Author: James Schisler

The Wichita Business Journal has released the 2024 “Coolest Office in Wichita” nominations, and Woolsey Hall has been nominated. Woolsey Hall made it through round one with over 40% of the vote and is now in round two. The community can vote once for their choice through the voting period until 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2.

The Wichita Business Journal has released the 2024 “Coolest Office in Wichita” nominations, and Woolsey Hall has been nominated. The community can vote once for their choice through the voting period until 5 p.m. Friday Jan. 26.

Yolanda and Gene Camarena — the dynamic Entrepreneurs-in-Residence duo at the Barton School of Business for the spring 2024 semester — will provide a keynote presentation as part of the James Schwartz Lecture Series, “Unlocking Success: Key Insights from Visionary Entrepreneurs on Building, Innovating, and Transforming Futures.”

Gene is the president and CEO of La Raza Pizza, Inc., and Yolanda is a dedicated leader in social justice and equity advocacy in education, bringing unparalleled expertise and insights to our academic and entrepreneurial community.

The keynote event is at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 22 in the Woolsey Hall Auditorium.

Doors open at 9 a.m. All are welcome and encouraged to attend this free event.

The Barton School of Business proudly welcomes Gene and Yolanda Camarena as its dynamic Entrepreneurs-in-Residence duo for the spring 2024 semester. Gene, serving as the president and CEO of La Raza Pizza, Inc., brings unparalleled expertise in the business realm. Complementing his prowess, Yolanda, a dedicated leader with a significant career as a social justice and equity advocate in education, enriches the community with her invaluable insights. Together, they form an exceptional team poised to inspire and elevate our academic and entrepreneurial landscape.

“Yolanda and I are deeply honored to embark on this meaningful journey as Entrepreneurs-in-Residence at the Barton School,” Gene Camarena said. “Recognizing the pivotal role education played in our own success, we are committed to ensuring that our achievements extend beyond personal accomplishments. Fueled by a passion for community progress and prosperity, our role allows us to uplift others through thoughtful and collaborative opportunities, championing a legacy of shared success and empowerment.”

The Barton School of Business is looking for dynamic people to join its team. Positions open include business manager and brand experience and digital media manager:

• Business manager: The business manager is primarily responsible for overseeing financial, budgeting and strategic planning for divisions, colleges and departments. This role will assist with scholarship delegation, preparing financial reporting and administrative support.
• Brand experience and digital media manager: The Barton School is seeking a brand experience and digital media manager to lead its team and drive its brand’s message to new heights. This role will assist with graphic design, website management and social media platforms.

Barton School of Business is delighted to announce that Tom Gentile, the inaugural Executive-in-Residence back in 2021, will now serve as the executive advisor to the dean. Gentile, a distinguished global leader with a background in top executive roles at Spirit AeroSystems, GE Capital and other esteemed organizations, has also been an engaged member of the school’s Dean’s “Fabulous 50” Advisory Board for the past two years. His commitment extends to lending invaluable expertise and insight, significantly elevating the collaborative endeavors of the board. Gentile earned his bachelor’s degree in economics magna cum laude and MBA from Harvard University and studied international relations at the London School of Economics.

“I’m thrilled to step into an expanded role at the Barton School of Business, building on my impactful journey as the inaugural Executive-in-Residence. Having been part of the dynamic Dean’s ‘Fabulous 50’ Advisory Board for two years, I’m excited about infusing even more energy into providing strategic guidance and elevating the school’s global profile” Gentile said.

The Barton School of Business is excited to announce a $100,000 commitment from T. Michael Young, a retired managing partner at The CapStreet Group, to create a new Barton School scholarship for business students with financial needs. Young was a first-generation college student who graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from WSU while married and working full-time.

“I believe that affordable and accessible education is imperative to the success of our society,” Young said. “The challenges I had and the lessons I learned during my time at WSU served me well throughout my career. I’m excited to be in a place where I can help other working students who desire a higher education.”

The Barton School of Business is adding John Cantele, co-founder and principal at Lexima Hotel Management Services, to its Dean’s Advisory Board.

“I’m looking forward to bringing my perspective to the board as we help prepare Barton School students for successful careers in business,” said Cantele.

As principal at Lexima, Cantele leverages his extensive 35 years of industry experience to provide third-party management services for the company. Prior to co-founding Lexima, he served as the executive vice president and chief operating officer for CorePoint Lodging Inc., a publicly traded real estate investment trust created to own the La Quinta real estate assets. In 2016, he served as the executive vice president and chief operating officer for La Quinta Holdings, LLC, where he was the operational, sales, and revenue management lead for the company and pivotal in positioning the business for sale to Wyndham in 2018. In 2000, Cantele helped launch LodgeWorks and worked as the company’s senior vice president of operations. During his time there, he led the operation repositioning Sierra Suites into Hotel Sierra and co-led the company’s shift into the boutique hotel market with the AVIA brand, while successfully managing more established brands including Hilton, Starwood and Hyatt.

The Barton School of Business and the Kansas Insurance and Financial Services Education Foundation (KIFSEF) have joined forces to create a new Certificate in Financial Services through the Barton School. This certificate reflects the modern and interconnected financial services sector, and comes as the result of a direct need for banking, insurance, healthcare and other industries.

“Frankly, there is a talent shortage across our industry,” said Jannett Wiens, executive director, KIFSEF. “The Barton School’s effort including the formation of its financial services certificate will help to provide students with the acumen needed to thrive in an industry that continues to grow and diversify.”

As part of the collaboration, KIFSEF will provide $1,000 scholarships for students who complete the certificate.

“This certificate will provide Kansas companies with a pipeline of students who will be knowledgeable and excited about the possibilities the sector provides,” said Dr. Timothy Craft, Barton School associate professor and leader of the program. “We’re very grateful for the support from KIFSEF to help us make this certificate a possibility.”

The Barton School of Business welcomes Darren Ercolani to its Dean’s Advisory Board. Ercolani serves as the senior vice president and chief financial officer for Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP.

“As an alumnus of Wichita State and the Barton School, it’s an honor to become one of the fifty industry leaders helping advance the School that shaped me,” Ercolani said. “I can’t wait to get started.”

A proven leader with nearly three decades of industry experience, Ercolani has served as a change agent in Chevron Phillips Chemical’s finance organization and innovation champion for numerous companywide initiatives. Prior to his current role at Chevron Phillips Chemical, he was the company’s senior vice president of business transformation as well as a general auditor. He has held several finance management and treasury functions at the domestic and international levels, including owner relations manager, Asia-region controller, as well as CFO and finance manager at Q-Chem in Qatar. Ercolani began his career with Koch Industries in 1993 before transitioning to Phillips Petroleum in 1997. He later joined Chevron Phillips Chemical as treasury associate in 2000.