Trulaske alumni honored with new Gold Standard award

Information courtesy of the Mizzou Alumni Association.

Several alumni of the University of Missouri’s Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business recently received the Mizzou Alumni Association’s new Gold Standard award, a prestigious honor that recognizes the essence of what it means to be a Tiger by demonstrating the values of Respect, Responsibility, Discovery and Excellence, and those whose efforts continue Making Mizzou Stronger.

Of the ten awards that were given in November as part of the Mizzou Alumni Association’s debut celebration, four recipients were Trulaske alumni. Recipients were honored by the Mizzou Alumni Association during a special event at Jesse Hall, and later by Balaji Rajagopalan, Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. Dean of the Trulaske College of Business, during a celebration at the Country Club of Missouri.

“We are so proud to see the Trulaske College of Business well represented among this esteemed group of alumni,” Rajagopalan said. “We take pride in knowing that so many of our alumni credit their success to the education and support they received at Trulaske. Hearing how the work we do continues to shape their lives long after graduation is a powerful affirmation of our enduring tradition of excellence — and a reminder of the lasting impact this community makes.”

Distinguished Alumni Award

The Distinguished Alumni Award went to Dave Johnson, BSBA ‘78. Johnson began his career with Arthur Andersen & Company and went on to lead major real estate ventures, eventually serving as chairman of Maxus Properties. In 2016, he launched Chicken N Pickle, a fast-growing chain of family-friendly entertainment complexes centered around food, pickleball and philanthropy. 

Distinguished Volunteer Award

Dawn Smith-Popielski, BA ’96, MBA ’23, was honored with the Distinguished Volunteer Award in recognition of her unwavering commitment to Mizzou, which has included serving as president of the St. Louis Mizzou Alumni Chapter, and on the Mizzou Alumni Association’s Board of Directors and the Jefferson Club Board of Trustees. She also serves on the Missouri Humanities Board of Directors and has had a thriving career in health care management. 

MizzouMade Business Award

Chris Blackerby, BSBA ’09, and Kyle Adams, B Acc ’10, M Acc ’10, were both recognized with the MizzouMade Business Award for their work with Incisive Consultants, a business they co-founded to help hospitals and health systems improve care by using technology more effectively. Incisive has been recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest-growing private healthcare companies in the nation and was named one of Modern Healthcare's Best Places to Work three years in a row. The company has also raised awareness, funds and support for numerous worthy causes.

Mizzou’s Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business prepares students for success as global citizens, business leaders, scholars, innovators and entrepreneurs by providing access to transformative technologies, offering experience-centered learning opportunities and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset.