2024 Cincinnati Business Achievement Awards honorees announced

The Carl H. Lindner Award for Outstanding Business Achievement recognizes a Lindner alum who has achieved the highest level of success in their profession and field of business with a dedication to entrepreneurship and community. Lynne Laube, Bus ’92, embodies these attributes and more, from her beginnings at Capital One when it was still a little-known start-up to founding her own company and venturing into venture capital.

Laube is dedicated to continuing her involvement with the Lindner community, serving as the keynote speaker at Lindner Women in Business’ 2023 Empowerment Day.

“My time at UC was the first time in my life that I truly realized I could do anything and be anything,” reflected Laube. “There are very few woman founders, very few woman CEOs and even less who have done both. I feel a strong need to help others do the same. Working with young founders and young students is my passion, and supporting UC allows me to do both.”

Laube is the second woman to win this distinguished honor in CBAAs history. 

Jerry Fritz, Bus ’73, is a lifelong Bearcat. After serving as president of Kent Precision Foods Group, which specializes in food and beverage products and ingredients, for more than 22 years, Fritz has turned his passion for business and community to Lindner and UC.

Fritz serves on the Lindner Business Advisory Council, the UC Foundation Board of Trustees and is currently the chair of the UC Alumni Association.

“I am honored to be mentioned in the same context as the past winners,” said Fritz. “I believe my contributions and service have been more than rewarded by the friendships, people and students I have the pleasure to know.”

Mario San Marco relocated to Cincinnati in 1988 when he joined Western & Southern’s Eagle Realty Group as vice president and director of investment real estate and general manager. Since then, San Marco has served as president of Eagle Realty Group and, most recently, as Senior Vice President of Economic Development for Western & Southern.

San Marco’s passion for real estate drove him to become involved with UC’s Real Estate Center, where he currently serves as chairman to the Board of Executive Advisors in Real Estate (BEARE).

“I am honored to receive the Distinguished Service Award from the Lindner College of Business on behalf of the many people who have supported the real estate program at UC,” said San Marco. “This recognition validates the hard work and commitment of all individuals who have volunteered their time, making the program one of the most prestigious real estate programs in the U.S.”

The Business Partnership Award recognizes a company that has made significant, innovative and ongoing investment in Lindner, helping to sustain its exceptional programs and provide growth opportunities for business students and graduates.

Cintas proudly supports Lindner, showcasing this through its many partnerships with Lindner’s centers and programs, including Business Fellows, First-Year Experience and the Center for Professional Selling.

“Between the experienced-based learning and its connections to top business leaders, Lindner graduates are well-prepared to take on, and succeed in, roles immediately,” attested Scott Garula, President and Chief Operating Officer, Rental Division, Cintas Corporation. “The focus on critical thinking and problem solving aligns with some of Cintas’ core characteristics — including our positive discontent, sense of urgency and thoroughness — and we’re fortunate that so many UC and Lindner grads have made significant contributions to our company’s success.”

The Outstanding Young Alumni Award, formerly the PACEsetter Award, recognizes Lindner alumni under 40 who demonstrate emerging and unique innovation, creativity and success in their careers and who display a commitment to involvement with Lindner and UC.

Nicholas Puncer, Bus ’10, has dedicated his career to Bahl & Gaynor, beginning with the company as an intern during his time at Lindner. As a student, Puncer was a Kautz-Uible Fellow and a member of Lindner Business Honors program. He now serves as a managing director of institutional product at Bahl & Gaynor.

“I am a product of the long line of advocates who have supported me in my career, extending all the way back to my time at UC and beyond,” said Puncer. “Because I stand on the shoulders of giants, it is my responsibility to serve others who are starting on their path.”