This article first appeared in the UConn Business magazine, Volume 4, Issue 3 (Spring 2014)
Five luminaries of the business world were inducted into the UConn School of Business’ Hall of Fame on May 2 at the Hartford Marriott, surrounded by dozens of family members, friends, colleagues and admirers.
Inductees included James V. Agonis ’71, retired CEO and president of AirKaman Cecil, Inc.; Kevin A. Bouley ’80, president and CEO of Nerac, Inc.; Joanne L. DeBlasis ’76, ’83 MBA, president, Accident & Health Division, Navigators RE; Amy J. Errett ’79 (CLAS), CEO and co-founder of Madison Reed; and Lisa Klauser ’90, president, Shopper and Consumer Marketing, Integrated Marketing Services.
In addition to their remarkable and inspiring business careers, the inductees have all been leaders in their communities, said John A. Elliott, dean of the School of Business. The inductees spoke briefly about their career journeys and how UConn shaped both their professional and personal lives. They join more than 100 other alumni who have been recognized since 1993.
Retired CEO James Agonis Finds New Purpose In Helping Abused, Drug-Addicted Costa Rican Orphans
Throughout his successful career, including serving as president of his own company, UConn alumnus James Agonis ’71, dealt with giants of the defense industry.
Ten years after his retirement, his focus has switched to abused and defenseless children, who are trying to establish a happy childhood in a Costa Rican orphanage.
“Most of the times when I visit the orphanage, I go out in the backyard and cry like a baby because of the horrible things these children have experienced,” said Agonis, who is the principal supporter of the Hogar Cuna orphanage.
Some of the 18 children who live there have been attacked by their own family members, have lost both parents in car crashes, or were born addicted to heroin.
“I pick them up and I hug them until I finally have to put them down because my arms are sore and I can’t do it anymore,” said Agonis, the retired CEO and president of AirKaman Cecil Inc. of Jacksonville, Florida.
With unwavering tenacity, Agonis earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the School of Business in 1971. It took him seven years to complete his degree because he often had to take semesters off to wait tables to earn enough money to pay for additional schooling. “I’m extremely proud of my UConn education,” he said. “UConn provided the foundation, and I’ll be forever grateful to its faculty and advisers for my success.”
Agonis and his wife, Glenna, presented a $100,000 gift to the Accounting Endowment for Excellence in the School of Business in 2011. “I have tremendous empathy for the student struggling with academics because of an after-school job,” he said. “It would be my dream to help someone like that get through school.”
With his finance and accounting skills, Agonis worked for the federal government and then spent 20 years with Kaman Aerospace Corp., a Fortune 500 company and defense contractor in Bloomfield, progressing to group vice president. He then formed his own company, AirKaman Cecil, a fixed-base operator managing the daily functions of an airport in Jacksonville, Florida. Customers included Boeing, Grumman, the Navy and Coast Guard. AirKaman Cecil experienced tremendous growth under Agonis’ leadership, which he credits to strategic management, innovative marketing and customer relations.
He and his wife now enjoy family, traveling, international big-game fishing and watching UConn basketball. Agonis also donated $125,000 to establish a scholarship fund named in honor of UConn women’s basketball Assistant Coach Chris Dailey.
“I have watched Chris Dailey for more than 20 years, and to me there is no better person in women’s basketball,” he said. “She’s the most selfless person, working in the background, being a mentor, coach and friend.”
Kevin Bouley’s Passion Is Promoting Connecticut’s Brainpower, Creativity, and Inventions
It was supposed to be Kevin A. Bouley’s moment in the spotlight.
But instead of highlighting his own professional achievements at the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Bouley ’80, took the opportunity to praise some people he admires.
Alicia Echevarria ’13 (ENG), he said, is designing a new bridge column that is more resilient during earthquakes. Eric Sirois ’09 (ENG) is developing a trans-catheter, aortic-valve technology. And Michael Zilm (ENG) is creating biomimetic bone scaffolding. All three aspiring entrepreneurs are graduate students from UConn’s School of Engineering.
“There is an emerging culture of creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship taking root at UConn,” Bouley said. Partnerships between various disciplines and schools within the university are reaping amazing results.
“We need to leverage the state’s investment in our system of higher education and use it to build our economic future via new innovations,” he said. “The potential economic benefits of new technologies being commercialized in Connecticut… are enormous.”
Bouley is the president and CEO of Nerac, a research and advisory firm for companies developing innovative products and services. Based in Tolland, Nerac’s team of analysts address corporate concerns ranging from intellectual property strategies, to competitive business threats, and scientific reviews.
