Rinker Report
2023-2024
Palm Beach Atlantic University
An Annual Report from the Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. School of Business
The 2023-2024 academic year was outstanding for the Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. School of Business. In our first year of AACSB accreditation, we set a new record for business school enrollment, grew our faculty size, added a second center of excellence, continued to innovate our curriculum, increased student engagement, added advisory board members and broke ground on a new 125,000 square foot business school building. God continues to bless the RSB!
Undergraduate enrollment in the Rinker School of Business has increased 38 percent over the last two years. Our fall 2024 freshman class continues to see enrollment growth records. With this growth, we have been adding new faculty to our team. This academic year, we welcomed Pagie Baltzan (Information Systems), Dr. Emanuel Garcia-Munoz (Economics), Dr. Steve Panczak (Marketing) and Dr. Emily Webster (Marketing) into the Rinker School of Business family. This fall, four new faculty members, Dr. Daniel Lawson (Finance), Dr. Tim Shaughnessy (Economics), Emily Eaton (Management) and Roy Allem (Information Systems), are joining the team.
The last year saw the implementation of our newest center for excellence, the Center for Financial Literacy, under the direction of Professor Barbara Vanderwerf. In that capacity, Professor VanderWerf added inaugural advisory board members, engaged in financial literacy counseling, oversaw the FinLit student club, taught our financial literacy course and arranged for Rob West, president of Kingdom Advisors, to give the center’s opening lecture.
With the addition of the Center for Financial Literacy, the RSB has added a one-hour financial literacy course to the Rinker School of Business core. All RSB majors will be sent into the world with a basic understanding of sound personal finance practices. Also related to curricula, the RSB voted to add five new degrees in the 2024-2025 academic year. At the undergraduate level, the RSB is adding Business and Law and Entrepreneurship and Franchising. The former is a collaborative effort with the School of Liberal Arts and Science, while the latter is the first academic major in franchising in the world and is in collaboration with the Titus Center for Franchising.
At the graduate level, the RSB voted to add a Master of Business Data Analytics, a Master of Business Administration and Analytics and a Master of Accountancy and Analytics to the graduate catalog. Dr. Madison Ngafeeson is overseeing our push to better equip students to understand and harness the power of big data. By offering graduate programs with STEM status, international RSB graduates can earn a three-year optional practical training (OPT) offering extended temporary employment in the U.S.
In 2024, the RSB welcomed John Adams, Frida Alsterhem, Gil Kemp, David McClymont, Lisa Perino, Rayk Riechmann and Darlaine Sisk to our Rinker School of Business Advisory Board. The board began examination of a possible human resource management program in the RSB. It also provided support to the RSB’s mission to attract and retain highly qualified faculty. The board’s continued financial contributions have facilitated increased engagement opportunities for our students.
The Sailfish Student Managed Fund completed its first year of successful investments. Students who run the fund annually report to the Board of Trustees Finance Committee. The fund is under the oversight of Dr. Scott Pearson. Dr. Lane Cohee faithfully administered our Mentor-Protégé Program which pairs juniors and seniors with Christian business mentors. Dr. Claudia Strow and I took RSB students to Australia in December 2023 and Dr. John Hayes and Dr. Christos Kelepouris took RSB students to Hungary, Croatia and Greece in May 2024. RSB students also regularly represented PBA at Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Business Council meetings.
Furthering student engagement outside the classroom, Dr. Emily Webster took RSB marketing students to the annual AMA competition in New Orleans. RSB student Christiane Anton won second place in the country for the pitch competition and our AMA chapter was named one of the top five chapters at small schools in the country. Our Accounting Club, overseen by Dr. Emmanuel Mwaungulu, led a successful meet and greet with accounting firms, and our International Business Student’s Association grew in size and
purpose. Dr. Alexandra Cook and Dr. Scott Pearson took RSB students to the annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting in Nebraska. Student engagement is a team effort, and we have a great team of engaged faculty at the Rinker School of Business.
The RSB Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise Speaker Series in 2023-2024 hosted an impressive collection of speakers that included multiple CEOs, executives, public policy analysts and elected officials. With the pace of expansion within the RSB, a new business hall cannot come soon enough. The ceremonial groundbreaking for the new Marshall and Vera Lee Rinker Business Hall at the beginning of 2024 brought together support from all corners of PBA stakeholders. This business hall was first made possible by a generous gift from John and Sheila Rinker. Unfortunately, John passed away in spring 2024. The impact of their gift will be felt by thousands of students for generations to come.
