Y 2 0 0 9 AR JANU

a publication by & for usf alumni association members

Bulls in Government The BIG List Quiet on the Set Style & Substance State Sen. Victor Crist, `88, never imagined his Former cheerleader Gail Carroll-Coe, `74, is a Brian Lamb, `98, former Bulls basketball captain, work as a neighborhood activist would lead to a successful Hollywood sound engineer with a long talks about balancing his banking career, charita- legislative career. He’s one of many of your former list of blockbusters to her credit, including Clint ble endeavors and being named as one of Tampa classmates who are now public servants, or as we Eastwood’s recent release, “Gran Torino.” PG 16 Bay Illustrated’s “Perfect 10” men. PG 10 like to call them, “Bulls in Government.” PG 18 What happens when Knights, Bulls and Gators meet o f f the football field? RESEARCH Competitors on the Field – Industry Partners in the Laboratory Working Together to Discover Innovative Technologies

These successful alumni found research partners:

Antoine Khoury, UCF, ’88 Advanced Power Electronics Corp. (APECOR) provides leading research and development services in power electronics for renewable energy, electric vehicles, space power management and other applications.

Jim Donovan, USF, ’76 TempTroll Inc. developed a self-heating washcloth that has been used by hospital patients, American troops in Iraq and hurricane victims here at home.

Neil Euliano, UF, ’86 Convergent Engineering created an “electronic pill” that communicates with an external monitor when the pill is consumed.

More than 300 companies from across Florida’s High Tech Corridor have used Florida High Tech Corridor Council matching grants research dollars to partner with university faculty and graduate students on applied research to develop or enhance their company’s products since 1996.

Find your partner at FloridaHighTech.com/research. JANUARY 2009 JANUARY

CONTENTS

FEATURES 6 16 10 Q&A with Brian Lamb Former Bulls Basketball captain Brian Lamb, `98, credits his time at USF, both on the court and in the classroom, with teaching him the leadership skills that have helped him build a successful career and life.

16 Quiet on the Set! Former USF cheerleader Gail Carroll-Coe, `74 and her husband Bill Coe, rub shoulders with Hollywood’s biggest stars as they handle the sound equipment and camera work for some of the industry’s biggest films. 18 26 18 Bulls in Government During his 16 years in the Florida legislature, Sen. Victor Crist has helped “Suitcase City” evolve into an international model of civic revitalization. He, along with many other USF alumni, have dedicated their professional lives to public service – from the federal level, such as U.S. Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart, to the state level, such as Secretary of State Kurt Browning, to the local level, such as Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, as well as many other unsung heroes in the 5 10 24 halls of government.

26 The Little Office that Did Tom Kennedy, `73, and his wife Trish, built BackOffice Associates from its humble beginnings above a health food store into an international data management firm with more than $100 million in annual sales.

DEPARTMENTS

2 President’s Message 25 That was Then; 3 USF Spotlight This is Now 5 News Roundup 28 Employ-A-Bull 6 Where’s Rocky? 29 Member Benefit 10 Q&A 30 Class Notes 12 Chapters & Societies 36 Athletics 24 Blast from the Past 37 Calendar

JANUARY 2009 | ALUMNIVOICE 1 Alumni Voice USF Alumni Association Gibbons Alumni Center University of South Florida 4202 East Fowler Avenue, ALC100 president’s message Tampa, Florida 33620 [email protected] USFalumni.org

Alumni Voice Editorial: Karla Jackson, [email protected] or Rita Kroeber, [email protected] Happy New Year! Advertising: Jim Gundry, [email protected] or 813-286-8299; Rita Kroeber, rkroeber@admin. As we enter 2009, I’d like to remind you of the usf.edu or 813-974-6312 significant role your involvement has on USF. We, the Design: Marilyn Stephens, University members of the USF Alumni Association, are the only Communications & Marketing PERMANENT representatives of the University. Students, Contributing Writers in this Issue: faculty, staff and administrators come and go, but we Jeremy Canody Mia Faucher hold the everlasting legacy of our alma mater. Arleen Spenceley Mary Patrick Walker We are more than 221,000 strong and the only grassroots organization that can impart lasting improvements and beneficial change to Alumni Association Contact Information USF. It’s our obligation to advocate on behalf of the University’s best interests, Executive Director: John Harper, `76 and respond to the challenges facing our alma mater. As your University Membership: 813-974-2100 or 800-299-BULL continues to grow in stature and depth, the Alumni Association will consult Alumni & Student Programs: 813-974-2100 with you in important circumstances where we will need your voice and General Alumni e-mail: [email protected] support. Please know that your involvement – whatever form it takes – is Giving/Scholarships: Ron Sherman, rsher- [email protected] crucial to USF’s future. USF Bulls License Plate: www.BullsPlate.org Alumni Association website: USFalumni.org Speaking of advocacy, in this issue we’ve featured some of our “Bulls in Government.” We are proud of and indebted to these legislators, officials and Letters to the editor are encouraged. Please staffers who are so dedicated to serving the public. State Sen. Victor Crist, write to Karla Jackson at kjackson@admin. in particular, has been a tremendous supporter of both the University and usf.edu or mail to the address at the top of the Alumni Association. You may be surprised at how well the University is the page. Views expressed in Alumni Voice do represented in the halls of government. not necessarily reflect the opinions of the USF Alumni Association, the University of South Florida or the editorial staff. Also in this issue is a Q&A with Brian Lamb, the 2008 Young Alumnus Award winner. His list of accomplishments, charitable contributions and service to ALUMNI VOICE USF is eclipsed only by his personal integrity and sense of style. (USPS Alumni Voice) Number 7 You told us in a recent readership survey that the magazine’s “Where’s Alumni Voice is published quarterly in Janu- Rocky?” feature is one of your favorites – check him out in this issue as he ary, April, July, and October as a benefit of visits Israel, Paris, Madrid, Vancouver and other spots around the world. membership in the University of South Florida Alumni Association, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., As always, we look forward to your feedback as we work to create an alumni ALC100, Tampa, FL 33620-5455. Application to mail at periodicals postage prices is pending magazine that reflects your interests and issues. Thanks for your support and at Tampa, FL. POSTMASTER: Send address GO BULLS! changes to: University of South Florida Alumni Association, Communications Department, In Bull Pride, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., ALC100, Tampa, FL 33620-5455.

New Address? Moving? Michele Norris, `79 Update your official USF alumni record at President, USF Alumni Association myUSFbio.org or email your information to [email protected]. You also may remove the magazine label and send it with your cor- rect address to Alumni Voice, USF Alumni As- sociation, 4202 E. Fowler Ave. ALC100, Tampa, FL 33620. © 2009 All rights reserved.

2 ALUMNIVOICE | JANUARY 2009 University of South Florida Alumni Association Board of Directors

— PRESIDENT — USF Michele Norris, `79 Marketing — PRESIDENT-ELECT — spotlight Roger Frazee, CFP, CLU, ChFC, CPA, `71 Finance & Accounting — SECRETARY — Patrick Poff, Esq., `92 English

Long Range Planning Committee — Co-TREASURERS — Marie Edmonson, CPA, CFE, `88 Accounting, M.A. `90 Accountancy The Long Range Planning Committee sets the strategic direction for the Brad Kelly, CPA, `79 Accounting future of the USF Alumni Association. The purpose of the LRPC is: — IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT — • To determine the overall direction of the Alumni Association over the Jeff Spalding, `87 Computer Science & Engineering next three to five years. — Board Members — Brandon Aldridge, `88 Communication • To develop a written plan that outlines the goals, objectives and Janice Sands Ash, P.E.,`87 Engineering Science, `89 M.S. Civil priorities for the organization and can be endorsed by the University Engineering and the Alumni Association Board of Directors. Gene Balter, P.E.`77 Engineering Angie Brewer, `82 Management, M.S. `84 Management • To identify current programs and services the Association should Shaye Benfield, `97 Marketing continue and consider new programs or services the Association may Bill Eickhoff, `69 Business & MBA `73 choose to adopt in the future. James Gossett, `98 Business Gene Haines, `97 Criminology • To assist in appropriate resource allocation (budget and staff time) to Lizz Harmon, `82 Mass Communications/Advertising support the direction of the long range plan. Charley Harris, Esq., `87 Business Richard Heruska, `99 Business The six elements that make up the USFAA’s Long Range Plan are: Mem- Anila Jain, M.D., MBA `81 Biology bership, Communication, Involvement, Leadership Development, Brand Mike LaPan, CFE `81 Management Recognition and Students and Young Alumni. Members of the 2008-`09 Mark Levine, Esq.,`74 Psychology committee are: Jim Gossett, `98; Brad Kelly, `79; Michele Norris, `79; Jeff Victor Lucas, `85 Management Spalding, `87; and John Harper, `76. Diana Michel, `88 Business Jim Ragsdale, `81 Management Carla Saavedra, `87 English Jim Weber, `77 Finance & MBA `82 Derek Williams, CFP `00 Finance (Photo above) The 2008-09 USF Alumni Association Board of Christi Womack-Villalobos, `92 English Directors show off their Bull Pride. Pictured are, front row: Christi — NON-VOTING MEMBERS OF THE BOARD — Womack-Villalobos, Diana Michel, Dr. Anila Jain, Marie Judy Genshaft, University of South Florida President Edmonson and Angie Brewer. Middle row: Brad Kelly, Thomas John Harper, `76 Mass Comm., Alumni Association Executive Director King, Gene Haines, Gene Balter, James Gossett, Shaye Benfield, Thomas King, Student Government Vice President Lizz Harmon, Jan Ash, Pat Poff, Carla Saavedra, Michele Norris Leslie “Les” Muma, `66 Mathematics, USF Foundation Board of and Mike LaPan. Back row: Jeff Spalding, Blake Singletary, Trustees Chairman Derek Williams, Roger Frazee, Jim Weber and Rich Heruska. Elizabeth Pitts, USF Ambassadors President Photo by Rebecca Boudreaux. Joel D. Momberg, University Advancement Vice President

JANUARY 2009 | ALUMNIVOICE 3 Who’s reading Billie is: Alumni Voice? Female: 58 percent Male: 42 percent Meet “Billie Bull,” USF’s typical over 40 years old. alumnus.*

working as an executive or professional.

living in Florida, with 60 percent in the six-county Tampa Bay area.

a college graduate who holds at least one degree.

married, with a one-in-three chance of living with a child in the home.

earning an annual household income of more than $75,000, with 43 percent earning more than $100,000.

a homeowner, living in a home valued between $200,000-$700,000.

spending his/her free time watching and attending sporting events, plays, movies and concerts and listening to music.

getting away from it all by taking an airline to a leisure destination and staying in a hotel.

planning to spend money on home improvements, computers/laptops and furniture in the next 12 months.

investing in retirement funds, non-retirement funds and stock in the next 12 months.

*Source: 2008 Alumni Voice Readership Survey To learn more about Alumni Voice and its readership, visit USFalumni.org/AlumniVoice. 4 ALUMNIVOICEJune-July | JANUARY 2008 2009 newsroundup Now accounting professors and department heads and chairs who were asked Accepting to name Ph.D programs they had the most regard for in turning out quality Alumni accounting professors, said Stephanie Bryant, director of the School of Award Accountancy at USF’s College of Business. Nominations Spray-on Solar Cells Do you know an alumnus or friend of USF who deserves to be recognized? A team of USF researchers have developed solar cells that are so small that The USF Alumni Association is accepting nominations for the 2009 Alumni they can be sprayed or painted on a flexible backing where they can convert Awards. Since 1976, the Association has recognized outstanding USF alumni solar energy into electrical power. Physics professors Xiaomei Jiang and Jian and community leaders who have made significant contributions to the Zhang, and graduate student Jason Lewis, specialists in organic electronic University and the community. The four awards are presented annually during materials, solar cells and carbon nanotubes, devised cells made of an organic an awards program held in the fall. The four categories are: polymer that has the same electrical properties as silicon, the material of Distinguished Alumnus Award – Recognizes a USF graduate who has which computer chips are fabricated. “These materials have a lot more reached the pinnacle of success in his/her career. potential than traditional silicon,” explained Jiang. “They could be sprayed on Class of `56 Award – Recognizes a non-USF graduate who has provided any surface that is exposed to sunlight, such as a uniform, a car or a house.” outstanding service to the University of South Florida and the community. Their breakthrough was published in the inaugural issue of the Journal of Donald A. Gifford Alumni Service Award – Recognizes a USF graduate Renewable and Sustainable Energy, published by the American Institute of who has provided countless hours of service to the University. Physics. Outstanding Young Alumnus Award – Recognizes a USF graduate, age 35 or younger, for his/her outstanding professional achievements and engagement to USF. Selvie Makes History The 2008 winners pictured above are, from left: Distinguished Alumnus for Bulls Award winner Dr. Patrick Benz, B.A. `68 and Ph.D `76; Donald A. Gifford Defensive end George Selvie was named a First Alumni Service Award winner Steve Oscher, `77; Class of `56 Award winner Team All-American by the American Football Coaches Joe Teague and Outstanding Young Alumnus Award winner Brian Lamb, Association, becoming the first repeat All-American in `98. The nomination deadline is Jan. 31. For a nomination form, visit www. USF history. It comes one season after being the first USFalumni.org > Alumni Awards. consensus All-American in program history and joining teammate and current Dallas Cowboy Mike Jenkins as the first, first-team President Named to All-America honorees in program history. “What an honor,” said Selvie. “This one has special meaning because it is the coaches that vote on the award. Hall of Fame To gain their recognition for a second consecutive season is more than I USF President Judy Genshaft was named to the Tampa ever envisioned.” The Pensacola native overcame a nagging ankle injury and Bay Business Hall of Fame. She joins three other Tampa constant double and triple teaming to collect 11 tackles for losses and five area business leaders in receiving this year’s honor and sacks last season. Selvie and Cincinnati punter Kevin Huber were the lone will be inducted at the annual Tampa Bay Business Hall BIG EAST representatives on the AFCA team. of Fame event on Feb. 20. Members of the Tampa Bay Business Hall of Fame are selected based on a number of criteria including business successes, community contributions and a reputation for solid New V.P. of Advancement Joel D. Momberg will direct the University’s fund business ethics and principles. raising as USF’s Vice President of Advancement and Chief Executive Officer of the USF Foundation. Momberg New College Named recently directed a successful campaign to help build a The new College of Behavioral and Community Sciences was created in July new $400-million hospital at All Children’s Hospital in as part of a structural realignment of the University’s academic units. The new St. Petersburg. He will begin at USF on Feb. 2. During college enrolls nearly 2,200 students and includes the Departments of Aging his 30-year tenure at ACH, Momberg worked closely with USF to raise a and Mental Health, Child and Family Studies, Communication Sciences and $36-million endowment for pediatric research, which built and supports Disorders, Criminology, Mental Health Law and Policy, and Rehabilitation and research in the USF-ACH Children’s Research Institute. The group of gifts from Mental Health Counseling as well as the School of Aging Studies and School All Children’s remains USF’s largest institutional endowment. of Social Work. In addition, the college includes the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, a research, knowledge dissemination, and policy institute with a special focus on mental health and substance abuse. Thanks for a Great Homecoming Accounting Doctorate Lauded Special thanks to the Homecoming 2008 sponsors: Florida Lottery, USF’s Accounting program landed its first ranking in Public Accounting Pepin Distributors (Budweiser), Ed Report’s annual assessment of the nation’s top accounting education Morse Cadillac and Lifestyle Family programs. Making its debut at number 25, USF’s doctoral program was one Fitness, Regions Bank and to all the of five doctoral programs to make the leap from unranked to ranked in the alumni, parents, friends, families, students, faculty and staff who attended roster published by the independent newsletter of the accounting profession. the USF Alumni Association Parade Watch Party and Bulls Roast Tailgate. Public Accounting Report compiled its rankings by surveying more than 1,500 We’ll see you next year!