Bouley earned his Bachelor of Science degree in finance in 1980. He became vice president of Nerac in 1987, and maintained that position until acquiring the company 12 years later. Under his direction, Nerac has enjoyed strong growth, more than doubling in size.
Nerac has five times been named to the Deloitte & Touche prestigious Technology Fast 50 program for Connecticut, a ranking of the 50 fastest growing tech companies in the state.
Bouley is also an active “angel investor,” nurturing innovation, investing money and resources in start-ups, many of which are hosted within Nerac’s building. He works regularly with UConn’s School of Business and School of Engineering, alumni and members of the local business community to bring more business-development programs to fruition by connecting entrepreneurs and potential investors.
“I have reached an age where I care less about my resume and more about leaving a legacy to the next generation,” he said. “A critical component of this legacy is to inspire, teach and mentor students and other budding entrepreneurs in Connecticut.”
He envisions the Tolland business corridor, including UConn, as a regional destination and growing hub of entrepreneurial activity, drawing the best and brightest. He would also like to see a rebirth of manufacturing in the state.
Bouley has served on many technology and business associations, and currently serves on the UConn School of Engineering Advisory Board and the Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation Advisory Board. He is a recipient of the UConn Alumni Association 2007 University Service Award and the UConn School of Engineering 2010 Distinguished Service Award.
Not only did UConn enrich his career path, Bouley said, but it is where he met his wife, Lorraine ’80. They have two daughters. Richter is a sophomore in the UConn School of Nursing, and Turner is a high school student.
Taking A Risk On Yourself May Bring Career Rewards Counsels Insurance Expert Joann DeBlasis
If she could offer one piece of advice for new business graduates, Joann DeBlasis ’76, ’83 MBA, would tell them to take risks. “Taking on a new position, as scary as it might be, enables you to grow in your career,” she said. “Many people get stuck in a rut because they are afraid if they try something new, they will fail. My advice is to push for it.”
What makes her thoughts particularly striking is that DeBlasis has spent her professional career assessing and insuring against financial risk. The humor in those contrasting perspectives is not lost on her.
As a president at Navigators RE, a division of Navigators Management Co., Inc., DeBlasis is responsible for the accident and health division. She has enjoyed a lengthy career in the reinsurance industry, starting with Cigna in the early 1990s.
Her accomplishments include starting a health-reinsurance product line for three separate insurance companies, where she supervised all facets of administration, underwriting, pricing, marketing and financial management.
She has hired many people during her career and seeks a few key traits in a new colleague. “I want to work with someone who has a passion for what they do,” she said. “Equally importantly, they must have the ability to get along with other people. I think it is important to always be polite and treat people how you would want to be treated. That means being honest when something goes wrong and offering appreciation and recognition for success.”
DeBlasis earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the UConn School of Business in 1976. Although her guidance counselor pressured her to attend a different institution, she never regretted her decision to attend UConn.
Her college days, she said, were filled with wonderful experiences and lifelong friendships. She was joined at the Hall of Fame ceremony by four good friends from college, with whom she has shared all of life’s struggles and joys.She later earned her MBA from the UConn School of Business’ Hartford campus, attending classes at night while working full-time.
“It was extremely challenging to attend school in the evening after working all day,” she said. “But I thought it was important to earn my MBA. I knew it would lead to new opportunities.”
In 2012, she established a scholarship to benefit students at UConn’s Stamford campus. “I was very fortunate that I graduated from college debt-free because my parents were able to pay for my education. Some people graduate with huge debts. I decided to establish a scholarship to help others get through their education and pass along my good fortune.”
DeBlasis is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants. She lives in Connecticut and has two adult sons. In addition to spending time with family, DeBlasis enjoys golf, travel, fitness and gourmet cooking.
Unrelenting Optimism, Enthusiasm for Innovation Drive Success of Entrepreneur, Venture Capitalist Amy Errett ’79 (CLAS)
To appreciate why Amy J. Errett ’79 (CLAS) is phenomenally successful in business, you first have to grasp her fearless enthusiasm for life. She describes herself as a “horseback riding, fly-fishing, black-diamond snowboarding, wine collecting, San Francisco Giants-loving Californian.” She also appreciates great food, nature and everything high-tech. She revels in trying something new.
“I come from an athletic, outdoor family; people who are real ‘doers.’ I like to travel, explore and enjoy nature and the outdoors,” she said. “I pretty much like to have a good time.”
