Smith Business Magazine: Special Silver Jubilee Edition - Magazine - Page 41
CONNECTIONS
Smith School pride spans generations:
From nostalgic stories of days in College
Park; to time spent at events like Smith
Day, Maryland Day and Homecoming;
to seeing how a top-notch education
bene昀椀tted a parent, grandparent or
sibling. It’s no wonder that being a
Smith Terp sometimes just runs in
the family.
The Beding昀椀elds are a prime example
of this multi-generational pride. James
“Jim” Beding昀椀eld ’66, MBA ’68, DBA
’72, holds three of the 昀椀ve Smith degrees
in his family. He, his brother and his
nephew all have accounting degrees.
Jim also served as chair of the
accounting department for over a
decade. He’s now a professor emeritus
at the Smith School. His brother
Robert “Bob” Beding昀椀eld ’70, became
one of Ernst & Young’s most senior
international coordinating partners.
Bob’s son, Kenneth “Ken” Beding昀椀eld
’94, is CEO of Epirus. He was formerly
CFO of Northrop Grumman and a
partner at KPMG.
“I was inspired to apply to and attend
Smith because of the legacy of my father
and my uncle,” says Ken. “I think it was
ingrained in me over the years through
the exposure to Smith, the school spirit
at the University of Maryland, and the
opportunities the school can create.”
Ronald “Ron” Attman ’68, co-CEO
of Acme Paper and Supply Company,
was the 昀椀rst of his brothers to graduate
from Smith. He and David Attman ’72,
president of the company, majored in
business administration. Steven “Steve”
Attman ’78, co-CEO, and Gary Attman
rhsmith-editor@umd.edu
’76, earned accounting degrees. Gary
is CEO of Attman Properties and CEO,
president and co-founder of FutureCare
Health and Management Corporation.
The family legacy of attending
Smith was carried forward by Ron’s
son, Scott Attman ’99, who graduated
with a marketing degree. He too joined
the family business and is now a vice
president at Acme.
“The legacy continues because of the
extremely positive experience each of
us had at Maryland,” says Ron.
Some of the Attmans even met their
wives while attending the university (or
through friends made while at UMD).
The Bradfords also met while at UMD.
In fact, George Bradford ’97 and Kristie
Curameng Bradford, MBA ’05, are
among 1,042 Smith alumni couples.
They met when they were both
undergraduates—George majoring in
昀椀nance and Kristie studying political
science and Japanese (before earning
her Smith MBA a few years later).
George was one of the highest-ranked
Black golfers in the world—second
only to Tiger Woods from 2007–10.
He’s currently resident director and
vice president at Merrill Lynch Wealth
Management. Kristie is vice president
of intellectual property at IBM.
The couple’s Smith connection
doesn’t end with them. George’s uncle,
William Bradford, served as acting
dean of the College of Business and
Management, associate dean of
academic affairs and chair of the 昀椀nance
department. The school’s William D.
Bradford Awards Banquet is named
for him.
“We are forever connected to a shared
experience at Smith,” George says. “The
family success brings a sense of pride
and belonging, but also the responsibility
of continuity. We’re already planting the
seeds with our two daughters.”
Kristie agrees, adding, “Our children
see our love for UMD and Smith, and
I hope it inspires them in their life
pursuits and relationships.”
THE BEDINGFIELDS
THE ATTMANS
Bob, Ken and Jim
Steve, Gary, David, Scott and Ron
Photos courtesy of the Bedingfield and Attman families
fall 2023
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