The 2023-2024 academic year witnessed increased growth, innovation and engagement to the Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. School of Business. We can’t wait to see what God has in store for us in 2024-2025. You might just be able to find me in a lawn chair eating my lunch while I “oversee” construction of our new business hall. It will be an exciting year as we watch the completion of the business hall take shape.
Dr. Brian Strow
Dean, Professor of Economics
Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. School of Business
Honoring the Legacy of Visionary Philanthropist
John J. Rinker
Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) is proud to honor the legacy of John J. Rinker (1944-2024), whose philanthropic contributions to the institution and the Palm Beaches, alongside Sheila, his wife of 43 years, have made a lasting impact.
John was born to Vera Lea and Marshall E. “Doc” Rinker, Sr.—a founding member of PBA. After attending Stetson University, John worked for Rinker Materials Corporation and eventually became president of quarry operations. As president of the Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Foundation he became involved with PBA— following in his father’s footsteps. He orchestrated the lead gift to build the Vera Lea Rinker Music Hall, named in honor of his mother. He also led the development of the Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Athletic Campus and the John and Sheila Rinker Sports Center, completed in 2014 and 2017, respectively.
In 2016, John and Sheila received PBA’s highest honor, the degree Honoris causa, or Honorary Doctorate. In Sheila’s acceptance speech, she spoke of the Rinker family legacy and the generosity the family has shown to PBA since its inception.
John Rinker’s commitment to PBA has been both deep and enduring. In 2022, John, with the support of his wife Sheila, contributed $20 million along with a $6 million gift he championed from the Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Foundation, Inc. as the lead gift to the Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Business Hall, the largest gift in PBA’s history.
John’s contributions extended far beyond financial support. His involvement in various capacities, including his tenure as a trustee from 1999 to 2007, have been pivotal in advancing PBA’s mission. His belief in the transformative power of education was evident in his unwavering support for our students, whom he often said were the true reason for his involvement.
John cared deeply for the students’ development in integrity, moral strength, and community engagement.
Gifts made in memory of John Rinker will go toward PBA’s Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Business Hall. The Rinker family will be made aware of all gifts donated in John’s memory.
Give to support transformative, Christ-first education at PBA!
LEARN MORE
Contact PBA’s Development team to learn more about supporting the Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Business Hall and to explore naming opportunities. Call 561.803.2777 or email development@pba.edu.
GET CREATIVE
You can support PBA through gifts of stock, securities, or matching gifts! Learn more online at pba.edu/giving.
GIVE ONLINE at pba.edu/rsbgive or scan the QR code.
New Business Hall Bolsters Rinker School of Business
The Facility will Prepare Future Leaders for Changing Market Demands
In January 2024, PBA entered an exciting new chapter in the university’s 55-year history, breaking ground on the Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Business Hall. The facility is the first of four major expansion projects under the God-Sized Dreams campaign. What’s more, it uniquely positions PBA to meet the demands of a growing student body and the South Florida market.
Over the last two academic years (2022-23; 2023-24), undergraduate enrollment in the Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. School of Business grew by 45 percent. This remarkable trend is expected to continue in 2024-2025. Reflecting its commitment to excellence, the Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. School of Business received AACSB accreditation in May 2023, placing PBA in the top six percent of business schools worldwide.
West Palm Beach has also been buoyed by a growing number of businesses relocating to the region. The Business Development Board of Palm Beach County reports that since 2019, roughly 100 firms have opened offices in the County.
The Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. School of Business has embraced this growth by introducing new programs. These include Business Data Analytics, Business Economics, Mathematical Economics, Business and Law, Entrepreneurship, and Franchising—along with 3+2 versions of its MBA and master’s in accountancy. New courses in real estate and the launch of the Center for Financial Literacy have also enhanced the school’s offerings.
These new programs will be complemented by the new business hall, made possible by the late John J. Rinker, his wife Sheila Rinker, and the Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Foundation, Inc.
A Facility for the Future
The 125,000-square-foot complex will provide students with a dynamic, fastpaced learning environment, enhancing PBA’s liberal arts education rooted in American Free Enterprise while encouraging collaboration across departments. A dramatic, two-story atrium will welcome visitors. Furnished with state-of-theart technology, a stock trading room will serve as a learning laboratory, bridging the gap between theory and application. Equipped with professional terminals and a stock ticker, students will use real-time market data and professional trading tools.
