MBA Celebrates Reunion Weekend with Distinguished Alumni Recognition

MBA kicked off an exciting and eventful Alumni Reunion Weekend on Friday with the Gold Lunch and Distinguished Alumni Recognition, celebrating graduates from 50 or more years ago and honoring Rhoads Zimmerman ('61) and Bill Wilson ('66).

Zimmerman, recognized as MBA’s Distinguished Alumnus, stood out both academically and athletically during his time at the school. He served as President of the Honor Council and received the Mack Rolfe Award in football. He went on to Trinity College, graduating in 1965, where he captained both the squash and golf teams. Rhoads later earned his MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business in 1969. After beginning his career in investment banking in New York, he transitioned into entrepreneurship, acquiring Kano Laboratories and leading the company as Chairman and CEO for 40 years until its sale in 2020. A longtime supporter of MBA, he served as President of the Alumni Board before joining the Board of Trustees in 1992, where he held key leadership roles, including Treasurer and Chairman of the Finance Committee from 1997 to 2008.

Wilson, recipient of MBA’s Distinguished Service Award, is a native Nashvillian and graduate of Vanderbilt University. After serving as a Lieutenant JG in the U.S. Naval Supply Corps, he led Cherokee Equity Corporation as President and CEO for more than 30 years, with business interests in insurance, real estate, marine cargo, and banking. His civic leadership includes service on numerous boards, including Vanderbilt University, the YMCA of Middle Tennessee (past President), and Montgomery Bell Academy, where he is a lifetime Trustee. He has helped launch meaningful initiatives such as the Wilson Language Immersion and Travel Grants at MBA and the Caroline and William Wilson Scholarship at Vanderbilt. In 2016, he received the YMCA’s Lifetime Achievement Award for founding YCAP, a program supporting at-risk youth. Earlier this year, the YMCA East Nashville honored him by naming its new facility the Bill Wilson Healthy Living Center. A dedicated family man and active member of First Presbyterian Church, Wilson continues to make a lasting impact on Nashville and beyond.

Rhoades Zimmerman ('61): Distinguished Alumnus Award
Bill Wilson ('66): Distinguished Service Award