Annual Luncheon Features Guest Speaker George Shinn and Annual Awards

For 18 years, alumni of the College of Business Administration (CBA) have gathered at the annual luncheon to share wonderful stories of their college days, learn what's new at their alma mater and college, and honor their colleagues who have made worthwhile contributions to the CBA. This year's luncheon on January 31 did not disappoint.

After the customary meet-and- greet, Business Alumni Board President Jeff Crouere, G'94, serving as master of ceremonies, introduced University President Bernard P. Knoth, S. J., who welcomed enthusiastic business leaders. Dean J. Patrick O'Brien then shared faculty accomplishments and student achievements that continue to make the CBA one of the best business schools in the country.

One of the highlights of the luncheon is recognizing the Young Alumnus and Alumnus of the Year. This year, honors went to David Moore, G'96, and Roland Hymel, B'53, respectively. Moore serves as senior vice president of the Washington, D. C., based GE Capital Financial Services company. In 1999, he became the senior lending officer at First Bank and Tr ust in New Orleans. He became its president and CEO in 1996. While at First Bank, Moore managed its growth from a young $50 million bank to a full-service $90 million commercial bank operating among the top 10 most profitable banks in the nation in its asset class. Currently, he is a member of Loyola's College of Business Administration Visiting Committee.

Hymel began his career over 30 years ago as a personal producer in the life insurance and benefits industry. He served as the New Orleans General Agent For Fringe Benefit Administrators, Ltd., which became the first fully computerized entities of its type in the country. Hymel is listed in Who's Who in Finance and Industry. He was the guiding force behind the development of the executive income plan, a tax-sheltered, deferred compensation benefit program for select executives. Hymel has been inducted into the Loyola Athletic Hall of Fame twice, for track in 1999 and archery in 2002. He was the president of the Loyola Alumni Association in 1968. Presently, he is a proud supporter of the university and the Wolfpack athletic program.

After the awards, alumni were anxious to meet the featured guest speaker, George Shinn, majority owner and managing general partner of the New Orleans Hornets. Shinn, a North Carolina businessman, author of five books, and philanthropist, had been the Charlotte Hornets owner for 14 years. He and others worked tirelessly to move the NBA team to New Orleans in May 2002. While in the Big Easy, Shinn plans to help make New Orleans a better place to live by devoting much of his time to speaking engagements and assisting in community related projects. His dedication to the Charlotte community earned him the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews and the Distinguished Community Service Award from the Anti-Defamation League. Shinn was also awarded the Horatio Algar Award in 1975, which recognizes "rags-to-riches" business-people who achieve success while maintaining values in patriotism, faith, and civic involvement.

Shinn noted, "I have discovered why New Orleans is such a great market for pro sports and especially an NBA franchise. I am proud to call New Orleans my home."

The luncheon was concluded with a prayer by the Rev. Si Hendry, S. J., director of Loyola's Jesuit Center.

—Nicole Fitz Rawlins, A'05

College of Business Administration
Campus Box 15
6363 St. Charles Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70118