JANUARY 2009 | ALUMNIVOICE 5 rockywhere’s ?

In this issue, a better question might be: Where hasn’t Rocky been lately!

Take Rocky with you on your next trip. Send photos to: Karla Jackson USF Alumni Association Univversity of South Florida 4202 East Fowler Ave., ALC100 Tampa, FL 33620

Jeffrey Neil Fox, `75, takes Rocky for a camel ride while in Israel. Photo by Mike Charles. Israel

6 ALUMNIVOICE | JANUARY 2009 alaska Future Bull Alec Otano, 10, showed Rocky the sights in Juneau, Alaska.

italy Diana Weinel, `77, Cindy Harper, `74, and Rocky check out a bust of conductor Arturo Toscanini in the canada museum at Teatro alla Scala, the famed La Scala Rocky visits the Hotel Frontenac in Quebec City with USF opera house, in Milan, Italy. Alumni Association board members: President-Elect Roger Frazee, `71 and Past President Dr. Anila Jain, `81. Israel

JANUARY 2009 | ALUMNIVOICE 7 spain FRANCE USF Ambassador Sabsina Karimi, `09, left, and Beef Babe Ashleigh Johnson, `09, took Rocky to a bull fight while on vacation in Madrid. Sabsina said she hid him away so he wouldn’t fear for his life during the event. She also took Rocky to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower, which he much preferred to the bull fight.

russia Rocky toured the Red Square in Moscow with Suzanne Parks, `07, dur- ing the USF Alumni Association’s tour of Russia. singapoThe Merlion spit water in Rocky’s ear (at right) during his trip to re Singapore with Jackie Rice Nelson, `91, graduate student Pavla Ozkul and Lorie Plyler Briggs, `88.

8 ALUMNIVOICE | JANUARY 2009 Rocky checks out the view from the Capilano Suspension Bridge in Vancouver, B.C. while on vacation with Mark Hafen, `92 & Ph.D `01.

spain FRANCE

singapo re

JANUARY 2009 | ALUMNIVOICE 9 vancouver, b.c. vancouver, with Brian Lamb spends a lot of his time in his office on the first floor of a 20-story building in downtown Tampa. But the 32-year-old USF alumnus, vice president and Brian Lamb business banking executive for Fifth Third Bank, still spends a lot of his time on USF’s Tampa campus, `98 where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in By Arleen Spenceley Accounting, played Bulls basketball and pulled grades Class of 2007 that could only push him toward success. Now, Lamb is an alumni volunteer, a mentor for students in the College of Business and a guest speaker for student athletes. He is a former USF Alumni Association board member and a current USF Foundation Board of Directors member. Lamb was listed among Tampa Bay Business Journal’s “30 Under 30” in 2005, and named the Journal’s 2006 Young Minority Businessperson of the Year. He also has been called one of Tampa Bay Illustrated’s Perfect 10 Most Fashionable and Charitable Men, and the USF Alumni Association named him the 2008 Outstanding Young Alumnus Award Winner.

Q: Facing the real world for the first time after college can be overwhelming, but it didn’t take you long to excel. How did you do it?

A: You know, I think the biggest thing that allowed me to transition was having good mentors to help accelerate my learning curve. The second thing was confidence in my abilities to feel comfortable taking a little risk. Third, I had an education from one of the best schools in the country. I think after graduating from USF, you are prepared to compete with t ed anyone from anywhere in the t e s y o f country. And I am a living witness of that.

Ph o t cour Q: You were captain of the USF

Tampa Bay Illus t ra Bay Tampa Bulls Basketball team from `96-`98.

10 ALUMNIVOICE | JANUARY 2009 Did being team captain prepare you to be a senior vice by it, but I truly do value it. If you do the right things and president? you do right by people, you’ll have a good name. What sometimes is part of that is you get recognized. I’ve been A: Short answer is yes. I think playing a leadership role in fortunate to have been recognized, and it energizes me to sports has a lot of similarities to playing a leadership role in do more. The USF Award probably meant the most to me a team environment at work, and specifically, making sure because USF is truly a big part of my life, and it is the only that everyone’s accountable for their own responsibilities reason I live in Tampa Bay. and performance. A big part of sports is being disciplined, getting to practice on time. You have to do a lot of that Q: There’s no ignoring today’s economic rough patch. The in your work life, too. The work ethic has really paid value of having college degrees is probably more evident dividends in my professional career as well. than ever. In light of that, are you glad that you studied what you did when you did? Q: How are you staying connected to your alma mater? A: I think I’m very fortunate to have an Accounting A: I volunteer in terms of helping the University degree and to have had 10 years of really robust experience leadership team make decisions about the future of our in challenging environments. Banking and finance is going University. For the last seven years, I’ve been a mentor to through a very difficult cycle. USF and my mentors and College of Business students during the school year. I’m a my experience have prepared me to help us get through donor at our College of Business and I personally sponsor this cycle. I think this is a great city to build a career, to scholarships. Speaking to student athletes, I’ve done that really spend your life and raise your family and build your year after year, about life after sports. own business. I think we’ve got a tremendous 5 amount of opportunity in this city, even though Q: In 2003, you founded the Eugene Lamb Q uestions: there are rough times. Everyone I’ve worked Jr. Foundation in honor of your father. The What’s the last book you for in Tampa Bay has been a USF grad. foundation is for raising money to enhance read? Midway, Fla. – your hometown – and to The Peebles Principles, by Q: You work and you serve the University and restore a recreation facility named after your R. Donahue Peebles the community. What else are you big into? father. Why is the center important to you and your father? What’s the last movie A: I really just enjoy being around family. I you saw? love having fun and cooking out and taking “Dark Knight” It was a small building, a city-owned trips, entertaining, being around good people, A: recreation center for kids. But it needed a going to sports games and having fun. I call Where is your favorite it celebrating life. I work very hard, but I also tremendous amount of work to improve safety, place in the world? play very hard. I would encourage everyone to learning opportunities and equipment for the South Beach, Miami! kids to play on. They named it after my father, have a dose of that. and I created a foundation that would help get What super power money and in-kind donations from donors. would you like to have? We probably collected a quarter of a million Fly dollars over the last three years. I knew (the What’s the best advice center) was going to have his name on it for you’ve ever received? life. He’s definitely been my best friend and Dream big! mentor since day one and I know his life has revolved around giving back, helping children. I wanted the center to have the capacity to do that. The ability for kids to run and learn and play and grow is really what he’s about. You can’t really do that unless you’ve got safe, quality facilities.

Q: What’s it like to be so young, yet honored in so many ways with several different awards?

A: I am humbled by it. I don’t set out to accomplish my goals in order to win awards. I don’t measure my success

JANUARY 2009 | ALUMNIVOICE 11 chapters &societies

BULLS Outfitter owner Craig Brunstein (third from right) joins other USF alumni for USF Night at the Rays. Nearly 3,000 alumni attended the game and received a Members of special Tampa Bay Rays hat with the Bulls logo on the side, the New York Chapter pictured on Craig and friends. Don’t forget that you get a get in the spirit of things during a watch 10% discount at BULLS Outfitter – online or in the store – party. Learn more on their Chapter page at www. with your USF Alumni Association membership card. USFalumni.org/newyork

Members of the Chicago Chapter celebrate during a watch party at Gamekeepers after the Bulls last-minute win over Kansas. Visit their Chapter page at www.USFalumni.org/chicago

12 ALUMNIVOICE | JANUARY 2009 USF Alumni Association member Joe Teston, M.A. `88, back row, far right, coached the Forest Hills PONY Youth Baseball League’s Mustang-Division Bulls. The young Bulls sported a winning record against teams named Seminoles, Gators, Hurricanes, & Bulldogs. Joe’s son, Worth Teston, 10, is pictured in the front row, second from left.

Terry Mascolino, `08, and Ashlea Hudak, `06 & M.A. `08 wave the Bull horns while on vacation at the Grand Canyon.

More than two dozen USF alumni and friends from the Philadelphia/South Jersey area met up at a Camden Riversharks game for a little baseball and Bull Pride. The Philly/South Jersey Chapter invited some of the area’s incoming USF freshman to the event to get a feel for what it’s like to be a Bull. Pictured at right are: Scott Grauer, Caitlyn Casson and Katie Noon. Check out their Chapter page at www.USFalumni.org/philadelphia

JANUARY 2009 | ALUMNIVOICE 13 chapters &societies

A new USF alumni chapter is forming in the Houston area. A Houston watch party in October drew 13 alumni whose class years ranged from the 60s to 2002. If you live in the area and would like to get involved, contact Nohra Martinez at [email protected]

The D.C. Regional Chapter hosted a Senior Sendoff in the fall for incoming freshman from their area, including the three pictured above, from left to right: Brianna Bauer, Emily Thomas and Stephanie Brown. Chapter leader Rajiv Dembla, Electrical Engineering `92, talks to George Walser, Political Science `66, during the event. See their Chapter page at www.USFalumni.org/dc

Henry and Staley McNatt, `91, took their Chicago Chapter chair Karla Bull Pride with them to the top of Africa’s Stevenson, `03, and Matt highest point, Uhuru Peak in Tanzania. Thomas flash the Bull horns during a recent visit to Mount Rushmore.

14 ALUMNIVOICE | JANUARY 2009 No matter where you live, you’ll always be a Bull!

The USF Alumni Association Marine Science Alumni Pensacola/Spanish Fort/Mobile Denver Mile High Bruce Barber Nick Kessler Mark A. Thompson has alumni chapters all over [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] the country. We also have college and special-interest Beau Suthard Pinellas Houston [email protected] Audrey Gilmore Nohra Martinez societies for like-minded [email protected] [email protected] alumni. It’s easy to get Florida Chapters involved. Just email the Polk Rob Smith contact person of the group Randy Dotson [email protected] Tampa [email protected] you’d like to visit. Dennis Evans Indiana [email protected] St. Lucie Jeremy Sims Societies Frank Pennetti [email protected] Brevard [email protected] John Carpenter Los Angeles Architecture Alumni [email protected] Tallahassee Catherine Clinch Adam Fritz Tara Klimek [email protected] [email protected] Barbara Lyn [email protected] barbaralyn.com Troy Dunmire Black Alumni [email protected] Felecia Brantley Broward National & [email protected] Sara DuCuennois International Nashville [email protected] Jen Thompson Brian Campbell Chapters [email protected] [email protected] Fort Myers Sanjay Kurian Atlanta New York Business Alumni [email protected] Denise Dimbath Valerie Berrios Jamie Ellison [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Hernando Belinda Nettles Austin Michael Simpson Education Alumni [email protected] Lisa Sortevik [email protected] Freda Abercrombie [email protected] [email protected] Jacksonville Philadelphia/South Jersey Louis B. Richardson Brad Heath Brandon Aldridge Engineering Alumni [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Gene Balter [email protected] Ellen Rosenblum Barbados Pittsburgh, PA [email protected] Junior Browne Robb Myers Entrepreneurship Alumni [email protected] [email protected] Chris Kluis Manatee/Sarasota [email protected] Ross Allen Chicago Portland, OR [email protected] Karla Stevenson Scott Chamberlain Geology Alumni [email protected] [email protected] Mike Schackne Miami [email protected] Ruben Matos Nolan Shaeer Raleigh, NC [email protected] [email protected] Bob Cohn Honors Alumni [email protected] Lisa Provenzano Heugel Carlos Rodriguez Cincinnati [email protected] [email protected] Chris Kiley San Francisco [email protected] Arthur Ringness Jewish Alumni Monroe (Key West) [email protected] Nicky Spivak Kristen Condella Cleveland/Akron/Youngstown [email protected] [email protected] Ed Hoeppner Seattle-Tacoma, WA [email protected] Jared Capouya Kosove Alumni Ocala/Marion [email protected] Justin Geisler Kathleen & William Bellamy Columbia, SC [email protected] [email protected] Doug Currier St. Louis [email protected] Mark Greenspahn LGBT Alumni Jerald “Jerry” Grimes [email protected] Marion Yongue [email protected] Camille Thompson [email protected] [email protected] Orlando Corporate Lynne Carlson Kevin Krause D.C. Regional Affinity Group [email protected] [email protected] Rajiv Dembla [email protected] Lockheed Martin – Oldsmar Jerry L. Miller Palm Beach Barbara Julian [email protected] Scott Teich Dallas [email protected] [email protected] Lisa Lacy [email protected]

JANUARY 2009 | ALUMNIVOICE 15 Profile: Gail Carroll Coe

Quiet on the Set!

f you watch TNT’s “The Closer” Carroll-Coe’s actual job description with Kyra Sedgwick, or if you’ve is “boom operator,” meaning just that: 5Q uestions: ever watched the movies “8 Mile” she handles the boom microphone, or “Far and Away,” here’s some- a demanding job on a movie set. But What’s the last book you read? Ithing you might not know: the “sound she’s also done sound effects (such as Sweetsmoke by David Fuller ... loved it!

man” is actually a woman, and she’s a in “Far and Away,” the movie starring What’s the last movie you saw? University of South Florida alumna. Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman) and “Atonement” ... I love old movies and In a successful career spanning sound mixing. always wished there was a director that many years and many movie and Interestingly, her journey started could direct a movie that fashioned it in that television productions, Gail Carroll-Coe about as far from Hollywood as you sense. When I was watching it, there was has worked with directors like Clint can get, in North Palm Beach. And the a scene where the two lovers were parting Eastwood, Tony Scott, Robert Benton first step was a trip to USF followed by ways and I went “That’s it”. Of course, I and Greg Hoblit. some detours into teaching and raising am sure it had to do with the director of “It’s hard work, but I love the a family. photography as well.

people I work with. There’s a lot of Carroll-Coe considered other Where is your favorite place in the camaraderie,” said Carroll-Coe. “I have schools to attend, but chose USF partly world? to be there the entire day of shoot- because of the proximity to her home. At home with my family. Besides that, ing, and they can be long days. Clint She wanted to be close because her Buenos Aires. It is such a beautiful city filled Eastwood, for example, averages eight father had died just as she prepared with wonderful carefree people. hours a day and Tony Scott about 16 to go to college. It ended up being a What super power would you like to hours in a day.” great choice for her. have? To be able to give each and every child a life Above: The Coe family (and famous friend) on the set of “Gran Torino,” from left: Bill Coe, without strife. first assistant cameraman; Gail Carroll-Coe, sound engineer; Clint Eastwood, producer, director and star of the movie; Bill and Gail’s sons Bryce and Trevor, who was second as- What’s the best advice you’ve ever sistant cameraman/loader, and his pal, the garden gnome. received? From my father: “If you are going to do 16 ALUMNIVOICE | JANUARY 2009 something, do not do it half-assed.”

