Class Notes

58 

SISTER LUCILLE DESTEFANO, S.S.J. VMC is retiring after 70 years of religious service. Sister Destefano began playing the organ at just 12-years-old at St. Leo Parish in Ridgway. She taught piano and organ privately, and then later as part of the faculty of Villa Maria College and Gannon University. She also served as liturgy director for the Sisters of Saint Joseph community. Sister Destefano spent many years building and supporting the Erie Diocesan Chapter of National Pastoral Musicians, helping other musicians hone and share their gifts. 

SISTER ROSE A. FEDORKO, S.S.J. VMC is celebrating her 70-year jubilee. She entered the Sisters of Saint Joseph from Holy Rosary Parish in Johnsonburg in 1947. Sister Fedorko served as a teacher for several Catholic schools in Erie and as campus minister at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, among other assignments. 

62  

RICHARD D. DIBACCO, D.P.M. received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Greater PA Education Foundation. Dibacco serves as director of Podiatry Associates Foot and Ankle Center. He is the founding director of the podiatric surgical residency program at Millcreek Community Hospital and has served as chief of podiatric surgery at multiple hospitals in Northwestern Pennsylvania. His past honors include Doctor of the Year at Union City Memorial Hospital. Dibacco currently serves as president of the Kent State University Foot and Ankle Board of Directors. 

63 

WALTER J. SCHUPP, SR. retired in 1999 and is currently residing in East Stroudsburg, Pa. 

64  

PRISCILLA “SALLY” (HERBSTRITT) DIBACCO VMC,  
MARY (MCCORMICK) RILEY ’87M  &
JULIE (FERRICK) WILSON ’88 are among the parishioners who organized the 125th anniversary gala for St. Peter Cathedral on June 30, 2018. Wilson co-chaired the gala alongside her husband.  

ANTHONY N. OTTAVIANI, D.O., MPH, MACOI, FCCP was awarded the prestigious Citizen of the Year award at the Central Pinellas Chamber of Commerce 2017 Annual Awards. Ottaviani is the Chief Academic Officer at Largo Medical Center in Florida. This award is presented to a person who focuses attention through their direct efforts in the Central Pinellas area resulting in acclaim/public notice; is distinguished through outstanding achievement in community service; and performs volunteer services to the community. 

66 

REV. MSGR. HENRY A. KRIEGEL will continue to serve as the pastor at Saint Patrick Church. Mgsr. Kriegel is turning 75 this year, which is the age priests typically retire; however, he will continue to serve the community, marking his 48th year in the priesthood. Prior to Saint Patrick Church, he served several parishes in the 13-county Erie diocese.  

68 

DENNIS R. HORRIGAN retired as CEO of Catholic Medical Partners (2015) and is now a consultant with Optimity Advisors. Horrigan is the new president and CEO of the Catholic Independent Practice Association, LLC. He is also vice president for Managed Care at Independent Health. 

ROBERT “BOB” A. PACSI ’77M was among those inducted into the Mercer County Hall of Fame. Pacsi enjoyed a 44-year career coaching high school basketball, recording 542 wins and 332 losses, landing him in the top 25 all-time in Ohio history. Among his awards are: Cleveland Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year (Division 2) 1983 and 1984, and Service Award 2007; Trinity H.S. Hall of Fame 1985; Stark-Summit Counties Coach of the Year 2010; State of Ohio Bob Arnzen Award 2012; Akron Dapper Dan William Falor Award 2012; Summitt County Coach of the Year 2013; and the Twinsburg Hall of Fame Award in 2017. 

69 

 
ROBERT J. CARROLL has retired from IBM and currently volunteers for SCORE, a service organization partnered with the Small Business Administration. He also volunteers as an AARP Tax Preparer at his local library. 

ROBERT W. MCGEE, PH.D. recently picked up his fourth martial arts world championship for sparring in the Men’s Black Belt 50-plus age division. While the 70-year-old McGee could have competed in the 60-plus ring, he wanted to challenge himself. In July, 2017 he won world championships in taekwondo, karate and kung-fu, and also won a world silver medal in tai-chi. McGee is currently an associate professor of accounting at Fayetteville State University. 

71 

PETER E. CAYEA was recently promoted to Cameron Manufacturing Systems Global Deployment Leader located in Milan, Italy. He is responsible for improving Materials Management performance globally for Schlumberger Corporation, an oil field services company. Cayea, a history major while at Gannon, notes, “you never know where your educational career may lead you.” 

GIANNI D. DEVINCENTIS-HAYES, PH.D. VMC recently had her 24th book published entitled, “Once Upon a Black Crayon: Barry’s Dilemma.” It is her first children’s book. 

72

 
LAWRENCE E. MCHUGH has joined the Board of Directors of the Urban League of Greater Atlanta. He also serves on the Boards of the Atlanta Technology Angels and the Atlanta chapter of P&G Alumni, and is a mentor at Georgia Tech’s Advanced Technology Development Center. 

