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Alexander Voeller ’00
After graduating from BUA, Alexander Voeller ‘00 attended the United States Air Force Academy, where he received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. Alex holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University and a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School.
Some of his most recent roles include serving as the Engineering Officer aboard USS BOISE (SSN 764). While serving as the ship’s Engineer, he was responsible for the maintenance and operation of the nuclear reactor, engine room, and all of the ship’s support systems. He completed a highly successful six-month deployment to the EUCOM theater of operations.
Following his time on the BOISE, he reported to the Defense Threat Reduction Agency where he was J3/7 Nuclear Branch Chief. He conducted seven inspections in the Russian Federation under the auspices of the Plutonium Production Reactor Agreement. These inspections included monitoring Russia’s stockpiles of weapons grade Plutonium as well as their inactivated Plutonium production reactors. Additionally, he completed three escort missions within the US ensuring that the Russian Federation monitors were able to exercise their inspection rights regarding the US’s shutdown plutonium production reactors.
Alex was selected to serve as the final Executive Officer of the USS CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI (SSN 705). He spent ten months as the XO and completed the crew release and final preparations for recycling of the ship, notably including removal of the nuclear fuel.
In July 2017, he reported to COMSUBGRU NINE, where he is responsible for the material readiness of the 8 SSBN and 2 SSGN submarines stationed in Bangor, WA as well as ships undergoing inactivation at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.
Alex married Lael Jacklyn Voeller in 2007 and they have two sons, Jordan (6) and Caleb (4). In his free time, Alex enjoys camping, traveling, and serving at his church.
You are currently the Material Readiness Officer of Commander, Submarine Group 9. What are you responsible for in this role? What are the biggest challenges you face?
I am responsible for keeping the Commander, Submarine Group NINE, RDML Converse, informed of all maintenance and material problems that affect the boats assigned to CSG-9. Of particular interest is anything that affects the ability of a ship to go to sea or remain at sea. We are responsible for maintaining a certain number of ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) at sea at all times. Often, if one is unable to get underway, we have to keep another out until repairs on the first are completed.
The biggest challenges I face are the multiple stakeholders involved with getting each ship ready to go to sea. The stakeholders include the ship’s crew, the repair facility (Intermediate Maintenance Facility Bangor), the ship’s parent squadron (Commander, Submarine Squadron SEVENTEEN), as well as the operational commander (Commander, Task Force 134). Everyone has a part to play and sometimes has multiple missions to balance. Balancing each stakeholder’s work load and accounting for the effects on every other ship, including the SSBNs on the east coast is a constant give-and-take between each command.
Has there been a moment in your education or career that was particularly surprising, challenging, or defining – or something that sticks with you to this day?
I remember my first ascent to periscope depth as a qualified Officer of the Deck (OOD) on my fist ship, USS MICHIGAN (SSGN 727). The transition from patrol depth to just below the surface where the periscope is just sticking out is extremely dangerous. As the OOD I was solely responsible for making sure that the ship would be safe during that transition. During the ascent and when the periscope is out of the water, the OOD is the only one who is looking through the periscope and can see what is outside the ship. While other Sailors have safety responsibilities, it all falls on the shoulders of the OOD. I realized that I was responsible for the safety of a submarine costing $2 billion and the lives of 160 sailors. The weight of that responsibility was heavy and never let up every time I completed that evolution in my career. Even with the addition of cameras so others could see the same thing I could through the periscope, that responsibility still stayed with me.
You have completed multiple advanced degrees in Engineering. How did your experience at BUA help to inspire this path and/or your lifelong pursuit of learning?
BUA encouraged me to pursue the subjects I was interested in while still ensuring that I studied a wide variety of subjects. While learning Latin was difficult, it has proven very useful in my continued study of French as well as learning Spanish on my own. The in-depth study of history kindled a love of history that I still hold through today. I enjoy reading US history as well as listening to Backstory, a podcast that looks at current events through the lens of the history of the US.
