Guinn Elected to University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business’ Hall of Fame

God’s Pantry Food Bank Executive Director Marian F. Guinn was recently inducted into the University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics Alumni Hall of Fame. Guinn, who has been with God’s Pantry Food Bank for nearly 10 years, earned her undergraduate degree from Kentucky in 1984 and went on to earn her Master’s degree from the school in 1986.
 

Guinn was honored at the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies on February 9 at the Gatton School of Business and Economics on the Lexington campus. A native of Louisville, Guinn has assumed a number of leadership roles within America’s Second Harvest – the Nation’s Food Bank Network. She is currently serving on the National Council for America’s Second Harvest, which initiates, studies and develops recommendations on issues and policies affecting the America’s Second Harvest Network. In addition, she is the chair for the Kentucky Association of Second Harvest Food Banks, is vice chair of the board of directors for the Kentucky Food Security & Nutrition Partnership and a graduate of the 2006 Leadership Kentucky class. In December, Guinn was appointed to the National Commodity Supplemental Food Program Association’s Board of Directors.
 

Guinn resides in Lexington with her husband Gene and their teenage children, David and Sarah.

Text Box: Gatton College Alumni Hall of Fame Inducts Two New Members LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 8, 2007) − The University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics Alumni Hall of Fame will induct its two newest members in a ceremony Friday, Feb. 9, in the atrium of the college on the UK campus. The managing director and head of investment banking with Navigant Capital Advisors, LLC, a NASD broker-dealer, Gerald R. Benjamin, and the executive director of God's Pantry Food Bank in Lexington, Marian F. Guinn, make up the 14th class of inductees to the college’s hall of graduates who have distinguished themselves both in their professional careers and in civic and community leadership. Induction into the Gatton Hall of Fame has become a prestigious honor for our business school alumni. Mr. Benjamin and Mrs. Guinn are most deserving of this recognition,” said D. Sudharshan, dean of the Gatton College. “They represent integrity and hard work in the business world and in the greater community in which they live. The University of Kentucky is privileged to count these individuals among its alumni, and the Gatton College is pleased to honor them with induction into its Hall of Fame.” Benjamin came to UK on a full-tuition music scholarship, then earned a B.S. degree in accounting with high distinction in 1979.  A CPA, he co-founded Casas, Benjamin & White, LLC, a national restructuring and merger and acquisition advisory firm in 2000. The firm was acquired by Navigant Consulting, Inc. (NYSE: NCI) in 2005. Benjamin currently serves on the boards of numerous not-for-profit entities. He and his wife Vicki reside in Atlanta, Ga., with their two teenage children, Elyse and Erik.  Guinn has been with God's Pantry, a member of America's Second Harvest, The Nation's Food Bank Network, since 1997. A certified fundraising executive, Guinn previously served as the director of fund development for UK Chandler Hospital. A native of Louisville, Guinn holds a bachelor's degree in marketing from UK, as well as an MBA.  She currently serves on the National Council of America's Second Harvest, chairs the Kentucky Association of Second Harvest Food Banks, is vice chair of the Kentucky Food Security and Nutrition Partnership, and is a board member of the National Commodity Supplemental Food Program Association. Guinn is committed to activities within Kentucky as well as at the national level to eliminate hunger.  An active participant in community volunteer activities, Guinn is a past president of the Junior League of Lexington. She and her family live in Lexington.   The Kentucky Kernel    Monday, February 19, 2007 Two inducted into Gatton Hall of Fame Emily Coovert Issue date: 2/12/07 Section: Campus News Two UK alum involved in non-profit organizations joined the Gatton College of Business and Economic's Hall of Fame Friday. Marian F. Guinn and Gerald R. Benjamin are both UK graduates and make up the 14th class of inductees into the college's Hall of Fame. "Induction into the Gatton Hall of Fame has become a prestigious honor for our business school alumni," said Devanathan Sudharshan, dean of the Gatton College. "Mr. Benjamin and Mrs. Guinn are most deserving of this recognition. "They represent integrity and hard work in the business world and in the greater community in which they live," he said. Benjamin is the managing director and head of investment banking with Navigant Capital Advisors, LLC, an NASD brokerage-dealer. Benjamin came to UK on a full-tuition music scholarship, and earned a bachelor's degree in accounting in 1979. He co-founded Casas, a national restructuring, merger and acquisition advisory firm in 2000. Benjamin currently serves on the boards of numerous non-profit organizations. "I have developed a real appreciation for the strides (this) university has made not just athletically, but academically as well," Benjamin said. "I enjoyed some of the best times of my life (here)," he said. "The good education served me well." Guinn, a Louisville native, holds a bachelor's degree in marketing from UK, as well as an MBA. She currently serves on the National Council of America's Second Harvest, The Nation's Food Bank Network and has been with God's Pantry, a member of America's Second Harvest, since 1997. Guinn also chairs the Kentucky Association of Second Harvest Food Banks, is vice chair of the Kentucky Food Security and Nutrition Partnership, and is a board member of the Nation Commodity Supplemental Food Program Association. "My advice (to students) is try to identify what you feel passionate about and make a living doing it," Guinn said. "UK taught me to work as a part of a team," Guinn said. "And, as a leader, to see strengths and use those strengths to move forward." Rob Schenkenfelder, an accounting and international business senior, made opening remarks at the ceremony. "It is great for students to be able to see people that have been through the same college as us and emerge as successful leaders," Schenkenfelder said. E-mail ecoovert@kykernel.com