Atlanta, GA (October 20, 2017)
Tammy K. Jones, Basis’ Chief Executive Officer, was honored at the Georgia State University Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner on October 20, 2017 in Atlanta. The Alumni Association continues its tradition, dating back to 1963, of recognizing the outstanding alumni of Georgia State University.
Robinson graduates Kevin E. Lofton, Tammy K. Jones and William H. Rogers Jr. recently received Georgia State Distinguished Alumni Awards. Georgia State University’s Alumni Association sponsors the awards, which recognize the professional, philanthropic and personal accomplishments of outstanding alumni who personify true leadership.
Lofton, Jones and Rogers, who graduated in different decades, live in different cities and work in different professions, more than meet the criteria.
“We are enormously proud of Kevin, Tammy and Bill, for all they have accomplished personally and professionally, as well as for their service to Robinson and Georgia State,” said Robinson College Dean Richard D. Phillips. “We could have no finer role models for our students.”
Kevin E. Lofton (M.H.A. ’79), CEO, Catholic Health Initiatives
Kevin Lofton serves in leadership capacities in many major healthcare organizations. He was 2007 board chairman of the American Hospital Association and is a fellow and former regent-at-large in the American College of Healthcare Executives. He also was president of the National Association of Health Services Executives. Lofton’s background includes top positions in public, university, community and faith-based hospitals. He serves on the boards of Gilead Sciences, the Rite Aid Corporation and the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine. Lofton has been on Modern Healthcare’s list of the “100 Most Influential People in Healthcare” for 12 consecutive years.
Tammy K. Jones (MBA ’96), CEO and Co-Founder, Basis Investment Group
Tammy Jones is a seasoned veteran in investments, capital markets, and structured finance. In 2009, she co-founded Basis Investment Group, a commercial real estate investment firm, and has since served as the organization’s chief executive officer. Under Jones’ leadership, Basis has closed more than $2.7 billion in commercial real estate debt and structured equity investments across the U.S. She is an independent director for Monogram Residential Trust, and a member of the boards of the Real Estate Executive Council and Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. In 2017, The Network Journal named her among the “25 Most Influential Black Women in Business.”
William H. Rogers Jr. (MBA ’86), Chairman and CEO, SunTrust Banks Inc.
William H. Rogers Jr. has been a director of SunTrust Banks Inc. since 2011 and has served as chairman of the board since 2012. He was named CEO in June 2011 after serving as chief operating officer since 2010 and president since 2008. During his tenure as CEO, Rogers has led a significant transformation of the company, building upon its client-first culture and increasing focus on operating returns and efficiency. SunTrust delivered a 236 percent total shareholder return to its owners over the past five years, the second highest among its peers.
This is the 54th year of the Georgia State Distinguished Alumni Awards. Donna S. Buchanan (B.A. ’73), retired chief operating officer of the United Way of Greater Atlanta, was also recognized at the ceremony.