John and Sheila Rinker at the Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Business Hall Groundbreaking.
A 300-seat tiered lecture hall will serve as a hub for the free exchange of ideas. PBA faculty, guest lecturers, and industry leaders will use the space to discuss the latest business trends, insights, and opportunities with students and community members. The innovative facility will equip PBA graduates with a direct understanding of market analysis, portfolio management, and ethical decisionmaking under pressure, making them valuable assets to employers from the first day on the job.
Cultivating Tomorrow’s Leaders
Reflecting PBA’s commitment to whole-person education, the Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Business Hall will offer a distinct blend of politics, public policy, and business, equipping future leaders with comprehensive training to navigate today’s complex business landscape. It will also house three PBA Centers of Excellence, including the Titus Center for Franchising, the Center for Financial Literacy and the LeMieux Center for Public Policy.
From L-R, Ray Titus, Dr. Brian Strow, Dr. Debra A. Schwinn, Senator George S. LeMieux, Dr. Robert Lloyd and Dr. John Hayes break ground for the Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Business Hall.
Center for Financial Literacy
A Message from the Director
We created the Center for Financial Literacy (CFL) to meet a specific need in the community and at PBA. Leveraging the expertise, resources and reach of the Rinker School of Business, we help people build a healthy, sustainable and faith-based relationship with their money.
Since its launch in November 2023, the CFL has made good on its mission “to equip individuals with an understanding of financial concepts such as budgeting, saving, investing, spending and debt management in order to make wise personal financial decisions.” Through course offerings, coaching, partnerships and workshops, the CFL provides direct services to students, alumni, staff, faculty and other corners of the community; and based on its first year, the Center for Financial Literacy’s future looks bright.
Courses and Academic Offerings
The CFL is underpinned by the success of the financial literacy course offered at PBA, which we began offering in fall 2021. The demand for practical knowledge and tools demonstrated the need for the CFL, and students consistently report that the course helped change their financial habits for the better. The three-credit course is a self-paced online elective, where students can fit the fundamentals of financial literacy into their everyday lives. When students complete the course, they walk away with a personal financial plan, highlights of which include a budget, clear next
steps and goals for generous giving. As of the end of the 2023-24 academic year, 318 students have taken the course, and nearly half were students with majors outside the business school. The interdisciplinary appeal of the course affirms the need for intentional financial literacy education.
Student feedback highlights the real impact of the financial literacy course and its crucial place at PBA:
• “So helpful for me to put my vision into action when it comes to my financial plan and this class was instrumental in forming that.”Kaden Hultgren (Management, 2024)
• “You have made me manage my money so much better. I got my spending down to half and increased my income.” - Savannah Carrier (Medicinal and Biological Chemistry, 2024)
• “Before, I did not know how to manage my money well or how I should think about budgeting…Now, I am cautious of my spending, able to create a budget and have a good system in place for my future.” - Frida Alsterhem (Business Administration, 2024)
As part of the CFL’s initiative to embed financial literacy in the Rinker School of Business curriculum, all Rinker students will take a onecredit Financial Literacy for Business Professionals class before graduation, which will be offered on-campus starting in Fall 2024. In addition to these courses exclusively for PBA students, we are currently developing an open online course. This non-credit bearing course will be hosted on Canvas
The CFL partners with both PBA students and community organizations to amplify the importance and increase the accessibility of financial literacy education.
with accessibility in mind, available to anyone looking to gain a greater understanding of personal finance concepts.
Coaching and Workshops
As of May 2024, the CFL has completed 302 coaching interactions in the form of one-on-one sessions and group workshops. For example, the director advised eight individuals, coached two couples and led two nine-week sessions of Financial Peace University (FPU) with Rinker MBA student Erik Erikson. The CFL partnered with Lake Worth-based Journey Church to offer FPU to members of the local community looking for faith-based guidance to reduce financial stress. On campus, the CFL facilitated workshops in three First-Year Experience courses, introducing the importance of financial literacy early in the PBA experience.