As a Naval Officer, I am required to complete a master’s degree in order to be competitive for promotion. I completed my first degree through Old Dominion University through a program that gave me credit for my classwork at Nuclear Power School which is the introductory training course for all nuclear officers. I completed that degree while deployed to Iraq. It was actually out of boredom that I started my second degree which offered a similar credit for my training in Power School.
BUA kindled a lifelong need to keep learning. I don’t remember having many times where I didn’t have to do anything at BUA. I always feel a need to read, listen to a podcast, or otherwise explore the world around me.
Want to learn more about the fascinating lives and careers of other BUA alums? Read additional featured alumni profiles here.
BUA Girls Basketball Team Clinches GIL Championship
BUA's Girls' Varsity Basketball team clinched the Girls' Independent League (GIL) championship Tuesday against Woodward, 39-33 . This victory marks the first-ever GIL title in Boston University Academy history. Congratulations to the entire Girls' Varsity team and their coaches!
Dr. Walter Fluker to Deliver BUA Keynote Commencement Address
Dr. Walter E. Fluker (GRS ’88), Martin Luther King, Jr. Professor of Ethical Leadership and Director of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Initiative for the Development of Ethical Leadership (MLK-IDEAL) at BU’s School of Theology, has agreed to deliver the keynote address at this year’s Boston University Academy Commencement. BUA’s 24th commencement exercises will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, May 21, 2018 at BU’s Tsai Performance Arts Center.
Dr. Fluker is an accomplished author, philanthropist, and educator. In addition to his roles at the School of Theology, he serves as the editor of the Howard Thurman Papers Project, an initiative aimed at preserving the archives of educator, theologian, and civil rights leader Howard Thurman. An expert in the theory and practice of ethical leadership, Dr. Fluker has served as a consultant and workshop leader for various organizations, including the Department of Education, the Department of State, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and Goldman Sachs Global Leaders Program. Dr. Fluker’s recent publications include a multi-volume series entitled The Papers of Howard Washington Thurman. He is also the editor of Educating Ethical Leaders for the Twenty-First Century (Cascade Books, 2013).
Dr. Fluker’s background as a leader and educator, and his deep ties to BU, make him an ideal commencement speaker at this time in our nation’s history, and as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The entire BUA community is invited to attend Commencement.
Michael Dillon ’97
After graduating from BUA, Michael Dillon ‘97 received both his BA in Government and JD/MBA from Harvard. He worked in management consulting at Bain & Co. before joining the Houston Astros organization in 2012 as Vice President of Strategy and Analytics. In his free time, Michael enjoys running, reading historical nonfiction, and watching baseball (of course).
The Houston Astros won the World Series back in October! What was it like to be a part of that experience as a member of the Astros organization and as a resident of Houston?
Having grown up as a huge baseball fan (almost an inevitability in Boston), I feel incredibly fortunate that I get to walk through a Major League Baseball stadium on the way to my office each morning. I joined the Astros in 2012, in the middle of what would be the second of three consecutive 100+ loss seasons. We made the postseason in 2015, and our efforts at rebuilding the organization on both the baseball and business sides were starting to pay off. But as sweet as 2015 was from a personal and professional perspective, it is difficult to put into words how incredible it felt to be able to witness the World Championship run we had in 2017.
Heading into the 2017 season, we knew that our team would be good. We stormed out of the gate and built a big division lead fueled by tremendous performances by stars such as Carlos Correa, George Springer, and Jose Altuve. And then Hurricane Harvey hit, and suddenly baseball seemed far less important. But one thing I learned through the aftermath of Harvey is that sports has a unique ability to bring a city together, and in this case, to help a city recover from tragedy. It was a charmed run, and the team, galvanized by the deadline acquisition of Justin Verlander, won the World Series in epic fashion, making it past the Red Sox, Yankees and Dodgers, a marquee gauntlet of teams. It was an experience I will never forget, and if the attendance of a million people at the city’s victory parade is any indication, neither will the city of Houston.