She said she’s had to prove herself in a field populated with the opposite sex. “It’s a male dominated field,” she said. “I know women who want to get into it, but in all my years doing this, I’ve spent two days in my entire career working with other female boom op- erators.” A typical day involves going to the set, getting the microphones on the actors and setting up the sound equip- ment and production mixer equipment. She sometimes gets to build special sound rigs, like the one used in a car for the famous chase scene in “The Italian Job.” One of her favorite jobs was for a horse scene in “Far and Away,” when she had to ride a horse and record the sound. Some of her favorite actors she’s worked with are Diane Lane, Diane Keaton and Clint Eastwood. It all seems far away from teaching Sound engineers Gail Carroll-Coe and Andy Schmetterling on the set of “8 Mile.” and cheerleading, but Carroll-Coe has never looked back. “I loved USF,” said Carroll-Coe, music program). This led to her learn- “This is what I love doing,” she who attended from 1969-74 and ing sound engineering. She met her said. “I wouldn’t trade this job for any earned a Bachelor’s degree in special husband, William Coe, while delivering other.” education. “I was even a cheerleader master sound tapes to a set where he there, one of the first ever. I was on was first assistant cameraman. the cover of the inaugural basketball She and her husband have the program.” philosophy to “put family first,” so she She cheered for USF’s basketball didn’t start “booming in L.A.” with any team for two years. She also lived in regularity until her two sons had both DeSoto Hall and made her way around graduated high school in 2000. The by bicycle, only getting a car in her family still maintains a home in Grosse last couple of years. She held down Pointe Farms, Mich., where the boys waitressing jobs to help pay for school, grew up, but also have an apartment in but most importantly switched from L.A. They are on the road eight to 10 a major in Art to a major in Special months a year. Her oldest son, Bryce, Education. 29, is a musician, and Trevor, 25, is his After graduation, she worked as father’s camera loader. a special education teacher in Florida She and her husband worked and Georgia, but by the early 1980s together on the films “Million Dollar she was experiencing burn out. She Baby” and “Everybody Wins,” but she left the teaching field and decided to goes wherever the work takes her. She go in a completely different direction. spent four months in New Orleans for Her first stop was doing back- the film “Déjà Vu” and also traveled to ground vocals on recordings (she had Italy to work on the remake of “The Gail Carroll (before she was a Coe) on the been involved with her high school Italian Job.” cover of USF’s inaugural basketball pro- gram, representing the USF cheerleaders.

JANUARY 2009 | ALUMNIVOICE 17 Bulls in Government Luck of the Draw By Mary Patrick Walker

lorida State Senator Victor basic needs such as street lighting. Crist began his foray into “It was difficult to get the atten- politics with a sense of ob- tion of politicians, because this was a ligation instilled in him by transient area with low voter turnout his family to take “action and no political influence,” said Crist, Fthrough advocacy.” But it was a slip of an intense man with a soft spot for paper pulled from a hat that sealed his the underprivileged. fate. So the association members A 1983 USF graduate in Commu- came up with a plan: One of them nications and Business Administration, would run for office – if not to win, Crist has worked tirelessly with the then at least to draw public attention organization that he founded while still to the problems plaguing the area. a student at USF over 25 years ago: the Eighteen names went into a hat. State Sen. Victor Crist Off Campus Housing Association. This Crist’s name came out. group worked to improve the commu- To everyone’s surprise, including those in need. nity surrounding USF’s Tampa campus. his own, he won a House district race “My mom got her degree in nurs- In 1989 it merged into the USF Area that experts said he could not win. The ing and helped to provide free health- Community Civic Association, of which victory launched a career that has, so care around the world. My stepfather Crist is still president. To sustain a far, included eight years in the state was a military leader, and after retire- more professional effort of revitaliza- House of Representatives and eight ment, helped to start civic groups tion, in 1998, Crist spearheaded the years as a state senator serving District along the Pinellas County coastline to startup of the University Area Com- 12, which covers northern Hillsbor- protect the environment and preserve munity Development Corporation, of ough County and two-thirds of Pasco small-town community appeal,” Crist which he is volunteer CEO and chair- County. recalled. “I do it the way I learned it.” man. Learn more about it at www. And to think that back in 1992, By the time Crist reached USF, the uacdconline.org. Crist had “just wanted to University was growing, but small, rel- Back in the early lose gracefully and raise ative to today. Crist remembers “how days, the association 5Q uestions: awareness of the issues far we had to walk to go to classes and had drive and vision, in the University area; how few trees there were. You could What’s the last book you read? but they kept hitting a to shame the politicians stand on one end of campus and see Anything about history and the wall. The crime rate in that allowed the blight all the way to the other end.” people who make it. the area surrounding to happen.” Crist also remembers frequenting USF was among the What’s the last movie you Crist’s road to public the Empty Keg in the Marshall Center, highest in the nation – a saw? service started in New where both students and faculty hung whopping 750 percent The James Bond movie, Orleans, La., where he out. The drinking age at the time was higher than the rest of “Quantum of Solace.” was born in 1957. In 18. “It was a great way to get to know the Tampa Bay area. 1960, he lost his father, people and build relationships. You Students and the unem- Where is your favorite place who died from wounds would have intellectual conversations ployed moved in and in the world? received in World War that helped with the educational expe- out with the change The good old USA. II. His mother remar- rience. The focus was on good conver- of the seasons. Neigh- ried a U.S. Army officer sation.” borhood businesses What superpower would you who adopted Victor and It was during this time that he got struggled to make ends like to have? his sisters, and the fam- involved with the issue that would de- meet. The association To cure poverty. ily moved to Florida in fine his public life. Housing was scarce

couldn’t get serious 1968. His mother and around the University, and what could What’s the best advice you’ve attention from public stepfather modeled a be found was generally in poor condi- ever received? officials to make any way of life for Crist that tion. On June 2, 1980, Crist started the To love. real difference, even on emphasized helping Off Campus Housing Association, set

18 ALUMNIVOICE | JANUARY 2009 up to collectively bargain on behalf of “Let’s just say that as a young, long- surrounding the USF campus now tenants with landlords in the area to haired, creative-type white male run- benefits from thousands of renovated improve the quality of housing condi- ning as a Republican, I didn’t fit the apartments, improved infrastructure, tions. majority of the demographics,” Crist a 30-acre park and recreation center, In 1982, Crist became the Student said. He cut off his ponytail and took an award-winning 60,000-square-foot, Government director of the newly ex- out his earring to use as a tie tac while state-of-the-art developmental center, panded Off-Campus Housing Agency. on the campaign trail. a health center shared with USF, a hu- Also in that year, Crist started a pub- He won the election, helped by man services center, two new magnet lication that provided data on all the the efforts of more than 400 bipartisan schools, the Junior Achievement head- rental properties surrounding the USF volunteers who blanketed the area. A quarters, the Hillsborough Sheriff’s Dis- campus. Its circulation eventually rose key factor was that Crist branded his is- trict 1 Command headquarters, a new to 100,000 and became the Apartment sue by coining the term “Suitcase City” mass-transit hub and system, dozens of Source magazine. Crist also founded to describe the transient, suburban new businesses and a Main Street cur- Metropolitan Communications, Inc., ghetto around USF. Another helpful rently under construction on North 22nd a full-service advertising, marketing, thing, Crist says, was that now-Florida Street. Crist is also working on estab- public relations and advocacy agency. Gov. Charlie Crist was running for a lishing a new library and senior center Despite his personal successes, state senate seat at the same time. Hav- that he hopes to finalize before leaving Crist never lost sight of the deteriorat- ing two individuals sharing the same office in 2010. ing conditions around the USF area name, running in the same market, at “Action through advocacy,” Crist – which led him to that fateful meeting the same time, didn’t hurt. The two said. “Believing and achieving … It’s when his name came out of the hat. Crists are not related. about the cause, it’s about people, it’s Crist decided to run for an open All these years later, Crist still about love.” state House seat in District 60 because keeps his list of goals from those days, Crist said he hopes to stay in- it seemed to be the only – if remote which he uses as a blueprint while volved in the years to come with – chance for success. Democrats Bob spearheading efforts to make changes public policy, but he also has personal Buckhorn and Carol Palomino were in the University area. Some of those goals. He and his wife of three years, seeking the seat, so Crist ran as a Re- changes have made the former “Suit- Angela, director of the Florida Institute publican. He felt that at least he would case City” an international model for of Government at USF, “have a dis- have the nine months of the campaign civic revitalization, acting as a labora- tinctive commonality: Love. I want to to “get our issues out and get to the tory for programs and policies that come home, start a family, have lots of general election, and then I would have been adopted elsewhere, such children.” have a chance.” as the “10-20-Life; three-strikes-you’re- As for current students, Crist offers About 32 percent of voters in the out,” anti-crime policies, and Prodigy, this advice: “Intern, intern, intern. Ex- district called themselves Republicans. a cultural arts perience is invaluable. It puts Forty-six percent were non-Caucasian prevention and book learning to use.” and 70 per- intervention And to alumni, Crist says: “Get cent were program. involved and give back. The women. Along legacy we leave behind is our Their aver- with 3,800 new greatest gift.” age age was streetlights, the 42. neighborhood

JANUARY 2009 | ALUMNIVOICE 19 Bulls in Government

and integrate into my work the wise Advice for USF students: It is a very principle of connectedness reflected in competitive world. Prepare yourself John Muir’s statement that “When we through your studies to be ready try to pick out anything by itself, we to compete and to be innovative in find it hitched to everything else in the your thinking. Think outside the box! universe.” Understand the world in which you live and be flexible enough to change Advice for USF students: The education without sacrificing your core values. you have received at USF has prepared you to approach the opportunities and challenges of the marketplace. Be confident in your abilities and strive to make a difference in your community and beyond. Do not let adversity conquer you and never, ever give up.

Diana Sawaya-Crane B.A. Geography `75 Post: Deputy Director of Cabinet Affairs for Gov. Charlie Crist. Previously, she worked as a cabinet aide in the state Attorney General’s office; as legislative affairs director for the state Attorney General’s office and as chief of the Bureau of Resource Management for the Division of Resource Planning and Management at Pam Iorio the Department of Community Affairs. M.A. History `01

Memories: It was a time of social Post: Currently serving her second unrest due to the Vietnam War, the four-year term as Mayor of Tampa. For struggle for equal rights and the oil a decade before her successful run embargo by OPEC. Information about for mayor, she served as Supervisor the adverse effects of pollution on Kurt Browning of Elections for Hillsborough County. human health and the environment B.A. Political Science `82 & MPA `94 In 1985, at the age of 26, she became was reaching the general public. I the youngest person ever elected to remember that in the face of all the Post: Named Florida’s Secretary of State the Hillsborough County Commission, turmoil, the students at USF were by Gov. Charlie Crist in December where she served two terms. idealistic and determined to take action 2006. Prior to that appointment, to improve the human condition. I Browning spent 26 years as the Memories: I recall how much I learned remember with great appreciation Supervisor of Elections for Pasco with each graduate course I took – the professors, student assistants and County. each professor left an impression on staff of the Geography and Biology me. I enjoyed getting to know my departments. They were willing to Memories: Basketball was king! There fellow graduate students. They were take the time to discuss the issues of was no football at USF. Additionally, all younger than me, and I appreciated the day woven through class material the campus was nothing like it is today their freshness and perspective. not only during class sessions but also – really no central hub on campus at impromptu teaching opportunities for students to gather. The library Advice for USF students: Only major in (“rap sessions”) in their offices, at the was the spot. My fondest memories, something you truly enjoy. If you don’t old Student Union, or on any patch believe it or not, were the friendships pick up a book in your major area of of dry grass between buildings. The that I made during study groups … study for pleasure, then it is probably education I received at USF helped particularly at the library. not for you. Your career has to be a me develop critical thinking skills true interest.

20 ALUMNIVOICE | JANUARY 2009 to work on a political campaign. Then I worked on the Kerry/ Edwards campaign. Always look for opportunities to challenge yourself. It’s great to take chances, test the waters, find out what you like and what you don’t like. Trust in yourself. Next, I’m thinking about enrolling in law school. My work experience has made me so much more prepared and confident.

Tara Klimek Sterling Ivey B.A. Political Science `01 B.A. Mass Communications `97

Post: Communications director for Post: Press Secretary for Gov. Charlie the state’s Chief Financial Officer, Crist. Before joining Crist’s staff, Alex Sink. Previously, she served as Ivey worked as the press contact at communications director for the House the Department of State. Previously, Democratic Caucus in the Florida he worked for the Pinellas County Legislature; communications officer for School Board, the state Department of Alex Sink’s campaign for chief financial Corrections and as public information officer; press secretary for the Kerry/ officer for the Polk County Sheriff’s Edwards Victory 2004 campaign and Office. issues director for the Bill McBride for Governor campaign. Ron Reagan Memories: When I attended USF, it was widely considered a commuter school. B.A. Business `77 Memories: I attended USF from 1995 to Like me, two of my closest friends commuted over one hour, each way, 2001. I saw it grow from a commuter Post: Serves, since 2002, as State to attend classes two days a week. The school to one of the top universities in Representative for District 67, University has grown since in student the state. It grew so fast within a few which includes parts of Manatee, housing accommodations, academic short years, with new buildings and the Hillsborough and Sarasota counties. offerings and on the athletic field. But new football team. I still have my ticket Prior to his political career, he worked as much as things have changed, they from the inaugural football game. I was as an insurance agent in Bradenton. student body vice president, a member really haven’t. The sense of a close- knit family and a warm community of Kappa Delta sorority and a USF Memories: It was so different back environment remains. Ambassador. Every time I go back to then because the campus was so small USF, it’s growing. I was there Election and there weren’t that many people Advice for USF students: I would Day and saw hundreds of students around. It enabled us to get to know tell graduating students that they voting. The new student union has so each other better. I have lifelong should work in fields they love. Don’t much energy. friendships with many people I went pick a job because it may bring you to school with. To this day, I still see wealth alone, because wealth is not Advice for USF students: Be on the and talk with many people that I first the key to happiness. I would also lookout for opportunities. They will met on campus. say the post-academic world is a fast- always come, and you have to be paced environment that requires us ready for them. For me, it was my first Advice for USF students: Learn to process enormous amounts of political campaign – Bill McBride for everything you can – in school, on the information in a limited time. Be Governor in 2001. I originally planned job and in life. Things I didn’t think open to and willing to accept change to go to law school after college, would be useful when I was in school, because the world around us continues but instead I took the opportunity turns out I use daily. Keep learning. to evolve at a frantic pace.