Events
The CFL held its inaugural event for National Financial Literacy month in April 2024, featuring
CFL Director Barbara VanderWerf
Rob West, CEO of Kingdom Advisors and host of the syndicated radio program Faith and Finance and Faith and Finance LIVE. Approximately 100 people gathered in the Warren Library Lassiter Rotunda to listen and learn as West presented on the integration of a biblical worldview into personal finance. He outlined practical steps for financial wellness and engaged students in a robust Q&A. Along with this core event, the CFL hosted mortgage professional Aaron Swenson for a session on Understanding Mortgages, attended by 51 students. The director also represented the CFL on a panel discussion, Financial Wellness for Attorneys as part of the Palm Beach County Bar Association’s Quality of Life Series. These events drew participants from the local community, partner organizations and PBA students, staff and faculty.
Partnerships and the FinLit Team
The CFL partners with both PBA students and community organizations to amplify the importance and increase the accessibility of financial literacy education. An interdisciplinary group of 10 students, formally known as The FinLit Team, meets twice monthly to actively engage financial literacy on campus. Together, they explore best practices in personal finance and ways to serve, sharing their knowledge and experiences with their peers. In the future, the FinLit Team will serve as CFL ambassadors, visiting FYE courses and leading events for the center. In addition to this student group, the CFL has also cultivated strategic partnerships with Journey Church, the Rotary Clubs of Palm Beach and West Palm Beach and Junior Achievement.
This year, we welcomed the first five members of our volunteer advisory board to collaboratively guide programming and advocate for the CFL – Scott Barlass, Founder of The Axiom Group,
Paul Tripaldi, Sr. Vice President of Philanthropy at United Way of Palm Beach County, Robert Anderson, Managing Broker and Co-Founder of Tortoise Realty Group, Karen Halloway, Financial Advisory at Northwestern Mutual and Cesar Henao, Owner of iMarketing21. At their first annual meeting in February, the board joined CFL staff and students to discuss the Center’s impact, shape future programming and brainstorm outreach opportunities. The board also joined us in April for our National Financial Literacy month event and met with Rob West for a discussion on future programming and best practices. We hope to add more voices to our stellar board in the coming year, adding additional perspectives to enrich our discussions and meet our objectives.
Looking Ahead
The emphasis on financial literacy education is also an essential part of PBA’s plans for the new
Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Business Hall. The CFL will live alongside the Titus Center for Franchising and the LeMieux Center for Public Policy in the new business hall.
Looking ahead to next year, the CFL will continue to serve the community – expanding its outreach into classes across campus, welcoming new advisors, offering individual and group coaching and providing another interactive event on campus. If you want to partner with the CFL, please reach out to us at CFL@pba.edu and follow us on Instagram @pbacenterforfinancialliteracy.
Barbara VanderWerf Director of the Center for Financial Literacy Pictured below
Barbara VanderWerf (right) speaks with students during a financial literacy session.
of our students say their goal is not just a job; ultimately, they want to be franchise owners. 97%
Titus Center for Franchising
A Message from the Director
“Unique” and “Significant”! That’s how the AACSB peer review team described the Titus Center for Franchising upon recommending our business school for accreditation one year ago. Those descriptors are never taken lightly at Titus Center, and we work to re-earn them every day. The best measurement of our success comes from our students. Here’s an example from our student, Sophia Gormley, who had the opportunity to attend the International Franchise Association (IFA) convention in Phoenix with more than 3,000 franchise professionals. Upon her return, she wrote, “(The convention) was such an educational experience. I met such amazing and accomplished people. These connections may lead to internships and jobs, and I am so thankful for that. I appreciate you providing me with this opportunity.”
Providing opportunities for students, as well as for existing and prospective franchise professionals, is what we do at the Titus Center, a self-funded enterprise established in 2017 with a $1.5 million gift from the Titus Family of West Palm Beach, Florida.
Currently, more than 60 students are pursuing a concentration in franchising and more than 60 students have graduated from our program. Of these graduates, nine have purchased franchises, quickly fulfilling a dream of business ownership. Many others work for franchise companies.
Before entering Palm Beach Atlantic University, not one of those graduates intended to study franchising because they probably didn’t know it existed. Once on campus, they discovered the opportunities in franchising, usually from their
peers, and chose to pursue the concentration. Students who earn a concentration also earn a major in a subject of their choice. Most choose marketing, management or international business. However, beginning in the 2024-2025 academic year, franchising and entrepreneurship will be offered as a major at PBA.