In your role as Vice President of Strategy and Analytics, you use research and data analytics to improve the Astros fan experience inside and outside of Minute Maid Park. This includes work with ticketing, sponsors, business operations, and community relations. What are some of the biggest challenges you face in this role?
My team works across the organization to help ensure that we use data to make the best decisions possible. Examples of our work include the implementation of dynamic pricing (where ticket prices change based on the level of demand for a given game) and the creation of a fan segmentation to help us understand what motivates our core fans to attend games and how to maximize their experience when they are in the park. One particularly fun fan experience project that we worked on was the renovation of our centerfield prior to the 2017 season.
When Minute Maid Park was built, it was designed with the deepest centerfield in the majors; it also had a hill and flag pole in play. The hill was called Tal’s Hill and was a well-known feature of the park. But when we looked at ways to enhance the ballpark experience, it was clear that the hill was not the best use of space. We knew that the space taken up by the hill could be better put to use in a way that directly impacted fan experience. However, the question remained about what, exactly, would go in its place.
There are always challenges in change efforts like this, but my team strives to influence the dialogue by using data to help bring ideas to life. In this case, we utilized fan research to influence a design that included both premium and Millennial-focused areas, which had been key gaps in the park experience previously. One highlight that I am particularly proud of is how our research was instrumental in bringing in a local taco restaurant to integrate into our new Millennial-focused party deck, which has now become a clear destination spot in the park. Overall, the project has been a huge success and illustrates the important role that data-driven thinking can have in creating value for businesses.
What is one of your favorite memories from your BUA experience?
It’s hard to believe that it has already been 20 years since I graduated from BUA. I decided to attend the school before the building was even finished, and so it has been wonderful to see the school grow and thrive. My best memories are all centered around the friendships I built-- friendships that continue to this day. Whether it was the pop quiz “opportunities” in English class, or games of catch in front of the school (which may or may not have once resulted in a Porsche being hit by an errant curveball), there are always memories of BUA that can bring a smile to my face.
How did your BUA education help you at Harvard or in your career thus far?
I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to learn from such dedicated teachers and to be surrounded by so many talented fellow students during my time at BUA. The small class size facilitated meaningful interactions that honed my ability to think critically and draw connections across a variety of subjects. This environment provided an incredibly rigorous academic experience that prepared me well for Harvard. As a result, I was able to spend more time in school exploring my interests and building friendships rather than worrying about how to cope with the additional workload that college often brings. And even after college, the strong foundation that my time in BUA established has continued to support me as I have progressed in my career.
BUA Announces Enhanced Partnership with BU’s FitRec
Boston University Academy has partnered with BU’s Fitness and Recreation Center (FitRec) to offer BUA students broader access to the wealth of physical fitness opportunities that FitRec provides.
BUA is committed to collaborating with our colleagues across the University to make BU resources, where appropriate, available to BUA students. This agreement with FitRec represents the latest step toward more fully taking advantage of the breadth of Boston University’s facilities and resources. Thank you to Dave Stone, BUA’s director of athletics, and to the leadership team at FitRec for their dedication and hard work over the last several months to bring this enhanced partnership to fruition.
Beginning this week, all BUA students 16 years of age or older will have access to FitRec free of charge. BUA’s new agreement with FitRec is in addition to the enhancements we have recently made to our restructured Physical Education program, which gives students a broad range of fitness options to choose from within the FitRec facility in ninth and tenth grade.
BUA students 16 years of age or older are permitted to:
- Utilize fitness equipment, weight rooms, multipurpose fitness studios, aquatic facilities, squash, racquetball, and basketball courts
- Sign up (at an additional cost) for personal training
- Sign up (at an additional cost) for non-credit classes including yoga, Pilates, rock climbing, dance, swimming, tennis, and more
BUA students continue to not be permitted to:
- Sign up for intramural sports teams
- Take a class for academic credit except with permission of Dr. White and Mr. Stone
All BUA students, including those who are under 16 years of age, will soon be able to sign up for a twice-weekly small-group fitness program at FitRec in addition to BUA’s regular PE classes. This program will begin after spring break and run until the end of the academic year. The focus of this non-credit class will be on advanced personal conditioning and weight training. There will be an additional cost associated with the small-group fitness class, and financial assistance will be made available to families that qualify. Students: please complete this interest form if you would like to learn more about this opportunity.
