Four new members were inducted into the Florida State University College of Business Alumni Hall of Fame Thursday evening at the Augustus B. Turnbull III Florida State Conference Center. At the same time, the college recognized a 2011 graduate with its Recent Alumni Achievement Award.
The new inductees joined 51 other individuals inducted since the Hall of Fame was created in 2003. The recognition showcases alumni who have excelled in their careers and made significant contributions to the mission of FSU and the college.
“These College of Business graduates are a tremendous source of pride and inspiration for all of us and excellent role models for our students,” said Michael Hartline, dean of the college. “They have distinguished themselves globally and in their communities, and we are thrilled to recognize them with our highest honor.”
The new inductees are:
Edward E. Burr (B.S. Accounting ’79)
Burr is the president and chief executive officer of GreenPointe Holdings, LLC, a diversified holding company he founded in 2008 in Jacksonville, Florida. He is widely considered an industry leader for his ability to analyze real estate potential and create successful multi-use communities. He also is chairman of the FSU Board of Trustees.
Anne Hamilton (B.S. Hospitality Management ’79)
Hamilton is the vice president of Global Travel at The Walt Disney Company, where she provides strategic operational leadership for her teams who serve the needs of Disney’s traveling cast members worldwide. Having amassed high-profile connections and industry networks, Hamilton is considered by colleagues to have set the gold standard in this regard.
John W. Thiel (B.S. Accounting ’83)
Thiel retired as vice chairman of Global Wealth and Investment Management at Merrill Lynch and is now a partner and senior adviser at My Next Season, which specializes in executive retirement and career transitions. He is credited with managing complex relationships, mobilizing a global workforce and reestablishing trust with clients and the public following the 2008 financial crisis – all while driving dramatic business growth at Merrill Lynch.
Ashbel “Ash” C. Williams Jr., (B.S. Management ’76; MBA ’78)
Williams is the executive director and chief investment officer at the Florida State Board of Administration. He is responsible for managing approximately $195 billion in assets, including those of the Florida Retirement System, the fifth-largest public pension fund in the U.S. Williams has earned a reputation for being able to head into the stormiest of investment markets and still show positive returns that outperform benchmarks and impress colleagues.
In addition to honoring Alumni Hall of Fame inductees, the college recognized 2011 finance graduate Colin O’Connor, who rose steadily through the ranks at ReliaQuest to achieve his current position of chief operating officer at the Tampa-based global cybersecurity firm.
Created by the college’s Recent Alumni Board, the award honors alumni who have graduated from the college within the past 10 years and amassed significant professional and personal successes.
About the Florida State University College of Business
Founded in 1950, the College of Business is one of the nation’s youngest business schools, yet its reputation for excellence has helped it become one of the largest in the nation with 5,961 students. With 120 full-time faculty members, the college is consistently ranked as a top business school by U.S. News & World Report. Virtually every program in the college is ranked in the Top 30 of public business schools, most are in the Top 25, and many are in the Top 10. Accredited by the AACSB, the college offers eight undergraduate degrees (BS) with 10 majors, and its graduate program offerings include six master’s degree programs (MAcc, MBA, MS-BA, MSF, MS-MIS and MS-RMI) and seven majors at the doctoral level (Ph.D.). The college also is home to 10 research institutes and centers.