Chairman

President and CEO of WorldTrips and CPO of TMHCC Global Travel Group, has had an impressive career scattered with entrepreneurial ventures and philanthropic endeavors. In his time, he’s been active CEO at four companies in the risk management, health insurance, and therapeutics spaces.

His time at Purdue prepared him to not only successfully run these organizations, but also to be a driving force in the Indy community. He’s sat on boards for various non profits and part of The Hero’s Club, a non-profit providing assistance to line of duty staff in Carmel, Indiana.

Director & Chairman of the Advisory Board

Drew Brees played in the National Football League for 20 seasons. A member of the New Orleans Saints for most of his career, Brees is second in NFL career passing completion percentage, career touchdown passes, career passing yards, career pass completions, and career pass attempts. Brees played college football at Purdue University, where he set the Big Ten Conference records for completions, attempts, and yards. He led the Saints between to nine playoff runs and seven division titles, and the franchise’s first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XLIV. After 15 seasons in New Orleans, Brees extended his total Pro Bowl selections to 13 and was twice named Offensive Player of the Year. Brees retired after the 2020 season and spent the 2021 season as an analyst on NBC Sunday Night Football.

Vice Chair

Connie, who comes from a long line of Boilermakers, graduated from Purdue University with a bachelors in management. She was also the Captain of the Cheerleading Squad and cheered her team on to two football bowl victories and a Final Four berth in basketball. She is a Principal of Niessink Commercial Real Estate representing Fortune 500 and best in class national retailers.

To top it off, she is a member of the John Purdue & Varsity P Clubs, President’s Council and Boilermaker Business Exchange.

Secretary

Tom Walsh is a partner in the Intellectual Property Group at Ice Miller LLP, where he advises new companies and established businesses on intellectual property and information technology issues. Tom has served as a board member and volunteer for many charitable organizations during his career, and he is excited about the opportunities that charitable organizations will have to benefit from the work of Boilermaker Alliance. Tom received a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University in 1986, and three of his children also are Purdue University graduates.

Treasurer

Mike’s expertise encompass a wide range of complex real estate transactions, with an emphasis on partnership and flow-through taxation. He currently is Principle at Somerset CPA’s and is active in various CPA societies as well as the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA).

Outside of work, Mike speaks on various tax issues, spends time with his family, and cheers on his beloved Boilermakers.

Director

Bob Burlas currently serves as Pomeroy’s Chief Product Officer. He manages the company’s overall Product Business and is responsible for its business partner relationships, product supply chain and procurement operations. Bob has over 30 years of worldwide sales, channel sales and technology industry experience. He recently finished his term as President of the Purdue University, Krannert School of Management Alumni Association and has served on the local Board of Directors for the Sigma Chi Fraternity. Burlas received a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management from Purdue University in 1986 and an MBA degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1989. He is also serves on the Advisory Board for the Purdue University Fraternity, Sorority and Co-op Life organization.

Director

Because of his time as a former student-athlete at Purdue (Men’s Golf), Scott is thrilled to serve the Boilermaker Alliance and help student-athletes with name-image-likeness opportunities. He is currently a Partner at Gettings Reed Financial and has spent his career helping others invest and manage portfolios.

As well, Scott continues to serve as a mentor and a leader in the Purdue community - you’ll oftentimes find him supporting his school in the stadium as a fan or in the classroom as a guest lecturer.

Director

Michael A. Byers serves as President, CEO and Founder of Cryopoint Fertility Group, and CEO and Founder of Tooth Bank and Cryocyte. Michael is a 2003 graduate of the School of Science with a BS in Biology and a 2004 MBA graduate from the Krannert School of Management. While attending Purdue, Michael was active both the Varsity Baseball team and Crew team.

Director

Chris graduated from Purdue with a bachelors in Computer Technology/Computer Systems Technology and a Masters in Educational/Instructional Technology. Now, As a cybersecurity account executive at Secureworks, he believes in being a trusted advisor as opposed to someone who just checks a box. This philosophy, and his extensive career as an accomplished sales professional, has allowed him to create value for organizations such as Purdue, IBM, and beyond.

Director

As Senior Vice President of Midwest Healthcare & Biosciences for Jones, Lang, Lasalle, Bruce represents the interests of owners and occupiers of medical use space and is responsible for increasing JLL’s healthcare & bioscience business throughout the Midwest. With a degree from Purdue’s Krannert School of Management, he is very proud to be one of eight members of a family of Boilermaker graduates. Having held positions on the Fishers, Indiana Economic Development Commission, Lawrence Township School Foundation, and Geist Christian Church Weekday Ministries Board, Bruce looks forward to helping the Boilermaker Alliance achieve its mission.

Director

Since graduating from Purdue University with a B.S. in Management Science from the Krannert School of Management in 1995, Andrew has spent his professional career as a leader in the global technology and software consulting services field. As a C-level executive leader of global software companies, he has over 25 years of diverse strategic and operational business leadership in helping global companies successfully develop and leverage technology. He has a passion for leading people and organizations to embrace the power of technology to help them transform the way they live and work. Having grown up in Indianapolis and as a proud Purdue graduate and avid sports fan, Andrew is excited to contribute his leadership experience and energy to the Boilermaker Alliance.

Director

Charlotte Hoffer Canning is the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer and third generation owner of Hoffer Plastics Corporation - a leading global manufacturer of tight-tolerance, plastic injection molded parts. Prior to joining Hoffer Plastics, Charlotte worked for PepsiCo as Foodservice Area Manager. Charlotte graduated from Purdue’s Krannert School of Management and is proud to be a fourth generation Boilermaker! During her time at Purdue, Charlotte served on the Greek Judicial Board. Outside of work, Charlotte serves on the multiple non-for-profit boards and most enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters. As a life-long Purdue fan, Charlotte is excited to bring her passion for people, marketing, and public relations to the Boilermaker Alliance.

Director

As a 1984 graduate from Purdue University who also played three years of Varsity Football as a linebacker, Jim is the Owner and President of McKenzie Foods, Inc. In this role, he owns and operates 22 KFC restaurants throughout Indiana. Jim is currently President of the National Association of KFC Franchisees and serves on the KFC National Coop and Advertising Council. He’s also been actively involved in the Young Life high school ministry for the past 25 years.

Director

Deeni is Executive Vice President, Chief Investment Officer for Physicians Realty Trust. He is also the Chairman of Urban Land Institute (ULI) Healthcare and Life Science Council and past Diplomate in the American College of Healthcare Executives. Deeni is a Board member of the Southwest Florida Purdue For Life Foundation and member of President's Council and Boilermaker Business Exchange. Since graduating from Purdue with a B.S. in Pharmacy in 1980 his career has included more than 25 years in hospital/healthcare administration. Deeni is an avid supporter of the John Purdue Club, donor to several Purdue sports related facility projects and frequent host of Purdue alumni in Naples FL to play golf.

Director

David has spent his entire career working in the technology field and is currently the Vice President of Cyber Security Sales for Thales Group. His time at Purdue laid the framework for him to be a leader in his community. As a life-long Purdue fan and alumnus, David is excited to serve the Boilermaker Alliance. His passion for charitable work and Purdue athletics aligns with the Boilermaker Alliance’s mission to develop the next generation of Purdue leaders. He spends his free time as a youth sports commissioner and coach for his three kids.