JANUARY 2009 | ALUMNIVOICE 21 Bulls in Government

USF Alumni Association Legislators Council of 100 Rep. Faye Culp, M.A. `93, District 57, Republican. Elected to the Florida House he Alumni Council of 100 is composed of appointed of Representatives, 1994-1998; re-elected Tmembers who assist the University of South Florida in to the House in 2002; Hillsborough County governmental relations activities designed to advance the School Board Member, 1988-1992. purposes and priorities of the University and the USF Alumni Culp Association. Rep. Kurt Kelly, M.A. `88, District 24, Among the activities the Council helps to facilitate are: Republican. Elected to the Florida House USF Day at the Capitol; President’s Dinner with Council of Representatives in 2007, subsequently members; Public Policy & Policy Makers Class; Law & Legal re-elected; Florida House of Representatives Careers Class; Legislative Intern Program; Legislative Direct- Legislative Aide; Florida Legislature Intern; ed Study Program; Tallahassee Intern Program; and Capitol Kelly Marion County School Board, 2001-2006. Legislative Intern Program at the Washington Center. Rep. John Legg, `96, District 46, Gail Albritton, Gail Albritton & Associates Republican. Elected to the Florida House of Steve Anderson, Ruden, McClosky Representatives in 2004, subsequently re- John Beck, Beck, Barrios, Malaney & Henderson elected. Deputy Majority Whip, 2006-2008. Sam Bell, Pennington, Moore, Wilkinson, Bell & Dunbar Legg Carol Berkowitz, Florida Association of Homes for the Aging Rep. Peter Nehr, `00, District 48, Ron Brower, Brower Commications Republican. Elected to the Florida House of Kurt Browning, Florida Department of State Representatives in 2006, subsequently re- Tony Carvalho, Capitol Hill Group elected; Tarpon Springs City Commissioner, Jim Cordero, Asphalt Contractors Association of Florida 2002-2006. David Corry, Jim Walter Homes, Inc. Nehr Mike Cusick, Michael Cusick & Associates, Inc. Rep. Ron Schultz, `65 & M.A. `67, Allison DeFoor, Earth Balance District 43, Republican. Elected to the Chris Dudley, Southern Strategy Group Florida House of Representatives in 2007, Fred Dudley, Holland & Knight subsequently re-elected; Citrus County Raymond Gross, Judge, Sixth Circuit Court – Pinellas County Property Appraiser, 1990-2005; Pinellas Chris Hart IV, Workforce Florida Schultz County Property Appraiser, 1976-1988. Tom Herndon, State of Florida (retired) Gary Herndon, City of Tallahassee Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, Barrett Johnson, Johnson & Associates `82, District 9, Democrat. Elected to the Mark Levine, Levine & Stivers Florida House of Representatives in 2008. Jim Magill, Fowler, White, Boggs & Banker Tom McGurk, Indigo Key, Inc. Vasilinda Sen. Charlie Justice, `93, District 16, Bob McKee, Florida Department of Revenue Democrat. Elected to the Florida Senate in Frank Meiners, Capitol Hill Group 2006; Minority (Democratic) Leader Pro Terry Nealy, U.S. Air Force – Global Counter-Terrorism Tempore, 2008-2010; Florida House of Frank Nocera, VISIT Florida Representatives, 2000-2006; Democratic Marshall Ogletree, Florida Teaching Profession-National Whip. Education Association Justice Rick Rumrell, Rumrell, Wagner & Costabel Sen. Ronda Storms, `88, District 10, Diana Sawaya-Crane, Office of Gov. Charlie Crist Republican. Elected to the Florida Senate Robert Sechen, Blank, Meenan & Dunphy in 2006; Hillsborough County Board of Doug Sessions, Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida County Commissioners, 1998-2006. Dick Shapiro, Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Wayne Sprague, Attorney Storms U.S. Congressman Lincoln Diaz- Glenn Sutphin, Jr., Florida Department of Military Affairs Balart, `76, District 21, Republican. John Thomas, The Governor’s Office, Florida League of Cities Elected to the U.S. House of Keevin Williams, The Governor’s Office, Florida Black Representatives in 1992, subsequently re- Business Investment, Inc. elected. Elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1986; Florida Senate, Diaz-Balart 1989-1992. 22 ALUMNIVOICE | JANUARY 2009

The BIG List So many USF alumni currently work in all aspects of local, state and federal government. We’ve compiled this “Bulls in Government” list of those alumni we know about. If your name should be on the BIG list, please let us know and we’ll be sure to add it. Alumni previously mentioned are not listed here.

A D Consumer Services; Julie M. Janssen, Legislative Assistant, State Sen. Victor Eva Andujar, `00, City Clerk, City of St. Bobbi Davis, `79, M.A. `86 & Ph.D `70 & Ed.D `01, Superintendent, Pinellas Crist; Adam M. Robinson, Jr., MBA `94, Petersburg; Charles Aguirre, `08, Legisla- `97, Resource Development Manager, County Schools; Rodrigo Jurado, `80 & Surgeon General, U.S. Navy; Stephen tive Assistant, U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez; Children’s Board of Hillsborough; Goliath `81, Vice Chair, Hillsborough Community Roggenbaum, M.A. `91, Board Member, Otis Anthony, `73, Director of Diversity, Davis, III, M.A. `77, Deputy Mayor, City College Board of Trustees Governor’s Suicide Prevention Council Polk County Schools of St. Petersburg; Caryl E. Delano, `76, K S B Judge, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle Chuck Kiker, `76, Lobbyist, Florida Brad Scott, `82, City Auditor, City of St. Tricia Barrentine Guay, `82, Senior Vice District, Florida; Tim Ducker, M.Ed `90, Classroom Teachers Association; Jes- Petersburg; Mark Sharpe, `90, Com- President, Petrizzo Strategic Group, Inc.; Principal, Mulrennan Middle School; sica Kline, `04, Special Assistant, St. missioner, Hillsborough County; Leslie John Barrios, `78, Construction Services Kevin Dunn, `90, Managing Director, Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker; Joseph Smith Granich, `85 & M.Ed `94, Principal Manager, City of Tampa; Pat Bean, `86, Development Coordination, City of St. Kubicki, `73, Director of Transportation Brandon High; Joan L. Spainhower, `87, County Administrator, Hillsborough Petersburg Planning & Parking Management, City of Regional Manager, Florida Department County; Doug Belden, `77, Tax Collector, E St. Petersburg of Health, Bureau of Immunization; Steve Hillsborough County; Dean Beutler, `83, Carolyn Eastman, `83, Communications L Spina, `75 & MPA `98, City Manager, Program Administrator, Florida Depart- Director, Children’s Board of Hillsborough Julie Lacy, `81, Principal, Brooker City of Zephyrhills; David Steele, Ph.D ment of Children and Families; Brandon F Elementary; Jeanette LaRussa Fenton, `90, Chief Information & Technology Biederman, `96, Director of Government William Featheringill, `85, Financial `75, Drew Park/West Tampa Develop- Officer, Hillsborough County Schools; Affairs, Builders Association of South Investigator, Florida Attorney General’s ment Manager, City of Tampa; Mark Pam Stewart, `75, Deputy Chancellor, Florida Broward County Office; Gow B. Fields, `85, Commissioner, LeCouris, `77, Interim City Manager, City K-12 Education, Florida Department of Beverley Billiris, `87, Mayor, City of City of Lakeland; Heather Fiorentino, `84, of Tarpon Springs; Delilah Libby, `81, Education; David Summers, `84 & MBA Tarpon Springs; Kenneth Blocker, `87, Superintendent, Pasco County Schools; Administrative Chief, Solid Waste, City `88, Chief Legislative Analyst, Florida Director of Business Services, Citrus Shawn Foster, `99, District Director, of Tampa; Liana Lopez, `96, Director of Office of Program Policy Analysis and County Schools; Tom Bonfield, MBA Office of U.S. Congressman Gus Bilirakis; Public Affairs, City of Tampa Government Accountability `81, City Manager, Durham, NC; Janet M. Rony Francois, `94, MPH `98 & Ph.D M T Borchers, `92, Vice President, Teachers `03, Assistant Secretary, Louisiana Lori Matway, `87 & M.Ed `90, School James Terry, `00, Administrative Ana- Association of Lee County; Eric Bost, Department of Health & Hospitals; Amy Programs Administrator, City of St. Pe- lyst/Customer Relations Manager, NYC M.A. `85, Ambassador to the Republic Haile, `87, `89 & M.A. `00, Community tersburg; Roy Mazur, `97, Planning Direc- Department of Information Technology & of South Africa; Judith Breuggerman, Services Program Manager/Planning Di- tor, Southwest Florida Water Manage- Telecommunications; Justin Troller, `03, `70, Board Member, Tampa Firefight- rector, Children’s Board of Hillsborough; ment District; Bob McKee, `90, Deputy Commissioner, City of Lakeland ers Museum; Glenn Brown, M.A. `98, Jacqueline Haynes, `87, Principal, Blake Executive Director - Legislative, Florida U-V Applied Anthropologist, Children’s Board High; Tony Horrnik, `83, Senior Engineer, Department of Revenue; Amy Merrill, Dan Valdez, `68 & M.A. `74, Deputy of Hillsborough; Carla Bruning, M.Ed `93, Pinellas County; Deanna Hurley, `07, `96, Public Information Liaison, Manatee Superintendent/Chief Human Resources Principal, King High; Legislative Assistant, Hillsborough Com- County Utilities; Ralph Metcalf, `67, Officer, Hillsborough County Schools Lewis Brinson, M.A. `86, Assistant missioner Al Higginbotham Director, Wastewater Department, City W Superintendent for Administration, G of Tampa; David Metz, `81 & MPA `89, Brandon Wagner, `97, Manager, Inter- Hillsborough County Schools Ruby Gadson, `82, Police Fiscal Manager, Deputy Mayor, City of St. Petersburg; governmental Relations, Hillsborough C City of Tampa; Robin Gomez, MPA `00, Connie Milito, `81, Chief Government County; Nancy Watkins, `82, Board John Carassas, `87, Judge, Pinellas City Auditor, City of Clearwater; Mar- Relations Officer, Hillsborough County Member, Hillsborough Community Col- County, Sixth Circuit Court; Beverly garita Gonzalez, `85, Hispanic Advisory Schools; Stanley Mills, `69, Judge, Sixth lege Board of Trustees; Julie Weston, Carbaugh, M.A. `89 & Ph.D `96, Prin- Council, City of Tampa; Raymond Gross, Judicial Circuit Court, Pasco & Pinellas; MPA `90, Director, Development cipal, Tomlin Middle School; Michael `69, Judge, Sixth Judicial Circuit Court, Mary Pat Moore, `77, Policy Chief, Services, City of St. Petersburg; Keevin Carlson, `90, Director, Legislative Affairs, Pasco & Pinellas Health & Human Services, Executive Williams, `93, President, Florida Black Florida Chief Financial Officer’s Office; H Office of the Governor of Florida; James Business Investment Board; Luke C. Wil- Howie Carroll, `00, Director, Hillsborough Kenneth Haddad, `82, Executive Director, Mosteller, `98, State Advocacy Director, liams, `96 & M.A. `08, Assistant Chief County Affordable Housing Office; Dan Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation American Heart Association of Police, City of St. Petersburg; Tonjua Cassesday, MPA `93, Mental Health Ad- Commission; Rod Hall, M.A. `75, M.A. N Williams, `96, Provost, Tarpon Springs vocate, Children’s Board of Hillsborough; `82 & Ph.D `86, Director, Mental Health Terry Nealy, `87, Officer, U.S. Air Force Campus, St. Petersburg College; Jennifer Danielle Chadonnet, `01, Marketing & Program Office, Florida Department of Global Counter Terrorism Unit Wilson, `07, Legislative Assistant, State Business Development Director, City Children and Families; Stephen Hegarty, O Sen. Victor Crist of Mount Dora; Jennifer E. Closshey, `83, Communications Officer, Hillsbor- Candy Olson, MBA `76, Director, Hills- X-Y `76, Board Treasurer, Southwest Florida ough County Schools; Gary Herndon, borough County School Board; William Lisa Yost, M.A. `85, Principal, McKitrick Water Management District; Braulio `76, Treasurer-Clerk, City of Tallahassee; Orr, `72, Principal, Hillsborough High; Elementary; Todd Yost, `93, Director of Colon, `03, Assistant Director, ENLACE Nancy High, M.Ed `81, Principal, Nolan Ken Otero, `75, Deputy Superintendent, Codes Compliance Assistance, City of St. Florida; Brian Corley, `92 & MPA `07, Middle School; Mike Hogan, `72, Tax Hillsborough County Schools; Roy Otto, Petersburg Supervisor of Elections, Pasco County; Collector, Duval County; Stephen Hogue, MPA `91, City Manager, City of Greeley, Z Gary G. Cornwell, M.A. `79 & Ph.D `83, `73, Police Chief, City of Tampa; Julianne CO David C. Zaparach, `90, Director, Depart- Human Resources Director, City of St. Holt, `77, Public Defender, Hillsborough P ment of Enforcement, Financial Industry Petersburg; Amanda Corsentino, `05 County 13th Judicial Circuit; Richard Luanne Panacek, `78, M.A. `85 & Ed.D Regulatory Authority; Joseph Zeoli, `83 & MPA `07, Aide, Hillsborough County Howard, `75, Judge, Fifth Judicial Circuit `94, CEO, Children’s Board of Hillsbor- & MBA `94, Managing Director, City Commission; Slake Counts, M.A. `92, Court – Citrus County; Jeffrey Huggins, ough; Vince Pardo, `71, Manager, Ybor Development, City of St. Petersburg Community Services Program Manager, `04, Legislative Assistant, State Sen. City Development Corp.; Catherine Peek Children’s Board of Hillsborough; Nick Victor Crist; Deborah Hummer Steven- McEwen, `79, Judge, U.S. Bankruptcy With grateful acknowledgement of the Cox, `85, Regional Director, Florida son, `88, Manager, Office of Intergovern- Court, Middle District, Florida USF alumni who are teachers, police, Department of Children and Families; mental Relations, City of Tampa Q-R firefighters, EMTs, librarians, assistants, Scott Cunningham, `97, Police Chief, I-J Phil Rice, `77, Administrative & Fiscal clerks and all of the other dedicated Winston-Salem, NC Kevin Jackson, `85, Chief Investigator, Manager, Wastewater Department, public servants, too numerous to list. Hillsborough County Department of City of Tampa; Joshua Richards, `03, JANUARY 2009 | ALUMNIVOICE 23 A Blast from the Past !

