The Max M. Fisher College of Business Alumni Board founded the annual Alumni Awards in 1993 to establish a tradition of honoring living alumni who personify the college’s legacy of excellence. Recognized for their outstanding achievements, career accomplishments and dedication to their communities, recipients are celebrated at our annual Alumni Awards Dinner.
Inspired by Max M. Fisher’s legacy of leadership and dedication to others, the Distinguished Alumni Leadership Award honors an alumna or alumnus who has served as a principled leader in their company and their community. They are service-oriented catalysts who affect positive change in their profession and seek to advance the common good. Mr. Simon was recognized as the 2019 Award Recipient on Friday, October 18th in Columbus, Ohio.
As Senior Executive Vice President of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc., he has been with the company for over 30 years. Denis is based in Dallas with responsibility for offices throughout the Southern United States. He joined Challenger, Gray & Christmas from Club Corp, also headquartered in Dallas, where he served as C.P.O. & Board Member. Previously he was Corporate Director of Personnel and Labor Relations for Zale Corporation and Manager of Headquarters Personnel for Frito-Lay, Inc., both headquartered in Dallas.
Denis earned his M.B.A. from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 1973 and his B.S. in Labor Economics and Management from The Ohio State University. He has taught on an ad hoc basis as an adjunct professor with the Graduate Business Schools: University of Texas at Dallas, Southern Methodist University and the University of Dallas.
He is a decorated Veteran of Southeast Asia & former Army Captain. He is a member of the Board of Camp John Marc, a Texas ranch for disabled children, The Foundation Board for the Family Place, a shelter for abused women and children and the Board of Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, the home of the only academic healthcare system in DFW dedicated to the care of children.
He is currently a member of the Fisher College of Business Alumni Board, the Dean’s Business Advisory Council at Miami of Ohio, a member of the Associate Board of the Cox School of Business at SMU, and a member of the Emeritus Board of Trustees at the University of Dallas.
Denis has been an ordained Deacon in the Diocese of Dallas for over 30 years, is a member of the Advisory Board of the Catholic Foundation and the Bishop’s Finance Council for the Diocese of Dallas.
Ever the adventurer, his 60th birthday was celebrated with an expedition to Antarctica which completed his quest of walking on all 7 continents and swimming in the Antarctic Ocean. His most recent adventures have taken place over the last few years as he has summited Mt. Rainier, Mt. Whitney and Mt. Elbert – the #1, #2 and #3 highest peaks in the lower-forty eight states.
Congratulations, Denis, on this great honor and distinguished award from The Ohio State University.
