College of Business Administration and Public Policy Honors Industry Friends and Alumni of the Year

The achievements and partnerships of the California State University, Dominguez Hills College of Business Administration and Public Policy (CBAPP) were celebrated on Nov. 1 at the college’s inaugural Awards Luncheon held in the Loker Student Union ballroom. The Dean’s Medallion Awards were presented to organizations and individuals who have contributed greatly to the college’s success, both academically and in providing real world networking and training opportunities for Dominguez Hills students.

Master of ceremonies Guy Fox of Guy Fox & Associates, Inc., with CBAPP Dean James Strong, welcomed the guests. Dominguez Hills President Mildred García delivered greetings from the university to the attendees, followed by a keynote address by Dr. William F. Ballhaus, Jr., president and CEO of The Aerospace Corporation. Ballhaus has led The Aerospace Corporation since 2000. The nonprofit provides research, development and advisory services to national security space programs and operates a federally funded research and development center for the United States Air Force and the National Reconnaissance Office.

Presentations of the Dean’s Medallion Awards were made to the Port of Los Angeles as Organization of the Year, Ernest Klinger as Executive of the Year, and Lt. Gen. Michael Hamel ('74, M.B.A.) as Alumni of the Year.

“With these awards we publicly recognize our business partners who have supported the college and our students over the years, and the accomplishments of our graduates and friends,” said Strong.

The Port of Los Angeles has shown its support of the college in a number of ways over the years, including providing internships to students, organizing special tours of the facilities so students can see how the port operates, and serving on the College of Business Administration and Public Policy Advisory Board.

The addition of alumni working at the port also has resulted in closer ties between the port and college. Michael DiBernardo (Class of ’82), director of marketing for the port, serves on the college advisory board and also was instrumental in the development of the new supply chain management program. Martin Chavez (Class of ’82), who is with the port’s human resources office, also is actively involved on campus.

“The port has certainly been a great friend to the university, and obviously they’re also an important employer and really an economic engine for the L.A. Basin,” Strong said.

Chosen as Executive of the Year is Ernest Klinger, chief financial officer and executive vice president of business development for It’s A Grind Franchise, LLC, a Long Beach-based company. Klinger had no direct ties to the university before joining CBAPP’s advisory board three years ago, but now chairs the board’s executive committee and has taught entrepreneurship classes and most recently developed and is teaching an online seminar in entrepreneurship.

“Ernie is a great guy,” Strong said. “He has rolled up his sleeves and really been an asset to the college.”

Lt. Gen. Michael A. Hamel, commander of the United States Air Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center was selected as CBAPP’s Alumni of the Year. While a lieutenant in the Air Force, Hamel attended graduate school at CSUDH, earning his M.B.A. in 1974. He went on to have an illustrious career in the Air Force in a variety of positions, including systems development, intelligence, space operations and launch. General Hamel has already received several awards this year. In June he was awarded the 2007 Air Force Association Gen. Thomas D. White USAF Space Trophy for outstanding contribution to the nation’s program in aerospace, and in August, received the Hartinger Medal for his contribution to the military space mission.

“He is unquestionably one of our most prominent alumni, a great citizen and a tremendous role model for our students,” Strong said.

The luncheon was sponsored by College of Business Administration and Public Policy Advisory Board. Proceeds from the event will go to support student scholarships and faculty development. However, one of the greatest benefits of the luncheon, which will now be an annual event, was the chance for Dominguez Hills students to see where their aspirations and education can lead them.

“We want this luncheon to motivate and inspire our students,” said Strong. “We want our students to meet people in the business community, especially our alumni and friends, who can talk to them about being successful in their careers and life.”

- Amy Bentley-Smith and Joanie Harmon

Photo above (L-R): Michael Christensen, deputy executive director, Port of Los Angeles; Ernest T. Klinger, CEO and executive vice president, It's A Grind; Lt. Gen. Michael Hamel, commander, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base; Dr. Mildred García, president, CSU Dominguez Hills; William F. Ballhaus, Jr., president and CEO, The Aerospace Corporation.
Photo by GK