John P. (Jack) Hollerbach '75, '79MBA

Jack Hollerbach is the founder and President of Hollerbach & Associates, LLC, a management consulting firm that focuses on companies and institutions undergoing change or preparing to expand operations. His client list has included the Smithsonian Institution, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and Volunteers of America among many others.  and the firm’s twenty-five-year history has been built on referrals from audit firms, law firms and colleagues in the Maryland and Virginia business communities. In 2003, he was the co-founder, President and CEO for eight years of HarVest Bank of Maryland, an award-winning commercial bank in Montgomery and Frederick Counties. For these various business efforts, he has been recognized by peers in the profession and business community, with awards including “Smart CEO”, Gazette Newspapers “25 CEOs You Need to Know”, National Capital Region Boy Scouts “Good Scout Award”, Montgomery County Chamber “Small Business Leader of the Year”, Maryland Association of CPAs “Statewide Public Service Award”, and Corridor Magazine finalist for “Baltimore Washington Corridor Person of the Year”.  Earlier, Mr. Hollerbach held a variety of executive roles at public and private companies in the banking, technology, and major construction fields, with leadership roles at Citibank, Maryland National, Bank of Baltimore, First Fidelity/First Union, and The Poole and Kent Organization among others

In addition to his client work at the consulting firm, Hollerbach is a popular Adjunct Professor of Finance at American University’s Kogod Graduate School of Business, a post he also held previously at the Johns Hopkins Carey Graduate School. He has earned BBA and MBA degrees from the Iona University School of Business. and holds the Certificate in Environmental Studies from Johns Hopkins University. He has served on a variety of industry, governmental and non-profit boards, including the Maryland Chamber of Commerce Board, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Board and Audit Committee Chair, Pride of Baltimore II (Maryland’s Tall Ship) Board and Treasurer, American Contractors Insurance Group Board, Baltimore’s District Chilled Water Board,  Howard County Bond Affordability Commission (Chair), Friends of the Maryland State Archives, Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants (Central Maryland Executive Committee), Maryland Historical Society (Council), and the Arthritis Foundation Maryland Board,  in addition to participation in several government Trade Missions to India, China, and Korea. Mr. Hollerbach is an active member of the AICPA and MACPA.

A native of industrial New Jersey, Mr. Hollerbach developed an early appreciation of the environment and has advocated for responsible stewardship for much of his career. He has earned the prestigious Certificate in Environmental Studies from Johns Hopkins University, and received gubernatorial appointments to the Chesapeake Bay Trust Board, and the Maryland Voluntary Cleanup Task Force (Brownfields), while also serving as Chair of the Howard County Solid Waste Funding Board, and Baltimore City Brownfields Commission. In his role as Senior VP and CFO at the Poole and Kent Organization, he played a major role in managing the largest portfolio of municipal waste-water systems in the nation, and helped to build Baltimore’s underground chilled water system. He has hiked the entire 186 mile length of the Chesapeake and Ohio National Park trail.

Hollerbach is an experienced scuba diver and a traveler, having visited over 70 countries. He enjoys coaching another generation of youth sports, golf, swimming daily and practicing his bass guitar.

Why did you choose Iona to pursue your MBA?

I had taken several MBA level courses as an undergraduate at Iona. After graduation, I went home to NJ to help with my mother’s illness and continued my MBA work at Rutgers in Newark, while commuting to NYC for work. After she passed away, I returned to New Rochelle to complete my MBA and have an easier commute to work. 

How did your MBA help you in your career?

The degree certainly sets you apart from other people who do not earn one. Its an important designation that identifies you as having invested in your career and puts you on an advancement track.  

What is your advice for current students?

Use the degree as a springboard to bigger and better things, including lifelong learning. Supplement the degree with professional designations, for example CPA, CFP etc. Use your classroom experience to make ourself an informed and critical consumer of business news. Get involved in your community. Maybe starting as a coach, local community work, chambers of commerce or small non-profit. Make connections through those and be visible. Inevitably these connections will pay dividends professionally and personally. Develop outside interests, set annual and long term personal and professional goals. Make yourself indispensable to your employer. 

What is your proudest professional achievement?

Starting and stewarding the fastest growing commercial bank in Maryland, earning positive recognition for the company, including Maryland Small Business of the Year, and personal recognitions including Smart CEO, BSA Good Scout Award, MACPA Public Service Award and Montgomery Chamber Small Business Leader of the Year.

What is your fondest memory/favorite faculty member at Iona?

I had a close relationship with Brother John Daly, Dean of Students, which continued up to his passing away. The brothers created a warm, academically demanding environment at Iona and they were widely respected. Other great professors for me were Professors Kast, Barbero and Hammerbacher. 

What is your favorite movie, book, TV show or podcast?  

Historians such as Barbara Tuchman, David McCollough, and Erik Larsen. Favorite novelist was James Michener. Various movie favorites including Back to the Future, Field of Dreams and Braveheart. PBS Television series also a favorite. 

What do you feel are your secrets to success?

Lifelong learning, longtime friendships, outside interests. high level networking, confidence, resiliency, sense of humor, personal goal setting (annual and long term).

Did you have a mentor/role model? If so, what impact did they have on your career?  

Jim Brady, Iona class of 1961, was a valued advisor and confidant. I admired his leadership roles at Arthur Anderson and later in government and treasured his career advice over many years.