Share your professional and personal milestones!
SPRING 2024
1970s
Harry Gleich, Civil Engineering ’76, received the PCI Medal of Honor from the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Industry. The award recognizes a person who has made extraordinary contributions to PCI and the industry. He is president of Gleich Engineering & Associates, LLC in Greenville, South Carolina.
Lesley "Les" Miller, Political Science '78, Life Member, received the REACHUP Inc. 2024 Community Advocacy Award, recognizing people who have made a significant impact on the health and well-being of Hillsborough County residents. Les is a former member of the Florida House and Senate, Tampa City Council and Hillsborough County Commission. He is a 1983 USF Distinguished Alumnus and a past chair of the USF Alumni Association board.
Edward J. Page, Criminology ’78, Life Member, has been recertified by The Florida Bar and National Board of Trial Advocacy as a criminal trial law specialist. He is a Carlton Fields, P.A., shareholder and former federal and state prosecutor.
Alex J. Sabo, Business Economics ’75, received the Florida Securities Dealers Association’s Lifetime Legacy Award. He is a principal at Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C.
1980s
Kelly Bunting, Mass Communications ’82, was elected to the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers in recognition of demonstrating high ethical and professional standards as a longtime labor and employment lawyer. She is a shareholder with Greenberg Traurig, LLP, in Philadelphia.
Calvin Hagins, Finance ’86, Life Member, was promoted to principal deputy assistant director for the Office of Supervision Examinations at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Washington, D.C. He previously worked at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, where he served in several leadership roles.
Manley Jaquiss, Criminology ’86 and MA ’15, Life Member, received the Florida Department of Corrections’ Regional Director’s Excellence Award in recognition of his role in implementing electronic transmission of legal documents in the 13th Judicial Circuit. An adjunct professor at USF, Manley is a former correctional probation senior supervisor and USF Criminology Wall of Fame inductee.
1990s
Jeff Jackson, Marketing ’95, Life Member, was appointed president of Penske Logistics in Reading, Pennsylvania, part of Penske Transportation Solutions. He was previously executive vice president of operations for Penske Logistics.
Dr. Marc G. Kaprow, Chemistry ’92, Life Member, was named the Physician of the Year by the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association. He is the chief medical officer for Simply Healthcare, a health maintenance organization for Floridians enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid and Florida Healthy Kids.
Gil Peri, Biology ’95, MPH ’98 and MBA ‘03, has joined the board of directors at the Children’s Hospitals’ Solutions for Patient Safety. He is president of Riley Children’s Health at Indiana University Health in Indianapolis.
Cheryl Rodriguez, PhD Anthropology ’93, received the Dr. Ira E. Harrison Legacy Award from the Association of Black Anthropologists for significant contributions to research, scholarship and service to communities of African descent. She is a professor and anthropologist in the USF College of Arts and Sciences School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies.
Verlon Salley, Health Services Management 1994-’97, Life Member, received the 2023 Department of Health Administration Virginia Commonwealth University Alumnus of the Year Award. Salley is vice president of community health equity for the UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham) Health System and a USF Alumni Association board member.
Luigi Scalabroni, Computer Science ’95, Life Member, has retired after nearly 30 years with Honeywell International. Luigi joined the Honeywell Aerospace division soon after his graduation from USF.
Honggang Yang, PhD Applied Anthropology ’91, has published “The Rise of Chinese American Leaders in U.S. Higher Education: Stories and Roadmaps” (Springer; 2023). He was a co-editor of the book, which details the stories of Chinese American leaders’ experiences in U.S. higher education. Honggang retired as a dean from Nova Southeastern University.
Todd Yonteck, Accounting ’91, MAcc ’95 and MD ’00, Life Member, was credited as producer on the recently released Hallmark Channel movie, “A Taste of Love,” filmed in Clearwater and Dunedin, Florida. He is the CEO/Founder of Digital Caviar, an independent film production company in Tampa.
2000s
Mike Bishop, Finance ’06, was promoted to senior vice president of the Pasco Economic Development Council. He was previously director of stakeholder engagement for the council.
Allen Clary, MBA ’03, was appointed executive director of USF’s Nault Center for Entrepreneurship at the Muma College of Business. He is also an adjunct professor at USF, teaching entrepreneurship, and chair of TIGER 21-Tampa Bay, part of an international learning network for entrepreneurs and investors.
Iris A. Elijah, Africana Studies and Economics ’08, Life Member, was named deputy general counsel at Florida A&M University. She was previously an associate general counsel at Florida International University. Iris is a 2017 USF Outstanding Young Alumna.
Breanda Goralski, Management Information Systems ’02, was appointed the vice president of applications for BayCare Health System. She was previously director of applications.
Taylor Harroun, Finance ’07, Life Member, was named partner at Creative Planning, LLC. He is a wealth manager who has worked with the firm since 2017.
Colby S. Hearn, Criminology '06, is celebrating the two-year anniversary of his Tampa law firm, Hearn Law, PLLC, and the recent addition of his wife, Trina S. Hearn, to the practice. The firm specializes in criminal and civil litigation.
Stephen Lytle, Political Science ‘04, Life Member, has joined Evara Health in Tampa as assistant vice president of people and culture. He is a member of the USF Alumni Association’s Order of the Golden Brahman.
Ellen M. McCreedy, MPH ’08, has joined the board of PACE-RI, a Rhode Island nonprofit health plan that helps chronically ill people aged 55 and older remain in their homes. Ellen is an assistant professor at the Brown University School of Public Health.
Dara (Green) Mathis, English and French ’05, received the Heising-Simons Foundation’s $100,000 American Mosaic Journalism Prize in recognition of her coverage of Black freedom movements, including her 2023 article “A Blueprint for Black Liberation,” published in The Atlantic. Dara is a freelance journalist.
Sapna Patel, Biomedical Sciences ’04 and MD ’08, was named assistant medical director of the BayCare Medical Group Hospitalist Program at St. Joseph’s Hospital–Main in Tampa. She was previously a hospitalist for BayCare Health System.
Amy K. (White) Recla, MA English ’08, was promoted to office litigation manager at the Tampa office of Jackson Lewis P.C. She joined the firm in 2022.
Haley (Cole) Robinson, Management ’08, was promoted to advanced customer support senior manager at the Gainesville, Florida, office of James Moore & Co., a business consulting company. She has worked with the firm since 2020.
Jessica Samaniego, Mass Communications ’06 and MPA ’20, Life Member, has earned the Project Management Professional certification from the Project Management Institute. She is a project manager for USF Communications and Marketing.
2010s
Evan Barniskis, MBA ’18, was appointed a trustee to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum and Aquarium in Sanibel, Florida. He is assistant vice president for the aquarium at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota.
Rahul Bhattacharya, MS Medical Sciences ’14, has published “Coaching Agile: A guide for Agile Coaches and Scrum Masters to build and scale their coach approach,” (Amazon; 2023), a book for business mentors. He is a product and organization development coach, author, speaker and trainer.
Alicia Billington, MD ’14 and PhD Biomedical Engineering ’14, was named a Rising Star and Top Doctor in plastic surgery by Castle Connolly, a leading research and information resource for patients. She is a plastic surgeon at Alicia Billington Plastic Surgery in St. Petersburg.
Taylor Caragan, Public Health ’12 and MPH ’15, has joined First 5 FUNdamentals in Tacoma, Washington, as a health integration manager. She was previously a health promotion coordinator at Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.
Eliot Dill, MS Entrepreneurship in Applied Technologies ’11, has been promoted to vice president of client engagement solutions at ProfitSolv. He is the co-founder of TitleTap and Net Sheet Calc, which provide title insurance tools.
Linsey Grove, MPH ’13 and DPH ’18, received the College of Public Health’s 2024 Outstanding Alumni Award. She is the co-owner and CEO of The Hypatia Collaborative, which provides nonprofit capacity-building services and professional development to organizations in St. Petersburg.
Danielle Hallman, Nursing ’14, was selected as a 2024 MIT Catalyst Fellow, part of a Veterans Health Administration program. She is the assistant chief nurse for mental health at Bay Pines Veterans Affairs Healthcare System in St. Petersburg.
Taher Hamid, MHA ’18, launched MSP Camp a business that provides marketing support for managed service providers. He is the vice president for business development at Alltek Service computer network support in Lakeland, Florida.
Ralph Herz, Finance ’16, was promoted to vice president of corporate development and strategy at WhistlePig Whisky. He was previously director of corporate development for the beverage company.
Blake Maihack, MPH ’19, has joined Community Bridges integrated health-care provider in Mesa, Arizona, as a population health administrator. He was previously an epidemiologist with the Arizona Department of Health Services.
Marissa McCarthy, MA Education ’12, received the $25,000 National Milken Educator Award, “the Oscars of Teaching,” for 2023-24. She is a math teacher at Olentangy Shanahan Middle School in Ohio.
Hunter Patrick, Environmental Science Policy ’18, has joined GrayRobinson as an associate in labor and employment. He was previously a judicial intern at the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
Trevor Rigby, MM Music ’11, released his first feature film, “Morgan’s Mask,” about a cosplayer’s mental health struggles during the COVID-19 pandemic. He’s a former USF Herd of Thunder graduate assistant. Christopher Sgammato, Music Studies ’13, composed the film’s music. “Morgan’s Mask” is available on Amazon Prime Video.
Krithika Venugopal, Accounting ’18, has joined the business litigation team in the Naples, Florida, office of Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A. She was previously an associate attorney with Chartwell Law in Miami.
Cody Waldrop, Public Health ’11, Life Member has passed the SHRM-CP exam, giving him the designation of a Certified Human Resource Professional under the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM). He is the practice management officer at Associated Veterinary Partners and a Veterinary Hospital Managers Association board member.
2020s
Yeseul Kim, PhD, Marketing ’23, received an honorable mention in the 2023 John A. Howard/American Marketing Association Doctoral Dissertation Award. She is an assistant professor in the department of strategy and marketing at the University of Sussex.
Ethan Peebles, Integrated Public Relations and Advertising ’23, was promoted to communications and marketing officer with USF Advancement Communications and Marketing. He was previously a multimedia student intern on the team.
Karah Waters, MPH ’23, has joined Florida Health as a registered nurse consultant supporting the Florida Refugee Health Program. She also works for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service
WINTER 2023
1970s
Derrel Bryan, Special Education ’72 and EdD ’04, has been appointed interim dean of the School of Education at Florida Southern College. He was previously an adjunct professor at the college.
Julianne Holt, Finance ’77, Life Member, received the Hawkins Community Partnership Award during the USF Department of Criminology Wall of Fame ceremony. Holt has served as public defender of the 13th Judicial Circuit for 31 years. She has also been a USF adjunct professor since 1997.
Catherine Peek McEwen, Political Science ’79, Life Member, has been appointed to two committees of the Judicial Conference of the United States, the policy-making body of the federal judiciary. She was appointed to an indefinite term on the Committee on the Judicial Branch and a second term on the Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules. McEwen is a USF Distinguished Alumna.
Allen Shirley, MEd Educational Leadership ’79, was appointed to the Florida High School Athletic Association board of directors. He is the principal of South Sumter High School in Bushnell, Florida, and the former director of secondary education and district athletic director for Sumter County.
1980s
Michael B. Benardo, Finance ’88, was appointed associate director for the anti-money laundering and cyber fraud branch of the division of risk management supervision at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. in Washington, D.C. He previously served as cyber fraud and financial crimes section chief for the FDIC.
John Chiang, Finance ’84, has joined the Chijet Motor Co Inc. board of directors. He served as treasurer of California from 2015 to 2019.
Randy Nunley, Accounting ’87, Life Member, was named inspector general of Seminole County Clerk and Comptroller of the Circuit Court. He was previously senior internal auditor with the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.
J. Michael Peppers, Accounting ’85 and MAcc ’90, Life Member, was appointed to the national board of the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Peppers is chief audit executive for the University of Texas System.
Dave Puhalski, Physical Education ’85, Life Member, was recognized for 32 years of success as Land O'Lakes (Florida) High School’s boys’ varsity basketball head coach when the Pasco County School Board named the school’s gymnasium in his honor. Puhalski coached his teams to 479 wins and six conference and district championships before retiring in 2021.
Elliot Stern, Accounting ’80 and MBA ’84, Life Member, was appointed to the Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County. He owns Elliot W. Stern Consulting and is past chair of the Better Business Bureau.
1990s
Suzanne Bechard, English ’93, Life Member, was named associate deputy attorney general of Florida’s criminal and capital appellate bureaus. She joined the attorney general’s office in 2001 and was named Tampa criminal appeals bureau chief in 2018.
Lee Bercaw, Criminology ’97 and MA Criminal Justice Administration ’12, Life Member, was named chief of the Tampa Police Department. He has been with the department for 26 years.
Joni Bernbaum, Criminology '94 and MA Counselor Education '98, an associate instructor of criminology at USF, was selected to participate in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Citizens Academy.
Lucia Martinez Gonzalez, MA Library and Information Science ’91, received the Elizabeth Martinez Lifetime Achievement Award for excellence in librarianship. A librarian and award-winning children’s book author, she is a past president of the Association for Library Service to Children of the American Library Association.