1U.S.PRESIDENT: Lyndon9 B. Johnson 68 VICE PRESIDENT: Hubert H. Humphrey AVERAGE INCOME: $7,743 UNEMPLOYMENT: 3.8% FIRST CLASS STAMP: 6 cents

IN SCIENCE: Apollo 8 as- tronauts Frank Borman, James Lovell and William Anders are the first people to orbit the moon. Intel is cofounded by silicon microchip co-inventors Robert Noyce and Gordon E. Moore. IN THE NEWS: The Theoretical physicist Richard Rev. Martin Luther P. Feynman comes up with a King, Jr. is slain in theory that will lead to a better Memphis on April 4. understanding of quarks. Sen. Robert F. Ken- nedy is shot and critically wounded in Los Angeles on June 5. He dies on June 6. During the Summer Olympics in Mexico City, American runners Tommie Smith and John Carlos give the Black Power salute during the national anthem as a protest against rac- ism. They are thrown off the team.

At USF: Graphicstu- dio is founded in the Department of Fine Arts. Students vote IN THE ARTS: to establish the USF The motion basketball program. picture rating system debuts with G, USF is admitted to the PG, R and X. The rock musical “Hair” opens on NCAA. The first credit Broadway. The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts courses are offered at Club Band” wins the Album of the Year Grammy. the Sarasota-Manatee

24 ALUMNIVOICE | JANUARY 2009 campus. By Marguerite Faucher The American people have just as much responsibility as the Class of 2010 president for what can and will be done over the next four years, Tate says. Now that we have a new President “No matter who you voted for individually, we need to in the White House, we must end our come together as a whole, put aside our differences, and partisan squabbles and focus on fixing act in the common good,” she says. “We need to fix our the problems that plague our country. problems.” That’s the common opinion of USF Tate’s “ask-not-what-your-country-can-do-for-you” students, no matter who they supported sentiment, made famous by President John F. Kennedy, last fall. seems appropriate considering some of his parallels to As Political Science major Kyle Beamsderfer puts it: President Obama. Kennedy was young and charismatic Regardless of who won, the new President must certainly and many experts-of-the-day back then wondered whether bring about change. voters would elect the country’s first Catholic president. But what kind of change – and how and when – is the Hopefully the futures of the two men will be vastly crux of the issue. different. First on the list of President Barack Obama’s priorities, “The only long-lasting changes will be due to how according to Beamsderfer and alumna Vanessa Tate, `07, Obama governs and how America reacts,” Tate says. must be the tanking economy. “It sucks,” Tate says succinctly. “We have high gas prices, high interest rates on credit cards and we’re in the midst of a mortgage crisis.” Forget about the age-old tradition of getting a job and buying a car or a starter home after college graduation with the economy like it is. Beamsderfer also worries about the long-term effects SHARE on his financial future. “I guess what I’m concerned about is A Memor Excerpts of memories from y whether I will still be able to get a job and retire comfortably members of the USF Alumni Association. if I can’t rely on Social Security, and how new policies will affect my kids and grandkids,” he says, sounding more like a I was a charter student at USF. We had so many opportunities to Baby Boomer than a member of the Millennial Generation. originate firsts. I starred in the first play. … Students were anxious Fresh out of college, Tate says that President Obama for intercollegiate sports, but the administration was adamantly should focus on getting American troops out of Iraq and opposed. We never thought there’d be a parking problem – there fixing our long-standing issues with Afghanistan. National were few buildings and no one got lost. I loved playing bridge in security is crucial. “If we don’t address our issues abroad the University Center. they can lead to serious crises,” she says. Judy Harkness Groleau, `63 & Ed.S `84 Tate and Beamsderfer both feel that the face of politics Annual Member has changed with the course of this election. “In addition to [Barack] Obama’s success in this election, we’ve seen more I’ll never forget going off that 3-meter diving board into the Andros minorities running for federal office, as well as women, with pool … on my bike. What a splash! What a crazy bet! But I vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin’s and Hillary Clinton’s collected. campaigns,” Beamsderfer says. Ken Kralick, `86 As a student, Beamsderfer also is concerned about Life Member tuition costs and whether Obama has any plans similar to John Kerry’s in 2004 of reducing tuition in exchange for USF brought us together. From the moment we met in Epsilon meeting specific criteria for volunteer work in the university Hall, we were inseperable. We have nothing but good memories community. of movies on the lawn, football and basketball games and “Ultimately, I do think there will be change,” he says. “I Homecoming. USF helped our education and our love grow and for know what Obama promised won’t be done in four years, that, we will be Bulls fans for the rest of our lives. or even eight years, but I think he will lay the framework Josh and Amy Schechter, `05 for how the country should be running afterwards. After the Joint Annual Members way it’s been going for the past few years, it’s impossible to Share your USF memory with us. E-mail [email protected] expect one man to fix everything in such a short amount of and write “Memory” in the subject line. time.”

JANUARY 2009 | ALUMNIVOICE 25 Profile in Leadership BackOffice

Brainchild of Tom and Trish Kennedy By Jeremy Canody

he drive along Route regarded and sought-after professionals wasn’t being done up to par and no 28 toward Harwich, in their industry. one really liked doing it. I developed Massachusetts, is leisurely, What is it about Tom Kennedy’s a strategy to provide data migration and the surroundings are company that has made it such a that was successful. It was something best described as quaint and success – topping $100 million in sales I could do well based on my Ttraditional. This picturesque seaside annually – in an area that employs background with SAP, and I realized if village along the southern coast of more fisherman than developers I could pull it off, there wouldn’t be a Cape Cod is one of the last places you of high technology for the global lot of competition.” would expect to find a data migration marketplace? Tom attributes his Kennedy also attributes his success company with a Silicon Valley vibe success to good timing, his strong to being able to understand complex and a client list that reads like a Who’s entrepreneurial spirit and his wife, computer problems and coming up Who of the world’s top corporate who possesses the business savvy with strategies to deal with them. He names. to contract with the most successful first realized this talent (as it relates Enter BackOffice Associates, the companies on earth – who in turn to computer systems) as a student brainchild of USF Class of `73 alumnus endorse BackOffice’s services and at USF after taking two classes in Tom Kennedy and his wife Trish. products. software development while working This is the little office that could. To understand Kennedy’s formula toward degrees in Economics and Technically, this little office could for success it helps to understand the Mathematics. “A light bulb went off not stay little for long once word got service his company provides and why in my head,” he said about the first out that BackOffice, which originally they do it better than the time he was introduced operated out of small confines above competition. BackOffice to computer systems at a Whole Foods Market, was providing Associates provides 5Q uestions: USF. “At that time, you seamless data migration and data products and services What’s the last book you could not get a degree governance solutions for corporations for data governance and read? Conspiracy of Fools by in computer science; like Lucent and ExxonMobil. migration. In layman’s Kurt Eichenwald; Wall Street we didn’t even know A decade later, the company terms, Kennedy and Journal, daily. what a computer looked employs almost 400, with offices in his team assist many What’s the last movie you like. It was then that I the U.S., Europe, Australia and India. of the world’s largest saw? “W” realized the potential As one of the largest employers on corporations who operate of computer science the Cape, BackOffice today is housed using large and complex Where is your favorite place simply because it was in the world? Current location; global data systems, to so new with limitless in a former lobster processing plant Traveled the U.S. and the world that looks nothing like its former shell. function as a fluid data and I love it all. possibilities. That was This impressive building stays true to enterprise. Specifically, very intriguing to me.” its Cape Cod roots on the exterior and BackOffice built the What superpower would Kennedy said that transforms into a sophisticated and hip foundation of its business you like to have? See in to USF gave him a lot of the future. corporate headquarters detailed with using SAP software – the opportunities to gain trendy furnishing, a gym, a cappuccino world’s largest business What’s the best advice hands-on educational bar and a world-class art collection software company. you’ve ever received? While experience as an that speaks to all who enter, “We have “I discovered early duck hunting, my friend said, undergraduate, and arrived!” The attitude is anything but on that there was a “You cannot shoot at a flock of he credits his college ducks, you need to aim at one demand for good data years as the time that pretentious, yet the dedicated staff is and pull the trigger. Best sales among the highest paid in the region, migration solutions,” says advice I ever got! influenced his future and includes some of the most highly Kennedy. “Simply put, it path in life.

26 ALUMNIVOICE | JANUARY 2009 BackOffice Ph o t b y J s ep h G a mbl e

Kennedy got his first taste of his company, the staff grew six-fold. However, he says, he and Trish have new career in computer programming “When only our third client was no plans for slowing down anytime in the mid-1970s. “My first semester ExxonMobil, we knew then that we soon. “I love running the company. of graduate school I was offered a would have to grow – and that we Working side by side with my wife for job as a computer programmer, and were onto something special.” the past 25 years has been wonderful, realized that the classroom could wait, Just 12 years after its founding, and to see our hard work materialize and I would rather being doing what I BackOffice Associates today lists into what we have today is very loved,” he said. “I was just blown away among its clients some of the most rewarding.” that I could do computer programming recognizable corporate brands in the The self-professed workaholics do and they would actually pay me for it.” world, including Johnson & Johnson, find time away from the office. Tom Twenty years later, Kennedy and Bristol-Myers Squibb, Grainger, Pepsi and Trish enjoy sharing the fruits of his wife sold their first entrepreneurial and the U.S. Postal Service. Kennedy their labor with family and friends. venture, a successful technology beams with pride when he shares Aside from the traditional Sunday company in Virginia, and used that the company has grown 100 dinner the couple shares with their the proceeds to create BackOffice percent annually for the past several four sons (all in high school), they Associates. Massachusetts-born and years. Perhaps the true measure of his enjoy spending time fishing on their raised in Tampa, Kennedy returned to company’s success, to date, occurred boat and attending the kids’ football his roots via Cape Cod, where he and earlier this year when Goldman Sachs games. his wife had a summer home. “Every invested $30 million in BackOffice “Very seldom do we take time summer Trish and I would ask each Associates. “When Goldman Sachs, to slow down and look back to other, ‘Why are we leaving?’ Finally, a premier investment company, is what brought us to the point we we decided we weren’t going to leave confident enough in our company to are at today,” Kennedy said. “Since and we relocated to the Cape to start a want to invest in us to position us as a graduating from USF, I never could small technology company.” potential public offering that tells me have imagined that I would be where BackOffice got its start in we are doing our job very well.” I am today. It’s been a great ride and I 400-square-feet of space with 10 Kennedy said that their plan is look forward to seeing what the future employees. While telling themselves to take the company public in 2010 will hold.” they weren’t going to grow the based on its growth and profitability.

JANUARY 2009 | ALUMNIVOICE 27 Your Top 10 Job Search Tips USF Alumni Association resources and your message on your machine is professional, extended network to help spread the word of appropriate and recorded in your voice. A cell your availability and abilities. These folks can phone contact number may be ideal, especially serve as your own personal sales force. if you have children at home who answer Employ-A-BullEmploy-a-Bull the phone. Or consider contracting with a n Create a resume, cover letter and business cards. During a job search, think of yourself as professional answering service. a product. You need tools to market a product effectively. An error-free resume, with an Looking for a job is a full time job. Having introductory cover letter and simple business said that, be careful not to put too much overtime Get ahead of the pack cards with your personal contact information into it. Rejection, a natural byproduct of a job with these tips from are critical to your success. search, can lead to stress and frustration, which n Build a website. Every Internet service can create a very negative attitude. Employers will executive recruiter provider gives its subscribers the potential pick up on that. Jim Weber. to build a one-to-three page website. Create Do yourself a favor: find some balance. one – it doesn’t have to be fancy – and use Spend time with family and friends. Catch up on Class of `77 & MBA `82 it to passively sell your capabilities. Be sure industry-related reading. It’ll make you sound to include keywords in your industry that will sharp during interviews. Focus on your health. y now, everyone knows that the come up in an online search. Exercise makes you look and feel better, which can only help during a job search. Stay upbeat, business cycle is in a recession and the n Use business and social networking motivated and energized – that next Bunemployment rate is increasing. It has sites. LinkedIn, Plaxo Pulse, been a difficult couple of months, with projections great job is out there – you just and Facebook, to name a few, have to find it. of further economic contraction for the next two will keep your network updated quarters. on your progress and help Everyone I know is apprehensive. You may you connect with potential USF Alumni Association Board know someone who has just lost their job: a employers. Obviously, you’ll relative, maybe a neighbor, or a friend. You may be Member Jim Weber is the founder want these pages to be strictly of New Century Dynamics, Inc., an aware of co-workers who have been discharged; professional, so you may want maybe you’re a little concerned about keeping executive search firm for the food to create separate pages during service industry. If you have career your job. your job search and make your Whether you are currently looking for questions for Jim, e-mail them to personal social networking us at [email protected] and another job or you just want to be prepared in the pages private. event the unthinkable happens, there are some put “Employ-A-Bull” in the subject fundamental actions you can take to ensure that n Launch an e-mail campaign. line. your time between jobs is kept to a minimum. Keep your network and prospective employers updated Here are my Top 10 tips for a successful job on your progress so that you Career Calendar search: will be top-of-mind as these people learn of opportunities that may work for you. Reinforce Jan. 29 – USF St. Petersburg Career Fair, n Make a plan. Clearly define what you seek your job goals and aspirations. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Visit www.stpt.edu/career/ for in a job with respect to industry, job function, n Consider executive recruiters. Build a details. responsibility, location, compensation, etc. relationship with two to three recruiters who that you can communicate easily. Multiple are in a position to bring opportunities to you. Feb. 5 - USF Tampa Career Networking Fair employment strategies will help improve your And remember, that this relationship is a two- for Alumni and Students, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Sun potential for success. Set goals and objectives way street. If you came across an interesting Dome. Visit www.career.usf.edu/ for details. to support your strategies and monitor your job opportunity on your own that wasn’t right progress. for you, tell them about it so they can shop it to Feb 26 - USF Tampa Public Service Career Fair for Alumni and Students, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., n Craft an “elevator speech.” You should be other clients. Marshall Center Ballroom. Visit www.career.usf. able to summarize your background and career n Use job boards in moderation. They are edu/ for details. interests into a 30-second presentation – the a good source of potential job opportunities, time it takes to ride in an elevator. Time is but have a low probability of landing that next March 13 – BIG EAST Career Fair in NYC, 10 valuable, attention, even more so. great job opportunity. Don’t spend all day at the a.m. – 3 p.m. Madison Square Garden. Call (813) n Build a team. Did you know that upwards computer. Get out of the house to meet with 974-2171 for details. of 80% of job openings are filled through people who can help you. person-to-person networking? That’s where n Have some kind of telephone answering April 1-3 - BIG EAST Virtual Career Fair. Call you must put your time and energy. Enlist service. Be ready for that long-awaited call (813) 974-2171 for details. friends, neighbors, family, fellow church-goers, from a prospective employer. Make sure the

28 ALUMNIVOICE | JANUARY 2009 memberfeatured benefit

MOSI Discounts

Tampa’s Museum of Science & Industry, where USF Alumni Association members receive a 20 percent discount on museum and IMAX® memberships, is ready to unveil an exhibition unlike anything you’ve ever seen before! Body Worlds The Anatomical Exhibition of Real Human Bodies & The Story of the Heart is on display at MOSI from Jan. 22 to June 28

The 17,000-square-foot exhibit takes up MOSI’s entire first floor. It features 200 real human bodies and organs that were acquired through a donation program. The specimens are displayed in a manner that offers a fascinating perspective on the intricacies and inner workings of the human body. The bodies were prepared for display using plastination, a preservation technique invented by German anatomist and exhibit developer Dr. Gunther von Hagens. More than 26 million people worldwide have been both educated and amazed by the exhibit and the very real-life lessons it teaches on the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. MOSI’s installment is the exhibition’s debut in Florida. In addition to discounts on MOSI and IMAX memberships, USF Alumni Association members also receive a $3 discount on admission to the Body Worlds & The Story of the Heart exhibit. Visit www.USFalumni.org, click on Join Today, select Member Benefits and log in to the Members Only section of the website to download your discount coupon. MOSI is located at 4801 E. Fowler Avenue in Tampa. Learn more about the Body Worlds & The Story of the Heart exhibition and the museum’s other fascinating offerings, such as the hurricane and jet fighter simulators, at www.MOSI.org. MOSI Summer is coming soon. MOSI Summer Science Camp, now in its 29th year, creates enriching experiences that are exciting and fun. It also offers extended care from 7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. daily, as well as a lunch option (fees apply). MOSI members receive an exclusive discounted rate on all camps! Register at www.campfun.org.

