The West Virginia University College of Business and Economics has confirmed the fifth and final inductee into its renowned B&E Roll of Distinguished Alumni during WVU Homecoming Weekend. A total of five WVU business school graduates will be inducted during a ceremony and celebratory luncheon on Friday, October 13, at 11:30 a.m. at the Erickson Alumni Center in Morgantown.
Lee Bakalarski, a financial expert in the area of risk advisory and assurance, will be among the new class of inductees. A 1974 accounting graduate of B&E, he lives in Newport, Rhode Island.
Bakalarski has more than 25 years of consulting experience with the Big Four accounting firms, as well as expert knowledge in government, manufacturing, financial services, engineering services, healthcare and insurance industries. He has helped organizations align their corporate strategy and culture to protect financial and reputational assets, as well as enhance business value. He has been devoted to building and educating professionals on how to turn risk and compliance efforts into opportunities to drive sustainable business value. Bakalarski’s clients have included Fortune 500 multinational entities and various U.S. federal government departments. Additionally, as a senior ranked United States Naval Captain, he has performed various special active duty tasks related to vital risk management projects for those at the highest executive level. He is a licensed CPA in New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Florida and the District of Columbia. He was appointed by the president of the University of South Carolina to serve on the Board of Visitors for oversight of the university’s strategic plans and development.
Bakalarski will join Armando Anido, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Zynerba Pharmaceuticals, Berwyn, Pennsylvania; Kim Craig, president and chief executive officer of F.N.B. Wealth Management, Morgantown, West Virginia; Royce Harworth Keller, former chief financial officer and chairperson of the board for CLG, Morgantown, West Virginia; and Rodney Williams, CEO and co-founder of LISNR, Cincinnati, Ohio, as this year’s inductees. This is the seventh class of inductees for the B&E Roll of Distinguished Alumni, with a total of 30 inductees to date. The award was initiated in 2011 to commemorate B&E’s 60th Anniversary Celebration.
“Mr. Bakalarski is part of an extraordinary group of inductees this year who brings a broad spectrum of talents and successes to the table,” said B&E Milan Puskar Dean Javier Reyes. “He and his fellow inductees are highly accomplished and are great role models for B&E students and for all of us.”
Nominees must meet specific criteria: in addition to being alumni of the College, they must be at least 10 years post-degree, and have distinguished themselves by success in business or life at the regional, national or international level. Inductees are representative of the tremendous successes of B&E’s graduates.
