Alumni in the News - May 2008
Ag Alum Honored in Sacramento
California State University Chancellor Charles Reed honored Cal Poly alumnus George Gomes (B.S., Ag Business, 1966, M.S., Ag Education, 1971) for his efforts in promoting and advocating for the university. Gomes was the first in his family to attend college; he's currently serving as the undersecretary to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, an appointment he received from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in March 2007.
Cal Poly Marine Science Grad Voted
Engineering 'Educator of the Year'
The New Jersey Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers has named Thomas Wakeman (B.S., Marine Biology, 1970) as its 2008 "Educator of the Year." Wakeman is a Research Professor in the Civil, Environmental, and Ocean Engineering Department at the Stevens Institute in New Jersey. He is the Deputy Director of Stevens’ Center for Maritime Systems and is responsible the administration of the school’s graduate program in Maritime Systems. Recently he was also named the Executive Director of a new National Center of Excellence for Port Security, which was awarded last month to Stevens and its academic partners, Rutgers and University of Miami, by the Department of Homeland Security.
Read more about Stevens
Cal Poly Grad is Finalist
in Washington State University Search for Provost
Cheryl Baker Achterberg (B.S., Biological Science, 1975) is one of four finalists in Washington State University's search for a new provost. Achterberg is scheduled to visit the campus and meet with faculty, students and staff May 14. She is currently dean of the College of Human Sciences at Iowa State University. In addition to her Cal Poly degree, Atcherberg earned a master's degree in human development from the University of Maine at Orono and a doctoral degree in nutrition from Cornell.
Courtesy photo
Read more in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Cal Poly Alum is Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year
Luke Laurie (B.S., Liberal Studies, 1996, Credential 1997) has been named as Santa Barbara County's Teacher of the Year. Laurie is a science teacher at El Camino Junior High School in Santa Maria. Laurie was chosen partly for his community involvement, which ranges from efforts that directly affected his students to broader efforts to help underserved communities. Laurie came to El Camino high school 10 years ago, and has taught robotics, physical science and science for English Language Learners.
Read the Santa Maria Times story | See the KSBY story
Graphic Design Alum Recognized by University of Alaska
The University of Alaska Southeast has presented Aaron Elmore (B.S., Applied Art and Design) with its 2008 Meritorious Service Award for creating Juneau's Theatre in the Rough 18 years ago with co-founder Katie Jensen, and expanding it into a "community treasure." Since 1991, "TR" has produced several classical works and a nearly a dozen Shakespeare plays. Elmore started acting and singing on stage in college, in the men's choir and then cast in the title role in Hamlet. Theatre in the Rough was born 18 years ago after Aaron Elmore and Katie Jensen met in Juneau and fell in love at first sight.
Read the whole story in the Juneau Empire
Profiles
Alumna At Home with a Blowtorch, to Boys' Amazement
Being asked to step into the classroom at the midyear point is not an assignment even the most experienced of educators would relish. For a novice teacher such as Heather Nursement (B.S., 2005, Ag Business, M.S., Ag Science, 2008), it can be even more daunting. But that's just the challenge Nursement accepted when she took over Salinas High's agriculture classes in January. "I took welding at Cal Poly and taught it during my student teaching in Santa Maria, but the boys were a bit skeptical at first. I had to prove that I knew what I was doing," she said with a laugh.
Read the whole story in the Salinas Californian
Architecture Alum Bringing Golf Around the Globe
Brian Curley (B.S., City and Regional Planning, 1982) is now designing golf courses around the world as half of dynamic Scottsdale design duo Schmidt-Curley Golf Design. Curley and partner Lee Schmidt know their way around a golf course, having designed or collaborated on nearly 100 of them around the world. That includes links from French Lick, Ind., to the Siam Country Club in Pattaya, Thailand. They've traveled to China, Japan, Southeast Asia, Egypt, Mexico and across United States, building and rebuilding golf courses
Photo courtesy Schmidt-Curley
Read the story in the Arizona Republic
Alum Creating Monterey Wines
Winemaker Jason Goelz (B.S., Bus Administration, 1999) has teamed with grape grower Stephen Dorcich to create a new winery and tasting room in Monterey County. Pairing their first names, they plan to open the Jason/Stephens tasting room in June.
Read the story in the Gilroy Dispatch
Alum's Central Coast Wines Gaining Critical Notice
Craig Stoller (B.S., 1991, Ornamental Horticulture) grew up surrounded by wine. Stoller’s father has a nursery business in the Central Valley where he propagates grapevine cuttings and developing rootstocks. Stoller and partner Kevin Riley are working together growing grapes that no one else in the nation yet has access to, and making wines that are already being recognized by prominent reviewer Robert Parker and his independent consumer guide to wines.
Read more about the partners wine in the SLO Tribune
Alum's SLO architectural firm marks its first decade
Garcia Architecture & Design recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. The San Luis Obispo architectural design firm was founded in 1998 by Cal Poly graduate George Garcia (B.AR., 1989) of San Luis Obispo.
Read the SLO Tribune story
Engineering Alum is SoCal Neighborhood's Solar Pioneer
Al Shadbourne (B.S., Mechanical Engineering, 1960) is precisely the kind of man you'd want as a neighbor, according to the Daily Breeze. The 71-year-old retired engineer may be exactly the kind of neighbor this entire planet needs with his Prius, his solar water heater, solar roof panels, solar-powered attic fans and the often backward-running electric meter mounted on the Torrance home he and his wife have shared for more than three decades.
Read the profile in the Daily Breeze
Glines Named Citizen of the Year for Philanthropy Efforts
Jim Glines (B.S., Farm Management, 1965), a Santa Maria Valley banker who uses his fundraising prowess to help numerous nonprofit groups get the money needed to complete projects, was named Santa Maria Elks Lodge Citizen of the Year in Santa Maria.
Read the Santa Maria Times story
CENG Alumnus Named AIAA Fellow
College of Engineering Alumnus Ron Smith (B.S., Electrical Engineering, 1983) has been named an honorary fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Smith is the corporate vice president for competitive excellence at Northrup Grumman. He was previously vice president of Northrup Grumman's Space Technology sector Six Sigma group. He was named the Black Engineer of the Year in 2006.
More on Smith
Promotions
Engineering Alum Named President
of Operations at Enerplus Resources
Dana Johnson (B.S., Metallurgical Engineering, '82) has been named as the President of U.S. Operations at Enerplus Resources Fund. In addition to his Cal Poly degree, Johnson earned an MBA from the University of Houston in 1992. He will be working from the company's office in Denver.
Read the story online
Political Science Grad Now VP of the Magic Kingdom - Disneyland
Disneyland has named Lisa Haines (B.A., Political Science, 1989) as its new vice president of Communications. Haines will be taking on the role for The Disneyland Resort. Media relations, cast member and guest communications will come under her watch. Before joining The Walt Disney Company in 2004, Haines served as vice president of corporate communications for Health Net.
Read about Haines on the Disney blog
Keith Matasci Joins Wireless Provider Meru Networks as Vice President
Keith Matasci (B.S., Engineering Technology) has been named vice president of operations at Meru Networks. Reporting to Meru CEO Ihab Abu-Hakima, he is responsible for the company's supply chain, order fulfillment, planning, forecasting and facilities. Matasci comes to Meru with more than 18 years of experience in global supply chain operations, customer service, information technology and facilities management. He was previously vice president of operations at Terayon Communications.
Read the Business Wire story
Ag Alum Named to Head Madera Irrigation District
Lance Johnson (B.S., Ag Engineering, 1979) has been named as the new, permanent general manager. Johnson grew up with agriculture and is a third generation Valley farmer. His family has been farming figs in Fresno County since 1928.
Read the story in the Madera Tribune
Arch Alumnus Receives Honor at Kansas State U
Robert Condia (B.A.R, 1980) is among four Kansas State University faculty members receiving the 2008 Commerce Bank Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award. In addition to his Cal Poly degree, Condia earned his master's degree in architecture and building design from Columbia University. He joined K-State in 1989, and received the McElwee Teaching Award in 1996.
Read the story online
Two Alumna Inducted into Cambridge 'Who's Who' Professional Registry
Theresa M. Smith (B.S. Physical Education, 1989), Director of Athletics for The Harker School in San Jose, has been recognized by the Cambridge "Who's Who" professional directory. Also inducted into the directory was alumna Jennifer Rose Harris (B.S., Industrial Engineering, 2003, M.S., Engineering, 2003). Rose is an Industrial Engineering Manager with UPS. She received the New Faces in Engineering award in 2008 and the Outstanding Engineer award from the Council of Engineers and Scientists in Los Angeles.
Read the story on Smith | Read the story on Harris
Biology Alumna Now
Director of Medical Office Sales
in Indiana
Lynn Huss Lannquist (B.S., Biological Sciences, 1984) has joined NAI Olympia Partners as a director of office and medical office sales and leasing. Lannquist has more than 16 years of senior level sales and management experience in the healthcare industry.
NAI Courtesy photo
Read about Lannquist online
Psomas Names Alum Among Four New Principals
Psomas recently appointed Tim Hayes (B.S., Civil Engineering, 1993) as one of four new principals of the firm. Hayes is currently living in Carmichael.
Read the story on GI User
Veterinarian Returns to Central Coast to Open Practice
Longtime veterinarian Maggie Wagner (B.S., Biochemistry, 1984) has opened the Nipomo Dog & Cat Hospital. Wagner graduated from Cal Poly and the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Her first job was at a mixed animal practice in Morgan Hill.
Read the Adobe Press story
Alumna is New Events Manager in Morgan Hill
Danielle Boulger (B.A., Speech Communication, 2004) is the new special event administrator for the Morgan Hill Downtown Association.
Born and raised in Morgan Hill, Boulger, 26, said she has a special affinity for the downtown area. "My parents owned a restaurant downtown years ago, so I'm familiar with the dynamics of the area," she said. "You could say I have a vested interest in the downtown. I think it's a special place, and I want to make a difference downtown."
Read more in the Morgan Hill Times
Passings
Roger Rodoni, Longtime Humboldt County Supervisor
Alumnus Roger Rodoni served three terms as a Humboldt County Supervisor, and was campaigning for a fourth. He was a powerful voice on the Board of Supervisors for individual rights and for the principles our country was founded upon. He was a member of Fortuna Sunrise Rotary, Humboldt-Del Norte Cattlemen's Association, California Cattlemen's Association, The Buckeye Conservancy, Farm Bureau, Grange, Fortuna Chamber of Commerce and Native Sons of the Golden West.
Read the obituary in the Humboldt Beacon
Read the story in the Eureka Times-Standard
Clinton John Giacomini
Clinton John Giacomini (B.S., Agricultural Engineering, 1974), 57, died unexpectedly on April 24, at his home in Elk River. Giacomini was a lifelong resident of Eureka and a graduate of Eureka High School, in the class of 1969. He owned and operated a hay and livestock transportation business, serving livestock, dairy, and rodeo industries in Northern California for the past 35 years.
Read the obituary in the Eureka Reporter
Lawrence John Wolf
Lawrence John Wolf (M.A., English, 1973) died peacefully Monday, April 21. Wolf grew up in San Francisco having attended St. Cecilia's grade school and Lowell High School.
After he served in the U.S. Marine Corps in World War II, he studied at the University of Southern California (USC) and was a member of Chi Phi fraternity. He met his wife, Nancy Taylor, while attending USC and they were married January 10, 1953. Larry obtained his LLB from La Salle University and master's degree in English from Cal Poly.
Read the obituary in the SLO Tribune