed creating a business plan to help solve a specific problem.
“The MBA program provided more hands-on and real-life experiences, so I was much more prepared to start my career,” Hoefler said. “I would encourage anyone who works in business to pursue an MBA. It’s given me the upper hand over job applicants and gotten my foot in the door for positions that would have been out of my reach based purely on my experience. Everyone should learn the valuable skill of networking because it will pay dividends in the business world and connections can open a lot of doors.”
Kazuhiko Konno, ’17 MBA
Ph.D. Candidate, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan
Working on an approach to identifying and quantifying biases in top management’s decision-making processes while earning his Ph.D., Kazuhiko Konno created an artificial intelligence application called Biasbuster to reduce the impact of biases. In September, he won the Nippon Electric Company (NEC) CTO Award at the Generative AI Application Contest. NEC is a major technology company in Japan.
“I selected Nebraska’s MBA because of the academic reputation of the program. Teaching assistants and classmates were incredibly supportive. With their help, I made it to the top 2% (academically) and was deeply touched by the kindness,” Konno said. “My passion for the development of the Biasbuster algorithm grew out of a desire to create meaningful change. To achieve this on a global level, I realized that AI technology could play a key role.”
Bryan Buechel, ’18 MBA
Clinical Operations Leader for Alluma, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
At Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Bryan Buechel, '18 MBA, leads clinical operations for Alluma, a pharmacy benefit administrator serving health plans nationwide. Earning MBA equipped him with skills in analytics, finance and supply chain management to thrive in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape.
"Before starting the MBA program, my training and experience were largely clinical. It became clear that different, multidisciplinary skill sets would be critical for success as the healthcare system evolves,” Buechel said. “The organizational leadership and management coursework has continued to be important as we launched Alluma as a startup in 2019 and now scale operations to support growth.”
Read his full story
Yosif Jabir, ’18, MBA
Dentist/Owner, White Oak Family Dental, Downers Grove, Illinois
Yosif Jabir held numerous partnerships in dental offices and community dentistry. He also served as an assistant clinical professor at Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine – Illinois prior to opening his own practice.
“I use my MBA daily in running my dental practice, from managing the business to hiring staff. I really enjoyed my organizational behavior, service management and marketing courses and was able to apply their principles as I learned them,” said Jabir, who is a member of the American Dental Association, Illinois State Dental Association, Chicago Dental Society and the Academy of General Dentistry.
2020s
Thu Pham, ’20 MBA
Portfolio Strategy and Governance Consultant, Amazon Web Services, Los Angeles
Thu Pham earned her MBA while serving her country in the U.S. Air Force and joined the newly formed U.S. Space Force when it became the sixth branch of the military. Today, she works as the portfolio strategy and governance consultant for Amazon Web Services.
“An organizational behavior class in the MBA program helped me process how to understand and communicate better with people I’m leading,” Pham said. “It showed me how to fix an organizational culture from the bottom up. It starts with little things like understanding the strengths of your team and how each can be utilized.”
Read her full story
Caitlin Pollard, ’21 MBA
Support Leader of Account Sales, Marriott International, Omaha, Nebraska
Caitlin Pollard leads a team of 18 administrative assistants, supporting senior account executives at Marriott International hotels worldwide. After earning her fashion merchandising degree, she gained experience in a boutique and a private wedding venue. When COVID-19 impacted her job at the Marriott, she seized the opportunity to pursue an MBA online while living in Chicago, completing the program in just over a year.
“I appreciated the remote structure, which allowed me to engage fully without the stress of travel," she said. The program equipped her with valuable insights into leadership and data management. When Marriott invited her back, her newfound confidence and skills made the decision easy.
Sandeep Chennikara, ’23 MBA
Senior Director, Discover Financial Services, Chicago, Illinois
Sandeep Chennikara started his career at Liberty Mutual in a rotational leadership development program before focusing on lean transformation across large portions of the company. He later began working at Discover, where he continues to lead lean transformations and aided in optimizing operating models for new software product development.
“Earning my MBA at Nebraska has allowed me to take a broader view of my organization, make better strategic choices and create an environment for high-performing teams. Strengths-based leadership is something I utilize every day with my team,” he said.
Marlenia Thornton, ’23 MBA
Communications Coordinator, Lincoln Public Schools, Lincoln, Nebraska
Marlenia Thornton, ’23, paired the online MBA with a Public Relations and Social Media Graduate Certificate to expand on her broadcast journalism background after working in television for three years. The Lincoln Public Schools communications coordinator uses her strengths and storytelling skills daily.
"The MBA program isn't the journey I would've imagined for myself as a trained journalist, but I learned so much. I am thankful I challenged myself to go the MBA route,” Thornton said. “The three biggest things I learned that I use in my current role are identifying and cultivating people's talents, developing business or team strategy and analyzing organizational behavior. I am always looking for ways to improve our team's skills, ensuring they have opportunities to do the things they love and creating better systems and structures so we can do our best work to serve our students, families, staff and our community.”
Read her full story
Jason Alsup, ’24 MBA
Global Product Supply at Bayer Crop Science in St. Louis, Missouri
While earning his MBA, Jason Alsup gained valuable leadership insights and discovered new innovative concepts, leading to a new role as the head of computational sciences in Global Product Supply at Bayer Crop Science in St. Louis.
"Throughout my MBA journey, I've been able to bridge the gap between standard industry terminology and our company's specific language. Furthermore, I've gained valuable insights into influential people leadership and discovered new innovative concepts to implement," Alsup said. "It's worth noting that during this time, I received a promotion and secured a new role within the company, and I am confident that my MBA studies played a pivotal role in these achievements."
Read his full story