Arthur Hushen, Criminology ’96, Life Member, was inducted into the USF Department of Criminology Wall of Fame as a distinguished alumnus. Hushen has 30 years of law enforcement experience, retiring from the Tampa Police Department in 2006, where he served in the Special Operations Bureau. He played an instrumental role in creating the first Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design unit in the country.
Monica Martinez, Interdisciplinary Social Sciences ’97 and MA Criminal Justice Administration ’18, was inducted into the USF Department of Criminology Wall of Fame as an outstanding ambassador, which honors professionals who have represented the Department of Criminology in ways that promote and enhance its identity. Martinez is director of the resource development department for the 13th Judicial Circuit Administrative Office of the Courts.
Nicole Newlon, Finance ’95 and MBA ’97, was appointed to the Pasco-Hernando State College District board of trustees. She is an attorney at Johnson, Newlon & DeCort, P.A.
Sandy Pettit, Chemical Engineering ’94, MChE ’10 and PhD ’14, Life Member, has joined the University of Alabama as the College of Engineering’s assistant dean for student success. She was previously a USF professor.
2000s
Genevieve Borello, International Studies ’08, was named an Association Forum Forty Under 40 recipient. The Chicago “association of the associations industry” recognizes outstanding association and nonprofit professionals for their accomplishments. Borello is director of membership, marketing and diversity for the American Bar Association.
April Grajales, Finance ’01 and MBA ’03, Life Member, has joined Regions Bank as senior vice president, Tampa market executive and Tampa Bay commercial area executive. She is a former USF Alumni Association board chair.
Chris Harden, MBA ’07, won a Mom’s Choice Award for “Find Stanley! The Christmas Treasure Hunt Game” and “Stanley & the Candy Cane Wormhole.” Harden is an author, illustrator and founder of Candy Cane Wormhole, LLC.
Jung Kwak, PhD '06, was a featured lecturer in the School of Aging Studies and Florida Policy Exchange Center on Aging Distinguished Alumni Lecture Series. Kwak is an associate professor at the University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing.
Ashley Lansdale, Mass Communications ’06, has joined Starbucks as senior communications manager, global supply chain, in Seattle. She was previously public relations manager for Amazon.
Karla Mastracchio, Communication ’03, has joined the National Security Innovation Network/Defense Innovation Unit in Washington, D.C., as senior communication director. She was previously academic chair, Asia/Pacific, for the Joint Special Operations University in Hawaii.
Andrea Nalls, English '09 and MA Library and Information Science '11, Life Member, was named CEO and president of Dunedin Fine Art Center in Dunedin, Florida. She was previously director of experience and operations at the Tampa Bay History Center.
Elizabeth Perkins, Psychology '03 and PhD '09, was awarded the Service to the Association Award by the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, the largest interdisciplinary membership organization of professionals and others concerned about intellectual and developmental disabilities. Perkins has been a member of the association for more than 20 years.
Mathew Ratner, Communication ’08, has been appointed director of sports and entertainment tourism at the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. He was previously the bureau’s associate director.
David Reali, Accounting '09, Life Member, has expanded David J Reali CPA with the acquisition of Barbara Mott & Associates. His firm, a two-time USF Fast 56 award recipient, was named to the Bradenton Herald’s 2023 list of Bradenton's Best in the tax services and accounting firm categories.
Joan Reid, Psychology ’04, MA Rehabilitation Counseling ’04 and PhD ’10, was inducted into the USF Department of Criminology Wall of Fame as a distinguished alumna. Reid is a USF criminology professor and director of the USF Trafficking in Persons Risk to Resilience Research Lab at USF St. Petersburg.
Nasreen Sadeq, Psychology ’13 and PhD ’19, was selected jointly by the Gerontological Society of America and the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education as a recipient of the 2023 Rising Star Early Career Faculty Award. Sadeq is an assistant professor of instruction, among other roles, in the USF School of Aging Studies.
Andy Taylor, Political Science ’09, Life Member, has joined Tampa Electric as regional manager for Pasco and east Hillsborough counties. He previously served as a legislative aide for Pasco County Commissioner Seth Weightman.
Ashley Troutman, Marketing ’04, has been appointed to the Polk State College District board of trustees. He is a financial advisor with Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management and previously worked as a field representative for Woodmen of the World and as a sales team leader for Fields & Company.
Shelly M. Wagers, MA Criminology ’05 and PhD ’12, was inducted into the USF Department of Criminology Wall of Fame as an outstanding ambassador, which honors professionals who represent the Department of Criminology in ways that promote and enhance its identity. Wagers is a USF associate professor of criminology and president of the National Partnership to End Interpersonal Violence Across the Lifespan.
Seth Weightman, Criminology ’08 and MS Entrepreneurship in Applied Technologies ’11, was elected to the Pasco County (Florida) Board of Commissioners. He is the municipal services manager for Republic Services Inc. waste disposal company.
Jonathan "J.B." Wright, Industrial Engineering ’05, Life Member, was promoted to director of manufacturing engineering at McCormick Stevenson Corp. in Clearwater. He was previously the company’s manufacturing engineering manager.
Lauri Wright, PhD ’07, was named president of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She previously directed USF’s doctorate of clinical nutrition program and the Center for Nutrition and Food Security.
2010s
Ashley Bell Barnett, MPA ’10, has been reappointed to the Polk State College District board of trustees. She is the immediate past chair. Barnett is a former teacher who serves on multiple community boards.
Joel Brown, Political Science ’11, Life Member, has joined Tampa Electric as regional manager for Tampa/Hillsborough County. He previously served as the interagency water manager for Pinellas County Utilities.
Daniel Cardwell, English ’14 and MA Library and Information Science ’16, Life Member, received the International Graduate of the Year Award from Phi Delta Phi, International Legal Honors Society. He is a 2023 graduate of Western Michigan University Cooley Law School.
Vanessa Centelles, Criminology ’17 and MA Criminology ’19, was selected as a 2023 American Society of Criminology Ruth Peterson Fellow. The Ruth D. Peterson Fellowship for Racial and Ethnic Diversity Award encourages students of color to earn their degrees and enter the field of criminology and criminal justice.
Christiana S. Crowder, Criminology ’16, was inducted into the USF Department of Criminology Wall of Fame as an outstanding ambassador, which honors professionals who represent the department in ways that promote and enhance its identity. She is vice president of Citigroup’s Financial Intelligence Unit, conducting money laundering, terrorist financing and fraud investigations.
Ronnie Gajownik, Interdisciplinary Social Sciences ’15, was named manager of the Hillsboro Hops Minor League Baseball team. She was previously the Minor League Baseball coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Meagan Kopstad, Psychology and Long-Term Care Administration ’18, received an Outstanding Alumni Award from the USF School of Aging Studies. Kopstad is executive director of Blue Heron Senior Living in Wesley Chapel, Florida.
