Southern Miss Business Honors Three Outstanding Alumni

Fri, 11/13/2026 - 03:25pm | By: Bailey Harris Shoemake

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) College of Business and Economic Development celebrated outstanding achievements in entrepreneurship and business leadership at its 2026 Business Excellence Awards luncheon on Friday, Nov. 13. The annual event recognized three distinguished individuals in the categories of Entrepreneur of the Year, Alumnus of the Year, and Young Alumnus of the Year.

Jim Rasberry ‘05 was recognized as the 2026 Entrepreneur of the Year. A lifelong resident of Laurel, Miss., Rasberry is an entrepreneur, financial advisor, and community advocate whose business ventures have contributed significantly to the revitalization of downtown Laurel.

While attending Southern Miss, he founded Rasberry Financial Services, which has grown to manage more than $150 million in assets. He is also a partner in a historic real estate development firm that has renovated more than 220,000 square feet of commercial space in downtown Laurel. His entrepreneurial ventures include partnerships in Laurel Mercantile Co., Scotsman Manufacturing Co., and The Heirloom, a boutique hotel featured on HGTV's Home Town: Inn This Together. Beyond his business accomplishments, Rasberry has held numerous community leadership positions, including serving as a founding member of Laurel Main Street and former chairman of the Economic Development Authority of Jones County.

Thanh Roettele ‘94 was honored as the 2026 Alumnus of the Year. Roettele has more than 30 years of experience in the banking and financial services industry. He currently serves as managing director and head of Mortgage Capital Markets at Scotiabank, where he is responsible for developing the bank's wholesale mortgage platform and overseeing relationships with mortgage lenders and financial institutions across the United States. Prior to joining Scotiabank, Roettele led JPMorgan Chase's Mortgage Finance coverage practice.

Throughout his career, he has financed more than $1 trillion, representing approximately 2.5 million individual mortgages. His extensive experience in portfolio management, risk management, commercial lending and credit analysis has earned him national recognition, including being named a 2021 Finance Leader by HousingWire.

Erik Hansson ’17 was recognized as the 2026 Young Alumnus of the Year for his early career accomplishments in the financial services industry. Hansson currently serves as regional vice president at Fisher Investments, where he has personally secured more than $500 million in new client assets since joining the firm in 2017. Originally from Sweden, Hansson came to Southern Miss in 2013 as an international student and graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in banking and finance.

During his time at Southern Miss, he was actively involved in campus leadership and founded the USM Investment Club. Following graduation, he began his career with Fisher Investments in Dallas, Texas, as an account executive before advancing to vice president and later regional vice president in the greater New York City area. Hansson credits his Southern Miss experience and the relationships he developed with faculty and fellow students for helping shape his success. In September 2026, he achieved a lifelong goal of becoming a United States citizen.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is seeing what our graduates accomplish and the difference they make in their professions and communities,” said Dr. J. Bret Becton, dean of the College of Business and Economic Development. “Jim, Thanh, and Erik have taken very different paths, but each exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit, leadership, and commitment to excellence that we strive to instill in our students. Their success is a tremendous source of pride for our college, and their stories remind our current students that a Southern Miss business education can open doors to extraordinary opportunities. We are proud to recognize their accomplishments and honored to call them Southern Miss alumni.”

The Southern Miss Business Excellence Awards luncheon is dedicated to and sponsored by the late Joseph Boardman Jr., a 1953 Southern Miss marketing graduate. Boardman remained connected to his alma mater through his generosity and service, including serving as past president of the Southern Miss Alumni Association and as a member of the USM Foundation Board.

About the College of Business and Economic Development 
The College of Business and Economic Development at The University of Southern Mississippi prepares students for success through applied learning, leadership development and nationally recognized academic programs. The AACSB-accredited college offers undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, including an MBA program that has been consistently ranked among leading programs by U.S. News & World Report and Fortune. Experiential learning is central to the college’s approach. Students gain real-world experience through client-based projects, internships, and employer engagement, supported by industry partners and an active alumni network. Located in Scianna Hall, the college provides access to specialized resources including the Center for Entrepreneurship, App Development Lab, Finance Lab, and Professional Sales Lab, where students develop in-demand skills through hands-on application and national competition.