Spring 2008 Issue - NIU College of Business - Northern Illinois ...

NIU College of Business2007 Honorary Alumnus AwardRobert M. PfohlBusiness Support Manager, Caterpillar Inc.Robert Pfohl’s responsibilities at Caterpillar includethe financialmanagementof the 1,600employee,$300-millioncentralinformationtechnologyorganization.Prior tohis currentposition, Pfohl was IT manager for Cat Ag ProductsInc., where he was responsible for the implementationof an ERP system, their Class A program, and thestartup of two joint ventures. During his 25-year careerwith Caterpillar, he has held positions in accounting,manufacturing, and information technology at facilitiesthroughout Illinois.Before beginning work at Caterpillar in 1981, Bobgraduated cum laude from Purdue University with a B.S.in industrial engineering. In 1986, he earned his M.S. inbusiness management from Aurora University. He also isa certified consultant for The Pacific Institute’s Investmentin Excellence program.Since 1996, Pfohl has served as Caterpillar’s NorthernIllinois University campus coordinator. Pfohl is the leadrecruiter for Caterpillar’s IT division. But Pfohl’s deeprespect for the quality of NIU College of Businessprograms, faculty, and students caused him to go aboveand beyond routine interaction. Over the years, Pfohl hasbeen instrumental in establishing long-term relationshipsbetween Caterpillar and various academic departmentsof the NIU College of Business. He has championedvarious Caterpillar Foundation grant awards, includingthe $150,000 funding of a tiered classroom in the NIUCollege of Business.Bob, his wife, Lisa, and two teenage daughters currentlyreside in Peoria, Illinois.NIU College of Business 2007 RockfordArea Distinguished Alumnus AwardJim Hansberry (B.S. Management 1984,M.B.A. 1998)Senior Vice President and Private BankingManager, AMCORE Bank N.A.Jim Hansberry, senior vice president and private bankingmanager, received the 2007 Distinguished AlumnusAward from the Northern Illinois University College ofBusiness Rockford Alumni Club. The annual award isgiven to NIU alumni who have achieved outstandingsuccess in the business community, contribute to thesuccess of the college, and have a record of outstandingcommunity service.As a proud alumnus of the NIU College of Business,Hansberry remains actively involved with his alma mater.He is currently president of the board of directors for theNIU College of Business Rockford Alumni Club, whichserves the many business alumni who live and work inthe Rockford area. Previously, Hansberry was treasurerand vice president of the Rockford Alumni Club. In hiscurrent role as president, Hansberry was instrumentalin establishing and raising funds for the David andDiane Graf Rockford Endowed Scholarship. In additionto his active participation in the Rockford Alumni Club,Hansberry is a member of the NIU Executive Club,which serves all NIU business alumni irrespective ofregion. Hansberry is also an active member of theNIU College of Business Board of Executive Advisors,a group of senior-level executives who bring theirbusiness perspectives into the college. As a memberof the college’s Global Task Force (an action team ofthe school’s Strategic Planning Council), Hansberryhas provided invaluable insights for engaging in globaloutreach activities.As the private banking manager at AMCORE, Hansberryoversees the private banking team in all AMCOREregions. His team advises high net-worth clients andspecifically tailors all of AMCORE’s products andservices to the client’s individual financial needs. “Jim isa valued member of the AMCORE team, and we’re proudof his accomplishments in the community,” says KennethEdge, AMCORE chairman, president and CEO.NIU Business 2008 | 17