JANUARY 2009 | ALUMNIVOICE 29 notes 60s day of college at USF and graduation. The 80s classbook’s illustrations were drawn from hundreds Dr. A. Nicholas Gutierrez, Zoology `65, is a Sandra S. Williams, Accounting `80 & MHA `93, fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and of photographs Fox has taken of fans, campus was appointed chief financial officer for Cape Fear Gynecologists and has been affiliated with the St. landmarks and games. A hardback copy of Hello, Valley Health System. Williams, a CPA and a native Joseph’s Hospital since 1976. Rocky! is available for $15.99 at Bucs and Bulls of St. Petersburg, FL, has more than 28 years of Heaven on North Florida Ave. in Tampa or online at professional finance experience. She was previously www.BullsHeaven.com. 70s executive vice president and chief financial officer Dr. Frank Gibbs, `70, M.A. School Counseling for Christus Spohn Health System in Corpus Christi, Bill Barnes, Biology `77, was elected `73 & Ed.D `95, executive director of the Heartland Texas. as president of the Eastern Region of Educational Consortium, received the Lamp of the International Plant Propagators’ Knowledge Award from the Florida Association of James P. Jacoby, Mass Communications, `81, Society. Barnes owns Lorax Farms in School Administrators at their annual conference was named vice principal at San Diego’s School for Warrington, PA, where he offers a held in Naples last August. The award is given to the Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA). Recognized variety of services from plant production research, one person annually who has made outstanding by the State of California as a Distinguished School, consulting, wholesale seed production and plant contributions to the field of public education. SCPA is the preeminent creative and performing finding for commercial landscapers, botanic gardens Gibbs began his career as a mathematics teacher arts school in Southern California. Jacoby brings and arboretums. The International Plant Propagators’ at Hardee Senior High in 1970. He served as a his academic enrichment program, “Teaching Society is a nonprofit organization of over 2,100 guidance counselor at Hardee, then as principal Communication Skills Through the Use of Video” members organized into eight separate regions of the south campus of Hardee Junior High and (TCTV) to SCPA. Jacoby’s TCTV program has been around the world. later, interim principal of Hardee High. He moved implemented by the California State University (CSU) to district headquarters as director of Personnel Migrant Scholars Program, Language Immersion Lisa Berman Shaw, English `77, magna cum and Staff Development, and later became assistant Project and Upward Bound programs. Jacoby holds laude, received her MFA in Writing from Brooklyn superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, then an M.A. in Mass Communications from California College in 1981. She is an English professor and assistant superintendent of Business Management. State University-Fresno, and an M.S. in Special two-time Endowed Teaching Chair at Miami Dade He became executive director of the Heartland Education. He is credentialed in Administrative College. AXIS, the college creative arts magazine Educational Consortium in 1996. During his Services, Special Education, Vocational Education she co-advises, won nine awards including best tenure, the district secured more than $33 million (Multimedia Productions & Telecommunications), cover at the Florida Community College Press in grants. He also coordinated the annual HEC Health Sciences and also is a highly qualified Association Conference in October. She is advising Leadership Conference, which features national and teacher in Chemistry and Biology. Jacoby, his wife an Honors College student delegation to The international education experts. He is past board Carla and son Derek reside in the community of Mira Washington Center for Internships and Academic chairman of the West Central Regional Development Mesa, a suburb of San Diego, California. Seminars this month to study the inaugural process Network and currently serves as president of the and attend inaugural events. She is currently Florida Learning Alliance. He also serves on the Thomas A. Williams, Economics `81, was named pursuing an additional Masters degree in practical board of the Florida Grant Developers Network and senior vice president and chief financial officer theology at St. Thomas University. Visit her blog at the Florida Department of Education’s State Advisory of The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc. (RDA). www.reikidogs.blogspot.com. Committee for School Improvement. He plans to Williams joined RDA from Affinion Group, Inc., of

retire in February. Norwalk, CT., where he served as executive vice Ron Reagan, Business Administration `77, is president & CFO for the past two years. Before that, serving his fourth term in Florida House District 67. Rex Ledo, Management `70, is he spent more than 20 years with AT&T, ultimately He was first elected in 2002. He is an insurance director of Corporate Recruitment/H.R becoming CFO for AT&T’s Network, Customer agent at MGA Insurance Group in Lakewood for GoSolutions, Inc., a VillageEDOCS Service & Merger Synergies Division. Before joining Ranch. He is married, lives in Bradenton and has Company located in St. Petersburg, FL. Affinion Group in 2006, Williams held a progression three grown children and two grandchildren. He In addition to his responsibilities at of senior financial positions at AT&T Networks, has volunteered at youth recreation programs, the GoSolutions, Ledo also supports other business units including: CFO, Customer Service & Merger Salvation Army and on fundraisers for the Lakewood of VillageEDOCS, with offices located in Georgia and Synergy, 2005 to 2006; CFO, Global Networking Ranch High School. California. Prior to joining the VillageEDOCS Group, Technology Services, 2004 to 2005; and V.P. of Ledo was director of Client Development for Sterling Customer Experience & Chief Process Officer, 2002 Management Resources in Tampa. Nancy Canner, Management `78, is a to 2004. In the latter capacity, he led re-engineering principal partner in Lewis B. Freeman & of all customer-facing processes. He began his Roger Palmer, Art `70 & MFA `73, earned Best Partners, Forensic Accountants. She also career with AT&T in 1985 as a financial analyst in in Drawing honors in Creative Loafing magazine’s is Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) Investor Relations and a project manager in the Bell “2008 Best of the Bay” issue for his solo show, “War from the American Institute of Certified Laboratories. Williams completed the Executive Dogs,” at the USF Contemporary Art Museum. Public Accountants (AICPA) Council. Education Program at Duke University, Fuqua School of Business. Charitable boards on which he Jeffrey Neil Fox, Psychology `75, owner Dr. Dave McGrew, Biology & Interdisciplinary has served include the New Jersey Occupational of Bucs and Bulls Heaven, has authored a Natural Science `79 & M.D. `82, has been the Training Center, Morris Country and the Yogi Berra children’s book, Hello, Rocky! In the story, medical director for Hernando-Pasco Hospice for Museum. USF mascot Rocky D. Bull is born to Mr. nearly 30 years. He was the 2008 recipient of the and Mrs. Bull, both USF alumni. Each page Josefina B. Mango Distinguished Hospice Physician Glenn Magner, American Studies `82 received features a snapshot of Rocky’s life as a USF Bull, Award, a national lifetime achievement award given the National Order of the Legion of Honor, France’s from cheering on the Bulls from the stands, his first by the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative highest award. He was honored with the rank of Medicine. Knight at a private ceremony in Beverly Hills, CA

30 ALUMNIVOICE | JANUARY 2009 Don’t be shy Alumni! We’d like to include your news and photos in Class Notes. Send in your information to: [email protected] or you can mail your information & photo to: Karla Jackson USF Alumni Association Gibbons Alumni Center University of South Florida 4202 E. Fowler Ave., ALC100 Tampa, FL 33620-5455 on Dec. 5. The presentation was made by visiting Lisa Annaheim, Accounting `84, is director of Domenic Meffe, Finance `86, heads French Ambassador Pierre Vimont, in recognition Lowe Enterprises Shared Accounting Services. She Triad Isotopes, a nuclear pharmaceutical of Magner’s distinguished service in France during works with the accounting teams in the Brentwood, company. In its first year, the Orlando- World War II. Magner is retired from his career CA, office of Lowe Enterprises. based corporation brought in $120 as an air traffic controller for the Federal Aviation million, and now has grown from Authority in Tampa and now lives in Pueblo, CO. Donald Lott, Sociology `84, has been elevated in approximately 25 employees to over 300, and has his personal ministry to the office of Apostle and acquired or opened 32 facilities. Triad Isotopes Anastasia Arena, Speech `83, is a self-employed his church has found a parcel of land for purchase. provides nuclear medicines that help diagnose and food and liquor distributor living in Coral Springs, Lott and his wife Tiffany will celebrate their 11th treat cardiac and cancer conditions. As president FL. She is divorced and has three children: Christine, anniversary this month. They have three children: and CEO, Meffe’s key role is to help develop and who attends FSU, Nicholas, who plays football, Deminick, DaVejon and Adonna. execute the company’s strategic plan. Previously, baseball and soccer at St. Thomas Aquinas High and Meffe owned several Chuck E. Cheese franchises Joseph, who is a freshman at St. Thomas Aquinas. Liz Menendez, Finance `84, is a sales and ran the Weight-Rite golf shoe company. In She likes to travel, work out and enjoys photography. associate with Coldwell Banker. She the 1990’s, he started his own pharmacy benefits recently earned the Certified Commercial management (PBM) company, sold it, and started Katie Dumala, Accounting `83, magna cum Investment Member (CCIM) designation another. He sold the second company to Columbia/ laude, was one of VARBusiness magazine’s 2008 after two years of comprehensive HCA, a large hospital chain and ran the division for Most Powerful Women of the Channel. She is preparation for the exam. Menendez was one them for a couple of years. In 1997, Meffe moved vice president, marketing services, at Tech Data of only 400 realtors taking the exam and one of to Nebraska to run Coram Prescription Services, Corporation. Dumala oversees the development seven women to earn the designation in Florida. Inc., a small home infusion branch. It was then that and implementation of Tech Data’s channel She is now a recognized expert in the disciplines he recognized the need for easier access to special marketing initiatives. She joined Tech Data in 1998 of commercial and investment real estate and medicines, because his sister, who was dealing as director of budgeting. Since then, she has held among only six percent of the estimated 150,000 with cancer, had difficulty finding a pharmacy that several leadership positions, including director of commercial real estate practitioners nationwide to stocked the medicines she needed. He bought out Sales Operations and vice president of Sales and hold a CCIM designation. Coram Prescription Services, Inc. and renamed it Marketing Operations, before being named to her Curascript. Meffe moved Curascript to Orlando, and current role in 2006. She has more than 20 years Robert E. (Bob) Senton, Political Science `84, the firm grew to become one of the nation’s largest experience as a senior operations and finance earned a Juris Doctorate from Capital University specialty pharmacy companies. He sold Curascript in executive in both retail and high-tech companies. Law School in Columbus, Ohio in 1987. He is 2004 to Express Scripts, and in 2006, Meffe retired Dumala also is a board member for Centre for president of Universal Endeavors, Inc. in Melbourne, from Curascript, which led him to where he is today Women, a nonprofit organization in the Tampa FL, and was recently appointed as an adjunct at Triad. Bay area dedicated to providing individuals of all professor in the College of Business at Florida ages and gender a wide range of support services, Institute of Technology in Melbourne. He teaches Donnie Mills, Marketing `87, executive vice including substance abuse assistance, family Advanced Business Law. president and general manager of Busch Gardens counseling, mentoring and job placement. Prior and Adventure Island in Tampa, was named to the to Tech Data, Dumala was manager of business Sharon Everidge, Mass Communications `85, key leadership position for Worlds of Discovery analysis and an internal auditor with Publix helps manage Jackie’s Dance Theatre and Gym Dubai. In his new role as executive vice president Supermarkets. She also was a senior accountant in Plant City, where she has worked since 1984 and managing director, Mills is responsible for all with KPMG Peat Marwick. She is a certified public with her mother, longtime dance instructor, “Miss aspects of the staging and operation of Worlds accountant. Jackie,” and her father, Buddy Everidge. Miss of Discovery Dubai – SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Jackie’s studio has been a fixture in Plant City Discovery Cove and Aquatica – parks developed Maria Saraceno, M.S. Audiology `83, Art `99 & since 1958. In September, they were honored as in partnership with Nakheel PJSC, a Dubai World MFA `05, along with Yoko Nogami, MFA Studio Arts Champions of the Arts by the Plant City Arts Council. company and one of the world’s largest and most `06, opened their video installation project, “Dreams: innovative real estate developers. Mills will Untitled,” at the Dunedin Fine Art Center last fall. David Puckett, Management `85, was nominated maintain all his current responsibilities at Busch The exhibit is an interactive video project, directing as a CNN Hero for founding PIPO Missions, which Gardens and Adventure Island into 2009 and will viewers’ participation to share their dreams as part brings ongoing prosthetic and orthotic care to those transition fully into the new role in 2010. Mills of the installation. The artists were interviewed by in need. Since November 2000, he has helped more has worked at five of the 10 Worlds of Discovery WMNF 88.5 “Art in Your Ear” program on Sept. 12. than 420 people in southeastern Mexico, free of parks over the course of his 35 years with Busch Saraceno also debuted her “Blooms” exhibition at charge. Entertainment Corp. He started at Busch Gardens the Art Center of Manatee in October. Tampa Bay as a seasonal employee in 1974 while Leslie Smith Granich, Special Ed. `85 & M.Ed still in high school. Prior to returning to Tampa, Dr. Scott Simonet, Natural Sciences `94, was profiled in the Sept. 3rd issue of the Mills was executive vice president and general `83 & Ph.D Medical Sciences `88, Brandon News. She is principal of Brandon High, manager of Busch Gardens and Water Country executive director of research and having served previously as teacher, department USA in Williamsburg, Va. He also has served as interim head of the Metabolic head, ESE exceptional student education specialist, Park Operations vice president at Busch Gardens Therapeutic Area at Amgen, spoke at assistant principal for student affairs and assistant Europe, SeaWorld in San Diego and Busch Gardens USF Health in October on “From Genomics Discovery principal for curriculum since arriving at the school in Tampa. of OPG and RANKL to Development of Denosumab: in 1990. The Future of Targeting the Osteoclast for Bone Therapy.” Simonet’s research was featured in the August issue of The Scientist.

