Laurie Ruge Begins Term As 95th Chairman of the Board

Laurie Ruge, a 2001 MBA UNO graduate, began her term as board chair of the UNO Alumni Association on July 1, becoming the the 95th graduate to chair the board.

Ruge was confirmed as chair by the board of directors during its quarterly meeting May 22 at the Thompson Alumni Center. Director of internal audit at ACI Worldwide, Ruge joined the association board in 2008 and since has served terms as treasurer, secretary and vice chair.

The board also confirmed the following executive committee for 2018-19. Years of each board member's UNO graduation are in parentheses, followed by their place of employment.

Officers

• Chairman of the Board: Laurie Ruge (2001), ACI Worldwide
  
• 1st Vice Chair: Chris Denney (2005, 2017), Nebraska Orthopedic Hospital
  
• 2nd Vice Chair: Brian Allison (2005), Children's Hospital & Medical Center
  
• Secretary: Tami Williams (2003, 2009), University of Nebraska at Omaha
  
• Treasurer: Shari Munro (1986), Frankel Zacharia
  
• Legal Counsel: Randy Stevenson (1982), Baird Holm
  
• Past Chairman: Al Hansen (1984), First National Bank
  
• President & CEO: Lee Denker, UNO Alumni Association

The board also voted the following members to second three-year terms: Viv Ewing (1983, 1986), Nebraska Families Collaborative; Enid Schonewise (1996, 2001), Westside Schools; and, Jim Sutfin (1993, 2002), Millard Public Schools.

Scott Durbin, 2016-17 board chairman, was presented a miniature Maverick Monument at the May meeting in appreciation of his longtime service to the association. A vice president at Harry A. Koch in Omaha, Durbin joined the board in 2011. He was the third generation in his family to serve as chair, following his father, Doug Durbin (chair in 1994) and his maternal grandmother, Ellen Hartman Pearey Gast, (1971-72).

A Director Appreciation Award, meanwhile, was issued to outgoing member Steve Schmitz, a 1995 and 2008 graduate. A nuclear specialist at Omaha Public Power District at Omaha Public Power District, Schmitz served the board since 2012 and was active on its scholarship golf tournament committee. He also was a frequent attendee at association events.

Student Regent Renata Valquier Chavez reported to the board on student affairs during her first session as an ex-officio member of the board.

A complete board roster can be seen at unoalumni.org/board