Thirteen MBA Students Named 2020 Stoddard Scholars

PROVO, Utah – Apr 27, 2020 – The Brigham Young University Marriott School of Business MBA program has awarded thirteen students with the 2020 George E. Stoddard Prize, an award given to first- and second-year students in the BYU Marriott MBA program.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Stoddard family for their generosity and support of BYU Marriott MBA students through this scholarship award,” says Hal Heaton, BYU Marriott professor of finance and the graduate finance advisor who oversees the selection of the Stoddard Scholars. “These students have proven their dedication and leadership skills through service and performance in the program. We are honored to be able to assist them with the help of the Stoddard family.”

The Stoddard Prize was established in 1985 by George E. Stoddard, a 1937 BYU alumnus. His numerous credentials include working as the senior managing director of W.P. Carey & Company, a leading global real estate investment firm in New York. He was a pioneer in the use of real estate transactions known as sale-leasebacks, which provide financing to companies struggling to gain access to traditional sources of capital. Before joining W.P. Carey & Company, Stoddard was also head of the multibillion-dollar direct placement department of the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States.

The Stoddard Prize was expanded to better assist students in the BYU Marriott MBA program. Previously, the award was only presented to second-year students toward the end of their time in the program. However, an additional prize this year was added for first-year students based on exceptional performance in the MBA program.

The BYU Marriott School of Business prepares men and women of faith, character, and professional ability for positions of leadership throughout the world. Named for benefactors J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott, the school is located at Brigham Young University, the largest privately owned, church-sponsored university in the United States. BYU Marriott has four graduate and ten undergraduate degrees with an enrollment of approximately 3,300 students.

2020 Stoddard Scholar Winners

A first-year Stoddard scholar and Mesa, Arizona, native, Josh Brooks says that through the MBA program, he’s learned “that we all have our own unique value and ability to contribute.”  Brooks is currently president of the program’s Strategy Consulting Club, director of finance for BYU’s Adam Smith Society chapter, and director of transactions for a student-run venture capital and private equity fund. Brooks graduated with a degree in accounting from Arizona State University and has worked as a consultant in KPMG’s Advisory Practice and with waste management company Republic Services. His wide range of experiences have helped him see the unique value of individuals. “The quality of each person in the program was reaffirmed to me time and time again as I saw fellow MBA classmates continually surprise and inspire me in unique ways,” says Brooks.

Andrew Gordon, a native of Rexburg, Idaho, has collected a wide variety of experiences from both his academic and professional careers. He previously studied financial economics at BYU–Idaho and has worked for Zions Bank, MultiLing Corporation, and 3M. During his time in the BYU Marriott MBA program, Gordon served as president of the programs’ Graduate Finance Association. He earned the Stoddard scholar award for his efforts in both his first and second year in the program and says he has been blessed by the talents and abilities of his classmates in the MBA program. “I have been amazed at the quality of students at this institution,” says Gordon. “I learned so much about leadership by working with them and watching their examples.” After graduating BYU Marriott’s MBA program, Gordon will continue working with 3M as a financial analyst.

Russell Gordon, from Spokane, Washington, completed his undergrad in finance at BYU–Idaho. Gordon worked as a broker at Charles Schwab for four years and then as a derivatives analyst at Goldman Sachs for two years prior to coming to BYU Marriott. While in the MBA program, Gordon served as the president of the Silver Fund, the program’s stock investing club. Gordon says he learned the value of helping and supporting others through the MBA program. “The BYU Marriott MBA program has helped me see how profoundly one person’s actions can uplift those around them,” says Gordon. “I hope to have a career that uplifts and helps people retire in safety and dignity. BYU Marriott and the Stoddard Scholar award have helped make that possible.” Gordon is a second-year Stoddard scholar and recently accepted a job following graduation working on state pension funds with the Utah Retirement Systems.

Bert Grabinger is a native of Yuma, Arizona, and earned a degree in computer science and mathematics from the University of Arizona. After completing his degree, he began work as a software engineer at Qualtrics in Provo. Grabinger, a first-year Stoddard scholar, appreciates all the growth BYU Marriot has helped him achieve. Thinking of his knowledge before the program, Grabinger appreciates the springboard the MBA program has given him. “The BYU Marriott MBA program has been especially transformative for me,” says Grabinger. “Because I didn't have a foundational business education beforehand, I've learned so much about opportunities that I simply didn't know were possibilities.” Grabinger has enjoyed serving as BYU Marriott’s MBA Association CFO and looks forward to working as a consultant with KPMG after graduation.

After graduating from the University of Utah with a bachelor's degree in finance, Salt Lake City native Ryan Harris began his career at Goldman Sachs in asset management. After three years with Goldman Sachs, he left to help start a business intelligence company. Harris is a first-year Stoddard scholar, and during his time in the BYU Marriott MBA program, Harris has interned at University Venture Fund and RET Ventures. He credits the MBA program for many of the valuable experiences he’s had. "The BYU Marriott MBA program has opened doors to incredible opportunities,” says Harris. “I loved getting to know my fellow classmates and look forward to working with them in the future. I'm grateful for our professors and all they contribute to our education."