JANUARY 2009 | ALUMNIVOICE 31 notes Jim Atchison, Marketing `88, is chief unit’s operations throughout the firm’s 11 offices. Development Council board of directors and was the classoperating officer of Busch Entertainment Additionally, he will continue to serve as vice council’s chairman-elect in 2008. Corp., the family entertainment president and manager of Environmental Aquatic subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch. He’s Control (EAC), a wholly owned WilsonMiller Faye Culp, M.A. Art Education `93, fulfilled the been with Busch for more than 20 years, subsidiary that provides ecological restoration requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education starting out parking cars and greeting guests. He services statewide. Previously, Burton was chief in Educational Leadership from Argosy University/ spoke to students and faculty as part of the College operating officer, vice president, principal scientist, Sarasota. Culp has been a teacher, a member of the of Business’ Distinguished Speaker Series last and co-owner of the EAC Group of companies, which Hillsborough County School Board, and served on September. WilsonMiller acquired in May 2007. several Education Committees as a member of the Florida House of Representatives. She is serving Sloane Golden, M.A. English `88, has Brenda S. Fulmer, Finance `90, has joined her fourth term as representative for Florida House written Fish On! Secrets of the Snook the South Florida law firm of Searcy Denney District 57. Whisperer, published by Authorhouse. Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A. as a shareholder. An existential guide to landing the Her practice primarily focuses in the areas of Pat Utter, MBA `93, Collier Enterprises’ vice wiley snook, the book’s forward was pharmaceutical and medical device mass torts president of commercial real estate, is part written by former Tampa Bay Lightning Coach John litigation on behalf of claimants in state and federal of Leadership Florida’s 27th class. Leadership Tortorella. The book is available at Amazon.com, courts. Fulmer has complex experience with personal Florida’s mission is to build a statewide network of BarnesandNoble.com and authorhouse.com. injury and mass tort cases. Prior to joining Searcy leaders with a shared commitment to connecting Denney, she served as shareholder and managing communities and bettering Florida living. Utter is a Rick Cheesman, Managment `89, worked at partner in the Tampa firm of Alley, Clark, Greiwe & graduate of the 1996 Leadership Collier program. Tampa’s Bern’s Steakhouse while attending USF, Fulmer and represented thousands of claimants in and became general manager after graduation. He state and federal courts. After graduating from USF Kathy Iwanowski, Studio Arts `94, was Bern’s G.M. for 10 years before leaving to help with a B.S. in Finance in 1990, she received her J.D. taught two mask-making workshops in start the Sullivan’s steakhouse chain. After that, degree, cum laude, from Stetson College of Law. October at the Dunedin Fine Arts Center. Cheesman, his wife Lori and son Justin, settled She is a volunteer with Bay Area Legal Services and One of the workshops was designed in Charlotte, NC, where he became G.M. of Del Trial Lawyers Care, an organization providing pro for people who have challenges doing Frisco’s, an upscale restaurant in the Southpark area. bono legal services to victims of 9/11. visual art such as poor eyesight/blindness, fatigue/ weakness, or other disabilities. She is a nurse, Kathy Cook, Instrumental Music Jade Dellinger, Art `91, and a CVPA Distinguished painter and sculptor, experimental sound designer, Education `89, was presented with one Alumnus and independent curator, was interviewed writer and professional speaker on creativity and of the first Music Educator of the Year last fall for a story that appeared on Channel 10 in wellness. Since 2005, she has been an artist-in- Awards presented by the Sarasota Tampa on the MashUp exhibition, which he curated, residence with VSA Arts of Florida. Visit her website Orchestra. Cook teaches at Braden River at the USF Contemporary Art Museum. at http://kathyiwanowski.com/. High in East Manatee. She has taught orchestra in Manatee County for 20 years, and is the Orchestra Kathi Hamilton Gaston, Marketing `92, and her Jeff Orloff, Professional Technical Writing `94, has Director, AP Music Theory teacher and Tri-M Music husband Steve, launched Digitalphotomats.com in written his first book, How to Do Everything with Honor Society Chapter Adviser at Braden River High. October. The couple resides in Sarasota, FL. Ubuntu, published by McGraw-Hill Professional. He A Sarasota native who now lives in Ruskin, she works for the Department of Dropout Prevention/ is a graduate of Riverview High School, Manatee Andy MacMillin, Marketing `92, Alternative Education for the Palm Beach school Community College, the University of South Florida, was promoted to associate creative district. National-Louis University and is a National Board director of Push, an Orlando advertising Certified Teacher. agency. MacMillin, a Push team member Marcy Theobald, Creative Writing- for more than seven years, guides Fiction `94, is an account director for Shane Gunderson, Communications `89, was the direction and conceptual strategy of creative Carabiner Communications. She has published in Resistance Studies magazine, which is projects for a number of clients, including Orlando more than 12 years of experience affiliated with the University of Göteborg in Sweden. Health, Tavistock Group, Tijuana Flats and K. developing corporate key messaging In his article, “Social Movement, Spectacle, Hovnanian Cambridge Homes. and marketing, media, investor, employee, partner and Momentum,” he discusses how resistance and analyst communications programs. Theobald movements may gain momentum, as popular Robert G. Turner, Business `92, was named has developed communications programs for public, intellectuals facilitate and combine ideological work president and publisher of the Bradenton Herald private and start-up technology companies, for with political initiative. Last October, he presented in September. Turner, a 29-year Bradenton Herald merger and acquisitions, executive transitions, the article at Syracuse University at the Visible employee, has served as the newspaper’s vice product and services launches, and investor-related Memories Conference. president of operations since 1996. Turner, 56, announcements. Prior to joining Carabiner, she first joined the Bradenton Herald in 1979 as retail worked for Vigilar, an information security consulting 90s advertising manager. He was advertising director company, where she was responsible for the Michael A.G. Burton, `90 and MBA from 1983 to 1988 and general manager from 1988 company’s corporate communications program. `03, a WilsonMiller vice president, to 1996. Turner has worked with the Manatee Theobald was also responsible for launching the has been named corporate leader of Chamber of Commerce for the past 14 years. He company’s custom magazine and its corresponding Ecological & Water Resources. He is served on the board of directors from 1990 to 1995 online magazine and blog. She gained marketing now responsible for the business and was chairman of the board in 1994. Since communications expertise while working at 2000, he has served on the chamber’s Economic iMedeon, a mobile workforce management start-

32 32 ALUMNIVOICE | JANUARY 2009 Don’t be shy Alumni! We’d like to include your news and photos in Class Notes. Send in your information to: [email protected] or you can mail your information & photo to: Karla Jackson USF Alumni Association Gibbons Alumni Center University of South Florida 4202 E. Fowler Ave., ALC100 Tampa, FL 33620-5455 up, where she developed marketing messages and Daron Hawkins, Theatre Education `97, is a “Alcohol and Opioid Dependence Medications: collateral materials. Additionally, she held public drama teacher at Riverview High and earned Prescription Trends, Overall and by Physician and investor relations positions at S1 Corporation, a Master’s degree in Fine Arts from New York Specialty,” and also: Kassed C., Lewandowski D., a provider of banking software solutions. She University. He has built the high school’s drama MacCracken L., Pickens G., Ray G., Ray L. (2008) also served in public relations positions at Hayes department into a respected program with more “Delayed Arrival: The Domestic Healthcare Traveler,” Corporation and Boca Research, both publicly-held than 160 students. Thomson Reuters White Paper, September 2008. computer hardware manufacturers. During her career Marcy’s media relations strategies have Nancy Reiter, International Studies & Economics David Audet, Art `99, was named as Best generated coverage from BusinessWeek, CIO `97 & M.A. Economics `98, spoke at USF on Sept. 4 Curator of a Local Film Festival in Creative Loafing Magazine, Information Security Magazine, SC about her book Unplugged: How to Disconnect from magazine’s “2008 Best of the Bay” issue. He was Magazine, Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, the Rat Race, Have an Existential Crisis, and Find recognized for the Ybor Festival of the Moving The Atlanta Journal Constitution, NPR, CNN and Meaning and Fulfillment. For more details about the Image. ABC News, amongst others. book, visit www.UnplugYourHead.com. Casanova Nurse, Geography `99, Frances Vaughn Wilder, MSPH `94 Andrew Bokan, History `98, was returned to Florida Oct. 6 to accept the & Ph.D Public Health `98, executive recently elected as a member-at-large position of chief meteorologist at WTXL- director of the Arthritis Research to the 2009 Executive Council of the TV in Tallahassee. This is his second Institute of America (ARIA), and Paul Lee County Bar Association. As part of employment at the station and the first E. Leaverton, Ph.D, former chairman his five-year commitment, Bokan will opportunity in his career as chief meteorologist. of the University of South Florida’s Department progress to become president of the Lee County Bar Following graduation from USF, Nurse earned of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, wrote the Association in his fifth year of service. He was also his certificate of broadcast meteorology from “On Biostatistics” chapter in the International elected to the Lee County YMCA board of directors Mississippi State University in 2003. He served as Encyclopedia of Public Health, published by Elsevier. last fall. Bokan, an associate in the Family Law an intern at Tampa TV stations WTVT and WFLA Dr. Wilder is an affiliate assistant professor in USF’s division of Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A. before initially working at WTXL in 2003, where he Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. She in Fort Myers, has served as president of the Young eventually manned the weekday morning weather is a member of the Orthopedic Research Society, Lawyers division of the Lee County Bar Association position for three years before joining KIAH-TV in the British Society of Rheumatology, the Association and chair of the Law in the Mall program. He is a Houston, Texas, in 2006, as weekend meteorologist. of Rheumatology Health Professionals and the member of the Young Professionals of Lee County While in Houston, Nurse earned the coveted Osteoarthritis Research Society International. ARIA and a volunteer mentor and judge for the Teen Court Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) designation is a nonprofit organization whose research has been of Lee County. After earning his undergraduate from the American Meteorological Society and published in prestigious medical journals such as degree at USF, Bokan earned his J.D. at University became the first television meteorologist in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, Rheumatology and The of Maryland. Tallahassee to hold the CBM Seal. American Journal of Physical Therapy. Gregory L. Dawkins, Civil 00s Colleen Fitzgerald, Esq., Political Engineering `98, was promoted to Matthew Buckmaster, M.M. `01 & Ph.D Music Science `95, has joined the Tampa office City Traffic Engineer for the City of `06, has published a book based on his dissertation of the Carlton Fields law firm. She has Birmingham, Alabama. He oversees completed at USF in 2006. The book, titled experience in the areas of judicial and a staff of 81, a budget of over $9 Successful Teaching Strategies of American College administrative litigation, appellate million and is responsible for maintaining over 700 Trombone Professors, was published by VDM Verlag practice, land use law and property rights litigation. signalized intersections. in Saarbrücken, Germany, in 2008. It is available She is a member of the firm’s Government Law & via multiple international distributors, including Consulting and Real Property Litigation practice Cheryl A. Kassed, MSPH `98, MSMS `00 & Amazon.com. Dr. Buckmaster is currently a tenure- groups. Prior to joining Carlton Fields, Fitzgerald Ph.D Medical Sciences `02, and her colleagues at track faculty member serving as coordinator of music practiced as an associate with GrayRobinson, P.A. Thomson Reuters in Washington, D.C., published education at Elon University in North Carolina. She received her J.D. with honors from U.F. in 1999. a report in Health Affairs last fall predicting that spending on the nation’s mental health and Maria Colaco, Dance `01, is founder of David Jenkins, Theatre Performance `95, was substance abuse treatment will increase to $239 MariaColacoDance, a New York City-based dance/ named Best Artistic Director in Creative Loafing billion by 2014, with the public sector bearing the theatre company comprised entirely of USF alumni. magazine’s “2008 Best of the Bay” issue. Jenkins burden of most of this spending. The article is : Levit The company was awarded the prestigious Dance earned an MFA at UF and is in his 10th year as K.R., Kassed C.A., Coffey R.M., Mark T.L., Stranges Theater Workshop Outer/Space residency for 2008- artistic director of Jobsite Theatre. E.M., Buck J.A., Vandivort-Warren R. (2008) 2009. The award will allow Maria and company to “Future Funding For Mental Health And Substance develop their latest endeavor, India Project. All 11 Gene Haines, Criminology `97, and his wife Abuse: Increasing Burdens For The Public Sector.” members of MariaColacoDance are USF alumni, Holly, are the proud grandparents of new baby Bull Additional findings are available in their report for who are professional actors and/or dancers living Wyatt Michael Harms, born Oct. 3, 2008. Wyatt the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services and working in New York City. Colaco’s production, was 8 lbs, 4 oz., and approx. 19” long. Mother and Administration (SAMHSA) report, “Projections of “Eye Candy,” was selected for the 10th annual New father are Jill and Lance Harms. Gene is a member National Expenditures For Mental Health Services York International Fringe Festival last fall. Visit their of the Alumni Association board of directors, past and Substance Abuse Treatment 2004–2014,” website at http://www.mariacolaco.com/. president of the USF Pinellas County Alumni Chapter (DHHS Publication No. SMA 08-4326). Other and co-founder of the Bullbackers. recent publications include: Mark T.L, Kassed C.A., Brandon Dunlap, Art `01, and his collaborator, Vandivort-Warren R., Levit K.R, Kranzler H.R. (2008) tied with another entry for “Best in Wearable Art” in

