From CEOs to best-selling authors, from software engineers to entrepreneurs, Cal State San Bernardino alumni—nearly 69,000 of them!—are all around us. Counted among our graduates are: the CEO of the world’s sixth-largest accounting and consulting organization; one of the nation’s top independent financial advisors; two California Teachers of the Year; five CaliforniaState legislators; and the presidents of two prominent organizations, Arrowhead Credit Union and the Southern California Automobile Association.These alumni are examples of the quality of the CSUSB student experience and the successes achieved by more than four decades of CalStateSan Bernardino alumni.
Shelbi Wilson (M.A. educational administration 2006), teaches at Abraham Lincoln High School in Riverside, and was the 2006 California Teacher of the Year. She is among the many current teachers who graduated from Cal State San Bernardino’s College of Education, which ranks among the leaders in California for producing credentialed teachers. CSUSB’s College of Education also offers the university’s first doctoral program an Ed.D in educational leadership. “College opened up doors of opportunity that are not available in the daily work environment,” Wilson says. “The college environment encourages you to be a life-long learner. I always want to take more classes and learn new things.”
Lex Reddy (M.B.A. 1988, M.S. health services administration 1996) is the president of Prime Healthcare Services, Inc., a hospital management company that owns and operates eight acute care facilities in Southern California, including DesertValleyHospital in Victorville. The hospital was recognized by Solucient and Modern Healthcare Magazine in 2006 as one of the Nation’s Top 100 Hospitals, an honor DVH also earned in 2003 and 2005.
Kerrick Bubb (M.B.A. 1987), president and chief wealth manager of KWB Wealth Managers Group in Redlands, was named one of the country’s best independent financial advisors. Kerry was ranked No. 27 on the “Indie 100” list, published by Barron’s in its August 27, 2007 issue. Rankings are based on assets under management, revenues and profit generated, and quality of service. There are nearly 90,000 independent broker/dealer representatives in the industry.
Dr. Travis Huxman (B.S. biology 1992, M.S. biology 1998) is the director for Biosphere2 and the B2 Earthscience research program. Biosphere2, managed by the University of Arizona, is one of the world’s most unique facilities dedicated to the research and understanding of global scientific issues. Travis also is an associate professor at the University of Arizona in the department of ecology and evolutionary biology.
Lois Carson (B.A. English 1967) is the recipient of the 2007 Lyndon Baines Johnson Human Services Award from the national Community Action Partnership. Lois, who is the executive director of the Community Action Partnership of Riverside County, was honored for her efforts helping low-income families change their lives.
Robert Bouttier (B.A. business administration 1977) is the president and chief operating officer for the Automobile Club of Southern California. Bob, a 32-year veteran of the Auto Club, oversees the daily operations of the largest AAA-affiliated motor club in the country. He was named COO in 2005, and prior to that promotion served as senior vice president of marketing and member services. Bob serves on the board of the Los Angeles Sports Council and also is a director of AAA Life Insurance Company.
Gerry Fawcett (B.A. business administration 1971) is past president and COO of Kaiser Ventures LLC and currently vice chairman of the company’s board of directors. Gerry helped lead Kaiser Steel of Fontana out of bankruptcy and turned it into a $150 million company, Kaiser Ventures, which creates innovative uses for the assets of its predecessor company. In 1992, Ernst & Young recognized this corporate turnaround by honoring Gerry with its Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Jean Stephens (M.B.A. 1991) is the CEO of RSM International, the world’s sixth-largest global accounting and consulting organization. Jean, who was appointed to the position in January 2006 for a five-year term, is the first woman to lead a top 10 international accounting and consulting network. She joined RSM International in London in 1996 and served as its chief operating officer. RSM International has more than 23,000 employees in over 600 offices worldwide.
Sundip Doshi (B.S. computer science 1990) was one of 17 alumni from the 23-campus California State University system to be featured in Who is Working for California, a publication profiling notable CSU graduates who are working in key industries that drive the state’s economy. Doshi is the founder and CEO of Surado Solutions, Inc., a Riverside-based company that develops customer relationship management (CRM) and E-business software. He comes from a family of entrepreneurs in Malaysia, and started his successful business more than a decade ago. Surado’s CRM product was included in Entrepreneur magazine’s showcase of best business software for 2007.
Joanne Fischmann (B.A. psychology 1973) recently completed a 15-city booksigning tour for the Apple Turnover Murder, the thirteenth book in her nationally bestselling Hannah Swenson mystery series published by Kensington. The fictional series, penned under the name Joanne Fluke, revolves around Joanne’s cookie-baking amateur sleuth, Hannah, and her two sisters, who “help” police investigate murders in a small Minnesota town. Each book features non-fiction cookie and dessert recipes, some of which figure in the murder mysteries. Find out more at Joanne’s Web site: www.MurderSheBaked.com. A member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime with more than fifty novels published, Joanne has written in various genres including psychological suspense, young-adult thrillers, humor, historical adventure, and romance.
Each year five teachers, out of the state’s more than 300,000 K-12 educators, are recognized for their extraordinary teaching and service. Toni Robinette (B.A. English, B.A. liberal studies 1987) received the California Teacher of the Year award in 1997, while teaching at Vista Campana Middle School in Apple Valley. Toni currently teaches English at Granite Hills High School, also in Apple Valley. “It is important for my students to know and feel that I am a teacher because I believe that it is the most important career there is.” Toni adds, “I think it’s vital to have quality teachers in the classroom if we are to compete in the global economy. We must bring respect and real value back to the profession.”
Nicholas Coussoulis, (B.A. geography 1975) is chairman of Coussoulis Development Corporation. Nicholas received the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from the university in 2009, and is also a member of the Coyote Athletics hall of fame as a campus benefactor. The family of Nicholas and his wife Christina is recognized for its strong commitment to the university over the years. In 2005, the Coussoulis family received the Cal State San Bernardino Alumni Association’s first Legacy Award, which recognizes a family for its sustained support of the university. Nicholas and Christina have helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for student scholarships. A large gift of their own completed the funding for the CSUSB Health and Physical Education Complex, where the arena is named in honor of Nicholas' parents, James and Aerianthi Coussoulis.
Larry Sharp (M.B.A. for executives, 2003), is president and CEO of Arrowhead Credit Union in San Bernardino, and received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree at CSUSB College of Business and Public Administration commencement ceremonies on June 15, 2008. In 1998 he received the Arrowhead Distinguished Chief Executive Award in recognition of his contributions to the region. He serves on the dean’s executive advisory board, is president of Inland Empire Economic Partnership, chair of the Riverside-San Bernardino Community Foundation Board, and served three terms on the board of the San Bernardino County Employees Retirement Association.
Lee D. Roberts (B.A. biology 1974, B.A. economics 1975) is the former president and CEO of FileNet Corporation, a Costa Mesa-based business process and content management software company. Lee joined FileNet in 1997 and led the company’s transformation to the industry’s top enterprise content management provider. He currently is vice president and general manager of content management at IBM, which acquired FileNet in 2006, and where Lee worked for more than 20 years before joining FileNet.
Dr. Appannagari “Dev” GnanaDev (M.B.A. 2001), medical director and chairman of the department of surgery at the Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton, is one of four physicians in the country to receive the American Medical Association Foundation’s 2007 Pride in Profession Award, which recognizes the contributions of medical doctors who work in underserved areas and sacrifice their time for volunteer or public service efforts. Dr. GnanaDev recently was elected president of the California Medical Association.