We are thrilled to be able to offer greater use of this 270,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art fitness center to BUA students, and hope many take advantage of this amazing opportunity!
BUA Winter Play: Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar
Loyalty. Betrayal. Conspiracy. Murder. Plus sword fights -- lots of sword fights!
Join us for the Winter Play, Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. All performances will be held in the BUA Black Box Theater. Performance times are as follows:
- Friday, January 19: 3:30 p.m.
- Saturday, January 20: 2:00 p.m.
- Saturday, January 20: 7:00 p.m.
- Sunday, January 21: 2:00 p.m.
BUA Jazz Ensemble to Perform in University MLK Commemoration
The Swamp Cats, BUA's Jazz Ensemble, will perform in Boston University's annual commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This event, entitled "Words Beyond the Dream: A Celebration in Honor of Alumnus Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.," will take place on Monday, January 15 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. in the GSU Metcalf Ballroom, 775 Commonwealth Ave. All BUA community members are invited and encouraged to attend this special event.
Samantha Cohen ’08
Samantha Cohen ‘08 received her AB in Social Studies from Harvard University in 2012. After graduating, Cohen moved to New York to work for Sotheby’s, one of the world’s largest auction houses and brokers of art, jewelry, real estate, and automobiles. She currently serves as a Senior Manager in Business Development. In addition to her academic and career interests, Cohen has trained extensively in ballet. She was a member of the Pre-Professional Program at Boston Ballet School during her high school years and went on to dance in college with the Harvard Ballet Company. In her free time, Cohen enjoys visiting museums, going on long runs in Central Park, and trying new restaurants in the city.
Can you tell us about what drew you to Sotheby’s and what some of your primary responsibilities are?
In college I didn’t major in art history, but I discovered I had a particular fascination with the intersection of the arts and society--how various art forms both reflect and are shaped by what is happening politically, socially, and economically. Harvard’s interdisciplinary Social Studies concentration enabled me to craft a bespoke program of study that brought together history, philosophy, economics, and art history to explore these questions. Of course, my background in dance was at the root of this, and in college I realized that as much as I loved dancing, I enjoyed even more making the performances happen (especially as Director of the Harvard Ballet Company my junior year).
At Sotheby’s, I feel like I am always part of putting on a show--whether it be an auction, exhibition, a large dinner for clients, or some other interesting event. It’s an extraordinary place, unique in its longevity (we are one of the oldest auctions houses in the world) and where I am surrounded everyday by incredible works of art. I am constantly learning, whether it be about the objects we handle or the art market at large.
I’ve been at Sotheby’s since college (and as a summer intern before my senior year), and I’ve held several roles. I now manage the Sotheby’s International Council, a group of 36 art collectors and patrons who act as ambassadors for the company and advise us on various initiatives. I plan the group’s biannual meetings in New York and London and work with the Council members to organize other interesting events worldwide throughout the year.
What are some of the most important lessons you learned from ballet? Have you been able to transfer those skills into the working world?
Like any craft, ballet demands great discipline and patience. It can take months and years to hone one’s technique and see progression. It also requires the ability to work with other dancers and choreographers and to pick up choreography quickly...and of course, excellent time management! I’ve found all of this to be crucial in the working world. Success requires being exceptionally organized but also flexible to adjust to an environment that is always in flux (which is especially true of the art world). You have to be a team player but also take the initiative to see a task through from beginning to end. And patience is key...you never know when the next great opportunity is just around the corner.
How has your BUA education helped you in college or in your career thus far? Was there a class, teacher, peer, or experience that was particularly influential?
BUA is special for myriad reasons, but foremost it is a place where intellectual curiosity is celebrated. The encouragement from its amazing teachers to seek opportunities to learn everywhere, not just in the classroom, and to be always asking questions was extremely shaping for me.
