Meet the Newest BSOS Alumni Chapter Board Members
The BSOS Alumni Chapter Board welcomes six new members to its ranks. Starting July 1, the following members will begin two-year terms on the board and work to help engage and involve BSOS alumni in the College's mission.
Joe Azzarello, GVPT ’08Director of Development, Thread, Inc.
Joe Azzarello is currently the Director of Development for the Baltimore non-profit Thread. As the first head of development for the 18-year-old organization, Joe is building a fundraising apparatus from the ground up to support an already robust grant funding system. Joe previously worked as the Assistant Director of Development for the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences and prior to that as a District Director with the Boy Scouts of America in Baltimore, MD.
Joe earned his B.A. in Government and Politics with a Minor in History from the University of Maryland as well as a M.S. in Public Relations from the University of Maryland Global Campus. Joe is also a life member of the UMD Alumni Association, President of the Broad Creek Alumni Association and a member of the Baltimore Area Council’s Strategic Plan Committee. He currently lives in Laurel with his wife Melissa, a Howard County Public Schools teacher.
Jeremy Katz, GVPT ’90Partner, Audit Services US, LLC
Jeremy Katz has over 30 years’ experience in government related marketing and sales of business process outsource, information technology management and auditing related services to federal, state and municipal government entities. Jeremy is presently part owner of Audit Services US, LLC (ASUS) based in New York City, where he oversees all aspects of state government business development, as well as client service delivery to its 45 state government clients. Prior to joining ASUS in 2016, Jeremy worked for PRA Government Services (now called Avenue Insights an Analytics) and with the Xerox Corporation for 20 years (by way of several acquisitions including that of Affiliated Computer Services (ACS) and the National Abandoned Property Processing Corporation (NAPPCO) where he served as the Chief Operating Officer for Xerox State Business Solutions.
Jeremy actively participates as a corporate affiliate of the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST) and is now serving a second term on the NAST Corporate Affiliate Board. Jeremy previously served two terms on the NAST Foundation Board and served as the lead faculty advisor for the National Institute of Public Finance Treasury Management Program at Pepperdine University. Lastly, Jeremy served as an observer to the Uniform Law Commission with respect to its revision of the 1995 Uniform Unclaimed Property Act and frequently provides input to the states’ unclaimed property programs with respect to matters of legislation and litigation.
Jeremy graduated from the University of Maryland in 1990 with a B.A. in Government and Politics, and has focused his continuing professional education in the areas of business and marketing management at Johns Hopkins University.
Mike Mellor, SOCY ’00Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer, Pryor Cashman
Mike Mellor is the Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer for Pryor Cashman, where he works to identify, develop, and execute strategies to both drive new business for the firm and increase brand awareness.
In addition to providing strategic and marketing direction for the firm, Mike also oversees the firm's marketing department, which is responsible for planning, public relations and communications, client development, digital and social media, and events.
Mike's nearly 20-year career has spanned various roles, working at such firms as Paul Weiss, Katten, and KPMG. His passion is creating clarity and game plans for attorneys around the firm by implementing rigor and process to drive efficiencies and encourage collaboration. By serving as the "voice of the client" and listening to both internal and external stakeholders, he seeks to connect dots within the firm's ecosystem to help Pryor Cashman's clients to achieve their business goals.
A self-defined process junkie, Mike is also heavily involved in developing internal methodologies and processes, preparing attorneys for pitches, and directly assisting the firm's clients to help align them with the optimal resources and attorneys at Pryor Cashman. He is a big believer in using data and employs numerous individual, practice, and industry KPIs to constantly tweak and refine his approaches.
A frequent author and speaker around the country, he loves live music, sports, and exploring different cultures. Mike is also a lifetime member of the University Maryland Alumni Association and previously served on the Alumni Associations’ Board of Governors.
Jordan Obleton, ECON ’19Forecasting Analyst, Insider Intelligence
Jordan graduated with a BS in Economics in May 2019. He currently works as a Forecasting Analyst Insider Intelligence, where he researches digital market trends and predicts how those markets will grow in the coming years. While at UMD, Jordan tutored local middle and high school students in Mathematics and SAT/ACT prep through various programs.
Previously, Jordan worked as a data analyst at an education specific insurance company, where he analyzed claims and policy data to help reduce risk on school campuses. Jordan is passionate about data storytelling and using insights to solve real world problems.
Amanda Woodson, GVPT ’20Government Relations Specialist, Amputee Coalition
Amanda Woodson is the Government Relations Specialist for the Amputee Coalition. The Amputee Coalition is the only national nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. representing the limb loss and limb difference community. In her role, she works with her colleagues in the Government Relations Department to maintain and grow the grassroots program. and develops organizational policy positions on issues impacting the limb loss and limb difference community. She also sits on a number of national multi member coalitions as a representative of the Amputee Coalition.
Amanda graduated from the University of Maryland College Park in December 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in a dual major of Government & Politics and Public Policy with concentrations in International Relations and Foreign Policy. During her time at Maryland, she was a member of the University of Maryland Pre-Law Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta. She served as co-president of the University of Maryland Chapter of the Roosevelt Network. She is a proud alumna of the University of Maryland Global Communities living-learning program. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering as a member of the Junior League of Annapolis, experimenting in the kitchen with new recipes, and spending time with family and friends.
Ryan Zelinsky, ECON ’18Financial Advisor, Northwestern Mutual
Ryan graduated from the University of Maryland in 2018, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics. Professionally, Ryan started Northwestern Mutual’s internship program the day after graduation and later that summer transitioned to full time as a Financial Advisor with Northwestern Mutual. Ever since becoming full time Ryan has continued to grow and learn so he can be a better resource for his clients. He provides comprehensive financial planning to a diverse set of clients and their families. Personally, Ryan grew up in Burlington, NJ. On the weekends Ryan enjoys hanging out with friends, exercising at the gym, traveling back home to NJ, and cheering on his Philadelphia sports teams! Since Ryan isn't from the Maryland area, he loves exploring DC and Baltimore. Whether it be a nice restaurant in DC or an Orioles game at the infamous Camden Yards, Ryan loves to explore these vibrant cities.
To learn more about the BSOS Alumni Chapter Board, contact Jenny Kilberg, Director of Alumni and Donor Relations at jkilberg@umd.edu.
Published on Thu, Jun 23, 2022 - 11:02AM