Eight Atlanta Business Leaders Receive Robinson College Alumni Awards

October 19, 2005 - (ATLANTA) Eight business executives will be recognized at the Third Annual Robinson College of Business Alumni Awards celebration to be held at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History on Tuesday, November 15th. The Egyptian themed event features a reception and a brief presentation by Dia Ghaly, graduate of the Robinson-Cairo University joint MBA program. Attendees will also have the opportunity to view the IMAX presentation, "Mystery of the Nile."
Recipients of this year's awards are:

Leadership/Lifetime Achievement - David A. Stonecipher (MAS '67), Chairman of the Board, Jefferson-Pilot Corporation
Global Business Leadership - Eric J. Joiner (BBA '66, MBA '69), co-founder and president of AJC International, Inc.
Entrepreneurship - Ed H. Bowman, Jr. (BBA '68), president, chief executive officer and a director of SOURCECORP
Technology Leadership - Sandra E. Bergeron (BBA '82), Chaiman of the Board, TriCipher, Inc.
Outstanding Young Alumnus - Michael B. Russell (MBA '90), chief executive officer of H.J. Russell & Company
Community Service - Horace H. Sibley (MBA '71), retired Partner, King & Spalding
Service to the College - Joseph K. Taylor (Ph.D. '78)
Honorary Alumnus - Donald Ratajczak, Regents Professor Emeritus of Economics at Georgia State University

"These individuals have distinguished themselves as leaders in their fields and as outstanding contributors within their communities," said Dean H. Fenwick Huss. "They represent the very best of the Robinson College of Business and we are proud to honor them." 

Recipients were selected by a committee comprised of alumni representatives, members of the College Board of Advisors and Faculty/Staff members.

Stonecipher (Robinson Alumni Leadership/Lifetime Achievement Award) began his career with Life of Georgia in Atlanta as an actuarial trainee. He steadily advanced to president and chief operating officer. He joined Jefferson-Pilot in 1992 as CEO-elect and became President and Chief Executive Officer of both the Jefferson-Pilot Corporation and Jefferson-Pilot Life Insurance Company in 1993 and Chairman of the Board in 1998. He currently serves on the board of Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc., McKenney's Corporation, International Home Furnishings Center, Inc. and McCallie School. Stonecipher is a member of the Society of Actuaries and the American Academy of Actuaries. 

Joiner (Alumni Global Business Leadership Award) founded AJC International in 1972. Prior to that, he worked in aircraft sales with Lockheed Aircraft Corporation and in sales management with United States Lines. Joiner is a past chairman and member of the board of directors of the United States Poultry and Egg Export Council. He is also a member of the board of directors of the National Chicken Council and Frosty Acres Brands, Inc. Joiner serves on the board of advisors for The Carter Center Atlanta and is a member of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Trade Advisory Committee. He is a founder and trustee of the Lee Campbell Education Foundation, and past chairman of the Board of Senior Citizens of Metro Atlanta.

Bowman (Alumni Entrepreneurship Award) has led his company from start-up through IPO to a $420 million public company in less than 10 years. Under his leadership the company has been recognized by BusinessWeek magazine as one of the "Top 100 Hot Growth Companies" and by Fortune magazine as one of the "200 Best Small Companies." Priof to SOURCECORP, Bowman served as executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Health Systems Group of First Data Corporation. He currently serves on the President's Advisory Council for the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts Foundation and the advisory board of the Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University.

Bergeron (Alumni Technology Leadership Award) is known nationally as a security expert. Her reputation coupled with her management expertise, earned her the distinction of being named one of Information Security Magazine's Top 25 Women of Vision in 2003. Bergeron's opinions on security matters are highly sought after by government and private industry leaders. She was selected by U.S. Congressman Mike Honda and San Jose, California Mayor Ron Gonzales to serve on the new Silicon Valley Blue Ribbon Task Force on Aviation Security and Technology. The task force, comprised of experts from Silicon Valley in the areas of technology, business, policy and aviation, delivered recommendations to increase aviation security. Before joining TriCipher, Bergeron was an executive vice president for McAfee, Inc where she currently serves as strategic advisor to the CEO and the board of directors. She sits on the board of directors of TraceSecurity Inc. and the board of advisors for the J. Mack Robinson College of Business.

Russell (Outstanding Young Alumnus Award) has spent most of his career with H.J. Russell & Company, serving in a variety of executive positions, until succeeding his father as CEO in 2003. He has been involved in the construction industry since he was young and early in his career worked with renowned developer and architect John Portman. Russell serves on the Executive Committee of Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Trinity School Board of Directors, Hands on Georgia Board, University of Virginia Engineering Foundation, Georgia State Athletic Association Board, and Grady Hospital Board of Visitors. 

Sibley (Robinson Alumni Community Service Award) currently serves as Chair of The Regional Commission on Homelessness. He has represented a number of companies in the telecommunications, construction, e-commerce, software and health care industries. He currently represents companies emerging technology companies. Sibley served as Chairman of the Board of Egleston Children's Hospital and was a founding board member of the Children's Miracle Network. He was part of the group who organized the effort to bring the 1996 Summer Olympics to Atlanta. Sibley currently serves as Chairman of the Southern Center for International Studies, is a member of the Carter Center Board of Councilors and a member of the Society of International Business Fellows. He was chosen by Georgia Trend Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in Georgia.

Taylor (Alumni Award for Service to Robinson College) has been one of the University's most devoted volunteers. His career in healthcare and academia spans over 40 years. He currently serves as a trustee of the Georgia State University Foundation. He has also been a longtime volunteer for the College's Institute of Health Administration, serving on their advisory board and providing initial funding for the Health Administration Endowment and the Joe Taylor Endowed Chair in Health Administration.

Ratajczak (Robinson Honorary Alumnus Award) is a leading economic forecaster. He previously was Director of the Economic Forecasting Center in the J. Mack Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University (1973 to June 2000).  He also was a Professor of Economics in the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies.  In 2000, he founded Brainworks Ventures, Inc., an Atlanta based venture development company and served as its CEO and Chairman of the Board until it merged with AssuranceAmerica in 2003. He remains on the board of the combined company and also serves on the board of directors of Ruby Tuesday, Inc., TBC Corporation, Regan Holdings, Crown Craft Corp., and Citizens Trust Bank.

For more information, contact: Tammy DeMel Associate Director, Communications and External Affairs J. Mack Robinson College of Business 404/413-7078 (voice) 404/702-9743