Maroon Connections

For recent graduates, finding a job that creates a foundation for the professional career ahead of them can be harder than it seems. Of all the career tools available to current students and young alumni, networking is one of the most important.    

An alumni network is a community of graduates who share resources and opportunities with one another. Active alumni networks streamline job searches and establish avenues for career help by means of mentorships and professional connections. Having the right connections can be crucial for students looking to land the perfect internship or for recent graduates vying for their dream job. For other alumni, being tapped into the network can mean better opportunities for career growth down the road.   

Roanoke College has a robust alumni network, said Jonathan Lee, senior director of student and alumni success services. Part of what makes the college’s alumni network so strong is how central relationships are to the Roanoke College experience.  Alumni who are established in their career and are eager to provide a chance to another Maroon are essential elements of a successful network.   

“You have so many of these informal connections because of those relationships. Even if it’s not somebody you know directly, they know that you’re a Maroon, so they want to give you a hand. I think that makes a huge difference.”  

We spoke with Roanoke College alumni at several different companies to see how the alumni network led them to where they are today. 

Marketing 

David Robertson ’89 

Robertson is vice president of Robertson Marketing Group, a marketing services company started by his parents in the late 1970s. After graduating from Roanoke, Robertson joined the family business, completed a doctorate degree at Virginia Tech and became a part-time professor at Roanoke. That's where his connection to students began. 

“It wasn’t the original intention to go there to start a recruiting pipeline, but it’s been a wonderful outcome,” he said. 

Students should seek out internships and find ways to build and leverage their alumni network, Robertson said. He encourages alumni to provide internship and career opportunities for students.  

“There's a lot of ways you can support the school, and one way to do that is to support the product: the students," he said.  

Robertson Marketing has employed many alumni throughout the years. Currently, around 15 Roanoke College graduates work full-time for the company, some of whom are in senior roles. Some were Robertson’s students while others landed a position at the company through other avenues of the network. 

Jessica (Flippo) Mahanes ’05 

Mahanes has worked at Robertson Marketing since just after graduation. She asked Robertson, one of her professors, to look over her resume. He made a few tweaks and returned it to her, paired with an interview offer at Robertson Marketing. Twenty years later, she's now a program director for the company.  

“Today I am here as a program director, but I started out essentially as a sales assistant, and I've kind of just climbed the ranks since then," she said. "Truly, everything I was learning in my classes filtered straight over into this job.” 

She and the other alumni at Robertson Marketing work to pay the opportunity forward to current students. When they have a position open at Robertson Marketing, Mahanes said “our first thought is if there’s anyone graduating from Roanoke soon or anyone who has graduated from Roanoke recently that we can reach out to." 

Becca Moorman ’24 

During a networking event, Joe Boucher ’87 and Dani Moore, director of strategic student success, introduced Moorman to David Robertson ’89. She submitted her resume, interviewed for a position and started working at Robertson Marketing just a few short months later. 

Mahanes was her first boss at Robertson Marketing.  

“That was a huge alumni connection for me because I got to see somebody who was in the same place as me, who had the same experience, who went through the same things," Moorman said. “She was able to show me what I could be and help me to get to where I am today.” 

Moorman recommends that students attend networking events (like the one where she met Robertson) and use LinkedIn to connect with alumni in their field. 

Andrea (Lilly) Thomas ’08 

During the summer of her junior year, Thomas had a department recommended internship at Robertson Marketing. That internship led to part-time work during her senior year, and a full-time job offer after graduation. Like Mahanes, she’s worked there ever since and has moved up to the role of program director.  

“Roanoke produces hardworking, dependable people. You can just tell that we kind of have that same drive and professionalism among the Roanoke grads at Robertson,” she said.  

David Robertson ’89 was one of the professors who sat on Thomas' senior policy panel. Her advice to students and young alumni trying to make connections is simple: Don't be afraid to reach out.  

“Alumni remember what it’s like to be in your shoes as a new graduate coming right out of college. I think they’re happy to share advice or maybe even help open a door if you could just take that first step to connect,” she said. 

Alston Martin ’19 

Martin worked for Joe Boucher ’87 during his time at Roanoke. When Boucher learned that he'd applied for a position with Robertson Marketing, he reached out to David Robertson ’89, a friend of his, to recommend Martin. Within 24 hours, Martin received a call for an interview, and the day after that, he was offered the job. Martin is now on Thomas’ team, working as a senior account manager.  

“The big picture is how big of an impact one small thing in your life can make at the end of the day,” he said. “It’s crazy to see how far one conversation can get you.” 