Andrew Koutnik, MS Medical Sciences ’17 and PhD ’20, has joined Sansum Diabetes Research Institute in Santa Barbara, California, as a research scientist.
Melissa Lugo, MA Criminology ’13, was inducted into the USF Department of Criminology Wall of Fame as a distinguished alumna. Lugo is a research and policy associate at the North Carolina Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission.
Tara McCarty, Mass Communications ’12, has joined the metro team at The Washington Post as its first visual enterprise editor. She previously worked on the paper’s design team.
Jeff Odom, Mass Communications '16, has joined Indianapolis-based IndyCar as director of digital marketing. He previously oversaw digital and social media for Orlando City SC of Major League Soccer and Orlando Pride of the National Women’s Soccer League.
Lindsay Peterson, PhD ’16, received an Outstanding Alumni Award from the USF School of Aging Studies. Peterson is a research assistant professor and director of the Florida Policy Exchange Center on Aging in the USF School of Aging Studies.
Matthew Schneller, PharmD ’16, was selected as the Young Pharmacist of The Year by the Florida Pharmacy Association. He is a pharmacist at Walgreens Boost Alliance.
2020s
Dwayne Boyles, Integrated Public Relations and Advertising ’21, was selected by the Vegas Vipers in the XFL Rookie Draft. He is a former linebacker for the USF Bulls.
Jadejha Edwards, Criminology '21, competed on an episode of the TV show “Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge Best Builds.” She is a cybersecurity engineer.
Tayler Onion, PhD ’22, has joined Western Illinois University athletics as assistant athletic director for development. She was previously assistant director for student-athlete enhancement at the University of South Florida.
Alex Thiel, MA Criminal Justice Administration ’21, was inducted into the USF Department of Criminology Wall of Fame as a distinguished alumnus. Thiel is a sector commander for the Tampa Police Department, where he has served for more than 18 years.
Danielle Thomas, Criminology ’20 and MA Criminology ’22, was inducted into the USF Department of Criminology Wall of Fame as an outstanding ambassador, which honors professionals who represent the department in ways that promote and enhance its identity. Thomas is a lead research assistant for the Crime Etiology and Treatment Evaluation Lab at USF.
SUMMER 2023
1960s
Joyce Haines, Elementary Education ’68, MEd ’77 and PhD ’88, Life Member, received the 2023 Dean’s Lifetime Achievement Alumni Award from USF’s College of Education. She recently retired from teaching.
1970s
Anthony R. James, Engineering ’73, Life Member, received the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award from USF’s College of Engineering. The former executive vice president for Southern Company and president of Shared Services Group, he is the USF Foundation Board of Directors chair.
Barbara J. Lancor, Engineering ’79, Life Member, received the 2023 Dean’s Appreciation Award from USF’s College of Engineering. The former human resources manager for Proctor & Gamble, she volunteers as a tutor and runs a vineyard in Cincinnati.
Patricia Quigley, Nursing ’75, MS ’82 and MPH ’06, Life Member, received the USF College of Nursing’s Dean’s Legacy Award. She is a nurse consultant at Patricia A. Quigley, Nurse Consultant LLC.
Byron Shinn, Accounting ’79, Life Member, has joined the All Star Children’s Foundation board of directors in Sarasota. He is partner in charge at Carr, Riggs & Ingram CPAs and Advisors in Bradenton/Sarasota.
1980s
Janice Sands Ash, Engineering Science ’87 and MSCE ’89, Life Member, received the 2023 Dean’s Distinguished Service Award from USF’s College of Engineering. She is the president and owner of Land & Sea Group Inc.
Douglas Campoli, Finance ’88, has been appointed chief financial officer of Envirotech Vehicles Inc. He previously served as chief financial officer and treasurer of Arcimoto, an electric vehicle manufacturer.
Steve Doe, General Business Administration ’86, received JMX Brands’ Category Manager Award for the second consecutive year. Doe joined the online retailer in 2018 as a furniture specialist.
Wendi Goodson-Celerin, Nursing ’88, MS ’98 and DNP ’18, has been promoted to senior vice president and chief nursing officer at Tampa General Hospital in Tampa. She was previously a senior vice president and interim chief nursing officer at the hospital.
Brad Heath, Chemical Engineering ’85, Life Member, received the 2023 Entrepreneurial Excellence Award from USF’s College of Engineering. The founder and retired CEO of electronics manufacturer VIRTEX, he is vice chairman of the company’s board of directors.
Rick LaBrode, Electrical Engineering ’85, Life Member, received the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award from USF’s College of Engineering. He is a NASA flight director.
C. Richard Mancini, Political Science ’87, has been named a co-chair of the trusts and estate planning and litigation departments at Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., in South Florida. He has been a shareholder there since 2008.
Daniel P. Reininga, MBA ‘87, retired as president and CEO of Lake Shore Bancorp Inc. He joined the New York bank in 1994 as an outside director.
Joi Williams, Marketing ’88, has been named USF Men’s Basketball chief of staff. She was previously the assistant athletic director for Women’s Basketball at Mississippi State University.
1990s
Heather Agazzi, International Studies ’97, MA ’03, EdS and PhD ’07, and MS Medical Sciences ’11, Life Member, received a USF Women in Leadership & Philanthropy Dr. Kathleen Moore Faculty Excellence Award — the Valerie D. Riddle, MD, Award in Health. She is a professor of pediatrics and psychiatry at USF Health.
Joie Chitwood, MBA ’95, Life Member, was appointed executive director of the 2026 Presidents Cup Golf Tournament. A USF Foundation board member, he was previously vice president of corporate development for Arnold Palmer Enterprises. He is a 2014 USF Distinguished Alumnus.
Paul Edwards, Accounting ’98 and MAcc ’03, has joined Western Illinois University as vice president for finance and administration. He was previously chief business officer for the Richard Bland College of the College of William and Mary.
Laura A. Frost, Accounting ’90, has joined Sanibel Captiva Trust Company in Fort Myers, Florida, as director of operations. She was previously a CPA at Hughes, Snell & Co. CPAs.
Monica Ilse, Psychology ’95, MEd ’97 and EdD ’10, received the 2023 Spirit of Partnership Alumni Award from USF’s College of Education. She serves on the School Advisory Council and is an adjunct instructor in the Educational Leadership doctoral program at St. Leo University in St. Leo, Florida.
Penko Ivanov, Finance ’90, Accounting ’92 and MBA ’92, has been appointed chief financial officer, executive vice president, treasurer and chief accounting officer at Arrow Financial Corp. He previously served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Bankwell Financial Group Inc.
Leonard Webb, Criminology ’90, has been named to the Juvenile Services Education Program board in Maryland. He was previously the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education’s Next Generation Scholar Program coordinator for Allegany County, Maryland.