My time at BUA is rich with wonderful memories, but I think that the senior thesis project was among the most influential in college and my career. Being tasked with finding a Boston University professor to advise our projects gave me the confidence to engage with professors in college. I sought to take courses taught by some of the most celebrated academics in the world, and I frequently attended office hours to meet with and learn from them one-on-one. And in my professional life, it made me comfortable interacting with top executives and clients. Some of the greatest opportunities I’ve had have resulted from my being unafraid to approach (respectfully, of course) the most accomplished people. I can thank BUA for that!
Larry Tobin ’05
After graduating from BUA, Larry Tobin ‘05 received his BA from Boston University in 2007. He refined his fundraising and leadership skills at Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP), where he worked from 2008-2017, most recently as Associate VP of Major Gifts. During this time, he also earned his MBA and MA at Brandeis University. This past August, Tobin became the first Director of the Shapiro Foundation, a private foundation which works to serve and resettle refugees across the world. In his free time, Tobin enjoys spending time with his wife Jesse & 8mo daughter Ruthie, deep woods XC ski & canoe trips, and being a Patriots Season Ticket Holder.
Can you explain what the Shapiro Foundation strives to accomplish and what some of your primary responsibilities are as Director?
Our primary goal is to serve the world’s most vulnerable and overlooked population: refugees. We focus especially on the two opposite ends of the lifecycle of a refugee--when a crisis first erupts and before Int’l funding can arrive (first 60 days of a crisis) and on increasing the number of those resettled in developed countries and the efficacy of getting those individuals towards long-term self-sufficiency. We actively drive three separate projects focused on disrupting resettlement by making it a more community-based, long-term focused and prevalent practice in the US and throughout the world.
Beyond our active efforts with refugees, we also passively fund a few dozen NGOs in healthcare, humanitarian and legal aid, community development in Boston, social services and innovation in Israel, and Jewish education.
I joined Ed & Barbara, the incredible founders and funders of the foundation, in August 2017 after years of a meaningful relationship we built via CJP and my first alma mater The Rashi School. Because I am the first professional and Ed recently “retired” from his first career to focus on philanthropy, our responsibilities are very fluid. Ed & I coordinate on a daily basis to have as much impact as possible, and what that entails shifts by the day.
Has there been a moment in your career that was particularly surprising, challenging, or defining – or something that sticks with you to this day?
There is a tremendous philanthropist in Boston named Jeff Swartz who leads trips to Israel for change-makers. I have had the incredible opportunity to accompany him three times since 2012, and each time I come back more introspective about who I am and what I stand for and with a clearer charge for my role in the world.
Each day of my new role is massively challenging because it’s entirely unchartered territory, deeply intellectually stimulating and something I have literally no content expertise in. In addition my boss/ partner is brilliant and thoughtful and pushes me...in so many ways it’s actually analogous to my BUA career all over again.
Was there a class, professor, or experience that helped solidify your passion for philanthropy?
- At BUA, I was one of the rare students that had a far higher EQ than IQ. I learned that at an early age at BUA, and that discovery helped me understand exactly who I am and what my strengths are. I was never going to be in the top half of the class academically, and for that matter I was never going to be a starter on the basketball team (though I did score 1pt in our first ever championship in ‘04!), but I was great as a peer leader and worked with the administration and that very much so has paved the way for my career.
- BUA enabled me to have a completely tailored secondary and tertiary education. While a BUA student, I was able to take a directed study with a renowned BU Professor on anti-semitism. That directed study led me to become a religion major at BU and to pursue two additional directed studies--including one comparing Jewish and Evangelical philanthropy. All of this, plus my ability to complete my BA in two years is a direct result of BUA which more than anything catapulted my career beginning at the age of 20.
Are there lessons you learned inside or outside the classroom at BUA that you have carried into your career?