Martin also recommends using LinkedIn to connect with fellow alumni. Additionally, he said that Alumni Weekend can be a good chance to catch up with old friends, meet new alumni and network. 

“It's all about making connections and gathering as much information as you can, and then it's really what you do with it afterwards that'll help you be successful,” he said. 

Stephen Soltis ’10 

Soltis met David Robertson ’89 during his policy course at Roanoke. He kept up with open positions at Robertson Marketing and eventually started talking to Robertson about the company’s CFO position. The timing wasn’t right for Soltis when the position opened initially, but the two stayed in touch. Later, in spring 2025, everything fell into place and Soltis began working at Robertson Marketing as CFO. 

Soltis attributes his success to the educational foundation, real-world learning experiences and relationship-building skills he gained during his time at Roanoke.  

"At any point in time, I feel like I can reach out to anyone that I had been connected with at Roanoke, whether I haven't spoken to them since graduation or I talk to them every other week — I know I could reach out and that they would get back to me and provide guidance or answer my question or put me in contact with someone who can." 

Jordan Meador ’17 

Meador went into banking right after graduation but eventually decided to change things up and move into an accounting role. Her friend Kelly Wood ’17 worked in human resources at Robertson Marketing at the time. Wood asked for her resume, and Meador soon began her career there.  

She left Robertson Marketing briefly to work for the City of Salem while pursuing her master's degree. As she was finishing up her degree, she started searching for a job where there was room to advance. 

“I reached out to David Robertson and asked if his reference was still good, because I was going to be going back into the job search," she said. “He told me it was still good as long as I submitted my resume back to Robertson. He was pivotal in me coming back.” 

Meador is now a senior global business analyst with the company. 

Tucker Brookman ’27 

Brookman heard about an internship at Robertson Marketing from his business administration professor, Arnica Mulder, during his sophomore year. Brookman then went to PLACE and met with Jonathan Lee ’95 to go over his resume.  

When he first started his internship, Brookman benefitted from having Roanoke alumni in the office because he felt comfortable coming to them with questions. Jordan Meador ’17 connected with him early on to talk about school and coursework. 

“It was kind of nice to have a Roanoke College alum at the time go out of her way to make me feel at home at Robertson,” he said.  

He also connected with other Roanoke College alumni in the department, like Stephen Soltis ’10.  

After his initial internship period ended, Brookman was offered a part-time position with the company, which he accepted. He works in the accounting department, balancing that with his classes and another internship at Valley Financial Solutions. 

Brandon Shelton ’13 

Shelton got his start in the IT department at Roanoke College. He was there from his sophomore year until graduation, working with Director of Web and Print Services Michael Santoroski, whom Shelton said was a great mentor. This opportunity gave him real-world, hands-on experience that prepared him to enter the workforce.  

"I really can't stress enough just the impact of the whole group at Roanoke Information Technology,” he said. “It was such a unique learning experience, so I definitely appreciate that group.” 

In his time at Robertson Marketing, Shelton has worked his way up to director of innovation and engineering. 

“I don't know that I would be where I am in my career without the experience I received at Roanoke,” he said. 

Emily Morris ’15 

Ali Nazemi, a professor of business administration who retired in 2019, connected Morris to David Robertson ’89 when she was one of Nazemi’s students. She interned at Robertson Marketing during her junior and senior years, focusing on Google Analytics and project management. After graduation, she was offered a full-time position at Robertson and is currently the project management office manager.  

"While I was at Roanoke, I participated in a lot of networking events that were held in the ballroom,” she said. “I was also a part of the business fraternity as well as the service fraternity, so being part of both of those really helped me network with alumni as a student." 

Staying active on LinkedIn, joining a local alumni chapter and attending Alumni Weekend are all excellent ways to stay connected with fellow alumni after graduation, she said. 

Helpful hint: Whether you’re six months out of Roanoke College or six decades out, the center for Purpose, Life and Career Exploration (PLACE) is prepared to help with your career searches and questions. Likewise, if you’re looking to hire, PLACE staff can share your job opportunity with current students. Simply send an email to place@roanoke.edu.  

Healthcare communications

Chris Turnbull ’00 

The alumni network was a huge resource for Turnbull when he started out as a young professional, he said. As chief of staff at Carilion Clinic, he now makes it a mission to offer that same kind of access to other alumni—a task that he has found very fulfilling. 

“It sort of instilled in me a responsibility, or at least a belief, that I needed to give back because of all the people that had given to me,” he said. “I was a recipient of a scholarship too, and it meant a lot to me that others were willing to invest in my future. So, Carrie (Mullen) Turnbull ’00 and I try to pay that forward as much as we can, too.” 