2000s
Jeremy Bowers, Political Science ’06, was named chief technology officer for Politico news outlet in Washington, D.C. He was previously the director of engineering for The Washington Post.
Thomas Chittenden, MBA ’03, has joined Honeywell as president of its Productivity Solutions and Services business. He was previously president of Roper Technologies Inc.
Jennifer Eager, Finance ’09, was appointed vice president of fund and corporate accounting at Noble Investment Group LLC. She was previously controller and interim chief financial officer for Stoneweg US LLC.
Steven Janssen, Accounting ’02 and MBA ’06, Life Member, was promoted to tax managing director at CBIZ Inc. in the Tampa Bay area. He was previously the company’s tax director.
Bret L. McCabe, Psychology ’00, Life Member, has joined Forchelli Deegan Terrana LLP in Uniondale, New York, as a construction partner. He previously served as general counsel of Fleet Financial Group Inc.
Kasandrea Sereno, Management ’05, MEd ’08 and MBA ’11, is the new dean of retention and engagement at Tulsa Community College in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the new chair of the Commission for Students with Experience in Foster Care at the National Academic Advising Association. She is the founder and executive director of #HigherEdSocial, a professional society for social media managers at higher education institutions.
Amit Sharan, Marketing ’03 and MBA ’05, has been promoted to senior vice president of marketing at data and analytics advertising company Tatari in San Francisco. He was previously vice president of marketing at the company.
Aysegul Timur, PhD ’07, was confirmed as the fifth president of Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Florida. She was previously the university’s vice president and vice provost of strategy and program innovation.
2010s
Devin Beeler, Accounting ’17, was promoted to audit manager at KPMG U.S. accounting firm. He previously served as a senior audit associate.
Brad Bernstein, Physical Education ’10 and MEd ’14, received the 2023 Young Educator Alumni Award from USF’s College of Education. He is the assistant principal for curriculum and magnet coordinator for the Institute for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics at Countryside High School in Clearwater, Florida.
Meryem Berrada, Computer Engineering ’13 and MSCS ’15, received the 2023 Outstanding Young Alumni Award from USF’s College of Engineering. She is the senior director of engineering for Nielsen.
Daniel Chapman, Finance ’18, has been promoted to vice president of global corporate and investment banking at Bank of America. He was previously an associate in that division.
Ashley Conyers, Communication ’14 and MBA ’21, was selected to participate in the Marshall-Motley Scholars Program by the Legal Defense Fund. Participants receive a full law school scholarship and professional development opportunities, and commit to devoting the first eight years of their careers to practicing civil rights law in the service of Black communities in the South.
Ellen Donald, PhD ’16, has been appointed to the board of directors of the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. She is the program director for the Golisano Intellectual and Developmental Disability Initiative at Florida Gulf Coast University.
Daniel Durrance, Mechanical Engineering ’15, has been promoted to senior project manager and mechanical engineer at Matern Professional Engineering in Tampa. He previously specialized in pharmaceutical manufacturing at the company.
Latoya Finlay, Marketing ’13, has joined Marriott International in Bethesda, Maryland, as senior manager of digital experiments. She was previously a senior optimization associate for Search Discovery in Atlanta.
Rich Grieder, Accounting ’10, has been promoted to senior vice president of brokerage at JLL, a commercial real estate services company. He was previously a brokerage vice president at the Charlotte, North Carolina, firm.
Janet Huffman, Accounting ’12, has joined Oragenics Inc. in Sarasota as chief financial officer. She previously served in that role at Trxade Health.
Kim Hill, MBA ’18, has joined ReliaQuest as head of corporate communications and chief of staff. She was previously vice president for USF University Communications and Marketing and USF’s chief marketing officer.
Ahad Khan, Accounting ’13, has joined Portage Point Partners as vice president of transaction advisory services. He previously worked at Deloitte as a merger and acquisitions transactions manager.
Peter Kivuva, Finance ’18, has joined Raymond James in South Florida as a senior manager in risk management. He was previously a Goldman Sachs associate.
Angela Martin, Management and Psychology ’10, was promoted to senior director of talent delivery at TEKsystems’ Orlando Delivery Center.
Duy (Dan) Nguyen, Management ’16, was promoted to consulting manager at Deloitte. He was previously a senior consultant at the global financial firm.
Klenton Perry, Finance and Economics ’15, has joined Scotiabank in New York City as an associate director for technology investment and banking. He was previously a vice president at Silicon Valley Bank.
Frances Rice, Marketing ’19, is the new shipboard human resources coordinator for Holland America Line. She was previously a sales and customer service manager in generalist departments for Macy’s department stores.
Bethany (Dawson) Rodriguez, Accounting ’16 and MAcc ’18, was promoted to risk mitigation and controls senior associate at PwC in Tampa. She was previously controller operations finance senior associate for the company.
Lexy Scarpiello, Marketing ’16, was promoted to senior manager in digital visual merchandising at Adidas. She was previously an e-commerce growth and experience optimization manager at the sportswear company.
Michael Schopler, Accounting ’14, has been promoted to financial advisor at the 24/7 Investment Group of Raymond James. He was previously a structured investments associate at the firm.
Robert J. Sousa, Accounting ’14, was promoted to vice president and director of asset and liability management at Middlesex Savings Bank in Marlborough, Massachusetts. He was previously the company’s asset liability officer.
Dustin Thomas, Education ’19, was honored as the April Hernando County School District (military) Veteran of the month. He is a mathematics teacher at D.S. Parrott Middle School in Brooksville, Florida.
Mike Woodruff, MBA '13, was promoted to senior vice president of product services and operations at iHeartMedia in New York City. He was previously director of product management and publishing for the company.
2020s
Jaelyn Brown, Nursing and Health Sciences ’20, was named Nurse of the Year for her division, Acute Care Medicine, at Tampa General Hospital in Tampa. She has worked at the hospital since 2020.
Jaycee Bucher, Management ’20, has been promoted to licensing compliance coordinator at Rush Street Interactive. She was previously a VIP account manager at the online gaming and entertainment company.
Lauren Cardella, Studio Art ’22, Life Member, has joined Walt Disney Live Entertainment as a visual effects designer. She was previously with Disney as a post-production intern.
Brian Clancy, MBA ’20, was promoted to director of engineering at Kimre Inc. in Tampa. He was previously a senior applications and process engineer at Kimre.
Annmarie Collins, General Business Studies ’21, has joined the Academy of the Holy Names private high school in Tampa as a technology specialist. She was previously the bartender manager at Muldowneys Pub in Providence, Rhode Island.
