Executives in Residence Program Unites Grad Students with Professionals

Four alumni served as guest lecturers for Executives in Residence, a three-credit course for graduate students enrolled in the Master of Business Administration program at Saint Peter’s University. This course brings senior executives to the classroom to exchange ideas on the goals and strategies of companies and industries, and identifies issues related to current trends in business strategy.

EiR began with orientation for the course on September 23. Then on September 24, Dennis J. Enright ’70 came to campus and discussed his role as principal of NW Financial Group LLC, where he advises on and underwrites municipal debt. After graduating from Saint Peter’s with a degree in urban studies and sociology, Enright received a master’s in urban planning from New York University. Early in his career, he played a major role in the redevelopment of Jersey City, where he served as director of community development, director of neighborhood preservation and director of planning for the City of Jersey City.

On September 25, students welcomed Doreen Catanio, CPA ’85, president of Professional Financial Services Inc. Founded in 1991, the company has grown to retain more than 1,275 clients. While attending Saint Peter’s, Catanio majored in accounting and minored in economics. She subsequently worked in large public accounting firms before starting her own company, where she provides individuals and business owners with independent, objective tax and financial planning services. Along with a CPA, Catanio holds her Series 6, 26, 62 and 63. She also serves on the Board of Regents at Saint Peter’s University.

Students gathered at the headquarters of Mercedes-Benz in Princeton, NJ, for the September 26 offsite session featuring Robert Greces ’70, president/owner of Mercedes-Benz in Princeton and Flemington. After graduating from Saint Peter’s with a degree in history, Greces was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve’s branch of military intelligence. In 1971, he began selling Volkswagens after fulfilling his active duty requirement. Greces then purchased Jess Jones Volkswagen in 1979 and operated the dealership as Palisades VW until 1982, when he sold his majority interest to focus attention and capital on opening Mercedes-Benz of Princeton. This month, Mercedes-Benz of Princeton will be celebrating 31 years of successful operation. MBUSA offered Greces the opportunity to open Mercedes-Benz of Flemington in 2008.

On September 27, the class went offsite once again to visit Razza, Pizza Artigianal in Jersey City to hear Paul Silverman discuss his role as principal of Silverman. Paul, along with his brother Eric, recently celebrated 30 years of building neighborhoods and restoring historic landmarks. They also championed the development of mixed-use buildings, created affordable housing, attracted commercial and industrial tenants to Hudson County, invested in micro-brewery New Jersey Beer Company and brought creative new retail ventures to Jersey City. They have created more than 1,000 residences and more than 500,000 square-feet of commercial and light industrial spaces, translating to thousands of new jobs and households in Hudson County. Paul is a graduate of Muhlenberg College. After graduating, he joined his family’s trucking and warehousing business, Merit Distribution Centers. While running Merit, Paul began his real estate career in 1981.

Offered twice a year, the Executives-in-Residence program was developed by John J. Hampton, Ph.D., Saint Peter’s professor of business. He was the executive director of the Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) from 2000 to 2004, and has been a principal in the Princeton Consulting Group since 1981. Hampton has worked on projects related to strategic planning, risk management and due diligence for diverse clients such as AT&T, The World Bank, Pacific Fruit and United Technologies. Interested in becoming an Executive in Residence? Contact Leah Leto at (201) 761-6110 or lleto@saintpeters.edu.

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