Turnbull initially hired Hannah (Cline) Curtis ’15 as a part-time employee but soon advocated to bring her on full time. One of the first projects the pair worked on together at Carilion was establishing an internship program. 

“You can have an exponential impact if you're willing to invest in young people and fellow alums and students. That impact goes a long way beyond what you'll probably ever know." 

Jenny (Kincaid) Boone ’01 

Boone and Hannah (Cline) Curtis ’15 initially crossed paths when Curtis was a runner on the college's cross-country team. Boone told Curtis to let her know if she ever wanted to come work with her in Roanoke College’s Office of Marketing and Communications, and a few years later, she did. Curtis said Boone was a catalyst for her journey into public relations. 

Boone connected several students with Turnbull for internships and found mentoring students to be a very rewarding experience. 

"A lot of times, it doesn't take a lot of extra effort because really, you're just sharing your own life stories. It's more about the lessons you learned and the things you maybe did wrong along the way, because that’s also always a good lesson." 

Alumni can also help current students and recent graduates by sharing their network and helping them make connections, Boone said.  

“It’s kind of like us telling Chris Turnbull about the students at Roanoke College who we thought would be really well-suited for the job. That can go a long way—more than you think,” she said. 

Hannah (Cline) Curtis ’15 

Curtis’ initial connection with Chris Turnbull ’00 was through her role as president of the college’s chapter of the Communications Honor Society, when she brought him on campus as a guest speaker. Then, just a few days before graduation, she received an offer to join his team at Carilion Clinic. She has been there since, working her way up to director of communications. 

“It was a great launching pad,” Curtis said of her early days working at Carilion. “Chris' skill is not only giving advice and guidance but also creating space. He was sure to have a seat at the table for me—even right out of school—to observe, to engage, to own projects. Very early on in my professional career, he really instilled the importance of leaning into that network and challenging folks who might be new to a certain space or industry to pull out those fresh ideas and to also find opportunities for growth.” 

Through the internship program at Carilion, Curtis extends that same opportunity to current students. 

Curtis advises students that “now is the time to lean into those connections. When you're a student, people are expecting you to come with questions, to come to learn, and they're so excited to help you.” 

Katherine (Vaughan) Moulse ’24 

Moulse learned about internship opportunities at Carilion Clinic through PLACE, and from there, Jonathan Lee ’95 helped her apply. While there, she was mentored by Hannah (Cline) Curtis ’15, who knew when to walk her through a process step-by-step, but also when to let her tackle an assignment on her own — a leadership style she learned from Turnbull. 

“Hannah was a perfect mentor as someone who walked in my shoes fairly recently, and she was also a great role model of success after college," Moulse said. “I never felt like an intern, all thanks to Hannah’s leadership style,” she added. 

Vaughan’s time at Carilion helped her develop networking skills, professionalism and general business acumen, she said. Her team also supported her in finding a full-time job. 

“There are few degrees of separation in the business world, and that’s what makes your network so important.” 

Gabrielle (Gery) Decker ’17 

As she approached her senior year, Decker became interested in gaining experience in healthcare communications. She and Hannah (Cline) Curtis ’15 worked together as students in the Office of Marketing and Communications at Roanoke, so Decker reached out to her to express her interest in an internship at Carilion Clinic. That connection, paired with her prior experience, helped open the door, Decker said.  

Early in her internship at Carilion, Decker realized just how much she enjoyed healthcare communications. The internship, in addition to giving her hands-on experience, helped her figure out her career path and set things in motion, she said. Today, she works as a senior communications advisor at Blue Cross NC. 

“Internships give you the opportunity to explore early what you can truly see yourself doing,” Decker said. “Internships also help you build a strong professional network before you even graduate. I’m still connected with many of the mentors and supervisors I interned with over 10 years ago.” 

Networking tip: Each year, Roanoke College seniors return to campus early in January to participate in Launch Lab, which offers workshops, guest speakers, networking, interview skill-building and more. Alumni who would like to participate and meet students about to enter the workforce may contact the center for Purpose, Life and Career Exploration (PLACE) at Roanoke at place@roanoke.edu. 

Wealth management

Perry Downing ’81 

The wife of a Roanoke College professor helped Downing secure an interview that led to a 33-year career at Merrill Lynch, a company with robust Maroon representation. Downing paid the kindness forward to fellow alumni, including David Lloyd ’96, now Downing’s daughter’s business partner at Merrill Lynch. When it came time to bring Lloyd on the team, Downing said, “the Roanoke connection was certainly helpful.”  

