Alumni

Travis Bloom ’13: Avoiding the $10k Vet Bill

Posted on by Claire Hall

Travis Bloom poses with his cat, Ginny
Travis Bloom ’13 (BUS) takes a minute from his day to take a picture with Ginny Bloom, his CCO (Chief Cat Officer) at Pawlicy Advisor. At Pawlicy Advisor, Travis offers a variety of insurance options for pet owners, and seeks to make it as transparent and easy to use as possible. (Contributed Photo)

As soon as alumnus Travis Bloom ’13 (BUS) tells people that he co-owns a company that brokers pet health insurance, the stories begin.Continue Reading

UConn Alums Want You to ‘Roast’ Them

Posted on by Claire Hall

From left, Kwame "Ato'' Eyiah, Ben Morneault and Chris Mueller, alumni from the Class of 2019, are launching their new Roast Me game.(Nathan Oldham / UConn School of Business)
From left, Kwame “Ato” Eyiah, Ben Morneault and Chris Mueller, alumni from the Class of 2019, are launching their new Roast Me game.(Nathan Oldham / UConn School of Business)

Three recent UConn alumni are on the verge of releasing their first entrepreneurial venture, a unique card game called Roast Me. The game brings a twist to good-natured comedic gibes among friends, with a gameplay style similar to “adult” card games that have become popular in recent years.Continue Reading

Auriemma Leadership Conference: ‘Do the Brave Thing’

Posted on by Claire Hall

Lucy Gilson (left), Associate Dean of the UConn School of Business and Geno Auriemma (right), Head Coach of UConn Women's Basketball, speak during the first day of the Leadership Conference. This year's program focused on leading through complexity and uncertainty. (Nathan Oldham / UConn School of Business)
Lucy Gilson (left), Associate Dean of the UConn School of Business and Geno Auriemma (right), Head Coach of UConn Women’s Basketball, speak during the first day of the Leadership Conference. This year’s program focused on leading through complexity and uncertainty. (Nathan Oldham / UConn School of Business)

Embrace disruption or be left behind.

That was one of the powerful messages shared by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Co-President George Barrios ’87, ’89 MBA, one of the keynote speakers at the Geno Auriemma UConn Leadership Conference in Stamford, Conn.Continue Reading

Former NBA Executive Says Diversity is the Key

Posted on by Claire Hall

Patrick Harris ’70 (BUSN) returned to UConn this week to speak about diversity at the Rosenberg-McVay Business Leadership Luncheon, as well as to address students from UConn’s Scholars House. (Nathan Oldham / UConn School of Business)
Patrick Harris ’70 (BUSN) returned to UConn this week to speak about diversity at the Rosenberg-McVay Business Leadership Luncheon, as well as to address students from UConn’s Scholars House. (Nathan Oldham / UConn School of Business)

As a 10-year-old boy, Patrick Harris ’70 (BUSN) cried when he realized his dark skin prevented him from being served at a Woolworth lunch counter in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

But the racial discrimination he encountered didn’t derail his spirit for long. He went on to become one of the most powerful executives in the NBA, as Vice President, CFO of the Los Angeles Lakers.Continue Reading

Karen Munson Savors the Sweet Taste of Success

Posted on by Claire Hall

Karen Munson, the president of Munson's Chocolates, in her retail store in Bolton, CT. At this location, Munson's produces 350,000 pounds of chocolate per year. (Nathan Oldham / UConn School of Business)
Karen Munson, the president of Munson’s Chocolates, in her retail store in Bolton, CT. At this location, Munson’s produces 350,000 pounds of chocolate per year. (Nathan Oldham / UConn School of Business)

Karen Munson is the president of Munson’s Chocolates and a third-generation chocolatier. Her paternal grandparents founded the Dandy Candy Co. in Manchester, Conn. in 1946, using sugar rations from the end of WWII to create ribbon candy and other treats.Continue Reading