Top alumni awards for 2011 go to Abboud, Cera, Hollingsworth

UW-Green Bay has announced the recipients of the 2011 Alumni Association Awards to be presented at the annual awards night event Saturday, April 30, at the Weidner Center. The awards recognize those who have distinguished themselves in professional work, career accomplishments and community involvement. This year’s recipients are:

Daoud Abboud ’87, founder and CEO of United Technology Solutions-UTS Group in Jordan. Abboud established UTS Group, serving clients’ technology and business needs, with more than 100 employees and branches in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. He is chairman of Gift of Life Amman, a nonprofit charitable organization treating children with congenital heart disease.

Robert Cera ’84, is president and CEO of Baylake Corp. and Baylake Bank and a member of the Wisconsin Bankers Association Board of Directors. He joined Baylake in 2006, and has been in the financial services industry for nearly 20 years. Cera, a certified public accountant, has a history of civic and community involvement during his career including service on UW-Green Bay’s Founders Association Board of Directors.

Laura (Busby) Hollingsworth ’89, has served as group president for Gannett’s U.S. Community Publishing Division since 2008, and oversees 22 markets in seven states. She is also the president and publisher of The Des Moines Register, which publishes a newspaper, six web and mobile brands, nine community newspapers, 16 community weeklies, and a multitude of magazines and special products.

For photos and more on each of the award recipients, and more on the awards night event open to all members of the university community.