74 

ANNE (DEWEY) MCCALLION has joined the Board of Directors of PennyMac Financial Services, Inc., where she serves as Senior Managing Director and Chief Enterprise Operations Officer. She joined the executive management team in 2009, and is responsible for overseeing the company’s enterprise operations function and has management responsibility for legal, regulatory relations, human resources, technology infrastructure and corporate administration. She previously served as the company’s chief financial officer. 

75

 
DAVID A. SEYBOLDT and his wife Evelyn were honored by the Association of Fundraising Professions with the 2017 Outstanding Philanthropist award. 

76 

PHILIP C. MAZANEC ’76M will be taking over as the interim president and CEO of The Center for Health Affairs and CHAMPS Healthcare. He previously served as the chief operating officer and is a 39-year veteran of the organization. 

77 

CARL M. CARLOTTI, ESQ. was featured speaker at the Manufacturer & Business Association’s November (2016) Eggs ‘n’ Issues briefing. During his presentation, “Energy: The Increasing Importance of Natural Gas,” Carlotti provided a detailed view of National Fuel with the benefits and challenges facing the natural gas industry. Carlotti is president of National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation. 

RICHARD M. KIRKNER is seeking the Phoenixville borough council seat for the North Ward. Kirkner is an editorial consultant, independent healthcare journalist and a former council member serving from 2009 to 2013. 

78 

LOWMAN S. HENRY serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association and Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association Foundation.  

79 

MICHAEL C. TANN became the new director of Wichita Transit in Kansas in May. He had served since 2013 as the executive director of the Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority (EMTA). He managed Erie’s system of 74 fixed route and 64 paratransit vehicles under a $20 million annual operating budget. As head of Wichita Transit, Tann will manage 144 employees and a $15.5 million annual budget amid the largest transit system in the state of Kansas. 

PAMELA (HORNAMAN) TRONETTI, D.O. has been named president of the Parrish Medical Center’s medical staff. She is the first woman and first doctor of osteopathic medicine to hold the position. Tronetti is board-certified and fellowship-trained in family practice and geriatric medicine. As medical staff president, Tronetti is an ex-officio member of the PMC Board of Directors, and presides over the Medical Executive Committee, all medical staff committees and departments. 

80 

KATHLEEN M. BERKLITE-MANZELLA ’85M held her first book signing in March for her first two murder-mystery books: “Can’t Take Back Yesterday” and its sequel: “Tomorrow Comes.” The book signings occurred at The Book Trader in Edinboro, Pa. In the first book, you find out who the killer is and learn about the victims. In the sequel, you follow the survivors as they deal with the fallout and discover the secret behind the murders. Berklite-Manzella’s books are mostly based in Erie with Gannon University included, as one of her characters becomes an incoming freshman. Both books are available for purchase. She is currently editing her third book, also a murder mystery based in Erie.  

DONNA M. DORER received a letter from Florida Governor Rick Scott commending her 18 years of service as a Guardian ad Litem volunteer, and for her service to the local community.  

MARKO JOVANOVICH has been named vice president of Infrastructure Administration at Erie Insurance. Jovanovich joined Erie Insurance in 2003 as section manager in the IT Operations and Support Department. He was promoted to IT Director in Fall 2014. Jovanovich is responsible for all data center and print operations, server, network and telephony administration and IT disaster recovery. He also oversees enterprise systems management and enterprise applications. 

81 

JOHN E. GOMOLCHAK, ESQ. was among a panel of presenters at “The Probate Process from Start to Finish,” a continuing legal education function in Erie, Pa., hosted by the National Business Institute. Attorneys and certified public accountants from across the region attended. Gomolchak presented on topics including filing an estate in probate court; administering the estate effectively; uncovering laws of intestacy, and how they may apply. Gomolchak is an assistant professor of business administration and accounting at Thiel College. 

ANTHONY M. RUFFA, D.O. is opening two new medical offices – offices that do not have waiting rooms, examination tables or even stethoscopes – as he is managing his practice via Telemedicine. Psychxpress and eUrgicare are online medical offices that offer psychiatry and urgent care, respectively, without the patient ever leaving his or her home. Patients access the medical office through their computers, tablets or smartphones by visiting www.psychxpress.com and www.eurgicare.com. Ruffa, an Erie physician, has been working with Gannon University’s Small Business Development Center to help bring the websites to fruition. Staff and students have helped the physician identify his market and how to reach his potential patients.   

82 

WILLIAM J. DOAN, PH.D. returned to Gannon University in March as part of the Schuster Theatre’s 2018 Alex Clemente Fundraiser, where he performed his solo presentation of “Drifting,” a life journey into traumatic brain injury, sibling loss and art. Doan is a member of Penn State’s School of Theatre. Doan served as president of the Association for Theatre in Higher Education from 2011-2013 and was inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Theatre in April. 

ANTHONY V. FULGENZIO ’10M is vice president for Advancement at Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio. Fulgenzio had been employed for the past 17 years at Gannon University, most recently as executive director of philanthropy and communications. 

CHARLES G. KNIGHT, CPA has become a trustee to the Erie Community Foundation’s board of directors. Knight is the principal in charge of Schaffner, Knight, Minnaugh & Company, P.C. accounting and auditing services since the firm’s inception in 2008. He became a certified public accountant in 1984 and a certified valuation analyst in 1999. 