“The program has made me a stronger leader, provided me with an in-depth education in finance, and enabled me to pursue a career that I love,” says David Lamb, a native of Ogden, Utah. Prior to joining the BYU Marriott’s MBA program, Lamb earned accounting degrees from BYU Marriott and Weber State University. Lamb’s professional experience includes working as an investment performance analyst at Cambridge Associates in the Washington, DC, area. Lamb’s contributions to the MBA program have helped him be the strong leader he values. He has served as a vice president in BYU Marriott’s Graduate Finance Association and as a student mentor in the sherpa program. Lamb was named a Stoddard Scholar both his first and second years in the MBA program. After graduation, Lamb will be working as a senior financial analyst at Intel in Chandler, Arizona.

A native of Portland, Oregon, Dallin Larimer has helped mentor other MBA students through the sherpa program. Larimer earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from BYU and the Stoddard Scholar award in both his first and second years in the BYU Marriott MBA program. He has previously worked as an analyst in Portland at Graphic Products, and as an MBA student, Larimer is a teaching assistant for the advanced financial modeling course. After graduation, Larimer looks forward to future business opportunities that will enable him to help others to find the same growth he has. Reflecting on his time in the MBA program, Larimer knows he’s gained more than just another degree. “The BYU Marriott MBA program has exceeded my highest expectations,” says Larimer. “During the past two years, I’ve gained a network of amazing students and faculty, developed professional skills to open new doors, and had wonderful opportunities for personal growth.”

Stephen Matthews grew up in the Washington, DC, area and graduated from Westminster University in finance. Matthews has experience in the finance sector from working at Goldman Sachs for three years in the finance division and credit risk division. As an MBA student, Matthews built on his experience by interning with Deloitte Consulting. In addition to his internship, Matthews was vice president of the Strategy and Consulting Club at BYU Marriott. After graduating, he will be returning to Deloitte Consulting in Boston and is grateful for the many opportunities he’s received through BYU Marriott. "The MBA program at BYU Marriott has opened up opportunities for me that I never would have had available to me otherwise,” says Matthews. “The network and experiences I have been able to build are second to none and have developed me into a leader."

Born and raised in South Jordan, Utah, first-year Stoddard scholar Trevor Lemmons always dreamed of graduating from BYU. Lemmons achieved his dream when he graduated with his undergraduate degree in finance from BYU Marriott and then returned to complete his graduate degree. During his time in the BYU Marriott MBA program, he has worked for Amazon as a financial analyst and as a business intelligence engineer. After graduating from the MBA program, Lemmons will be joining Microsoft in Dallas. When he leaves BYU Marriott, he’ll be taking fond memories of his time in the graduate program. “BYU Marriott’s MBA program has accelerated my development in so many facets of life. It has improved my relationships, my intelligence, and my confidence,” says Lemmons. “I have learned so much about myself and what I want out of my life, and I have a better vision of what my purpose is in life."

Jordan Sheffield was born in California but went to high school in Japan after he and his family moved there while he was a teenager. After earning an undergraduate degree in finance from BYU Marriott, he worked at Goldman Sachs as a financial analyst. Sheffield says that the BYU Marriott MBA program has helped him grow as a professional and individual. "I have built lasting relationships with friends in the program who have challenged me, helped shape me, and taught me new perspectives,” says Sheffield. “I am forever grateful for the time I spent in the BYU Marriott MBA program.” Sheffield says some of the highlights during his time in the MBA program include connecting with his peers in the program and learning new skills by participating in activities such as the Cougar Strategy Group, the sherpa program, and several client projects. Sheffield, a first-year Stoddard scholar, aims to help startups combine strategy and finance after the graduating from the MBA program.

A native of Rexburg, Idaho, Sebastian Schaat is a first-year Stoddard scholar focused on finance and strategy in the BYU Marriott MBA program. During his time in the program, he’s participated in the Cougar Strategy Group and in a leadership role for the MBA Strategy and Consulting Club. Prior to coming to BYU Marriott, Schaat studied economics and philosophy at BYU–Idaho and then spent five years working for Risk International, consulting in its Ohio and North Carolina offices. After graduating from the MBA program, he will be joining Cognizant Technology Services as a senior consultant. “The BYU Marriott MBA program has opened so many doors, provided inspiration, and helped me find clarity on the type of leader I want to be. I also cannot say enough about my high-caliber classmates who have become some of my closest friends,” says Schaat.

“Being a part of the MBA program at BYU Marriott has been one of the most rewarding and impactful experiences of my life,” says Spenser Warren, who grew up in both Washington and Idaho. Before coming to BYU Marriott, Warren graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Indiana. After his first year in the MBA program, Warren interned with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. He credits the BYU Marriott MBA program for much of his development as a business leader and individual. “The skills I’ve learned and the people I’ve interacted with have had a profound impact on my growth, both professionally and personally. I will be forever grateful for my time spent at BYU Marriott.” Warren, a second-year Stoddard scholar, is excited to be returning full-time to Fiat Chrysler after graduation.

Tyler Woolley grew up not far from BYU in nearby Orem. After graduating with his bachelor's degree from BYU in physiology and developmental biology, Woolley worked for two years at Horizon Home Health and Hospice before coming to the BYU Marriott MBA program. During his time in the MBA program, Woolley has learned more about the finance world and gained valuable knowledge by being involved with Silver Fund, BYU Marriott’s stock investing club. He received the Stoddard Scholar in his second year of the MBA program and, after graduation, Woolley looks forward to continuing his career in finance and building on his time in the MBA program. “My experience in BYU Marriott’s MBA program has been everything I hoped it would be and more,” says Woolley. “Nothing compares to walking into a room and being uplifted, inspired, supported, and pushed to succeed by each individual there.