URI’s student chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants  (NABA) took second place in the Student Case Competition at the 32nd Annual Minority Business Conference. Held at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, the event challenges students to work in teams to analyze and solve complex business cases and make effective presentations.

Professor Alejandro Hazera, who coordinates the accounting program, has coached URI’s previous winning teams, along with professors Kathy Jervis and Chet Hickox. This year, Carmen Quirvan (NABA Advisor) also guided students. Hazera said,  “We took first place in 2013, first and third in 2014, third in 2015, and second this year, 2016.  We entered two teams this year, and the case was very difficult – more of a marketing focus than accounting.”  The students competed with teams from Babson College, Bentley University, and other area business schools.

Titled, “One Water–A Refreshingly Different Ethical Product,” the competition featured a start-up company in the United Kingdom that was developing a market for bottled water.  It differentiated itself through cause-related marketing, mainly through developing wells for African villagers. The night before the competition, the student groups submitted their Power Point presentation to the NABA authorities. Their presentation was done behind closed doors, with only the judges present.

Led by NABA URI chapter president, Ogochukwu Igwe, the winning team included:

• Mariel Garcia ’18, general business
• Alexia Cosme ’19, marketing
• Rafael Gardiner ’17, finance
• Nilson Trinidad ’20, accounting, and
• Yasmin Gonzalez ’20, accounting

Hazera noted, “All the students who took part learned about teamwork and helping each other to succeed. I would also like to express my appreciation to Ogochukwu Igwe for her proactive leadership of URI’s chapter, as well as Samantha Aguilar, for representing NABA at URI Accounting area events. Congratulations to all URI NABA team members for their efforts and for continuing to represent the College of Business Administration well.”