A Grad of Our Own
On May 16, Ronald Cortez, the Club’s Assistant Quality Assurance Analyst, graduated with a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) from Boston University and walked proudly across the stage. It was the largest graduating class to date for BU’s Questrom School of Business.
Ron’s MBA journey was long in the making. “My parents always wanted me to pursue a master’s degree, but it wasn’t until the birth of my son during the pandemic that I was compelled to complete a goal I had placed on hold,” Ron explains.
“I literally, and figuratively, could not have completed my MBA degree without the support of the Club,” he continues. “For that, and for so much more, I am immensely grateful for the Club’s leadership team in helping me achieve this goal.”
Ron says that the past three years offered him a few doses of challenges, but each module (semester) proved overwhelmingly insightful, given the program’s exposure to a global network of professionals from more than 65 nations and across 30 industries. “As I spoke to more and more peers, I became aware of the Employees Club of California’s unique standing in the business landscape. Our goal to provide the best service is clearly unmatched, and the company’s innovative culture is admirable.
“Over the course of this scholarly journey, I have been able to apply my learnings to the workplace and will continue to share the knowledge acquired to continue to provide the excellence in service our members deserve. I wish to share this accomplishment with all Club staff, for we are a team. Their constant words of encouragement never faltered.”
Congratulations, Ron, on your outstanding achievement!
The Club Advanced Degree Team
By earning his MBA, Ron joins a growing list of Club staff who have earned advanced degrees to better serve Members with experience, foresight, innovation and strategic analytical skills.
The other club staff with advanced degrees are:
- Leigh Thompson, Controller, earned a master of business administration degree from University of Phoenix.
- John Hawkins, Education and Training Manager and Club Founder, earned a master of business administration degree from Pepperdine University’s Graziadio Business School.
- Robert Larios, President and CEO, earned an executive master of business administration degree from the University of Michigan, Ross School of Business.
- Arlene Herrero, Vice President of Business Development, earned a master of science in leadership management degree from the University of La Verne.
This fall, Noelle Kauffman, Director of Sales, begins her studies to earn an executive master of business administration degree (class of 2027) from the University of Michigan, Ross School of Business.
