Ronnie Bonner, BBA ‘25

Ronnie Bonner

BBA ‘25

Lawrenceville, GA

A Return to Purpose, Fueled by Family, Forged by Possibility

Ronnie Bonner’s (BBA ’25), education wasn’t just a personal goal, but a promise he made to himself years ago while on active duty in the U.S. Navy. In 2007, he began pursuing a degree at the University of Management and Technology (UMT). But like so many in active-duty service, life got busy. He had to put his studies on hold, but he never forgot the promise he made to himself. “Two years ago,” Ronnie recalled, “I decided it was finally time to pick things back up and this time, I shifted my focus to business administration.”

Returning to UMT felt like coming home. With existing credits, familiarity with the platform, and, most importantly, trust in the UMT community, Ronnie quickly regained momentum. “UMT’s self-paced set up made it easier to juggle work, family and everything else life throws my way. After the pandemic, time with my wife and kids became even more important.”

Even before completing his degree, Ronnie began seeing the professional impact. “It opened the door to a role at a clinic in Chicago,” Ronnie shared. “I also started working a second contract with another client, too. They’re both focused on software integration for electronic health records.” On top of that, Ronnie was able to step into a new position as an agent at New York Life Insurance, which expanded him into a new field in finance. The new opportunities didn’t stop there. In November of 2023, while he was studying at UMT, he earned a position as Sales Manager with Tesmonet, a division of Very Good Products, known for its groundbreaking skincare innovations. “I currently lead a team of five, driving sales and business growth, with the exciting potential to become a co-owner,” Ronnie expressed. “The company’s founder, a retired NASA scientist, has developed revolutionary skincare products that combine stem cells, botany technology, and picotechnology (a technology a thousand times smaller than nanotechnology) to enhance skin absorption and targeting pores at an unprecedented level.”

However, the road back wasn’t without pain. During his studies, Ronnie experienced the devastating loss of his cousin Alicia, who was like a sister to him. “Grieving while trying to stay focused on my studies was incredibly tough. There were moments when the weight of loss made it hard to concentrate, and finding motivation felt nearly impossible.” Thanks to UMT’s flexibility, Ronnie was able to grieve and grow without falling behind. In his words, “UMT’s flexibility was a lifeline during that period. It gave me the space I needed to process everything without falling behind. In many ways, earning my degree became part of the journey honoring Alicia and pushing forward in a way I know she would have been proud of.”

When asked what stood out most about UMT, Ronnie didn’t hesitate: “There are so many great things about my experience at UMT, but these three stand out the most. Their dedication to the military community and their families, the program is powerfully relevant, and the entire UMT team – professors, counselors, and staff – are there every step of the way. Combine that with the well-designed website, it all came together to make my success possible.”

Ronnie’s story is also one of deep gratitude. He shines a light on those who carried him through his journey, “I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to the incredible people who supported me throughout this journey. To Mom Bessie, Godmother Gwen, and my brothers Khary and Jay, sisters Niecy and Melissa – thank you for your unwavering encouragement along the way. Thank you to my Auntie Dr. Yvonne Butler, who never missed a chance to push me forward and remind me of my potential.”

Additionally, Ronnie thanks his cousin Kenosha, who he describes as the very definition of a phenomenal woman. “A mother, veteran, doctor, attorney, professor, author, professional women’s basketball player, and successful business owner – all accomplished under 40 – she has never stopped encouraging me to reach greater heights while pulling me along. She’s my big, l’il cousin, always pushing me to be the best me. And I wanted to thank RJ, too.

Ronnie hopes his journey shows his children – Chloe, Tavon, Ronnie Jr., and Zulema – that you can do anything and that it’s never too late to chase your dreams. “Education is a key,” he expressed, “that opens new doors to opportunity, and I hope you always remember that.”

Lastly, Ronnie thanks his wife and best friend, Zorina, for her wisdom, resilience, and unwavering support. “My beautiful queen, my BFF. She’s brilliant and intelligent, a proud HBCU graduate who holds multiple certifications and degrees, including her master’s degree in education. Through the hardest moments life has thrown our way, she’s been my rock, always reminding me to stay focused and keep moving forward. Zorina, your encouragement and belief in me has made all the difference; I couldn’t have done this without you – or without the incredible love and support of all those who stood by me.”

With his BBA in hand and new career roles unfolding around him, Ronnie Bonner’s journey is a powerful reminder: success isn’t about how fast you finish—it’s about having the courage to keep going, especially when life gets hard.

“Returning to UMT wasn’t just about finishing a degree, it was also about honoring a promise, reclaiming my purpose, and showing my family that it’s never too late to grow. Through grief, gratitude, and grit, this journey reminded me that real success is found in perseverance and the people who walk beside you.”