On June 7, 2014, alumni of the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business enjoyed a private evening event at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Md. The sold-out event was a huge hit and hundreds of alumni, family and friends enjoyed a leisurely tour, avoiding the heavy crowds typically endured during normal operating hours. 

From co-owning some of the nation’s largest car dealerships to owning a Chicago-style hot dog restaurant franchise to working with dozens of charities to serving on the Smith School’s board of advisors, Robert G. Hisaoka ’79 has done it all. Now, he can add distinguished alumnus to his list of accomplishments and accolades. 

Brenda Freeman '87, MBA '91 Excerpt from Smith Business magazine, spring 2014 WHAT I DO: Chief Marketing Officer, Animation, Young Adults & Kids Media, Turner Broadcasting Inc. Manage a multimillion dollar budget and staff of 140 people; responsible for marketing, creative and strategy for Cartoon Network, Adult Swim and Boomerang, seen in 100 million households.

See photo gallery on Facebook. The University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business held its Inaugural Alumni Holiday Party on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013 at The Mansion On O Street in Washington, D.C.

It was the Cinderella story of March Madness season when Andy Enfield, MBA ’94, coached Florida Gulf Coast University’s men’s basketball team to the NCAA Sweet 16. Enfield has always loved basketball, from his undergraduate days as an All-American for Johns Hopkins University through his stints as an NBA assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks (1994-1996) and Boston Celtics (1996-1998).

Samuel Blum ’13 is one lucky dog. He’s hitting the road this year as one of 12 Oscar Mayer Hotdoggers, driving the company’s iconic Wienermobile from sea to shining sea. 

The Cupid’s Cup business competition this year expanded beyond the university to award cash prizes to the most promising entrepreneurs in the country. But the April 5 competition, sponsored by Under Armour founder and CEO Kevin Plank ’96 and hosted by Smith’s Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship, found its top winner close to home.

Between baseball games, wine tastings, panel discussions and speaker events — all great networking opportunities — being a member of the Smith alumni community provides exciting connections.  Wherever you are in the world, chances are there’s a Smith alum nearby. Take advantage of this growing network by joining an alumni club today. 

Nigerian-born Mondiu Ladejobi, EMBA ’13, found using wire transfers to send money home inconvenient and plagued by poor service. Ladejobi used his time in Smith’s EMBA program to launch Payvius, an international money transfer service that uses mobile and cloud technology. Ladejobi is focused on rolling out Payvius to serve the Sub-Saharan Africa market first. His goal is to help migrants and immigrants in the United States save on the cost of sending money home. 

’50s David Reznick ’59 received the Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers Lifetime Achievement Award. ’60s Donald Linton ’60 was named a master entrepreneur. ’70s Howard Bomstein ’70 was appointed executive marketing director of the Washington Times. Jon Colin ’78 was appointed interim chief executive officer at EQM Technologies & Energy, Inc.