The 20 Most Notable Gonzaga Alumni in Business
Gonzaga University is located in Spokane, Washington. It is a private Roman Catholic institution which is fully accredited by the Northwest Commission on College and Universities. The name of the University is taken from Saint Aloysius Gonzaga who was a Jesuit and the college was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1887. The acceptance rate is 67 percent of applicants on average and the University has a graduation rate of 83 percent of its undergraduate enrollment. Some notable business men and women have attended Gonzaga and here are the top 20 of these alumni.
1. Joseph Caravalho Jr., M.D.
Joseph Caravalho Jr. is a graduate of Gonzaga University who served in the United States Army and retired as a Major General after assuming several leadership roles. He went on to become the chief medical advisor to the chairman for the US armed forces Joint Chiefs of Staff. He is the president and CEO of the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc, currently.
2. Carl Pohlad: Late Minnesota Twins owner
Carl Pohlad attended Gonzaga University and then went on to become a multi-billionaire in the business world. He is one of the most distinguished Gonzaga alumni, having made a fortune in the banking industry. As of 2006, his estimated net worth was nearly $2.5 billion. Mr. Pohlad owned the Minnesota Twins professional sports team and his three sons followed in his footsteps, holding executive board memberships in the sports industry.
3. Kelly Cline
Kelly Cline was a member of the 1985 class at Gonzaga University. Kelly went on to establish a successful career as the executive vice president, business and legal affairs in entertainment for the Fox Networks Group. The group is the larger umbrella for the entertainment television channels National Geographic Channel, NG Wild, FX and the Fox Movie Channel.
4. Uri Clinton
Uri Clinton attended Gonzaga University between 1994 through 1997. He graduated with his JD degree in Law. He currently serves as the President and COO of the Empire City Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, which is a subsidiary of MGM Resorts International. Prior to this, he founded the Clinton & McCurry Chtd. company where he served as the managing and founding partner. He also served as the vice president of legal affairs for Caesars Entertainment Corporation, as well as the Senior VP, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer for Baha Mar in Nassau, Bahamas from 2011 through 2014.
5. Jim Parke
Jim Parke attended Gonzaga University School of Law between 2003 through 2006. He earned his JD degree in Law.While at Gonzaga, he was president of the univeersity’s chapter of J. Reuben Clark Law Society. Mr. Parke became a notable attorney and is currently the CEO of Blue Ocean Enterprises, Inc as well as the CEO off Otter Products LLC. OtterBox and LifeProof brands are mobile accessory brands which are under his purview.
6. Frederick Rivera
Frederick Rivera is another distinguished alumni who attended the Gonzaga University School of Law. He went on to establish a very successful career in the business end of the sports industry. Mr. Rivera is currently the executive vice president, and also serves as general counsel for the Seattle Mariners. He assumed this position in April of 2017. Prior to this, he was a managing partner for Perkins Coie LLP .
7. Bob Schroeter
Bob Schroeter is a member of the 1990 graduating class at Gonzaga, University. He is a remarkable professional in the executive business world who is far sighted and not willing to compromise on principles and ethics. He became the CEO of the Clallam County Economic Development Corporation in 2017. He resigned in 2018 because he realized that the $105,000 salary that the board had agreed to pay him was simply not sustainable and there was no way to justify staying on board when this would cause financial hardship in the long term. He ended up resigning his position after just 10 months on the job.
8. Mark Britton
Mark Britton attended Gonzaga University from 1987-1988 in the Gonzaga-in-Florence Program as a part of his undergraduate study program from 1985 through 1989. He received his BBA in Finance and Economics, then continued on to earn his JD in Law from the George Washington University School of Law. He is currently the President and CEO of Avvo. Before this, he was the Executive VP of WorldWide Corporate Affairs of the InterActive Corp Travel and Expedia, Inc.
9. Martin Favaro
Martin Favaro attended Gonzaga University and graduated with his bachelor’s of science degree in 1959. He was invited back to the University in 2007 to be honored with an honorary doctorate degree and to serve as the keynote speaker. He graduated cum laude from the University and went to to become a medical director of scientific and clinical affairs with the Johnson & Johnson subsidiary company, Advanced Sterilization Products in Irvine, California.
10. Shirley Johnson
Shirley Johnson attended Gonzaga University and was a member of the graduating class of 1969. Since that time she has gone on to establish a career in the business world as a consultant. She established the consulting firm Tucker Creek Consulting. She currently serves as the founding member and as an active consultant for the firm and she has also written peer reviewed research articles on business related topics.
