UMD-Smith Students Finalists in ALPFA Case Competition

Students from the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business were finalists in the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting (ALPFA) National Case Competition, sponsored by KPMG and held at their national convention in Orlando, Fl., August 2-5, 2014. This is the fourth year in a row that UMD has been a finalist – coming in second place the previous two years.

“We spent numerous sessions prior to the convention practicing and rehearsing with KPMG and ALPFA DC-area professionals,” said faculty advisor Jim McKinney, clinical associate professor of accounting and information assurance. “At the convention, the students had three hours to receive a strategic management type case, read it, analyze it, and prepare a final PowerPoint.”

After only a few hours of sleep, the UMD-Smith team presented their case and made it to the final round of six, which led to another late night of practicing and then presenting the next morning.

Twenty-four universities participated in the competition and the following students represented UMD-Smith:  Nicole Lopez (sophomore), Fernando Ramos (senior), Wendy Romero (junior), and JP Trejo (senior).

“The best part of my experience of the competition was being part of a great team,” said Romero. “We didn't know each other coming into the group but we ended more than just a team, we became a family.”

Trejo agreed: “The best part for me was meeting and networking with my ALPFAmilia and attending the national convention with them.”

Congratulations to our Smith students on making it to the finals and thank you to Professor McKinney for your guidance along the way!

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