Alumni Notes
ceptional global programming to prepare future business leaders to embody Au- burn values, create knowledge that drives innovation, and positively impact society.” Zach May (’04, information systems) is the director of cybersecurity at Cox Enterprises in Atlanta, Georgia. Right out of college he landed a job at Acuity Brands Lighting thanks to an Auburn University career fair. From there, he progressed in his career from a technical role in database and identity management to a leadership role over the identity and access management program at Cox Enterprises. Personally, he is proud of his oldest son who will be attending his first year of college at Samford University. Doug Nagode (’01, finance) was promoted in 2019 to tax managing director at Deloitte Tax LLP, specializing in indirect taxes. He has been pivotal in expanding the indirect tax practice across the Southeast region and nationally within the transportation and hospitality industries. In recognition of his performance, he was recently named the indirect tax leader for the Atlanta, Birming- ham, Memphis, and Nashville markets, as well as for the transportation, hospitality, and services industry. Outside of work, he is helping his daughter apply to colleges, with Auburn University as her top choice. She aspires to follow in his footsteps. Ebony Ruffin (’05, finance) finds her career as a finance partner in the video software and solutions industry very fulfilling. She leads cross-functional initiatives spanning systems implementation, tax compliance, cash forecasting, payroll, procurement, global finance operations and much more. “Just as there are checks and balances for a company, the same applies to one’s per- sonal life and family.” She is also a licensed insurance agent and has been recognized in Forbes, NerdWallet, InsuranceNewsNet Magazine, Money, Business Insider and oth- ers. She stays connected to her alma mater
through service as a council member on Auburn’s Black Alumni Council. She has also been a guest judge for the Business Graduate Services Final Mile Case Off, as well as numerous other competitions, and has served as a keynote speaker for various classes, events and podcasts. Sarah Sommerville (’05, marketing) is em- ployed with a community bank as a mort- gage loan originator and recently celebrated her 17-year anniversary in this role. Despite having a marketing degree, she found her “home” in a community bank’s lending de- partment. The skills she learned from mar- keting have come in handy, though, when selling mortgage products or customizing lending solutions for her clients. She also assists with the bank’s social media presence and the design of its print materials. Rob Stanford (’03, information systems man- agement) recently received a promotion to IT manager for business and administration at Auburn University. He has been with the university since 2013, previously working in IT within Facilities Management. In his current role, he leads a team of application systems analysts who support all enter- prise systems that enable the university’s operations from a facilities perspective. In February, he became a proud grandfather to a baby girl. He enjoys traveling with his beloved wife, innovating business processes at work and spoiling his granddaughter. 2010s Asim Ali (’11, MSIS) holds the title of execu- tive director of the Biggio Center at Auburn University. With a bachelor’s and doctorate from Auburn, Asim was also elected board president for the University Professional and Continuing Education Association, the nation's leading online and professional ed-
ucation association. In 2026, he will ascend to the role of president, and in 2027 will serve as past president. Nicole Arnett Sanders (’18, MBA) just complet- ed her Ph.D. in marketing at the University of South Alabama and has since taken an entrepreneurial leap by launching her own boutique marketing agency. Her agency uses a consumer research driven approach with a focus on understanding and better reaching the female demographic. Nicole actively applies the rigorous research methodolo- gies she developed during both her Ph.D. program and her foundational time at Au- burn to help her clients better understand their target markets. “The agency is growing steadily, and I'm particularly energized by the opportunity to help brands better con- nect with female consumers.” Dane Block Jr. (’19, finance) works at Lattice- work Capital Management, a Dallas-based healthcare-only private equity fund with more than $650 million in assets under management. He is a member of the invest- ment team and works with founders and entrepreneurs to form partnerships, accel- erate growth and execute revolutionizing care delivery models. In only two years with the company, he has already completed 42 deals and new partnerships across Fund I and Fund II. He previously spent four years at Stephens Inc. as a banking analyst, where he focused on healthcare mergers and acqui- sition sell-side advisory work. Outside of his career, he is enjoying his first few months of marriage with his newlywed, Emery Grace. Charley Bolack III (’13, aviation management) serves as an account manager specializing in pumps and generators in the heavy equip- ment industry. He is also proud to announce the launch of his new business, Swing Away Golf Club, located in Birmingham, Alabama. His goal is for the facility to become the gold standard by which all indoor golf centers are measured. The concept bridges the gap between traditional green grass golf and
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