11. James McCarthy
James McCarthy is a member of the graduating class of 1993 at Gonzaga University. He is a distinguished oceanographer who has also found success in the business world. He served as the Harvard University Museum of Comparative Zoology and the director and also served as the chair of the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. He founded the American Geophysical Union’s journal Global Biogeochemical Cycles and served as the editor as well as serving as the emeritus chair for the board of directors for the Union of Concerned Scientists. He also served as chair and president of the AAAS, which is the biggest scientific scientific association in the United States.
12. Bill Pohlad
Pohlad, like his father Carl, attended Gonzaga University. He took a slightly different direction with his career choice, and directed his talents towards the film industry. He founded his own company which is called River Road Entertainment and he also serves as the CEO of the company. Bill has earned fame and wealth from his blockbuster hits “Brokeback Mountain” in 2005, “12 Years a Slave” in 2013 and in 2014 “Love & Mercy.” He’s won three Academy Awards, recognition from the Directors Guild for his work and a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture.
13. Gary Polonsky
Mr. Gary Polonsky is one of the most remarkable alumni of Gonzaga University. He earned his master’s from Gonazaga then went on in his career to become the president of two businesses within Durham College including the Productivity Improvement Centre and the Business and Industry Development Services. He also became the first President of the Red River Community College. He is credited with becoming the founder of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology where he also served as President and Vice Chancellor.
14. Joyce Silverthorne
Joyce Silverthorne attended Gonzaga University where she earned her PhD degree in 2004. She has dedicated her career to service in Indian education. She became the Director of the Office of Indian Education, which is a department within the United States Department of Education, in 1999.
15. Felix McGowan
Felix McGowan attended Gonzaga University from 2007 through 2010, at which time he received his master’s in business administration degree. Prior to earning his degree at Gonzaga, he was the Business Development Coordinator with the Nez Perce Trib, and after earning his MBA, he went on to become the president of the Nishanaabe Consulting LLC firm, in Post Falls, Idaho
16. Jolene Houle
Jolene Houle attended Gonzaga University and she earned her bachelor’s degree from the institution. Before she earned her degree, she worked at the Salish Kootenai College as a Grants Manager. After she earned her degree, she advanced in her career to become the Vice President of Finance at the Eagle Bank in Washington State.
17. Jason Campbell
Jason Campbell earned his masters of business administration from Gonzaga university. While at the institution her received notification that there was a scholarship he was eligible for to become a certified financial planner through the Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment. Jason gained more skills and knowledge in this area and after finishing the course, he used the information to establish his own business called the Arete Development Group. he currently serves as the CEO of his company. Prior to that he was employed as a consultant for Read Right Systems. David is one of the most notable alumni of Gonzaga University who is dedicated to making the world a better place and for educating others about the necessity for being mindful of sustainability in all of our business practices to help preserve the earth and its fragile environment.
18. Amber Tecumseh
Amber Tecumseh attended Gonzaga University where she earned her bachelor’s degree. Prior to enrolling in her studies at Gonzaga, she served as a Revenue Audit manager for the prairie Band Casino and Resort. After receiving her degree, she was able to move up in her career aspirations to obtain a position as a Controller at the Spokane Tribe Casino in Wellpinit, Washington. Amber is a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.
19. Jessica Tsingine
Jessica Tsingine was the member of a special cohort class of alumni of Gonzaga University. She and her fellow students supported one another throughout the program and she graduated with her bachelor’s degree with the Cohort XI class of 2018. Jessica is a member of the Navajo Tribe. Prior to receiving her degree, she worked as an Environment of Care manager for the Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation. After she received her degree, she went on to become a Safety and Health Specialist, employed with the Salt River Project at the Navajo Generating Station.
20. Mark Sansaver
Mark Sansaver first attended Montana State University where he earned his bachelor of applied Science degree in the field of marketing. He received his degree in 1982. He worked in a leadership position as the Executive Director with the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribal Enterprise Community. In 2005, he enrolled in the master of business administration program at Gonzaga University and he graduated with his degree in 2008. After graduating, he went on to become a Financial Officer at the Great Northern Development Corporation. Mark is a dedicated professional who has worked his way up the career ladder, starting out with the Philip Morris company as a State Sales Manager. Next, he became a Grants Manager at Fort Peck Community College, receiving a promotion to Executive Director EC, before receiving his MBA from Gonzaga which opened even more doors for him with regards to his career. He accepted the position of Financial Officer with Great Northern Development in July of 2016 and he is still serving in the position currently.