Walsh College to Confer Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree upon Former PPOM CEO Bob Naftaly

Walsh College will confer an honorary doctor of laws degree upon its keynote speaker, Robert Naftaly, at its 102nd Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, January 25, 2014, at 10:30 a.m., at Zion Christian Church in Troy.

“We are very pleased to welcome Mr. Naftaly as the keynote speaker,” said Stephanie Bergeron, Walsh College president and CEO.  “Bob has a rich history of excellence in business and education, and the expertise he will share in creating relationships, taking risks, and addressing change will serve our graduates well.”

The College will award graduate and bachelor’s degrees to a class of 367; 161 will receive bachelor’s degrees and 206 will receive graduate degrees.

Mr. Robert H. Naftaly, CPA is the retired President and CEO of PPOM, a subsidiary of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM), and a former Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for BCBSM.  Naftaly also served as the Chief Financial Officer for BCBSM.  Before joining BCBSM, Naftaly was Vice President and General Auditor for Detroit Edison and served as the Director of the Department of Management and Budget for the State of Michigan. 

Naftaly is a trustee emeritus of the Walsh College Board of Trustees, and also serves on the board of Sun Communities Inc., Meadowbrook Insurance Group Inc., Talmer Bancorp Inc., the Michigan Tax Commission, and is chair of the Detroit-based UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust.

Naftaly received his diploma in accounting from Walsh Institute in 1959.  After graduating, Naftaly and his uncle opened their own Detroit firm, Geller, Naftaly, Herback and Shapero, where he was a managing partner from 1960 to 1983.  Naftaly has also been a Walsh College commencement speaker in 1984.

Walsh College will also honor Chief Executive Officer and President of Fifth Third Bank’s Eastern Michigan Region David Girodat as the Distinguished Alum recipient.  David holds two degrees from Walsh College, a Bachelor’s of Business Administration (1985) and a Master’s Degree in Finance (1992).

When:
Saturday, January 25, 2014, 10:30 a.m.

Where:
Zion Christian Church
3668 Livernois Rd.
Troy, MI 48083

WALSH COLLEGE
Founded in 1922, Walsh College, one of Southeast Michigan's largest business schools, offers upper-division undergraduate and graduate business and technology degrees and certificate programs at locations in Troy, Novi, Clinton Township, and Port Huron, as well as online. Walsh's business services division offers the Walsh Institute, designed to provide solutions for businesses through training, continuing education and consulting. Walsh is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (www.ncahlc.org; phone: 312-263-0456) and the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE, www.iacbe.org). The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP, www.acbsp.org/) accredits specific degree programs.

For more information:
Brenda Meller/Assistant Vice President of Marketing bmeller@walshcollege.edu or 248.823.1205
Alicia Boltach/Account Supervisor at Airfoil Public Relations boltach@airfoilgroup.com or 248.304.1453