2018 Alumni Luncheon Highlights Outstanding Alumni and Friends
For release: November 21, 2018
The Fogelman College of Business & Economics (FCBE) hosted its 26th Annual Alumni
Day Luncheon in November to celebrate seven of the school's most distinguished graduates
and friends. This distinguished group has shown the importance of hard work, perseverance,
and community. "The Fogelman College is committed to student success beyond the classroom,
and the 2018 Honorees are outstanding examples of successful careers coupled with
community commitment," said Dean Marla Stafford, interim dean of the Fogelman College
of Business & Economics. "We are extremely proud of this group of alumni and friends."
• 2018 Outstanding Alumnus – Mr. Craig Weiss
Craig L. Weiss is a native of Memphis, Tennessee. He earned a BA from the University
of Texas at Austin in 1990 and MBA from the University of Memphis in 2000. Craig is
a co-founder and partner of Tower Ventures and then went on to create two additional
companies, Central Defense Security and Central Defense Staffing where he serves as
CEO.
• 2018 Outstanding Alumna – Ms. Dawn Graeter
Dawn Graeter's business career began at the then Memphis State University where she
earned her Bachelor's Degree in Accounting. She is now President and CEO of Southern
Security Federal Credit Union and one of the few female bank CEOs in the Greater Memphis
area. Dawn has served as President and Treasurer for the UofM Alumni Association and
on many nonprofit boards and in community organizations as well.
• 2018 Outstanding Alumna – Ms. Michelle Epps
Michelle Epps is a two-time UofM graduate, earning her Bachelor's Degree in Management
Information Systems and her MBA with a concentration in Systems Analysis and Design.
She is now the Senior Vice President of IT and CIO FedEx Freight after beginning her
career at FedEx as a Business Systems Analyst. She serves a variety of organizations,
including as a member of the Advisory Board for the Business Information Technology
Department in Fogelman.
• 2018 Entrepreneur of the Year – Mr. Ron Coleman
Ron Coleman earned his BBA from Memphis State University and later returned to Memphis
to begin practicing law. He is now the owner of Competition Cams, a company he helped
start in 1976 that is now a world leader in valve train technology. He has served
his industry in trade organizations, the business community as a representative on
several government advisory committees, and the City of Memphis in many nonprofit
organizations.
• 2018 Distinguished Friends of the College – Mr. David Tate & Ms. Elizabeth Tate
David and Elizabeth Tate are the dynamic duo behind Signet, Inc. David serves as the
President and Chief Operations Officer. Elizabeth, a UofM graduate, serves as the
Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer. David and Elizabeth each serve on variety
of industry and community boards and organizations ranging from Church Health to the
National Association of Women Business Owners.
• 2018 Outstanding Young Alumna – Ruby Powell-Dennis
Ruby earned her Bachelor's Degree in Advertising from the University of Florida, her
MA in Organizational Communications from Southern Louisiana University, and her MBA
from the University of Memphis. She is now the Director of Outreach at New Memphis
attracting and filling New Memphis' core programs, as well as ongoing engagement of
program graduates. Ruby serves the community as a leader in several organizations,
and she was recently named one of the 2018 Memphis Business Journal's 40 under 40
and selected for Emerge Tennessee.
Congratulations to the 2018 Fogelman Honorees!