Meridith Doone, Accounting ’21, has joined machinery manufacturing firm ASTEC as a senior technical accountant. She was previously an audit associate for RSM US LLP.
Sonia Duraimurugan, Marketing ’20 and MBA ’22, has joined the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County as a community outreach coordinator. She is a former marketing data analyst for Skinny Mixes LLC.
Robert Darin Grimm, DBA ’21, has been named senior vice president of claims at Summit Consulting in Lakeland, Florida. He has worked at the firm since 2003.
Trey Jackson, Management ’20, has joined homebuilder D.R. Horton in Bradenton as an assistant superintendent. He was previously a foreman for Jackson Masonry in Ocala, Florida.
Zachery Netzel, Marketing ’21 and MBA ‘23, has joined the Toronto Blue Jays as the retail and operations coordinator. He was previously a sponsorship activation analyst for Fanatics Inc.
Blake Parry, Marketing ’20, MS Sport and Entertainment Management ’22 and MBA ’22, was promoted to associate manager for partnership strategy for the NFL’s Washington Commanders. He was previously a partnership strategy specialist for the team.
Carlos Perez, Marketing and Economics ’21 and MS ’22, has launched Perez Healthcare Solutions, providing health insurance advising. He was previously a marketing coordinator for Ashley Furniture Industries.
Allison VanderKolk Shuff, MBA ’20, has joined Eli Lilly and Co. in Indianapolis as a senior manager. She was previously the production manager at Niagara Bottling LLC.
Steve Tonello, Finance ’22, has joined E*trade from Morgan Stanley as a financial services representative.
Michael C. Wood, Finance ’21, was promoted to portfolio analyst with The Otto Group at Hightower Advisors LLC, in Sarasota. He was previously an investment operations analyst.
SPRING 2023
1970s
Pete Cardillo, American Studies ’79, celebrated 40 years as a trial lawyer. He’s the founder of Cardillo Law Firm in Tampa, which recently observed its 20th anniversary.
Mario Hernandez, Psychology '75, MA '78, and PhD '83, professor and former chair of the USF Department of Child and Family Studies, received the National Latino Behavioral Health Association Lifetime Achievement Award.
James B. Manning, English ’70, published his first comedy thriller, “Richter The Mighty” (Encircle Publications; 2022). A retired lawyer, Manning has a doctorate in English literature.
Edward Page, Criminology ’78, Life Member, was inducted into the Litigation Counsel of America. Page is a shareholder in the Tampa law firm of Carlton Fields, P.A. and practices criminal, aviation and civil litigation.
Ron Sanders, Management ’73, Life Member, was elected to the National Council of the American Society for Public Administration and named a senior fellow with George Washington University’s Center for Excellence in Public Leadership, which he helped found in 1996. The former director of the Florida Center for Cybersecurity, Sanders is president and CEO of Publica Virtú LLC consulting firm.
1980s
Gerald Buhr, Business Administration and Finance ’81, Life Member, was recognized with a proclamation declaring October 2022 Gerald T. Buhr month for his contributions to Zolfo Springs, Florida, where the town hall bears his name. He is the city attorney for Zolfo Springs, Avon Park, Bowling Green and San Antonio.
Judge Michelle Childs, Management ’88, became the first African-American judge recognized by The National Judicial College with an award for Making the World a More Just Place. She is a U.S. Court of Appeals judge for the District of Columbia Circuit.
Merlisa Lawrence Corbett, Mass Communications ’87, was named to the board of the American Society of Journalists and Authors. Lawrence Corbett is the author of "Serena Williams: Tennis Champion, Sports Legend and Cultural Heroine" (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers; 2020).
Judge Peter F. Estrada, History ’83, was honored for his support and contributions to the legal and Hispanic communities at the Florida Jurist: Recognizing Judicial Excellence. He serves in Florida’s 10th Judicial Circuit, covering Hardee, Highlands and Polk counties.
Eric Garwood, Mass Communications ’84, was named executive editor of the Community News Collaborative, a new, independent journalism collaborative covering Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties in Florida. Garwood was previously managing editor of the Observer Media Group in Sarasota.
W. Kent Ihrig, Political Science ’81, was recognized in the 2023 edition of “The Best Lawyers in America.” He is a partner at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP.
Claire Keneally, MA Library and Information Sciences ’80, published “Itch. Scratch. Repeat. A Memoir of Overcoming Eczema” (Amazon; 2022), which details her struggle with atopic dermatitis. Keneally is a former medical librarian.
Sheryl Loesch, Criminology ’82 and MPA ’87, Life Member, is president of the International Association for Court Administration. She has been clerk of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court at the Middle District of Florida since April 2017.
Tom O’Lenic, Biology ’87, Life Member, co-authored and published “Immaculate: How the Steelers Saved Pittsburgh” (Morgan James Publishing; 2022), a historical look at Pittsburgh and its professional football team. O’Lenic is a biotech executive.
Richard Weinberg, PhD Psychology '83, received USF's Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award in recognition of excellence, innovation and effectiveness in undergraduate instruction. He is a clinical associate professor in the USF Department of Child and Family Studies.
1990s
Lee Bercaw, Criminology '97 and MA '12, Life Member, was named interim chief of the Tampa Police Department. He has been with the department since 1997.
Sherri Berger, MSPH '96, received the Roger W. Jones Award for Executive Leadership, which recognizes senior-level federal public servants for superior leadership. She is chief of staff at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
David Compton, Civil Engineering ’96 and MCE ’06, was appointed to the Florida Building Commission. He is the president of Urbaneering Construction Corp. and senior vice president of JS Held, LLC. He is a former president and current member of the Florida Structural Engineers Association.
Gene Felber, Geography ’91 and PhD Public Health ’98, was named a 2023 USF College of Public Health Outstanding Alumnus. He is the senior director and U.S. lead for academic medical centers, integrated delivery networks, national oncology organization and U.S. medical affairs at Gilead Sciences Inc.
Brian Lamb, Accounting ’98 and MBA ’17, Life Member, received the 2023 Horatio Alger Award, which recognizes perseverance, integrity and a commitment to excellence. It is presented by the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans Inc. Lamb is the managing director and segment head for middle market banking and specialized industries for the Northeast U.S. at JPMorgan Chase and chair of the Florida State University System Board of Governors. A former chair of the USF Board of Trustees, he is a 2008 USF Outstanding Young Alumnus.
Brian Langille, Mechanical Engineering ’97, was appointed to the Florida Building Commission. He is the assistant director of Clearwater Gas System and chair of the Building Codes Committee of the Florida Natural Gas Association.
Andrew Mayts, Political Science ’93, Life Member, was recognized in the 2023 edition of “The Best Lawyers in America.” He is a partner at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP.
