New class of UAB Excellence in Business Top 25 announced for 2016

The Top 25 award program, presented by the UAB National Alumni Society, is designed to identify, recognize and celebrate the success of alumni business leaders.

excellence in businessThe University of Alabama at Birmingham National Alumni Society has announced the 2016 class of the UAB Excellence in Business Top 25.

The awardees will be honored at a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Friday, June 24, at the UAB National Alumni Society House. Tickets to attend are $75 and can be purchased online.

The Top 25 award program is designed to identify, recognize and celebrate the success of alumni business leaders. Each company must have been founded, owned or managed by a UAB alumnus or alumna, says Jennifer Breland, executive director of the UAB National Alumni Society.

“We are once again pleased to honor UAB graduates who are among the most successful business leaders,” Breland said. “This is a special opportunity to bring well-deserved recognition to those doing great things in the business world who are from UAB. Their success stories are an inspiration to others at UAB and in the community.”

The UAB Excellence in Business Top 25 Class of 2016 honorees:

  • Weily Soong, M.D., Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center, graduate of the School of Medicine
  • D. Bruce Irwin, M.D., American Family Care, graduate of the School of Medicine
  • Vann Russell, Arlington Capital Advisors, LLC, graduate of the Collat School of Business
  • Joseph M. Patti, Ph.D., Aviragen Therapeutics Inc., graduate of the School of Medicine
  • Sam Bhate, Bhate Environmental Associates Inc., graduate of the Collat School of Business
  • Kerri Bailey, Child’s Play Therapy Center, LLC, graduate of the School of Health Professions
  • John Anderson, M.D., Clinical Research Center of Alabama, graduate of the School of Medicine
  • Edwina Musante, Cortina Consulting Group, LLC, graduate of the School of Engineering
  • J. Don Williams, Employment Screening Services/ESS, graduate of the Collat School of Business
  • Denise Graham, Graham & Associates CPA, graduate of the Collat School of Business
  • Valerie R. Leonard, Grinkmeyer Leonard Financial, graduate of the Collat School of Business
  • Kayce Dover, HIM Connections, LLC, graduate of the School of Health Professions
  • Steven Lamar Reid, Industrial Environmental Systems Inc., graduate of the School of Engineering
  • Brian A. Stone, M.D., Jasper Urology Associates, graduate of the School of Medicine
  • Lewis W. Cummings III, Omega Realty Group, LLC, graduate of the Collat School of Business
  • Dale Yake, PT Solutions Physical Therapy, graduate of the School of Health Professions
  • Johnny E. Bates, M.D., Quality Correctional Health Care, graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Medicine
  • Tim Stephens, SportsManias, graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences
  • Blake Pittman, Taylor Burton Company Inc., graduate of the Collat School of Business
  • Robin L. Bailey, The Legacy Connection, graduate of the Collat School of Business
  • Joy O’Neal, The Red Barn, graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences
  • Ken R. Taunton, The Royster Group Inc., graduate of the Collat School of Business
  • Larry Youngblood, The Stewart Organization, graduate of the Collat School of Business
  • Tanner Allen, Joseph Meadow IV and William Morthland, TJC Mortgage Inc., all graduates of the Collat School of Business. Meadow is also a graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences.
  • Courtney Duff-Harrison, West Alabama Therapy, LLC, graduate of the School of Health Professions