2023 Cincinnati Business Achievement Awards recognize business excellence, entrepreneurial spirit

Presented by Lindner’s Alumni Council and held within the historic Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal, the 38th annual CBAAs also commemorated the 25th anniversary of UC’s Center for Entrepreneurship. The region’s longest-standing event that celebrates achievement in business and service to communities, the CBAAs also raise funds for scholarships and financial assistance at the undergraduate and graduate levels. This year’s event raised over $150,000 in sponsorship support, including over $60,000 in student support funds.

Over 400 attendees heard from Lindner Dean Marianne Lewis, PhD, the event's emcee; Ryan Hays, PhD, UC executive vice president and chief innovation and strategy officer; Total Quality Logistics (TQL) President Kerry Byrne, Bus ’87, recipient of the Carl H. Lindner Award for Outstanding Business Achievement; and Jaden Walton, Bus ’24, the Center for Entrepreneurship’s student entrepreneur-in-residence. 

“Tonight, you will see entrepreneurs everywhere. You’ll see them in our business leaders, innovators and trailblazers who are honored as award winners and scholarship recipients,” Lewis said. “You’ll see entrepreneurs in the exhibits you’ll interact with. In fact, if you look to your left, and look to your right, you’ll see an entrepreneur both in familiar faces and new connections.”

Attendees were granted access to the Museum Center’s Cincinnati History Museum, which was reformatted with touches of entrepreneurship, Lindner and UC for the evening. Guests viewed project pitches from entrepreneurship students and voted digitally for their favorite pitch. The winning student project will be announced soon and will receive funding from this year’s CBAAs.

Other exhibits included "Cincinnati in Motion" (featuring iconic Cincinnati businesses), the "Junior Achievement Hall of Fame" (containing notable UC alumni) and the "Made in Cincinnati Classroom" (displaying historic UC photos from Museum Center archives). 

Hays highlighted UC’s innovation agenda, with mentions of the Center for Entrepreneurship; the near-completion of the Bearcats Venture Fund, a student-managed venture capital fund; and the “rising tide of the Cincinnati Innovation District.”

The Carl H. Lindner Award for Outstanding Business Achievement, the highest honor a Lindner graduate can receive, focuses on entrepreneurial spirit, a commitment to business and reaching the highest levels of success within one’s profession. Byrne, a member of Lindner’s Business Advisory Council, was awarded the Lindner Medal for his impact across Lindner, UC and UC Health.

“The list and value of his contributions are extraordinary,” Lewis said. “Kerry raises the bar for us all and helps ensure we hit the mark.”

Byrne first congratulated his fellow honorees individually before outlining why he has become a steward of UC, Cincinnati and more.

“I care about my family. I care about the TQL family. I care about the UC and UC Health family. And I care about this city and care about the region in which we all live, work and play,” Byrne explained. “So, I endeavor to do whatever I can to help in any of those areas, whether that be time, treasure or something else. And I think that perhaps — just maybe — Mr. Lindner might give a slight nod of approval to that.”

To successfully empower business problem solvers and tomorrow’s inclusive leaders, Lindner’s curriculum comprises content and activities that embody four values: professionalism, academics, character and engagement. This year’s PACEsetter award winners exemplify these values in their personal and professional lives:

• Paul Bessire, Bus ’04
• Brandon Reynolds, Bus ’15
• Andrew Salzbrun, Bus ’08
• Kesha Williams, PhD, CAHS ’02

The Carl H. Lindner Outstanding Junior Scholarship and the Heart of William J. Keating Leadership Award recognized a pair of current Lindner students. The former was bestowed upon Cassidy Hook, Bus ’24, for typifying the energy, commitment and creativity of Carl H. Lindner. Lance Entsuah, Bus ’24, earned the Keating Award, given to a junior business student for outstanding service to the university and community.

Lewis closed the award reception with thanks to all who do their part to further Lindner’s purpose of empowering business problem solvers. 

“I’m so grateful for all of you for being here tonight and your continued support for our UC and Cincinnati communities,” Lewis said.

Featured image: The 38th annual CBAAs recognized nine award winners and one employer partner, Refinery Ventures. Top row, from left: Refinery Ventures Managing Partner Tim Schigel; PACEsetter Awardees Brandon Reynolds and Paul Bessire; Distinguished Service Awardee Van Jones; PACEsetter Awardees Kesha Williams, PhD, and Andrew Salzbrun; and Carl H. Lindner Award for Outstanding Business Achievement honoree Kerry Byrne. Bottom row, left to right: The Heart of William J. Keating Awardee Lance Entsuah; Lindner Dean Marianne Lewis, PhD; Carl H. Lindner Outstanding Junior Scholarship honoree Cassidy Hook; and Distinguished Service Awardee Charles H. Matthews, PhD. All photos by Lauren Meisberger.