Errett earned a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from UConn in 1979, and an MBA in finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1988. During her multifaceted career, she has worked as an entrepreneur, a senior executive, a venture capitalist, and as a passionate advocate for social change.
Before beginning her own business in February, Errett was a general partner and ran the San Francisco Bay-Area office of Maveron, a leading venture capital firm. She has also served as the CEO and as an owner of Olivia, repositioning the travel business as a complete lifestyle company. During her tenure at Olivia, she was named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Northern California.
Errett also founded and served as CEO of The Spectrem Group, a worldwide strategic consulting, information and merger-and-acquisition advisory firm. After selling the company, she joined the senior management team at E*Trade, where she diversified the company’s business beyond brokerage, and ran a $200 million business that encompassed the company’s growth areas.
“I think the two threads that tie my career together are that I love to build great teams of people to work together, and I like innovation. I’m a fan of the latest app, the newest technology and the best electronics,” she said.
“I don’t worry about failing. Some people would call me blindly optimistic,” she said. “I think positive energy just fosters and creates good things.”
Her newest venture is Madison Reed, a company striving to transform the at-home, hair-coloring experience. Errett said she devised the company after her friends complained about the high cost of salon treatments and their concerns about the harsh chemicals in hair dyes.
The company, which launched in February, is named after her 11-year-old daughter. Madison Reed hair products contain no ammonia or harsh chemicals and the company employs 35 “on call” colorists who assist with everything from application techniques to selecting the right hair color.
Although she lives in California now, Errett is still a die-hard UConn sports fan. As a student athlete she played field hockey and dabbled in basketball. “I bleed blue. I’m a Husky forever,” she said. “Before each Final Four (basketball tournament), everyone counted us out. Look where we are today—and the best is yet to come!”
In addition to her family, work and hobbies, Errett is deeply committed to humanitarian work. She chairs the Board of Directors of Glide, San Francisco’s largest non-government social services organization. “If we don’t look out for each other in this world, who will?” she said. “I think giving back is critical. It makes you a better leader and a better person.”
When asked how she manages to accomplish so much, Errett laughs. “Well, I don’t sleep a lot,” she said. “I also have a phenomenal assistant. I’m very focused on time management. I get up early and go to bed late, and I try to make every day count.”
Consumer Expert Lisa Klauser ’90: Resilience, Dissatisfaction with Status Quo Will Propel Students to Success
Lisa Klauser ’90 will tell you she’s living the American dream.
As president of Consumer and Shopper Practice for Norwalk’s Integrated Marketing, she supervises a team of 200 and works with well-known clients such as People magazine, Energizer Personal Care, Hillshire Brands and Barilla.
“I came to UConn planning to be a Spanish teacher,” Klauser recalled. “I tried a business course, and that was a game-changing moment for me. I loved the competitive side of American business. UConn gave me everything I needed to begin my journey.”
She credits her parents for giving her the values that have served her well. Her father only had an 8th grade education and sometimes worked three jobs to support the family. He taught her the value of hard work, dependability and always doing the right thing. Her mother bestowed on her the gift of confidence.
“I’ve lived the American dream, but I think it is still unattainable for many,” said Klauser, who worries about the growing gap between the middle class and the poor.
Klauser has served on the Board of the University of Connecticut Foundation since 2012, and as she watches the next generation of students pass through the University, she experiences both a sense of excitement and caution.
“I want to instill the entrepreneurial spirit into students. We are blessed to have the most amazing university right in our backyard. The university has invested in high-caliber faculty, innovative programs, and its courses are well-geared toward the business world. Hopefully UConn will shape the future of the next generations.
“For our young adults today, I believe the most important thing they need is resilience. This is a challenging time in our country and in business,” she said. “It is important to be able to pick yourself up, reinvent yourself, and keep pursuing your goals, while still maintaining a strong moral compass and your integrity. I hope they carry a restless dissatisfaction with the status quo.”
Klauser earned a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from the School of Business in 1990. She began her career at Nestle Foods, and later worked at Kraft Foods. She then spent 19 years at Unilever, most recently serving as vice president of Consumer and Customer Solutions for North America.
One of her passions is helping women in the workplace. She served on the Board of Directors of the Network of Executive Women for the Grocery Manufacturers Association of America. She also led the Women’s Interactive Business Network at Unilever. She has served as the vice chair for the Promotion Marketing Association.
Klauser was inducted into the Shopper Marketing Hall of Fame in 2012 and was named as one of the Top Women in Grocery in 2010 and 2011. In 2013, she was selected as one of Ad Age’s Top Women to Watch. She resides in New Jersey with her husband, Rick, and two teenage children.
