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n Sch o o l o f M an ag ement
SOM Honors Alumni by Robin L. Flanigan
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ecognized for a distinguished career well-rounded individual, which makes you a that has taken him to a senior posiwell-rounded professional. It gives you the tion at one of the nation’s premiere ability to think broadly, digest different types broadcast companies, John Drain of information that are not core to what you ’83 is the recipient of Nazareth College’s do every day, and adjust—and that’s really 2012 School of Management Alumni Award. important in business today.” “He’s the quintessential SOM graduate,” Another vital component to a successful says Gerard Zappia, dean of the School of business career is maintaining high ethical Management. “John is a good example of standards, adds Drain, acknowledging that someone who has learned how to learn, and he often thinks back to his business ethics he has a steady record of progressive achieveclass at Nazareth as he oversees the spending ment to show for it.” of millions of dollars in operating and capital Drain, senior vice president of finance for expenditures. He emphasized that message Manhattan-based Hearst Television, is quick in April, at the Nazareth Honor Society’s to point out that Nazareth gave him both induction ceremony, as he spoke about the the foundation and confidence to excel in respectable mentors in his life and advised a career he’d always felt he should pursue. soon-to-be-graduates to stay true to their The son of an accountant and an accountant moral principles. himself by trade, his jobs have generally been “I’m a firm believer that nobody but yourin the media business—preparing and analyzself can take away your integrity,” explains John Drain ’83, recipient of the 2012 School ing financial statements, handling legal and Drain, who, as part of the alumni award of Management Alumni Award human resource matters, calculating the best process, was asked to fulfill this speaking use of financial and human capital during engagement as well as help pick next year’s mergers and acquisitions, and providing career development opportuhonoree. “That’s part of your personal branding, and doing things nities for the industry’s up-and-coming leaders, among other duties. right is a quality that people value.” In his current position, he is responsible for all finance, human Nazareth not only heavily influenced Drain’s career, but it was durresources, information technology, and other administrative matters at ing his time at the College that he met his wife, Dena Burdick ’84. Hearst Television, which has 29 television stations servicing 26 U.S. marThey’ve been married 25 years and have three children. kets. Additionally, he works with the company’s president and senior “Every time I go back on campus, it’s home,” he says. “I really feel leaders of the management team to set strategy for future growth. connected to Nazareth in just about everything I do.” Drain, who commutes to work from his home in Plymouth Meeting, Read more about the School of Management at naz.edu/managePenn., says he was “deeply honored” to receive the second annual ment. alumni award. “There was a lot of diversity at Nazareth,” he says. “The people, Robin L. Flanigan is a freelance writer in Rochester, New York. the education, the cultural arts, the entire environment makes you a
“ John is a good example of someone who has learned how to learn, and he has a steady record of progressive achievement to show for it.” — G e r a r d Z a pp i a , dean o f the S chool o f M anagement
12 CONNECTIONS | Summer-Fall 2012
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