Downing says students need to build a positive reputation even before graduating. “You never know where your opportunities are going to come from. If that professor had thought poorly of me, he wouldn’t have recommended me for a job.”  

Mark Gobble ’87 

Through a Maroon connection, Gobble interned at Merrill Lynch as a student. When he landed a job in the Roanoke office in 1990, he said, “I was surrounded by Maroons,” including Bill Brenton ’77, Steve Craighead ’81 and Perry Downing ’81.  

As Gobble’s career grew, he provided internships for at least eight Maroons and even hired Ellie (Prosser) Hammer ’06, now his business partner, and Micah Spruill ’11, now a member of the college’s board of trustees.  

When it comes to the network, he said, “I have always felt that Roanoke looked out for their own.” He said students these days should meet as many alumni as possible and “gather as many business cards as you can.” 

Ellie (Prosser) Hammer ’06 

Hammer first met Mark Gobble ’87 when they worked together on Roanoke College’s Student Managed Fund, she as a student and he as an advisor.  

When it came time to job hunt, she reconnected with Gobble through Professor Larry Lynch, and Gobble got her an interview and put in a good word for her. “I don’t think I would have been hired without Mark,” she mused.  

Gobble soon became Hammer’s mentor, and she is now his business partner. She’s extended the favor by providing internships for Roanoke students.  

“Roanoke College has a big presence in this area,” she said, “and making connections is helpful. I’ve never run into an alum who wasn’t willing to help.” 

Josh Mattox ’01 

While Mattox was still a student at Roanoke, fellow Pi Kappa Phi members helped him get an internship at Merrill Lynch. After graduation, he connected with Mark Gobble ’87 for advice and secured a job at what is now Morgan Stanley.  

Mattox carried on the favor by offering internships to Roanoke College students and hiring Will Pratt ’18, who works on his team.  

“The RC connection was huge in his arrival at Morgan Stanley,” said Mattox, now a managing director at the firm.  

One of Mattox’s former interns, Rick Boccard ’05, now has a successful career at SALESFORCE and uses Mattox as his personal financial advisor. “Being close to the college has helped me in business in so many ways,” Mattox said. 

Will Pratt ’18 

Jonathan Lee ’95, senior director of student and alumni success services at Roanoke, helped Pratt by circulating his resume to several business owners in the Roanoke area, including Josh Mattox ’01, a managing director at Morgan Stanley.  

In turn, Pratt has participated in the Maroon Mentors program, which pairs alumni with students for career advice, and has personally guided a few rising seniors who were exploring careers in financial services.  

Pratt, now an assistant vice president at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management in Roanoke, said their practice serves numerous Roanoke College alumni as clients, and many of those alumni have built their own businesses or climbed the corporate ladder to become successful in their own careers. 

“Current students should absolutely explore the benefits of the Maroon Mentors program,” Pratt said. “The reach of the alumni network is greater than most people think!” 

Rick Boccard ’05 

Boccard’s career journey started when he was still a student at Roanoke participating in the Student Managed Fund. Learning hands-on about market analysis, risk management and ethical stewardship gave him the confidence to explore options in financial advising and sales. 

Boccard became acquainted with Mark Gobble ’87 through the Student-Managed Fund, and both Gobble and Professor Larry Lynch encouraged Boccard to connect with Josh Mattox ’01 for a possible internship. That internship worked out, and Boccard said he picked up knowledge that helped him discern his own career path — and skills that he has carried through his career.  

Boccard has paid it forward, connecting with other Roanoke College alumni through the company he founded, Bluewolf, and other roles. He is now an account executive for Salesforce. 

“If it wasn't for the student managed fund, I don't think I would have gotten to experience all these things that ultimately led me to the pretty successful career that I have today,” Boccard said. “And the experience with Josh definitely opened my eyes to things and got me to see the realities of the role.” 

Mattox and Boccard remain in touch because, as Boccard revealed, he is now one of Mattox’s clients at Morgan Stanley.  

“I always knew Josh was in that space, so I reached back out to him, and it’s been cool to go full circle and get to work with Josh in a different capacity and see what it’s like to be on the other side,” Boccard said. 

Networking tip: A service called Meet a Maroon is available to Roanoke College students and alumni. After receiving a career question from a user, the service forwards the question to the top 10 alumni likely to have a helpful answer. Jonathan Lee '95, senior director of student and alumni success services, said it’s amazing how often the initial conversation leads to virtual chats or in-person meetings. Visit https://roanoke.protopia.co/ to learn more about Meet a Maroon and get started!