2000s
Jorge T. Aguinaldo, MS Environmental Engineering ’06, received the 2022 Inventor of the Year Award from Houston Intellectual Property Law Association for the Low Energy Ejector Desalination System. He is the chief technology officer for Bechtel Energy Inc.’s water business line.
Michelle Crozier, MPH Public Health ’08 and PhD ’17, was named a 2023 USF College of Public Health Outstanding Alumna. She is a lecturer and program director of the Health Care Informatics Graduate Program in the School of Global Health Management and Informatics at the University of Central Florida in Orlando.
Courtney Glass, MA Political Science ’08, was recognized by the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association with the National Award for Investigative Excellence after uncovering a plot involving murders at the U.S. Embassy in Kingston, Jamaica.
Dawn M. Hunter, Microbiology ’07 and MPH ’11, was named a 2023 USF College of Public Health Outstanding Alumna. She is the southeastern region director for the Network for Public Health Law, which provides legal technical assistance on public health issues designed to improve population health.
Crystel Lewis, English ’06, was promoted to Miami Dade College - North Campus’ Dean of Student Services. She was previously director of retention and transition services at the college.
Elizabeth Perkins, Psychology ’03 and PhD Aging Studies ’09, was awarded the George S. Jesien Distinguished Achievement Award from the Association of University Centers on Disabilities. She is an associate research professor in the USF Department of Child and Family Studies and the associate director of the Florida Center for Inclusive Communities.
José Valentino Ruiz, Music Studies '09 and PhD '16, won the 2022 Latin Grammy Award for Best Latin Children's Album, "A la Fiesta de la Música Vamos Todos," as producer, executive producer, recording engineer, multi-instrumentalist and album marketing director. He also won a Latin Grammy for Best Christian Album in Spanish Language, "Viviré," as recording engineer, saxophonist and background vocalist. He previously received two Latin Grammys. Ruiz is a 2021 USF Outstanding Young Alumnus.
Robyn (McLeod) Thrasher, Communication ’01, published “The Machete Mentality” (Independent; 2022), a self-help book. Thrasher is an author, coach and motivational speaker.
Nick Vargo, Political Science and Psychology ’09 and MA Adult Education ’11, has joined Ball Janik, LLP’s Sarasota office as an attorney specializing in construction defect litigation. He previously worked with Burg Simpson Eldredge Hersh & Jardine, P.C.
Frank Yiannas, MPH ’03, was named a 2023 USF College of Public Health Outstanding Alumnus. He is the immediate past deputy commissioner of food policy and response for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
2010s
Melissa Armstrong, Communication ’11, MPA ’16 and MS Marketing ’19, Life Member, has joined USF Advancement Communications and Marketing as an assistant director. She was previously assistant director of marketing and alumni engagement at the USF Alumni Association.
Linda Callejas, PhD Applied Anthropology '10, was elected as a member-at-large to the board of directors for the Global Alliance for Behavioral Health and Social Justice. She is an assistant research professor in the USF Department of Child and Family Studies.
Daniel Cardwell, English ’14 and MA Library and Information Sciences ’16, was the inaugural winner of the Judge Constance Baker Motley Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Young Member Competition, a national essay contest hosted by the Federal Bar Association. Cardwell is an adjunct English instructor at Hillsborough Community College and a recent law school graduate.
Courtney Carmichael, Psychology ’17 and MA ’19, was promoted to area director for Hillsborough County at ABA Solutions Inc. and named interim site director of Learning Independence for Tomorrow (LiFT Academy) in Seminole, Florida. She was previously a behavior analyst at ABA.
Darrell Clark, Sociology ’10, joined Ball State University as associate vice president for people and culture. He was previously an assistant vice president and chief human resources officer at Pasco-Hernando State College in New Port Richey, Florida.
Kate De Michieli, Professional and Technical Communication ’17, was promoted to director of public relations at One Eight Oh PR. She was previously a public relations and social media manager at the agency.
Ronnie Gajownik, Interdisciplinary Social Science '15, was named manager of the Hillsboro Hops, an affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. She is the second woman ever named manager of a minor league baseball team. A 2-year starter with USF Softball, she won a Pan American Games gold medal as a USA women's baseball team member in 2015.
Natalie D. Hernandez, PhD Public Health ’13, has been named an associate professor at Atlanta’s Morehouse School of Medicine, where she is also executive director of the Center for Maternal Health Equity. She was previously an assistant professor.
Giselle Irio, Biomedical Sciences ’16, was selected for the American Osteopathic Association’s Training in Policy Studies Program as a minority health and health disparities fellow. She was the first recipient of the USF Alumni Association’s Ron A. Sherman Endowed Scholarship.
Blair Kirkwood, Communication ’10, has joined The Ringling Museum in Sarasota as as senior development officer. She was previously director of development for Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida.
Stacey Marks, Psychology ’13, has joined Fawley Bryant Architecture in Sarasota as administrative and marketing coordinator. She is the co-owner of Fly Dance Fitness and previously served as a marketing director for On-Site Supply, both in Sarasota.
Isaac McKinney III, MBA ’14, was appointed to a four-year term on the USF St. Petersburg Campus Board. He is a global program manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLC.
Amanda (Craig-Smith) Neil, MS Nursing ’15, was named Leesburg (Florida) Area Chamber of Commerce 2022 Business Women of the Year. A nurse practitioner, Neil owns Ultimate Health Direct Primary Care LLC in Leesburg.
Le Nguyen, MA Mass Communications ’16, joined USF as a development officer on the annual giving team in Tampa. She was previously an account manager at Viralstyle in Tampa.
Kaitlyn (Johnston) Perez, Communication ’10, joined Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation in Sarasota as communications and learning officer. She was previously community affairs director and chief spokesperson for the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.
David D. Thompson, Political Science ’18, has been named St. Petersburg’s director of government affairs. He previously worked as the senior legislative assistant for U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown of Ohio.
2020s
Devin Masson, Accounting ’20 and MA ’21, was promoted to a senior in assurance services at Thomas Howell Ferguson P.A. CPAs. She previously served as assurance services staff.
WINTER 2022
1960S
David Pereda, English ’63, Mathematics ’63, published “The Wall” (Drake Valley Press, 2021). An adjunct instructor at A-B Tech Community College in Asheville, North Carolina, Pereda is an award-winning author of 12 novels.
1970s
Paul E. Johnson III, Geography ’70, Life Member, achieved the rank of Platinum Life Master in the American Contract Bridge League.
James “Jim” Lamb, Mass Communications ’77, published “Dark Fruit,” a book of poetry (Amazon, 2022). He is an independent publisher and a writer at My Classified Ads, LLC, in Tampa.
Richard Weinstein, Marketing ’79, was appointed to the College of the Florida Keys’ district board of trustees in Key West, Florida. He is the president and chief operating officer of the Ocean Reef Community Foundation.
