2005 Beta Gamma Sigma Business Achievement Award Recipients

Each year, Beta Gamma Sigma recognizes individuals who have attained business success while embodying the Society’s core beliefs of honor, wisdom and earnestness. These individuals have demonstrated their dedication not only to business success and leadership, but also to serving those in the community around them. As such, Beta Gamma Sigma is honored to recognize its 2005 Business Achievement Award recipients.

Martin Mintz
In a career that has spanned over 40 years, Martin Mintz has practiced business with one simple philosophy in mind: “Whenever possible, never say ‘no’ to a customer.”

With that philosophy in play, Mintz has earned a reputation as both a successful businessman and a caring humanitarian. As CEO and President of Northern Pharmacy and Medical Supplies, Mintz has strived to keep his company competitive while also maintaining a high level of service to his customers.

Shohreh Kaynama, Dean of Towson University’s College of Business and Economics, said when it came time to nominate someone for the BGS Business Achievement Award, Mintz immediately came to mind. “He is a self made entrepreneur,” she said. “All of the dimensions of a great leader – he possesses them.”

Mintz, a 1960 graduate of Towson University, followed his undergraduate studies by receiving his graduate degree from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy in 1965. In 1968, Mintz bought Northern Pharmacy, and shortly thereafter expanded its business to provide service to Maryland nursing homes as well as sell ostomy supplies.

Since that time, Northern Pharmacy and Medical Supplies has become one of the largest and most diverse independent medical supply companies in Maryland with total annual sales growing from $250,000 in 1968 to $25 million in 2004.

Mintz’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. In 2001 he was awarded the Innovative Pharmacy Practice Award from DuPont Pharmaceuticals, and in 2002 he was recognized with Towson University’s Distinguished Alumni Award.

Mintz has also dedicated much time to serving on various boards and committees, including those commissioned by Maryland’s governor’s office and the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Joseph W. Moeller
Combining accomplishments as a business leader and dedication to his personal beliefs, Joseph W. Moeller embodies the essence of business achievement.

Moeller, President and Chief Operating Officer of Koch Industries, Inc., started his 39 year professional career shortly after graduating with a degree in petroleum marketing from the University of Tulsa in 1966. Moeller passed on an opportunity to work for Humble Oil Company, now ExxonMobil, to take a chance on a small private entrepreneurial oil company – Koch Industries.

By 1976, Moeller was leading all U.S. marketing, trading and distribution activities for Koch Refining Company and all its subsidiaries. In the years that followed, Moeller would serve in several more leadership roles within the corporation, including a 1995 appointment as President of Koch Industries International. In this capacity, Moeller planned Koch’s initial entry into various international markets and founded the corporation’s operations in Canada.

A. Gale Sullenberger, Dean of the University of Tulsa College of Business Administration, recommended Moeller for this year’s Business Achievement Award. Sullenberger said values and beliefs have played a very large role in Moeller’s career. “His commitment to his ideals led him to choose a career at Koch Industries directly out of college, and 39 years later he’s still there - only now he’s the president and COO of one of the biggest companies in the United States.”

During the time that Moeller has been with Koch Industries, the corporation has grown a thousand-fold. Currently, Koch Industries is the second largest private corporation in the United States, has a presence in 50 countries and employs more than 30,000.

In addition to Koch’s worldwide operations, the corporation has also made significant contributions to philanthropic causes, donating time and money to organizations such as the North Wichita YMCA, Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Sedgwick County Zoo and the Youth Entrepreneurs of Kansas. Moeller has dedicated much of his own time and resources to humanitarianism, making personal donations to a variety of charities. He also currently serves on the University of Tulsa Board of Trustees.

Moeller’s success has twice earned him recognition from his alma mater. He was named the University of Tulsa College of Business Administration Outstanding Alumnus for 1995-96, and in 2004 was named a University of Tulsa Outstanding Alumnus.

Thomas J. Fitzpatrick
Of the many factors that contribute to one’s potential success, few are as powerful as education. One individual who has helped make a college education a reality for countless others is Thomas J. Fitzpatrick, President and COO of SLM Corporation.

More commonly known as Sallie Mae, SLM is the Unites States’ leading provider of educational funding, currently owning or managing loans for over seven million borrowers totaling over $81 billion in student loans. SLM also offers resources to guide families through the financial aid process.

Gregory Bruce, Dean of the La Salle University School of Business Administration, described Fitzpatrick as a “highly effective, dedicated, humble and socially responsible leader, absolutely deserving of this recognition.”

Fitzpatrick, who received both his bachelor’s degree and MBA from La Salle University, has been with SLM since 1998. Under Fitzpatrick’s leadership, SLM awarded $28 million to help charter schools in Washington, D.C. and funded the “First in My Family” program to raise awareness among Hispanics that college is both valuable and affordable.

SLM also awarded $20,000 in scholarship funds to La Salle University’s BUSCA program. The program, meaning “to search for” in Spanish, provides Spanish-speaking students the opportunity to pursue a college education without first taking courses in English as a second language.

Fitzpatrick has personally donated more than $100,000 to La Salle University. His most recent gift to the school allowed for the installation of video conferencing technology in the business school’s classrooms. In honor of his dedication to the school of business, Fitzpatrick was inducted as an honorary member of the La Salle University Collegiate Chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma in 2004.