The Dicke College of Business Administration at Ohio Northern University honored three individuals with Pinnacle Awards at a banquet held March 11.
This prestigious award, which honors individuals who have made the highest commitment to the business college, was given to Larry F. Boord, a 1971 ONU graduate; Pam Hershberger, a 1987 ONU graduate; and James F. Fenton Jr., the outgoing dean of the Dicke College of Business Administration.
Hershberger, who graduated with high distinction with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in accounting and finance, is a certified public accountant and is licensed in both Ohio and Michigan.
Upon graduation in 1987, she started with Arthur Young in Toledo, Ohio, which soon after merged with Ernst and Whinney to become Ernst & Young. Working in the audit practice of Ernst & Young, she moved up through the ranks, being promoted to partner in 2000 and becoming the managing partner of the Toledo office in 2008. Hershberger was the first female to make partner in the Detroit/Toledo practice of Ernst & Young.
During her career at Ernst & Young, she has worked with many different industries and companies. Her experiences have included leading large-scale audit engagements for several SEC clients with international divisions. She has served as coordinating partner for a variety of publicly held clients, including Owens-Illinois, Pulte Homes, HCR Manor Care, Cooper Tire and Rubber Company, Welltower, and Champion Enterprises.
Hershberger is actively involved in the community in organizations such as The Toledo Zoo, for which she is currently the board chair; the Toledo Symphony Orchestra as board Treasurer, and The Toledo Community Foundation. She also has recently served as chair of the boards of The Greater Toledo Chapter of the American Red Cross, Junior Achievement of Northwest Ohio and All Saints Lutheran Church.
Hershberger, who lettered in both basketball and volleyball, also is currently a trustee for Ohio Northern University and previously served on the Dicke College of Business Administration Advisory Board.
Boord, who also graduated from the Pettit College of Law in 1975, is a chartered financial consultant and chartered life underwriter with 39 years experience in the retirement planning industry as an independent consultant and as a firm owner. His expertise, primarily in the areas of retirement planning and estate planning, has earned him life and qualifying membership in The Million Dollar Round Table. A past president of the Dayton Association of Life Underwriters, Boord is member of The Columbus Bar Association and the Advanced Association for Life Underwriters. Boord was chair of the AALU Committee on Retirement Plans and is currently active politically for AALU.
Boord has been a member of the Society of Financial Service Professionals since 1980 and served as a board member until 2005. Recognized as a retirement consulting expert, Boord is a frequent speaker on retirement planning and estate planning topics. He has been named a “Five Star Wealth Manager” by Columbus Monthly.
In addition to Retirement & Wealth Planning Inc., Boord is a principal with Jacob, Haxton & Boord LLC. Jacob, Haxton & Boord LLC is a third-party administration and actuarial consulting firm providing retirement plan administration and consulting to clients throughout Ohio.
Currently, Boord serves as a University trustee for ONU. Boord is a board member for the Central Ohio Chapter of the Leukemia Lymphoma Society and is active in his church.
A native of Toledo, Ohio, James W. Fenton Jr. has been dean of Ohio Northern’s Dicke College of Business Administration since July 2005. Before coming to ONU, he served as dean of the School of Business at Utah Valley State College in Orem, Utah. At Francis Marion University in Florence, S.C., he was interim assistant dean in the School of Business and director of AACSB Self-Study. He taught entrepreneurship and business administration there as well. He has been recognized as an outstanding teacher and scholar, having published more than 20 peer-review publications.
In addition to his academic experience, Fenton has been an entrepreneur, having founded and operated four manufacturing companies in the steelmaking, steel fabrication and steel distribution industries.
During Fenton’s time as dean, the College of Business Administration has maintained its premier business re-accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. He also helped establish a student honor code for business students, and he oversaw the development of the business college’s first graduate program, the Master of Public Practice in Accounting.
The names of this year’s honorees will be added to a fabricated sculpture on the ground floor of James F. Dicke Hall. The contemporary display, constructed of copper, aluminum and stainless steel, stands as a public and enduring testament to the individuals who have reached a pinnacle in their generosity and service to the college.
