MBA Alumni

  

Sean O’Leary, ’95 Entrepreneurship MBA Graduate

     “The University of Louisville program focused on real world situations, the kinds that were immediately applicable. The team teaching by professors from different disciplines was particularly useful as it showed how the fields are intertwined, which is what we face everyday. Accounting doesn't operate in a vacuum from marketing.”
     O’Leary is the founder of Genscape, whose proprietary technology provides real-time power supply information to aid decision making by energy traders, power plant and power line owners and operators, regulators and others in the energy business. Created in 1999, Genscape received a $3.5 million first round of venture funding. By 2004, Genscape was ranked in the top 50 on the Inc. 500 list.

Kent Oyler, ’82 MBA Graduate

     “Earning your MBA demonstrates that you have a solid understanding of business and the drive to accomplish something difficult. It provides an edge. Every day I use formulas and concepts I learned in statistics, finance, accounting, and strategic planning.”
     Oyler is often described as a serial entrepreneur, having started more than a dozen companies in a variety of sectors. One venture, High Speed Access, was ranked as the largest IPO in Kentucky in 1999, and two others, OPM Services and Icelease Partners, combine as the world's largest manufacturer and lessor of high capacity ice making and handling equipment. A fourth, Power Flats, is the largest operator of heavy-duty flat rail cars. In 2000, Oyler was named the Ernst & Young Master Entrepreneur of the Year in Kentucky.

Dr. Divya Cantor, ’08 Entrepreneurship MBA Graduate

     “The Entrepreneurship MBA program, from the very first class, taught me a different way of not only thinking but also behaving. My business acuity has sharply increased and I truly believe I am in a better place because of the depth of knowledge each professor brought to the classroom.”
     Dr. Cantor is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and is a Clinical Instructor in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Louisville. As a founder of the Partum Group in the Entrepreneurship MBA program, she won more than $90,000 in start-up funds at business plan competitions for the labor and delivery medical device the group created.

Steve Herron, ’07 Entrepreneurship MBA Graduate

     “The University of Louisville MBA programs continue to raise the bar. The College of Business continues to attract better faculty, a stronger administration and brighter students to fulfill its commitment of delivering an outstanding education.”
     Herron is a founder of RJS, LLC., creators of Rhythm, a beverage combining alcohol and energy drinks, in the Entrepreneurship MBA program. RJS earned the runner-up award in the Murphree Venture Partners Challenge at the 2007 Moot Corp Global Business Plan Competition and finished 11th out of 35 teams.

Lisa Zembrodt, ’08 MBA Graduate

     “The value of UofL’s MBA is not limited to the material. The wide variety of backgrounds, ages, and professions of the students enhances each class discussion, and is representative of the world in which we live. Learning how to clearly communicate and effectively work with a diverse group of people is vital to individual success. Further, while the instructors recognize that life exists for students beyond the borders of the classroom, the workload is appropriate to ensure the students earn a high-quality degree.”
     Zembrodt’s expertise in the energy markets is pivotal in the decisions of top executives at many fortune 500 companies and in the success of commodity price risk management programs of large industrial users of energy. She also presents pertinent information at industry conferences, helping decision-makers understand the current and future state of energy supply and demand. Her expertise is regularly tapped to provide industry commentary and analysis to news outlets, both in print and on the air.

Rick Mazzolli, ’05 MBA Graduate

     “The knowledge I acquired from my Louisville MBA has been critical in my law practice. Although I don’t use the knowledge I gained in law school everyday, hardly a day goes by that I don’t use something from my Louisville MBA in my law practice. And as an older non-traditional student (having retired from the military after 22 years of service before returning to school), I appreciated the no nonsense approach of the Louisville MBA.”
     Mr. Mazzoli concentrates his law practice on business organizations and business litigation in state and federal courts throughout the country. His practice, whether litigating, negotiating or structuring deals, requires more than cursory understanding of accounting, finance and corporate governance. Rick is also an arbitrator for FINRA (formerly the NASD) and resolves disputes between parties in the securities industry. He volunteers his time to Wayside Christian Mission serving as its Chairman of the Board and as a member of the finance and compensation committees.

For more information about the UofL College of Business masters degrees, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   at 502-852-7257 or attend an upcoming MBA Information Session.