The concentration in franchising (as well as the new major) includes three academic courses: Principles of Franchising, Franchise Creative Ventures, and Franchise Management and Operations. Students also enroll in an intensive franchise-specific internship where they work for at least 90 hours. Internships are provided by Chick-fil-A, United Franchise Group, Scenthound, Home Franchise Concepts, Get Simple Box, Retro Fitness, Clothes Bin, Meals of Hope and a growing number of other companies. One student from Italy is completing two internships at home this summer with McDonald’s and Body Street!
The franchise concentration complements most majors because it provides specific skills that serve a graduate for life. With nearly 4,000 franchise brands in North America, many employers seek college graduates with franchise expertise and they find them at PBA. However, 97 percent of our students say their goal is not just a job; ultimately, they want to be franchise owners.
The annual operating funds for Titus Center come from a dynamic advisory board that consists of more than 80 companies and 100 franchise professionals. In addition to providing guidance about our curricula, advisory board members mentor students, speak to our classes, and support special events such as the Selling Franchises Summit, a major fundraiser offered every January. Through dues and sponsorships, board members generously contribute more than $125,000 annually to support the center. Many board members’ companies provide internships and often recruit our graduates.
In addition to our academic program, Titus Center supports numerous other opportunities that benefit students. The IFA convention referred to earlier is the premier annual event in the world of franchising. Every year, IFA donates four admission tickets for our students and our advisory board members provide expense money for travel. Students also attend Franchise Springboard, where they network with hundreds of franchise professionals. The event’s sponsors donate two tickets, with all expenses paid to accommodate our students.
Advisory board members also help our students attend franchise expos and several members provide “mini internships” at their annual conventions where students work alongside the corporate convention staff.
These are not typical college opportunities. They are “unique” and “significant” opportunities, and they are changing the lives of PBA graduates. If franchising is in your future or the future of someone you know, come to the Titus Center for Franchising, where we educate franchising’s future generations.
Dr. John Hayes
Titus Chair for Franchise and Leadership
Titus Center for Franchising graduates attend the Spring Advisory Board Meeting. THE
Each year, the Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. School of Business at PBA, curates a diverse and dynamic lineup of speakers to expose students to various topics that impact businesses. This series ensures students gain insights from experts across different fields, enriching their academic and professional development.
On November 13, 2023, Dina Dwyer-Owens, the 2023 medalist for PBA’s American Free Enterprise Day, delivered an inspiring presentation titled Design Your Life to students and the community. The presentation focused on personal development and aligning life goals with professional aspirations. Dwyer-Owens, an acclaimed author and motivational speaker, is the first solo female inductee into the International Franchise Association (IFA) Hall of Fame. With over 40 years of leadership experience, including a 15-year tenure as CEO of Dwyer Group (now Neighborly, the world’s largest franchisor of home services brands), she has shared her insights from stages around the globe and through interviews with leading media outlets such as Inc., USA Today, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Bloomberg, and Forbes. The 2024 AFE companion medalists were Jack Day, vice president of Franchise Development for Meals of Hope, Stephen Popper, founder, president and CEO of Meals of Hope and Buddy Raney, founder of Raney Construction, Inc, philanthropist and entrepreneur.
Speaker Highlights
October 2, 2023
Geoff Jervis shared the entrepreneurial journey of Mint Eco Car Wash, highlighting innovation and strategic growth in the service industry.
October 3, 2023
Cliff Rittel provided an inspiring narrative of his career journey, offering students valuable lessons on career development and personal growth.
October 10, 2023
Kevin Hassett (YAF Sponsored) discussed “Stopping America’s Slide to Socialism,” presenting economic and political perspectives on contemporary issues.
October 16, 2023
Senator Rand Paul addressed “Deception: The Great Covid Cover-Up,” sharing his views on government transparency and public health policies.
November 1, 2023
Anne Bradley explored the “Political Economy of Terrorism,” analyzing the economic implications and strategies related to global security.
November 8, 2023
Armstrong Williams discussed entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of innovation, resilience, and leadership in business.
February 13, 2024
Alan Gast, from Gast Construction Group, shared insights on the construction industry, project management and business growth strategies.
February 27, 2024
Jesse Biter, founder of PropLogix, discussed entrepreneurship, business development and the importance of technological innovation in real estate.
