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Poole College of Management

Alumni and Partner Awards

We are committed to recognizing Poole College alumni and partners who have made outstanding contributions to the university and the college. Meet the award recipients over the years.

Poole College Awards

Distinguished Alumni Award

  • 2023: Doug Doggett (Business Administration ’83)
  • 2022: Amir Mehr (Accounting ’92)
  • 2021: Richard Bryant (Business Administration ’81)
  • 2020: Herb Bales (Business Administration ’84)
  • 2019: Jeff Ward (Master of Economics ’87)
  • 2018: Charles “Chuck” Keeley (Business Administration ’85)
  • 2017: Ken Torok (Business Administration ’75)
  • 2016: Robert “Chip” F. Andrews III (Economics ’66)
  • 2015: Clifton B. Knight Jr. (Economics ’69)
  • 2014: Charlie E. Stallings (Business Administration ’77)
  • 2012: Kevin Beasley (Accounting ’79)
  • 2011: Jon W. Bartley (Economics ’69)
  • 2010: Jon S. Rufty (Business Administration ’77)
  • 2009: Christine M. Holmes (Accounting ’88)
  • 2008: J.R. Shearin (Accounting ’81)
  • 2007: David C. Morgan (Business Administration ’82)
  • 2005: Stanhope A. Kelly (Business Administration ’80)
  • 2004: Mike T. Constantino (Business Administration ’84, Accounting ’85)

Each year, the Poole College of Management names a winner of the Distinguished Alumni Award in partnership with the NC State Alumni Association. Recipients of this award have excelled in their careers, made a difference in their communities, and given back to their alma mater.

MEET RECENT DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENTS

Doggett Distinguished Alumni Award

Doug Doggett (Business ’83)

Doggett’s enterprising spirit goes back to his first business venture — mowing lawns at 12 years old. Today, he is president of Doggett Concrete in Charlotte, NC.

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Mehr Photo

Amir Mehr (Accounting ‘92)

Mehr has spent nearly 30 years in financial services at investment banks in New York and London. Currently, he serves as portfolio strategy director at Kensington Mortgages, a UK-based firm.

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RICHARD-BRYANT

Richard Bryant (Business ’81)

Bryant is co-founder and CEO of Capital Investment Companies, one of the largest independent financial services firms in the Southeast, starting a business just a few years after graduation.

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Distinguished MAC Alumni Award

Recipients of the Distinguished Master of Accounting Alumni Awards have made a significant impact on the success of the Jenkins MAC program with their time, talent and resources. This could include serving on advisory boards, mentoring students, speaking in class or at student organization events, or advocating for NC State recruitment. 

MEET RECENT JENKINS MAC ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENTS

MAC Celebration Wetsel

Emily Wetsel (MAC ‘09)

Wetsel has dedicated her career to the financial and accounting aspects of the healthcare industry. She currently serves as the director of reimbursement services at PYA.

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Jared Plummer

Jared Plummer (MAC ’07)

Plummer, owner of Two Roosters Ice Cream, is grateful for the program that took him from auditing companies worldwide to teaching accounting students, ultimately leading to his career in ice cream making.

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Brandy Vannoy Announcement 2

Brandy Vannoy (MAC ’99)

After nearly five years at KPMG, Vannoy transitioned to Johnson Lambert, where she helped build a full tax team as the firm grew into a major industry player.

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NC State Awards

Outstanding Young Alumni Award

  • 2023: Lindsay Wrege (Business Administration ’21) and Michael Evans (Statistics ’20, Master of Statistics ’21)

This award honors an NC State graduate within the last ten years who has made outstanding contributions in their profession, community, and to NC State.

Watauga Medal

  • 2024: Charlie E. Stallings (Business Administration ’77)
  • 2023: Mike T. Constantino (Business Administration ’84, Accounting ’85)
  • 2019: James A. Stewart
  • 2018: Benjamin P. Jenkins III
  • 2017: Steve Zelnak
  • 2008: Lonnie C. Poole Jr.
  • 2006: James W. Owens

The Watauga Medal, the highest nonacademic honor at NC State, was established in 1975 by the Board of Trustees to honor people who have made significant contributions to the advancement of the university. The name derives from the Watauga Club, a group founded in 1884 by young men under the age of 30. “Watauga” is a Native American word meaning “the land beyond.”

Menscer Cup Award

  • 2016: Benjamin P. Jenkins III
  • 2012: Lonnie C. Poole Jr.

This annual award, established by the NC State University Foundation, is given to individuals or families who exemplify leadership and dedication to NC State – whether through philanthropy or fundraising.

Jerry and Elizabeth Godwin Award

  • 2016: Steve Zelnak
  • 2015: Richard K. Bryant
  • 2009: Lonnie C. Poole Jr.

The Godwin Award, established by the NC State University Foundation, recognizes former members of the board (or members of their family) who have contributed expertise, counsel or resources to further the mission of NC State.

MEET RECENT ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENTS

Charlie Stallings

Charlie Stallings (Business ’77)

The Board of Trustees has bestowed NC State’s highest nonacademic honor on Ann Goodnight, Jake Hooks and Charlie Stallings for their dedication to advancing the university through their volunteer leadership, advocacy and financial generosity.

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Lindsay Wrege And Michael Evans

Lindsay Wrege (Business ’21) and Michael Evans (Statistics ’20, ’21)

The 2023 NC State Young Alumni Award recipients, Wrege and Evans connected through the Park Scholarships community as NC State students. In 2021, they co-founded 321 Coffee, which employs individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

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Mike Constantino Watuga Medal

Mike Constantino (Business ’84, Accounting ’85)

Constantino, a dedicated alumnus with a successful 32-year career at Ernst & Young, has consistently shown unwavering support for NC State and the Poole College of Management. In 2023, he was honored with the Watauga Medal, the highest nonacademic distinction at NC State.

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External Awards

Outside of the university, Poole College alumni are recognized for their significant contributions to their fields and communities, highlighting the excellence and impact of Poole’s educational foundation.

Received an award? We’d love to know! Email us at poolepackalumni@ncsu.edu.

  • 2023: James Beard Foundation, Humanitarian Award of the Year Award, Olivia Watkins (MBA ’21)
  • 2023: Triangle Business Journal, 40 Under 40 Awards, Lindsay Wrege (Business Administration ’21)

Olivia Watkins (MBA ’21) Receives Prestigious James Beard Award

Black Farmer Fund co-founder Olivia Watkins is recognized for the tremendous positive impact of her work on marginalized communities. Watkins received the Humanitarian of the Year Award at the 2023 James Beard Awards, which are among the most prestigious in the food industry.

Read Olivia’s story
Olivia Watkins