BUA taught me to be a hungry self-advocate. BU is a world-class research institution and I had a 100% success rate with gaining access to everything at BU while an Academy student. Whether it was an internship in the sports marketing department, a thesis advisor helping me study transportation between Boston and NY, or continuing the study of Modern Hebrew which I had done until 7th grade, BU gave me everything. Many of those tools have served me since graduation, but the real gift was intangible of being handed gifts that I could only access if I asked the right person, in the right way, at the right time. That is the gift that keeps giving.
Jennifer Johnson ’00
After graduating from BUA in 2000, Jennifer Johnson received her BA in History from Brown University and her PhD in History from Princeton University. She taught history at Lehman College and the City College of New York before returning to Brown in 2015 as an Assistant Professor of African History. Johnson is the author of The Battle for Algeria: Sovereignty, Health Care, and Humanitarianism (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2016). In addition to her undergraduate and graduate teaching responsibilities at Brown, she is currently working on two projects, a book-length study on family planning programs in postcolonial Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia and a sourcebook of primary documents about African History. Her work has been supported by a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship, a Watson Institute Collaboration Grant, and an American Institute for Maghrib Studies grant. In her free time, Johnson enjoys traveling, reading novels, cooking, gardening, and hanging out with her husband and their dog and cat.
You have traveled extensively in order to conduct research on twentieth-century North Africa. What has been one of your most valuable travel experiences? How does your travel and research help to inform your teaching?
Traveling for research is one of the many exciting parts of my job. Since graduate school, I’ve been fortunate to visit Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, France, Switzerland, the UK, Germany and many American cities to conduct research and/or to participate in conferences. While it’s difficult to pinpoint one experience as most valuable, one trip to Morocco in 2005 comes to mind as particularly important for how I think about the region, traveling abroad, and the kinds of lessons I hope my students will take away from my courses. During that summer, I went to Fes, Morocco for Arabic language training. I elected to live with a local Moroccan family in the old city. While I was eager for this opportunity, I was unsure what the experience of living in a place quite different from my own and among, what turned out to be, a large family would be like. To my delight, it was one of the most positive experiences I’ve had. My host family was so generous and welcoming. Despite our different backgrounds, cultures, and languages, I learned so much from them and felt truly integrated into their family. I think about this homestay often because it taught me to remain open-minded and curious and to seek out new challenges.
Has there been a moment in your education or career that was particularly surprising, challenging, or defining – or something that sticks with you to this day?
I matriculated to BUA as a junior, which compared with most of my peers, was quite late. I previously attended a boarding school but due to health issues, I needed to attend school closer to home (Cambridge). Naturally, I was nervous about starting a new school as an 11th grader. However, my classmates and teachers embraced me wholeheartedly and quickly made BUA my home. I made friends there who remain my closest friends to this day. What initially felt like an insurmountable hurdle and difficult transition at a critical juncture turned out to be one of the best decisions in my life.
One of Brown’s most distinguishing features is the open curriculum, which allows students to define their own personalized course of study. How did this factor into your undergraduate studies at Brown and your decision to return as a Professor?
Brown’s open curriculum is a big draw for the students! As a freshman, I was not sure what concentration I wanted to pursue and I truly benefited from exploring a range of disciplines including History, French, Anthropology, Modern Culture and Media, Linguistics, Africana Studies and English. Had it not been for that curriculum flexibility, I might not have discovered my love of history.
The open curriculum is also very exciting for faculty because it affords us the opportunity to teach courses that directly tie into our research. For example, last year, I taught a course entitled “Medicine and Public Health in Africa,” in which I was able to explore many of the central questions in my current research. I organized a one-day conference by the same name and invited leading scholars in the field of History of Medicine and Public Health to discuss their current research with each other and with my students. It’s rare for such synergy to occur.
Was there a class, professor, or experience you had at BU Academy that helped spark your passion for teaching?
Sarah McMillan (English) and Richard Horn (History) were my most memorable teachers at BUA. Their dedication to the students and their passion for the material made it easy to be inspired as a student. Not only did I look forward to their classes but I also enjoyed talking with them outside of the classroom. They were so supportive and encouraging and went the extra mile to ensure students’ success. Now as a professor I try to emulate these qualities that I learned from them.