JANUARY 2009 | ALUMNIVOICE 33

notes Creative Loafing magazine’s “2008 Best of the Bay” Center Association’s (HACA) Spotlight on Talent practices Ikebana, the Japanese art of floral classissue. They were noted for creating dresses paired competition, participating from 1995 through 1998 arrangement, in which nature and humanity are with Dunlap’s distinctive, multi-layered silkscreens. in the program that showcases young performers. brought together via shape, line and form. Since earning dual Bachelor’s degrees from USF, Tonya Monique Spatcher as well as a doctorate of pharmacy at U.F., he now Scott Leasure, MBA `05, is senior project Brinkley, Special Education `01, was works at Shands HealthCare in Gainesville. He manager at Advanced Technology Institute, an the 2008 recipient of the Ida S. Baker returns to his hometown of Dade City several times affiliate of the South Carolina Research Authority. Diversity Educator of the Year Award, a year to participate in the association’s Moonlight He has a Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering named in honor of the first African and Ivory concerts and continues to study voice. from Ohio University, as well as an MBA from USF. American to be named deputy superintendent by the Florida Department of Education. The award is given Kimberley Chandler Berger, `03 & M.A. Amanda Schneider, Psychology `05, married to educators who go above and beyond the call to Accounting `05, was promoted to audit supervisor Christopher Beam on July 25, 2008, at St. Thomas meet the needs of the county’s diverse student body. with Hill, Barth & King LLC located in Naples, FL. Aquinas Catholic Church in Charlotte, NC. The Brinkley set up a teacher/mentor program for Her primary focuses are audits of healthcare, HUD wedding was performed by Deacon Mark Nash, students who were underachieving, started and employee benefit plans. She also performs tax Special Education `84. groups for boys and girls that provide coaching services for individuals, corporations, LLC’s, LP’s, on academics and social skills, and serves as foundations, estates and trusts. Sheila Calistri, MBA `06, has joined Keller team leader for teachers of students with various Williams as a real estate specialist. She previously disabilities. She also started a “Biggest Loser” Allen Clary, MBA `03, launched Jibidee.com, a worked as a real estate developer for a large home competition for 50 staff members in 2007 that “free personal, secure place to write down, organize builder in the Tampa Bay area. Visit her blog at helped them lose a collective 200 pounds. Brinkley and keep track of all the little stuff in your life http://scalistri.activerain.com/. won a cruise for two, college scholarships, $1,000 and share if you want!” Jibidee.com went public cash, tickets to local attractions and a limousine ride in September from the Demo Pit at TechCrunch50 Steven M. DeMatteo, MBA `06, was named to to school. Conference in San Francisco, CA. Jibidee was Smith Barney’s Blue Chip Council, a recognition selected as a semi-finalist for TechCrunch50 program for financial advisors who, within their first Rob Carpenter III, Management from over 1,000 applicants. Follow Clary’s startup five years, demonstrate the highest professional `02 & MBA `04, was promoted to experience at his blog, Jiblish. standards in addition to excellence in client service. human resources manager for the As a financial advisor in the Rancho Bernardo Target Import warehouse located in Cosme Herrera, Fine Arts `03, was included in the branch, DeMatteo is a partner in the Benter Savannah, GA. He is responsible for the exhibition “How Soon Is Now” at the Bronx Museum Group and focuses his practice on private wealth day-to-day activities of the entire human resources of Art last summer. A review by Roberta Smith in management and corporate financial services, team as well as driving companywide change and The New York Times singled out Herrera’s work and including an award-winning national 401k retirement development within the building. He previously printed an image of one of his paintings. plan service model. DeMatteo is a graduate of worked for Target as a senior human resources Tulane University and USF’s MBA program. He is the business partner at their Chambersburg, PA, Sarah Semon, M.A. vice president of the Rancho Bernardo Community distribution center. Special Education `03, a Council and active in the Rancho Bernardo Kiwanis doctoral student in the Club and Spirit of the Fourth Committee. He and his Katie Giglio, M.Ed `02, was nominated for College of Education’s wife Kristine live in Rancho Bernardo, CA with their the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce Department of Special two boys, Nicholas and Dylan. Young Professionals Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Education, completed a six-week internship last program. The St. Petersburg Young Professional summer at the U.S. Department of Education, Keri M. Guilbault, M.A. Gifted engages young leaders, ages 22-40, by providing Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). The Education `06, earned an Ed.S and opportunities to expand professional and personal internship was sponsored by the federally funded is currently a doctoral candidate in horizons and help members get involved in the St. Leadership in Teacher Education for Special Educational Leadership at the University Pete business and cultural scene to impact the Education. Semon is pictured on the right with of Central Florida. Guilbault was the current and future marketplace. Giglio is director of U.S. Department of Education Secretary Margaret 2005 National Association for Gifted Children’s alumni programs for the USF Alumni Association. Spellings. non-doctoral graduate student award recipient. She holds leadership positions in the field of Michael Heilman, Mechanical Chris Pearson, `04 & MBA `08, is the new gifted education at the state and national level, Engineering `02, magna cum laude, has director of engineering for the Engineering Division currently serving as a board member for the Florida joined CRS Engineering and Design of Central Maintenance and Welding, Inc. (CMW) Association for the Gifted and as the National Consultants, Inc., headquartered in of Lithia. Housed in a former bank building on Gifted Children’s Program Chair of American Mensa. Birmingham, AL. Heilman worked with County Road 39 South, CMW totally renovated and Her article, “Bullying and Gifted Learners” was a Florida engineering firm prior to joining CRS. CRS remodeled the structure to house Pearson’s new published in the Summer 2008 issue of The Gifted Engineering and Design Consultants is a 32-year staff of 15, which includes a team of engineers, Education Communicator. old firm based in Birmingham that specializes in designers and estimators. commercial, healthcare, institutional and religious Angela Mucci, M.A. Special Education `06, buildings. Marie Yoho Dorsey, MFA `05, was in a two- a doctoral student in the College of Education’s person exhibition at the Asian American Arts Centre Department of Special Education, completed a six- Brant Barthle, Music and Microbiology `03, is in New York City last summer. The daughter of week internship last summer at the U.S. Department a vocalist and an alumnus of the Heritage Arts a Japanese mother and American father, Dorsey of Education, Office of Special Education Programs

34 34 ALUMNIVOICE | JANUARY 2009

Don’t be shy Alumni! We’d like to include your news and photos in Class Notes. Send in your information to: [email protected] or you can mail your information & photo to: Karla Jackson USF Alumni Association Gibbons Alumni Center University of South Florida 4202 E. Fowler Ave., ALC100 Tampa, FL 33620-5455

(OSEP). The internship was sponsored by the and Public Health, as well as planning events Dr. Aline Harrison, Adult Education federally funded Leadership in Teacher Education for and implementing programs to foster USF Health `08, is now an assistant professor at Special Education. involvement by alumni, students and the community. New Mexico Highlands University.

Yoko Nogami, MFA Studio Arts `06, and Maria Jose Coll, Ph.D Curriculum & Lindsay MacKay, `08, a graduate of the USF Saraceno, M.S. Audiology `83, Art `99 & MFA `05, Instruction `07, heads a new military Honors College, exhibited the artwork from her opened their video installation project, “Dreams: social work & veteran services program honors thesis project , “America, The Beautifully Untitled,” at the Dunedin Fine Art Center last fall. at University of Southern California that Forgotten,” at the 930 Gallery in Louisville, KY last The exhibit is an interactive video project, directing trains social workers to deal with the fall. viewers’ participation to share their dreams as part unique issues facing veterans. of the installation. The artists were interviewed by Aileen T. Ruffino, Psychology & WMNF 88.5 “Art in Your Ear” program on Sept. 12. Jack Holloway, Theatre `07, was named Best Biology `08, summa cum laude, has Nogami’s works also were exhibited in November Director in Creative Loafing magazine’s “2008 Best entered her first year of studies at the in a Faculty Exhibition at the University of Tampa’s of the Bay” issue. Best known as an actor, he earned West Virginia School of Osteopathic Scarfone/Hartley Gallery, and in “Edge of Invisible: the honor for his work with Hat Trick Theatre, a Medicine (WVSOM) in Lewisburg, WV. Alternative Drawing Show” at the NOVA 535 Art Tampa-based theatre production group. WVSOM has been ranked by U.S. News & World Lounge in St. Petersburg, and also in “Good Folks Report as one of the nation’s best medical schools and Fine Figures” at Eckerd College’s Elliot Gallery. Matt Reynell, Accounting `07, was promoted for 10 years. from in-charge accountant to senior accountant at Georgina Rivera-Singletary, Ed.S Kerkering, Barberio & Co., P.A., a certified public `06, was recognized as the Migrant accounting firm based in Sarasota. His primary area In Memoriam Success Story of the Year at the annual of practice is in individual and business taxation. Migrant Education Conference held Scott A. Ansel, `90, 10/30/2008 last fall in Naples, Florida. Singletary Jennifer Ford, M.A. Steven Cuervo, `97, 9/21/2008 earned her Education Specialist degree from USF in Mass Communications `08, Richard Vincent Durazzo December 2006 in Educational Leadership. She is and Tim Stamps, M.M. , `01, 6/8/2006 currently a doctoral student in Special Education and Music `05, were married Dorothy June Grimes, `84, 10/31/2008 an assistant principal at Pasco High School. in Nashville, IL, on June Linda Sue Haines, `69, 9/14/2008 7, 2008. Their two best men were also USF grads. Eileen Harden, `96, 10/1/2008 Leanna Baylis, Communications & Gerontology Tim’s brother Dave Stamps and his best friend Jon Scott Taylor Hartzell, `98, 8/20/2008 `07, graduated magna cum laude and joined USF Spindler both received Master’s degrees in the Music Jim Krog Health Development and Alumni Relations as program. Jennifer is associate director of Donor , `70, 9/4/2008 the assistant director of Alumni Relations. She is Relations for the University of Missouri – St. Louis. Mike McMurrer, `64 & M.A. `84, 11/14/2008 responsible for communication with the alumni Tim is a professional musician and also a dealer George Welch, `76, 6/29/2008 of the University’s colleges of Medicine, Nursing relations representative for Jim’s Formal Wear. Barbara Weckerly Clonts, `72, 9/8/2008

In the Bulls Eye… Shari Wilson, Biomedical Sciences, `04, Tampa, FL hari Wilson, 27, is the reigning Miss Wheelchair speak to policy makers and the public. Each contestant had Florida 2008 and a full-time student who is pursu- to come up with a platform statement. Mine was about Sing a Master’s degree in Curriculum & Instruction. educational inclusion for people with disabilities. Diagnosed in childhood with dermatomyositis, a rare auto- “When I was in school there was a policy of isola- immune disorder that causes extreme muscle weakness tion. Students with disabilities were always separate and and skin rashes, Wilson eventually became bedridden and apart from everyone else. You were in different classrooms; was not expected to live past age 21. But with the right you went to lunch at a different time; you were outside at combinations of medication, physical therapy and prayer, a different time. There was an “us-versus-them” mentality. she has not only persevered, she thrived. Wilson now lives So I developed a PowerPoint presentation for new teach- independently and drives a modified van wherever she ers. It’s a new-teacher training presentation, but it can be needs to go, including to her volunteer job as a children’s adapted for businesses, organizations and a lot of different ministry teacher at her church. uses. Basically, it’s about showing appreciation and accep- “The great thing about being Miss Wheelchair Florida tance and letting people know that people with disabilities is that I get to travel all over Florida with my message can be productive, contributing citizens. about how people with disabilities can contribute to their “It doesn’t take thousands of dollars of equipment communities. The pageant has been around since the or anything like that. It can be as simple as laying down a 70s, but not a lot of people know about it. We don’t have two-by-four over a curb or lowering a counter. The key is Donald Trump sponsoring us,” Wilson says. to make the public aware of those invisible barriers. There “It’s not a beauty pageant. We’re judged on our inter- are 54 million Americans living with disabilities in the U.S. views. Judges want to see how you articulate your views I may not be able to speak for all of them, but I can start by because, as Miss Wheelchair Florida, you’re supposed to advocating for change in my own state and community.”

JANUARY 2009 | ALUMNIVOICE 35 athletics Ph o t s b y J ep h G a mbl e Making Magic at the Trop

What Bull wants to freeze his tail off at a bowl game outside of sunny Florida? While the rest of the country faced snow storms and sub-freezing temperatures, your USF Bulls tamed the Memphis Tigers 41-14 inside sunny St. Petersburg’s Tropicana Field. The inaugural magicJack St. Petersburg Bowl was the first meeting be- tween the former Conference USA rivals since USF left that league for the Big East in 2005. The Trop, home of the MLB Tampa Bay Rays, is a mere 32 miles from the Bulls’ practice fields, close enough that coach Jim Leavitt bused his players from the team hotel back to campus for practice all week. USF (8-5) scored on four of its first five possessions to build a 24-14 half- time lead, forcing Memphis (6-7) to play catch-up and essentially taking 1,000-yard rusher Curtis Steele out of the Tigers’ game plan. Quarterback Matt Grothe rushed for 82 yards on 15 carries and threw for 236 yards, resulting in three touchdowns. He finished the night with 10,214 yards in 39 games, moving ahead of West Virginia senior Pat White as the Big East’s career total offense leader. Grothe was the game MVP. Junior George Selvie had one tackle for two lost yards, in- creasing his career total to 61, which leads the NCAA. Coach Jim Leavitt is now 87-52 overall in his 12th season at USF.

36 ALUMNIVOICE | JANUARY 2009 What happens when Knights, Bulls and Gators meet o f f the football field? your membership in action RESEARCH calendarties Center, USF St. Peters- lumni.org > Events > Calendar burg. Visit www.stpt.usf.edu/ for details as they develop. Competitors on the Field – Industry Partners in the Laboratory career/ for details. 13 Big East Career Fair in NYC, February 10 a.m., Visit www.USFalumni. 5 USF Tampa Career Net- org > Events > Calendar for Working Together to Discover Innovative Technologies working Fair for Alumni and details as they develop. January Students , 10 a.m., Sun Dome, 24 LGBT 5th Annual Spring Tampa campus. Visit www. GALA, 6 p.m., Gibbons Alumni 24 Los Angeles Alumni Chapter career.usf.edu for details. Center, Tampa campus. Visit Bowling, noon, Lucky Strike www.USFalumni.org > Events These successful alumni Lanes, Hollywood Boulevard. 21 USF Alumni Association bons Alumni Center, Tampa > Calendar for details as they Contact heatherhegeman@ Board of Directors and An- campus. Visit www.career.usf. found research partners: develop. yahoo.com for details. nual Meeting of Members, edu for details. 1:30-4:30 p.m., USF Lakeland 24 Pinellas County Alumni Chap- 5 Return to Learn for USF campus. Contact jcater@ ter Basketball Social, 4:30 Alumni & Friends, 5:30 p.m., admin.usf.edu for details. p.m., Gibbons Alumni Center USF Downtown Center, Port Antoine Khoury, UCF, ’88 board room, Tampa campus. 26 USF Tampa Public Service Authority, 1101 Channelside Contact ahubbard75@hotmail. Career Fair for Alumni and Drive. Visit www.usf4you.org Advanced Power Electronics Corp. (APECOR) com for details. Students, 11 a.m., Marshall for details. Center Ballroom, Tampa provides leading research and development 26 Orlando Alumni Social at 10 New York Alumni Chapter campus. Visit www.career.usf. Seasons 52, 5 p.m., 463 East Happy Hour, 5:30 p.m. Visit services in power electronics for renewable edu for details. April Altamonte Drive. Contact www.USFalumni.org > Events energy, electric vehicles, space power 1-30 Bulls Connect Globally: [email protected] for March > Calendar for details as they Big East Virtual Career Fair, management and other applications. details. develop. 5 Business Etiquette Dinner: Visit www.career.usf.edu for 29 USF St. Petersburg Career A Partnership with the USF 12 Big East Fan Extravaganza in details as they develop. Fair, 11 a.m., Campus Activi- Career Center, 5:30 p.m. Gib- NYC, 11 a.m., Visit www.USFa-

Jim Donovan, USF, ’76 TempTroll Inc. developed a self-heating washcloth that has been used by hospital patients, American troops in Iraq and hurricane victims here at home.

Neil Euliano, UF, ’86 Convergent Engineering created an “electronic pill” that communicates with an external monitor when the pill is consumed.

More than 300 companies from across Florida’s High Tech Corridor have used Florida High Tech Corridor Council matching grants research October 5-14, 2009 dollars to partner with university faculty and graduate students on applied research to develop or enhance their company’s products since 1996. Space is limited! Find out more by calling Heather Galterio at 813.974.6099 or visiting www.USFalumni.org Find your partner at FloridaHighTech.com/research. (click on BullsMall in the left-hand column, then select Travel) PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID USF Alumni Association TAMPA FL PERMIT NO 106 Gibbons Alumni Center University of South Florida 4202 E. Fowler Ave. ALC 100 Tampa, FL. 33620-5455

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