Business Alumni Network Board

Midori Connolly - President-elect

A San Diego native, Midori Connolly graduated cum laude in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts in International Business. She also obtained a Minor in Japanese and was elected a member of the international honor society, Phi Beta Kappa.

Currently, Midori owns Pulse Staging and Events, Inc., providing Audio Visual Staging for live events across the nation; www.pulsestaging.com. She is the nation's first provider of Sustainable A/V and is serving on the ASTM International subcommittee for Green Meeting Standards. Future plans include starting an organization to promote women in her industry. Professional affiliations include Green Meetings Industry Council, Net Impact and NAWBO. Midori works and resides in Escondido, CA with her husband and two children, Coleman and Molly. Her favorite activities include horseback riding, off-road racing, traveling and hiking.

J. Kingston Cowart - VP of Professional Development

Sociology, 1972; psychology, 1973; counseling, 1985 - John is a specialist in influence communication. He works with people and organizations that want to make important changes quickly. His methods include hypnotherapy, self-hypnosis, counseling, consulting, training, and presentations. He would be particularly delighted to hear from former students of his in the SDSU Self-Hypnosis Program (1971-1985) -- there are some 5000 of you out there; and any other alums who studied under either Allan W. Anderson, Ph.D. (Religious Studies) or James P. Carnevale, Ph.D. (Counselor Education). http://www.self-change.com

Bill Daiber - Treasurer

Bill Daiber is a 1971 graduate of SDSU with a BS in Marketing. He is retired from SDG&E after 38 years, where he was a lighting specialist and was Sr. Program Manager, developing and implementing energy efficient commercial/industrial programs. He also was an independent consultant specializing in energy efficient lighting technologies. He is currently Treasurer of the United States National Committee of the International Committee on Illumination and is past Treasurer of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.

Jen Martino - VP of Marketing

As the Principal Director, Design Services of Project X Media, Jen leads and directs cross-disciplinary development and execution of short-term (project specific) and long-term (engagement specific) creative strategies. She is also responsible for Project X Media's creative and business philosophy, methodology and capabilities to current and potential clients, as well as across all departments, business units and service lines. Her 15+ years of experience as a creative director, art director and designer of sophisticated marketing and communications materials serves her well as the critical link in bringing the theory of a great brand to life as the collateral, materials and environments that serve as the physical touchpoints of a brand experience for customers.

Jen holds a BA in Art with an emphasis in Graphic Design from SDSU. Professional affiliations include Palomar College: Advisory Board - Graphic Communications, SD MIT Forum, San Diego Business Resources (SDBR), Expert Marketing Team, and Vistage. She has been an expert panelist for the SDSU Business Alumni Network, and is a frequent lecturer at Palomar College and various business conferences.

Andrew Monarch - President

Business Alumni Network President Andrew Monarch moved to San Diego in 2004 to earn his MBA with a concentration in Entrepreneurship. While attending SDSU, he worked as an Account Executive for the San Diego Reader and was elected president of the Entrepreneur Society (EMC). Andrew later served as a Sales Consultant with Administaff (referred through former BAN board member Steve Bond).

Andrew and his wife, Rebecca, live in Carmel Mountain and he manages Footwear Etc. in Rancho Bernardo (www.footwearetc.com). A recent graduate of LEAD San Diego, Andrew has high hopes and expectations for this year's board. His plans include helping SDSU alumni reconnect while growing the Business Alumni Network.