STEUBENVILLE, OH—The Department of Accounting, Business Administration, and Economics at Franciscan University of Steubenville today announced the establishment of a Business Advisory Board that will refine and improve how the department serves its faculty, students, and community.

The Business Advisory Board will help Franciscan University better provide students with the professional competence they need to succeed in the contemporary business world, bringing with them fresh ideas illuminated by Catholic social thought and the Franciscan value of transformational leadership. The board will also assist the Business Department in pursuing new opportunities for internships, job placement, networking, and other initiatives for students.

Business Advisory Board members are established leaders who work in a wide range of business fields both in the Ohio Valley and beyond:

• David Antonelli, Manager of BHC Internal Accounting, Bayer Corporation of Pittsburgh, PA
• Michael Bernard, US Tax Counsel, Microsoft Corporation, Bellevue, WA
• Karen D’Anniballe, President, Jefferson Security Services, Steubenville, OH
• Bernard Elero, Senior VP, Business Development & Capture Mgt, AECOM, Chantilly, VA
• John Fischer, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, MAM Software, Inc., Allentown, PA
• Pat Fischer, President, Pat Fischer Nissan, Titusville, FL
• Kristoffer Kaufield, Controller, Enterprise Holdings, Indianapolis, IN
• John McGuckin, Chief Executive Officer, Tribe Mediterranean Foods, Taunton, MA
• Terence O’Day, Senior VP and Chief Supply Chain Officer, The Hershey Company, Hershey, PA
• Janet Owens, Director of Customer Experience, EQT Midstream, Pittsburgh, PA
• Doug Perry, VP of Global Compliance & Chief Ethics Officer, Honeywell International, Vienna, VA
• Doug Shaefer, Vice President and CFO, FEX Group, LLC, Moon Township, PA
• Daniel Vansteenburg, CEO, Spin the Planet Enterprises & Jimmy John’s Franchisee, Oakdale MN
• Chris Wright, Regional Managing Director, Protiviti, Levittown, NY

These individuals will be joined by Dr. Thomas Kelly, chair of the Department of Accounting, Business Administration, and Economics, Prof. Donald Materniak, associate professor of Accounting and Business, Dr. Michael Welker, professor of Economics, Mr. Christopher Ice, director of Major Gifts, and Father Brian Cavanaugh, TOR, information technology advocate, as the first members of the newly established board.

Dr. Thomas Kelly said, “We are excited and deeply appreciative of the commitment the new board members are making to Franciscan University. Their leadership and wealth of experience will help our department develop our strategic initiatives for the future.”

Board member Bernard Elero said, “I look forward to preparing Franciscan University students to succeed in an ever-changing, competitive marketplace.”

The Business Advisory Board will meet on campus for the first time April 6-7, 2017.

The Business Department is one of Franciscan University’s top three degree offerings, with programs of study in accounting, economics, finance, international business, management, and marketing, in addition to an MBA that is available on campus and online.

For more information, contact Dr. Thomas Kelly at 740-284-5806.