Rick Williamson, Theatre and Dance ’77, Life Member, won Best Comedy at the Sensei Tokyo Film Festival for a TV pilot he wrote and directed, “Combat Nuns All or Nothing.” Williamson was also named Sensei Master of Cinema by the director of the festival.
1980s
Robert Anderson Jr., Marketing ’81, Life Member, placed among the top RE/MAX producers in Florida for the second quarter of 2022 for combined residential and commercial sales.
Joseph Borrelli, Jr., MD ’88, has joined West Coast Musculoskeletal Institute as an orthopedic surgeon in Brooksville, Florida. He also serves as a professor of orthopedic surgery at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine.
Robert Flippo, Electrical Engineering ’89, was appointed to Florida Atlantic University’s board of trustees in Boca Raton, Florida. He is chief executive officer of MobileHelp, a medical alert system.
Linda Hartley, Marketing ’89, was named to the 2022 “Florida Super Lawyers” list, recognizing the top lawyers in the state. She is an attorney at Hill Ward Henderson, a law firm in Tampa.
Dr. Todd Hazelton, Biology ’87 and MD ’93, was named chief of the department of radiology’s division of thoracic imaging at UNC Health in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He previously served as chair of the USF Department of Radiology.
Albert Kelley, Government ’87, was elected to the Monroe County Court Judge Group 1 in Key West, Florida. Kelley, an attorney, serves as a magistrate for the 16th Judicial Circuit of Florida in Monroe County.
Dr. Catherine O’Connor, Biology ’84 and MD ’88, Life Member, joined Southern Illinois Healthcare as Medical Director of Breast Services in Carbondale, Illinois.
Charles Samarkos, Accounting ’86, Life Member, was named to the 2022 “Florida Super Lawyers” list, recognizing the top lawyers in the state. He is a partner at Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP.
Amy Slifko-Hilbelink, MS Biology ’86 and PhD Education ’07, was promoted to campus president of South College in Pittsburgh, where she previously served as vice president of online operations.
Tobias Winright, Political Science ’87, joined St. Patrick’s Pontifical University in Maynooth, Ireland, as professor of moral theology. He previously was an associate professor at Saint Louis University.
1990s
David Baran, MD ’92, has joined Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital in Weston, Florida, as section head of advanced heart failure, transplant and mechanical circulatory support. He was previously system director for advanced heart failure and transplantation for Sentara Healthcare in Virginia.
Timothy Bobanic, Management Information Systems ’96, was appointed Brevard County Supervisor of Elections by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. He previously served as the director of information technology and election services for the Brevard County Supervisor of Elections.
John Rocco Cafaro, Government ’97, was named to the 2022 “Florida Super Lawyers” list, recognizing the top lawyers in the state. He is a shareholder and attorney at Hill Ward Henderson, a law firm in Tampa.
Barbara Case, Social Sciences ’97, was appointed to the Florida Office of the Judges of Compensation Claims. She serves as president of the Law Office of Barbara Kay Case, P.A., in North Palm Beach, Florida.
Ronald Christaldi, History ’93, was appointed to the board of directors for Leadership Florida, a community leadership nonprofit in Tallahassee, Florida. He serves as the managing partner, president and chief executive officer of Shumaker Advisors Florida, LLC, a public affairs firm in Tampa.
John Connery Jr., Accounting ’95, was named to the 2022 “Florida Super Lawyers” list, recognizing the top lawyers in the state. He is a practice chair at Hill Ward Henderson, a law firm in Tampa.
Sara DuCuennois, Mass Communications ’99, Life Member, has been promoted to vice president of alumni relations at Florida International University in Miami, where she previously served as assistant vice president.
Kyle McDowell, Mass Communications ’98, published “Begin with WE: 10 Principles for Building and Sustaining a Culture of Excellence” (Lioncrest Publishing, 2022). McDowell is an author, speaker and leadership coach based in Tampa.
David Roos, Government and International Affairs ’91, was elected to a second term on Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A.’s executive committee. Roos is chair of the firm’s Worker’s Compensation department based out of its Fort Myers, Florida, office.
Michael Wynn, Accounting ’97, has been appointed to Florida Gulf Coast University’s board of trustees. Wynn is the president of Sunshine Ace Hardware in Naples, Florida.
Kira Zwygart, MD ’98, Life Member, was listed as a 2022 Castle Connolly Top Doctor, which recognizes the top doctors in the country. Zwygart is a professor and associate dean at USF’s Morsani College of Medicine Department of Family Medicine.
2000s
Ryan Angel, Economics ’09, was named to the Super Lawyers’ 2022 “Florida Rising Stars” list, recognizing the state’s top lawyers under 40 with 10 years of practice or less. He is an attorney at Hill Ward Henderson, a law firm in Tampa.
Brandon Bellew, Government ’03, was named to Florida Trend’s 2022 “Florida Legal Elite” list, recognizing the state’s top licensed and practicing attorneys selected by their peers. He is a partner at Johnson, Pope, Bokor, Ruppel & Burns, LLP, a law firm in Tampa.
Christopher Brennan, Criminology ’09, has joined B2 Communications, a public relations agency in St. Petersburg, as operations director. He previously served as chief operating officer for NPC Creative Services.
Amy Harroun, Mass Communications ’05, joined USF Advancement Communications and Marketing as senior director of special projects. She previously served as communications and marketing director for the Judy Genshaft Honors College.
Owen LaFave, Finance ’01, Life Member, and his wife, Jessica Muroff, Mass Communications ’01 and MA English Education ’02, Life Member, competed in the endurance event 29,029 Everesting in Whistler, Canada. The goal of the event is to summit a single mountain within 36 hours as many times as it takes to equal the elevation of Mount Everest. LaFave and Muroff climbed Blackcomb Mountain eight times to accomplish the feat.
David Luikart, Government ’01, was named to the 2022 “Florida Super Lawyers” list, recognizing the top lawyers in the state. He serves as assistant general counsel at Hill Ward Henderson, a law firm in Tampa.
Stephen Maher, Political Science ’07, has been appointed executive director of Hackensack Meridian Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation and Hackensack Meridian Old Bridge Medical Center Foundation in New Jersey. He previously served as the assistant director of development at Hackensack Meridian Ocean University Medical Center Foundation.
Megan Latchford Morgan, Government and International Affairs ’08, Life Member, joined Benco Dental, in Pittston, Pennsylvania, as a learning development coordinator. She previously served as founder and president of Principal Ops.
Suzanne Rhodenbaugh, English ’66, published a book of poetry, “The Girl Who Quit at Leviticus,” (Homestead Lighthouse Press). She is a poet, essayist and critic in St. Louis, Missouri.