March 27, 2024
Phil Gramm tackled “The Myth of American Inequality,” providing an analytical perspective on economic disparity and public policy.
April 2, 2024
Rob West explored the intersection of “Faith and Finance,” discussing ethical considerations and values-driven financial practices.
April 17, 2024
Andy Puzder (YAF Sponsored) talked about “Franchising, Opportunity, and Free Market Capitalism,” highlighting the benefits of the free market and opportunities in franchising.
Dr. Ariel Viale, Professor of Finance, Receives Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award for 2024-25
Dr. Ariel Viale is the first PBA faculty member to receive a Fulbright award representing the university. He joins a prestigious group of 400 awardees under the U.S. Scholar Program for 2024-2025.
Guided by his faith, Dr. Viale views his work as a mission to honor and glorify God. His dedication to strengthening his expertise is characteristic of the Marshall E. Rinker School of Business faculty and faculty at PBA, where most hold the highest degrees in their fields.
Dr. Viale’s project, which will be funded by his award, centers on assessing, collecting, and constructing a comprehensive database of patents granted and cited in East Asia. By combining this patent database with stock market data, his research seeks to quantify the effects of climate policy risk and uncertainty on the private economic value of technological progress or innovation as perceived by East Asian investors. He will also teach a Ph.D. or master’s level class in Asset Pricing at his host institution in Vietnam.
Dr. Viale’s Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award adds a new layer of prestige to PBA’s Marshall E. Rinker School of Business, complementing the school’s recent achievement of AACSB accreditation. This recognition highlights the quality of research conducted by PBA faculty and enhances the university’s standing as a center for international academic collaboration and innovation.
The Fulbright Program, the world’s largest and most diverse international educational exchange program, is devoted to increasing mutual understanding between the U.S. and other countries. Fulbright recipients, including Dr. Viale, engage in cutting-edge research, expand their professional networks, and often continue research collaborations started abroad, laying the groundwork for future partnerships between institutions.
Since 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided over 400,000 talented and accomplished individuals with the opportunity to study, teach, and conduct research outside the U.S. PBA students have been recognized for their academic excellence with 17 Fulbright English Teaching Assistant awards between 2018 and 2024.
Celebrating Outstanding Faculty
Professor Barb VanderWerf received the Athletic Department’s SAAC Faculty Award
Congratulations to Professor Barbara VanderWerf, honored with the Athletic Department’s SAAC (StudentAthlete Advisory Committee) Faculty Award on April 28. This award recognizes a faculty member who profoundly impacts student-athletes both inside and outside the classroom.
Dr. Emanuel Garcia Munoz, 2024 RSB Faculty Teaching Award
Congratulations to Dr. Emanuel Garcia Munoz, recipient of the 2024 RSB Faculty Teaching Award, recognizing his outstanding dedication to student learning and educational innovation.
Dr. Emily Webster, 2024 RSB Faculty Service Award
Honoring Dr. Emily Webster with the 2024 RSB Faculty Service Award for her exceptional commitment to community service and contributions to faculty development.
Dr. Ariel Viale, 2024 RSB Faculty Research Award (not pictured)
Recognizing Dr. Ariel Viale, awarded the 2024 Rinker School of Business Faculty Research Award for his significant contributions to academic research.
Student Highlights
PBA students gained wisdom and insight from the speaker at the Leadership Business Council on February 16, 2024, in West Palm Beach.
On February 29, 2024, Rinker School of Business students attended a Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches breakfast in West Palm Beach.
Palm Beach Atlantic University marketing students attended the American Marketing Association Intercollegiate Conference held in January 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
From L-R students Elvira Edstrom, Aaron Zimmerman, Kevin Sorbo (Actor, TV Producer), Brian Strow, Casey Contreras and Frida Alsterhem participate in the Leadership Business Council Breakfast in West Palm Beach on January 18, 2024.
On April 3, 2024, PBA hosted an Installation and Recognition Ceremony for the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society where 19 new members were recognized – one faculty member, five graduate students, and 13 undergraduate students.
Donor Highlight
Paul C. Bremer Endowed Scholarship for Accounting Majors
Paul C. Bremer and his wife, Barbara Bremer.
