Prescott Campus Students Excel at World’s Largest Business Leadership Competition

Business students from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Prescott, Ariz., Campus took first-place honors in Economic Analysis and Decision-Making while teammates secured Top 15 finishes at the annual Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) National Leadership Conference held June 24–27 in Atlanta.  

Competing against more than 1,700 of America’s best and brightest college students, the Prescott team connected with top future business leaders and showcased their talents as they vied for the opportunity to win more than $92,000 in cash awards. In addition to participating in more than 60 business and business-related competitive events, the students also were able to attend interactive workshops, enhance their business skills and expand their networks for future job opportunities.  

This is the 10th year Embry-Riddle Prescott students have participated in the prestigious event at the state level and fourth year for national recognition. The Prescott team participated in 17 events, placing in the Top 15 in 12 of those events and in the Top 10 in eight events. The Top 15 finishes are below (in order of ranking):

• Economic Analysis & Decision Making – Adin Herzog, Andy Lamunyon & Jacob Curl (1st)
• Computer Applications – John-Michael Linares (3rd)
• International Business – Zachary Shega (3rd)
• Forensic Accounting – Angela Roda & Zac Greenman (4th)
• Accounting Professionals – Nicky Ho (6th)
• Strategic Analysis & Decision Making – Milton Tan (7th)
• Cyber Security – John-Michael Linares (8th)
• Business Law – Ahrash Aleshi & Zac Greenman (9th)
• Accounting Analysis & Decision Making – Angela Roda (Top 15)
• Business Decision Making – Monica Gomez & Ahrash Aleshi (Top 15)
• Financial Analysis & Decision Making – Milton Tan (Top 15)
• Hospitality Management – Nicky Ho (Top 15)

“This is an extraordinary accomplishment! Hundreds of notable universities sent thousands of their best and brightest students to this competition. Despite the fierce competition, our students performed admirably in a variety of highly competitive business categories,” said Prescott Campus Business Department Chair Robin Sobotta, Ph.D.  “I’m particularly thrilled at our incredible first-place finish in Economic Analysis and Decision Making, as well as several other impressive Top 10 finishes! This level of performance confirms the high quality of our students, the strength of our Business programs, and the amazing capabilities of our Embry-Riddle faculty.”

Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination (FAFE) Program Chair Cindy Greenman, Ph.D., and College Adviser Katie Greene accompanied the students to Atlanta.  Embry-Riddle Prescott Business Industry Advisory Board member and alumnus Christian Llosa of Delta Air Lines also joined the students for the national awards ceremony on Monday.  Before the closing ceremonies, Llosa provided the students and faculty with an exclusive tour of the Delta Air Lines Operations Center in Atlanta.

The PBL National Leadership Conference is a highly competitive annual event that is attended by thousands of students who earned the right to compete nationally, by successfully placing first or second in their event at the State level.   Competing in this year’s event were formidable competitors from hundreds of notable universities including: University of Arkansas, Florida State University, Illinois State University, University of Nebraska, Northern Kentucky University, University of Miami, Rutgers University, University of Southern California (USC), University of Utah, Northern Arizona University and many others.

For more information, contact Prescott Campus Department of Business Chair, Dr. Robin Sobotta at robin.sobotta@erau.edu.

Media Contact:

-       Melanie Hanns, Director of Media Relations, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Office: (386) 226-7538; melanie.hanns@erau.edu.