On March 1, 2011, business alumni and leaders were recognized for their commitment to achievement and service at the 26th annual Cincinnati Business Achievement Awards (CBAA). The University of Cincinnati's College of Business Alumni Board of Governors (BoG) presented the CBAA banquet, Cincinnati's longest-standing event recognizing achievement in business and service to the community, in the Presidential Ballroom at the Westin Cincinnati.

Each year, the College of Business Board of Governors selects outstanding alumni and business leaders who make an impact in the Cincinnati community and the global business world. Chaired by Tom Humes, BBA'71, president of the Great Traditions Land and Development Company and the 2007 recipient of the Carl H. Lindner Award for Outstanding Business Achievement, and emceed by Rob Braun, anchor with LOCAL 12 and 1999 recipient of the Distinguished Service Award, the 2011 event featured the presentation of the Outstanding Business Achievement, Distinguished Service, Business Partnership and the Carl H. Lindner Scholarship awards.

The Carl H. Lindner Award for Outstanding Business Achievement is given each year to a UC College of Business graduate who best demonstrates outstanding achievement in the field of business as represented by the recipient's entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to business and community, and achievement of the highest level of success within one's profession. This year, Wolfgang Mayer, professor emeriti, and Honorary Chairman Humes presented the award to Stuart G. Hoffman, a nationally renowned economic and interest rate forecaster. Hoffman, a Pittsburgh native, graduated from UC with a masters of art in economics in 1973 and a PhD in economics in 1975 and now serves as senior vice president and chief economist of PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.

The Distinguished Service Award is given on the basis of an individual's commitment to the college, UC as a whole, and/or the Cincinnati community. Bill Keating Jr., BBA '76, MBA '76, JD '79, partner at Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL, and Ellen G. van der Horst, president of Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, received the award from David M. Szymanski, dean of the UC College of Business. 

The Business Partnership Award is given to a company that has provided substantial support to the UC College of Business. Cintas Corporation, the 2011 recipient company, was recognized by Dean Szymanski and the college's Board of Governors President Randy Sagraves, for its significant, innovative and ongoing investment in sustaining exceptional college programs and providing growth opportunities for business students and graduates. J. Phillip Holloman, BSCE '78, president and chief operating officer, accepted the award on behalf of the Cintas organization.

Alex Spidare, BBA '11, of Hudson, OH, received the Carl H. Lindner Scholarship in recognition of his outstanding academic achievement and commitment to community involvement. Robert Dobbs, vice president for Internal Audit at American Financial Group, joined Dean Szymanski in presenting the award to Spidare, a marketing major.

On behalf of the UC College of Business Alumni Board of Governors, the college again congratulates our award recipients and thanks all of this year's sponsors.