Newest business alumni inducted into W. P. Carey Hall of Fame
national radio host, a grocery chain CEO, a financial and accounting senior executive, and the CEO and co-founder of an innovative coaching firm are the newest W. P. Carey Alumni Hall of Fame inductees. Previous inductees come from such diverse organizations as Merck, the New York Giants, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, and the Big Ten Conference.
The Alumni Hall of Fame celebrates honorees for their significant contributions to their professions, the community, and the W. P. Carey School of Business. It also shows students they can look forward to a successful future with a high-quality education, commitment, and hard work.
The 44th annual W. P. Carey Alumni Hall of Fame induction ceremony in October honored these 2021 inductees.
Kim Komando is a founding partner of WestStar MultiMedia Entertainment, a privately held national radio and television broadcast network and program syndication company based in Phoenix. Komando is the host of America’s largest and most-listened-to weekend talk radio program, The Kim Komando Show. The program is distributed live via satellite to more than 450 top-tier radio stations across North America, including such heritage broadcast outlets as KGO/KSFO San Francisco, WLS Chicago, WSB Atlanta, and WBZ Boston. Also, Komando is heard on American Armed Forces Radio and all ships of the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard.
Edward N. “Trey” Basha III is chairman of the board, president, and CEO for Bashas’ Inc., the grocer that operates Bashas’, Food City, AJ’s Fine Foods, Eddie’s Country Store, and Bashas’ Diné Markets. Basha, who started his career for Bashas’ bagging groceries when he was 12, has served on many boards and committees. He is currently a member of the W. P. Carey Dean’s Council, Greater Phoenix Leadership, Arizona Food Marketing Alliance, the Western Association of Food Chains, and the Food Industry Association.
Charles Wilhoite is a 31-year member and managing director of Willamette Management Associates, which specializes in financial and economic analysis, forensic accounting, and business valuation services. He started his career at KPMG. Wilhoite maintains the following professional designations: CPA/ABV/CFF, ASA, CGMA, CMA, CFM, CBA, CVA, and CFE. He serves/has served on numerous prestigious boards of directors including: the Federal Reserve Bank Economic Advisory Council–12th District; the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco–Portland Branch; Legacy Health; NW Natural; the Oregon Children’s Foundation; the Oregon State Bar; PacificSource health plans; the Portland Development Commission; The Nature Conservancy; U.S. Bank of Oregon; and the Urban League of Portland.
Young alumni inductee
Nicole Wood is the CEO and co-founder of Ama La Vida, a coaching firm that helps people achieve deep fulfillment and success. Wood is an alum of UBS’ Project Entrepreneur and a graduate of business incubator 1871’s WiSTEM accelerator for women tech founders. With a background in management consulting at PwC, Wood is bringing a new level of rigor, process, and results-orientation to the coaching industry. She’s been featured in publications such as Fortune and on Bustle and CNBC as a thought leader in topics such as crafting rewarding careers and creating a company culture that fosters innovation and honors individuality.