Paul Bremer served the Palm Beach community for over fifty years, working as a prominent accountant with Ernst & Young and providing his expertise and financial support for numerous non-profit organizations. The Paul C. Bremer Endowed Scholarship for Accounting Majors was created in his honor to support aspiring accountants at Palm Beach Atlantic University and was one of the many ways that Paul invested in the next generation.
As an accountant, Bremer upheld the highest standards in his industry and was known for his distinguished character and integrity. A natural people-person, he especially enjoyed his 35-year career in accounting because it allowed him to create relationships with those in his community. His personable spirit and genuine care for others helped him establish meaningful, lasting connections with clients and earned him an exceptional reputation in his field. From the start of his career—when his first boss encouraged him to join the Kiwanis Club—to his retirement and final years, Bremer used his influence to give back to his community. He championed numerous causes as an officer and board member and was deeply involved in civic and charitable activities in the Palm Beaches.
Among his countless roles in the community, Bremer served as president of the Honda Classic’s board of directors for eight years, treasurer of the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation and in various leadership roles with the American Heart Association, American WWII Orphans Network, West Palm Beach Library Foundation, Kiwanis Club of West Palm Beach, Economic Council of Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce and Bear Lakes Country Club. Above all else, he is remembered by those who knew him for his humility and willingness to serve others.
Supporting Education and Mentorship at PBA
PBA was among the many institutions and charities that benefitted from Bremer’s generosity, service and leadership. He developed a close relationship with PBA, helping students find employment locally. In 2016, former PBA President Bill Fleming and some of Bremer’s close friends came together to surprise him by establishing the Paul C. Bremer Endowed Scholarship for Accounting Majors. The endowment is self-sustaining in perpetuity, and each year, the scholarship is granted to students pursuing a career in accounting
who demonstrates outstanding character, a strong work ethic and remarkable resilience. Bremer hoped, especially, that the scholarship would support students who came from difficult backgrounds with a significant need for financial support.
Bremer’s own life demonstrated extraordinary resilience and perseverance, as he built an exceptional life for his wife, Barbara, and daughters, Debbie and Linda, from nearly nothing. His father was killed in World War II, when he was just 18 months old. After his father’s passing, his mother relocated their family from Queens, New York to Palm Beach County, where they would start over and where Bremer would establish his life. Being well-acquainted with struggle himself, he was always willing to go the extra mile for those in need. It was his hope that the recipients of the Paul C. Bremer Endowed Scholarship for Accounting Majors—or “Bremer Scholars”—would also prioritize giving back to their communities someday. Before his passing in 2021, he enjoyed serving as a mentor for the Bremer Scholars, providing them with practical advice and connecting them with internship and employment opportunities. Since the scholarship was established in 2016, 26 students have been named Bremer Scholars and have had their academic experiences transformed by the generous support of the scholarship. Bremer’s powerful legacy of generosity and service continues to inspire PBA’s aspiring accountants as they are equipped to excel in their careers and make a positive impact in their spheres of influence.
As the financial sector of Palm Beach County continues to expand, the Bremer Scholars are poised for success and unique professional opportunities upon graduation. Because of the large influx of companies relocating to West Palm Beach in recent years, the city has been deemed “Wall Street South” and is home to a growing number of exciting employers just minutes from PBA’s campus. From private wealth management firms to international corporations, the Palm Beaches are brimming with potential for students pursuing careers in accounting.
To support the Paul C. Bremer Endowed Scholarship, please visit pba.edu/bremer-scholarship.
Alumni Highlight
PBA’s Rinker School of Business Propels Alumnus Cory Hibbard to Success
Less than a decade after graduating, Palm Beach Atlantic University Rinker School of Business (RSB) alumnus Cory Hibbard has worked his way through several executive positions to now President of Graze Craze, a rapidly growing franchise within the graze-style food category. Growing up in South Jersey, Hibbard was drawn to PBA because of the family atmosphere and coastal location.
“I loved the close-knit feel of PBA, and I also loved the concept of being less than a mile from the beach,” he laughed. “The stars kind of aligned, and I made my way to West Palm Beach in 2010. PBA was really good to me. I not only got a great education and had some great introductions to different career opportunities, but I also met my wife there.”
Hibbard believes PBA’s real-world experience, top-notch professors and oneon-one mentoring prepared him for each of his post-college roles.
