July 02, 2013
Four alumni join SIU Foundation board
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Four alumni of Southern Illinois University Carbondale have joined the SIU Foundation Board of Directors. They are serving three-year terms that will conclude on June 30, 2016.
Sean Boston, a 1992 marketing graduate of SIU Carbondale; Diane Compardo, who earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting in 1991 and 1992, respectively; Clarence Copping, a 1977 aviation graduate; and Daniel Korte, a 1985 engineering graduate of the University, are the newest members of the Foundation’s volunteer board.
The board governs the SIU Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization that provides alumni and friends a means to invest in the University’s future. Established in 1942, the Foundation solicits and administers gifts from private sources in support of SIU Carbondale’s academic mission. Private funding is generated through annual giving, planned giving, major giving, corporate and foundation relations and campaigns.
Boston, a Chicago resident, recently served as the Director of Strategic Marketing for Illinois Tool Works (ITW) Food Equipment Group-Service, a global company operating in 52 countries.
Previously, Boston served as Vice President General Manager-DieHard, Vice President of Channel Management-Brands, and Division Vice President-Procurement -- all at Sears Holdings Management Corporation. Before joining Sears, he was a Senior Director at Motorola Inc., was part of the consumer segment marketing division at Bank of America, and held several key positions at ABC Radio Networks and Chrysler Corporation.
A Saluki basketball letter winner in 1992, Boston has been quite active at his alma mater since graduation. He currently serves on the SIU College of Business Dean’s External Advisory Board and Business Minority Advisory Board. He has also served as a guest lecturer, and was inducted into the College of Business Hall of Fame in 2008. He and his wife, Karyn, recently established the Sean and Karyn Boston Business Scholarship Endowment at the University.
Compardo, a 2012 SIU Carbondale College of Business Hall of Fame inductee, heads The Compardo Team at Moneta Group. Moneta’s principal-led teams provide trusted counsel to successful families, endowments, foundations, and closely held businesses whose combined financial assets currently total approximately $15 billion; making it one of the largest independent registered investment advisors in the United States.
The St. Louis resident’s career encompasses more than two decades of high-level client service and management experience. Prior to joining Moneta Group in 1997, Compardo was a manager with PriceWaterhouseCoopers. She has been honored with the Five Star Best in Client Service Award (as published in St. Louis Magazine) annually since 2008, as well as the National Association of Board Certified Advisory Practices (NABCAP) Top Wealth Manager award (as published in St. Louis Business Journal) in 2011.
Compardo is a longtime SIU supporter. She and her husband, Ron Wienstroer, established the Compardo/Wienstroer School of Accounting Endowment Fund at SIU Carbondale. They are members of the College of Business Rehn Society and lifelong members of the SIU Alumni Association. Compardo also serves on the Board of Covenant House of Missouri and is a member of the Women Presidents’ Organization.
Copping, a Boeing 777 Captain and Line Check Airman at United Airlines, began his aviation career in high school when he became a member of a Boy Scout Aviation Explorer post. During this time he became familiar with SIU Carbondale’s aviation technology and aviation flight program.
The St. Charles, Ill., resident initially joined United in 1978 as a flight engineer. After advancing to co-pilot status in 1985, he became the youngest First Officer flying the line at that time. Copping was subsequently promoted to captain in 1990, leading to command of various Boeing and Airbus aircraft. While serving as a Line Check Airman, he has trained and checked other pilots in worldwide operations.
Copping serves on the College of Applied Sciences and Arts Board of Councilors, in addition to the Aviation Flight Advisory Board. He has helped organize the annual United-SIU Career Day, a popular event that flies high school students who have an interest in aviation from Chicago to Carbondale. Copping was awarded the College of Applied Sciences and Arts Distinguished Alumni Award in 1999, and became a SIU Distinguished Alumni Award recipient in 2012.
Korte is currently an independent consultant after retiring from Rolls-Royce as President of their Global Defense responsible for the strategy and performance of the $4 billion aerospace business, encompassing 5,500 employees at operations in 17 countries.
Rolls Royce serves 160 customers in 103 countries with over 18,000 engines in service around the world. Korte joined Rolls-Royce in 2009 and was based at the North American corporate headquarters in Reston, Va.
Prior to his stint at Rolls-Royce, Korte was Vice President and General Manager for Global Strike System, a division of the Boeing Military Aircraft Business. Since joining Boeing in 1985 as an electronics engineer, the St. Louis resident ascended to increasingly senior positions. He has more than 25 years of experience in design and systems engineering, integrated product team leadership; in addition to supplier, procurement and program management experience.
Korte is an active member of the community, serving on the College of Engineering Industrial Advisory Board and as an Industry Student Mentor at SIU Carbondale; board of directors for United Way of Greater St Louis, and as a member of the board for the St. Louis University Masters of International Business program.
Sean Boston
Diane Compardo
Clarence Copping
Dan Korte