Gatton College Inducts Six Hall of Famers

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 15, 2011) - The University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics will celebrate the success and achievements of six of its graduates Friday, April 15, when it inducts these individuals into its Alumni Hall of Fame.

In all, a total of 72 men and women who have distinguished themselves in their business pursuits and in civic and community leadership, now have been recognized by the Gatton College with this high honor since the inception of the hall of fame in 1994.

"Induction into the Gatton Hall of Fame is a prestigious honor for our business school alumni," said D. Sudharshan, dean of the college.  "These six outstanding graduates are most deserving of this recognition.  They represent dedication and integrity in the business world and in the greater community in which they live.  The University of Kentucky is privileged to count these individuals among its alumni."

The inductees are:

[IMAGE2]•           Carter Harris, a Louisville native, received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics in 1979.  He began his career with the General Electric Company in Louisville, later moving to New York City where he spent 18 years with Merrill Lynch, rising to managing director.  Harris was responsible for the firm’s global money market origination business.  He joined Nomura Securities International in 2002 as managing director and head of capital markets for the Americas.  In 2006, Harris founded his current business, Knight Capital Partners, which works closely with private equity fund and hedge fund managers and assists them in marketing their investment funds to institutional investors worldwide.  He resides in Greenwich, Conn.

[IMAGE3]•           Mary Lassiter currently serves as the secretary of the Governor’s Executive Cabinet and state budget director for Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear.  Secretary of the Governor's Executive Cabinet is the highest appointed position in the executive branch.  The Governor’s Executive Cabinet is responsible for implementing the governor’s policies and advising the governor on policy matters affecting the Commonwealth.  Lassiter has spent her 27-year career in state government working in financial management, policy development and budgeting roles, and has served as budget director for two governors, Paul Patton and Steve Beshear.  In addition, she has served as a special assistant to four governors on economic development, workers' compensation, financial management and tax policy issues. Lassiter holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree (1982) and Master's of Business Administration degree (1983) from the University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics.  Lassiter resides in Midway.

[IMAGE4]•           Howard Lewis graduated from the University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1970.  He began his professional career in the financial services industry with Central Trust Company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, before moving to Capitol American Life Insurance Company of Cleveland in 1983.  In 1987, Lewis was promoted to president of Capitol Consumer Marketing where he became responsible for over one-third of the company’s overall sales.  In 1989, he secured the financing for a new insurance venture and founded the Family Heritage Life Insurance Company of America.  Lewis built the company on the principles of service and integrity, and on the fundamental premise that those who help to build the company should have the opportunity to become owners in the company. The company has grown at a compounded rate exceeding 30 percent annually since its inception.  Lewis resides in Solon, Ohio.

[IMAGE5]•           Scott Smith graduated in 1990 from the University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance.   He is CEO of Coalition America Holdings, Inc., NPPN, and Lodestone Solutions, LLC.  Together these companies position Coalition America Holdings as a market leader in providing comprehensive solutions for managing health care and dental costs for a national client base of health insurance carriers, self-insured employers, Taft-Hartley plans, and third party administrators. Smith serves on the Board of Councilors for the Carter Center and is a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO). He and his twin brother, Sean, have received numerous awards for entrepreneurial excellence, including the Ernst & Young 1998 and 1999 National Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist -Young (under 30) category; Ernst & Young 1998 Southeast Region Entrepreneur of the Year Winner – Emerging Growth Category; and, Georgia Trend 1998 Top 40 Under 40 for achievements in the state of Georgia.  Scott Smith lives in Jupiter, Fla.

[IMAGE6]•           Sean Smith is chairman and co-founder of Coalition America Holdings, Inc., NPPN, and Lodestone Solutions, LLC.  He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance in 1990 from the University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics, graduating with honors, and is a Patterson Fellow.  Smith has been commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel.  Smith and his twin brother, Scott, have received numerous awards for entrepreneurial excellence, including the Ernst & Young 1998 and 1999 National Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist -Young (under 30) category; Ernst & Young 1998 Southeast Region Entrepreneur of the Year Winner - Emerging Growth Category; and, Georgia Trend 1998 Top 40 Under 40 for achievements in the state of Georgia. Sean Smith lives in Jupiter, Fla.

[IMAGE7]•           Darrell L. Williams earned his Bachelor of Science degree in economics from UK in 1984.  He holds a doctoral degree in economics from Washington University in St. Louis.  Williams has extensive experience in antitrust litigation consulting, with specialties in the areas of exclusive dealings, exclusive territories, price fixing, joint ventures, and damages. He has served as a staff economist with the President's Council of Economic Advisors and as a financial economist at the Securities and Exchange Commission. He was president of the Black Student Union at UK and a founder of the Lyman T. Johnson Awards.  Williams works as an affiliate with LECG Expert Services.  LECG's services include providing objective expert testimony, independent and authoritative studies, and strategic advice and consulting in nearly all industries.  Williams resides in Beverly Hills, Calif.