“When I went through the Rinker School of Business, every one of my professors had run successful companies or worked in large corporations, and the small class size allowed me to have intentional conversations with them,” he explained. “PBA opened so many doors for me following graduation. I think they have earned a reputation in the South Florida community for having hardworking students that companies want to hire right out of school.”
An Evolving Journey
Hibbard obtained a B.S. in Marketing through the RSB, and following graduation in 2014, he began working as a Marketing and Operations Manager for Strong Boalt, a leading luxury menswear start-up based in Palm Beach, Florida. He later transitioned to working as a Franchise Development Manager at the United Franchise Group (UFG), which partners with PBA and the Titus Center for Franchising. A few months later, he began working for Transworld Business Advisors, a business brokerage firm under the UFG umbrella. He worked there for nearly eight years in a myriad of roles, ending his time there as the Vice President of Operations, and in 2022, he was asked to take the reins of Graze Craze.
The Challenges and Rewards of Franchising
“Franchising is a really interesting and fun industry... It can be a great opportunity for someone to take control of their life or change their career path,” Hibbard said. “It gives you the ability to have something of your own and build a long-term, valuable asset that you can put your blood, sweat and tears into.”
Owning a successful franchise does not come without hard work, Hibbard explained.
“We don’t run the biggest teams. We run lean and intentional teams of people who don’t mind working hard and putting in some extra hours. It’s a lot of travel and hours and hard work, but it’s really rewarding when you’re doing it for the right reasons,” he said.
Being a Part of PBA’s Growth and Expansion
Hibbard has served on the advisory board of PBA’s Titus Center for Franchising since its beginning, and he recalls the early days when they were just getting started.
“I remember when there were just 20 board members and we were putting together curriculum, and now there’s full classrooms and waitlists,” he said. “It’s amazing, and I think it’s a testament to the overall success and growth of PBA. Dr. Schwinn has been amazing and has done a lot of great work.”
As PBA continues to evolve, Hibbard believes the RSB’s recent AACSB accreditation and construction of the new business building will attract even more students to want to attend the university.
“PBA’s facilities are top-notch. As they are building new spaces and making more room for new students, they have done a really good job of making it inviting and enticing for people to want to become part of the PBA family,” Hibbard said. “It’s a fun place to be a part of and watch grow.”
Advisory Board Members Rinker School of Business
John Adams
CPA and Owner, Bridgewater Tax & Financial Consulting
Gary Adkin
Director of Investments, Stifel
Frida Alsterhem
MBA Student, Rinker School of Business
Jorge Cabrera, Jr. Vice President - Accounting, Technology & Materials Management, The Breakers Palm Beach
William Cummings Real Estate Broker, Century 21 America’s Choice
Justin Girard
Executive Director, J.P. Morgan Wealth Management, Girard & Associates
Robert. D. Johnson
Former CFO, J.M. Family Enterprises, Southeast Toyota Distributors
Gil Kemp
Founder & Retired President, Home Decorators Collection
David Light
Director Healthcare Advisory Services, Daszkal Bolton LLP
Chris Markgraf Owner/Partner, SIMPLY Brands
Christy Markgraf Director, Total Rewards at Carrier Corporation
David McClymont CEO, Palm Beach Symphony
Brian McPherson
Attorney/Shareholder, Gunster Law Firm
Patrick Nickler Ameriprise Financial Services Managing Director
Lisa Perino
HR Business Parter, NextEra Energy
Douglas Reader
President and CEO, Arizona Nutritional Supplements
Rayk Riechmann
MBA Student, Rinker School of Business
Scott Roads
Managing and Founding Principal, Spectra Investment Management
Darlaine Sisk CEO, Benchmark 5 Consulting
Michael Sothen CFO, Nation Safe Drivers
Jeff Swindell
Senior Vice President of Finance, Walt Disney World
Nancy Tallent
Founder and Principal, Strategic Human Resources Consulting
Steve Templeton
Founder and President, Templeton & Company
A.J. Titus
President, Signarama, United Franchise Group
Adriana Willmutz
Alumni, Rinker School of Business
Melina Willson Alumni, Rinker School of Business
PBA alumnus, Cory Hubbard, with the Graze Craze team.
Palm Beach Atlantic University equips students to grow in wisdom, lead with conviction and serve God boldly.
In 2023, the Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. School of Business awarded degrees to 121 undergraduate and 38 graduate students.