KATHRYN (QUIRK) REDMAN was a presenter at a nutritional eating seminar offered by the Corning Community College’s Community and Public Health Academic program. Redman is a recovery coach for women, with experience in life recovery coaching (12-Step), faith-based lay counsel, grief and loss processing, mental health first aid, women’s leadership, behavior change, and wellness and recovery action planning. She also is a recovery peer advocate. 

83 

FREDERICK J. BLOOM, JR., M.D., M.M.M. has been appointed to the AMGA Foundation’s Board of Directors, which guides the organization to enable medical groups and other organized systems of care to consistently improve health care. Bloom is the president of Guthrie Medical Group in Sayre, Pa., where he is responsible for more than 400 providers with over 50 specialty services and primary care specialties in 27 locations in Pennsylvania and New York. 

REV. MICHAEL T. KESICKI participated in the Luther 500 celebration at Thiel College in November. Father Kesicki began the program with a discussion about the Reformation. Father Kesicki is the Associate Vice President of University Mission & Ministry at Gannon University. 

TIMOTHY G. NECASTRO, CPA was honored by the Giuseppe Mazzini Civic Association at its 44th annual Columbus Day Celebration in October. He is the president and CEO of Erie Insurance. Necastro joined Gannon University’s Board of Trustees in September 2017, and also gave the Commencement speech for Gannon’s Class of 2018 in May.  

GREGORY J. RUSNAK has been named Chief Administrative Officer for the newly formed SC Health Company, a partnership between Greenville Health System and Palmetto Health. Rusnak formerly served as the Executive VP and COO of Greenville Health System. He is responsible for ensuring operations in the Upstate and Midlands areas support the health company. He manages information technology/services, human resources and supply chain functions, and oversees all affiliate chief operating officers, post-acute care, and ancillary and support services. 

84 

JOSEPH G. HUGAR ’87M has been selected the new president for the Sharon Regional Health System. Hugar most recently served as the President and CEO of Holy Family Medical Center in Des Plaines, Ill., and Presence Life Connections in Mokena, Ill. 

85 

GREGORY F. REED, PH.D. is among the 2018 cohort to join the Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania (ESWP) Board of Directors. Reed is a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering, and director of the Center for Energy and the Energy GRID Institute. 

86 

RICHARD “RICK” J. BUTLER won the 55-59 age group gold medal and set a new 36-hole, all-time best score at the Florida State Senior Games. During the two-day Florida Senior Games competition, Butler was the only golfer to record back-to-back days of scores in the 70s. He shot a 73 one day, and gained a score of 70 the following day for a 143 win, capturing the 36-hole all-time best score. 

REV. MARK A. GENOVESI, M.A. was ordained a Permanent Deacon for the Diocese of Toledo, Ohio on Sept. 16, 2017. He was assigned to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Toledo. He married Kate (Schlotterer) Genovesi on June 21, 1986. They have four children and two grandchildren. He received an M.A. in Systematic Theology from Lourdes University in 2016 and has been a Theology instructor at St. Francis de Sales High School since August 2015. 

LOUIS J. MONTEFIORI has been named vice president of sales and marketing for Coordinated Care Network (CCN) Pharmacy in Pittsburgh. CCN is a 340B specialty pharmacy with mail order services for specialized patient needs. Prior to joining CCN, Montefiori spent 25 years in sales and management with Bristol-Myers Squibb. In his new role, Montefiori is responsible for sales to new and existing accounts and all marketing for the pharmacy. 

LAURIE (ZENDRON) TRESKY is among the 2017 Knoch High School Sports Hall of Fame inductees. Tresky served as a co-captain of the Golden Knights women’s volleyball team in her final two seasons and was named team MVP both years. She is now a school counselor in the South Butler School District in Pennsylvania. 

87 

MICHAEL J. KARPIK is chief operating officer of PineBridge Investments, an internationally-focused, New York-based asset management division of Hong Kong’s Pacific Capital Group. In his new position, Karpik is responsible for the company’s global operations, finance, compliance, risk management, product management, funds and technology functions. 

88 

ROBERT J. CATALDE has assumed the role of Erie County Court Administrator. Catalde has served as a solicitor for the clerk of records office and as clerk of courts for 23 years. In his new role, he will oversee all administrative aspects of the court, including policy, budgeting and personnel matters relating to 300 Erie County Court employees. The court administrator also acts as the court’s liaison to the other branches of Erie County government. 

BRIAN F. DALTON, PH.D. ’93M & DIANA M. DUBIK-DALTON Brian is Vice President for Enrollment at Alfred University. He was named “Outstanding Young Man of America” in 1996. Diana is working in the University Relations office at Alfred University.  

JOSEPH E. SINNOTT was the commencement speaker for Gannon University’s 256 graduates on Dec. 9, 2017. The former Mayor of Erie was honored at the start of his keynote address in the Hammermill Center by Gannon President Keith Taylor, who presented him with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.  

89 

MICHAEL J. OLIVER is Vice President of Electrical/EMC Engineering at MAJR Products Corporation, where he is responsible for customer EMC design and consulting and new product development. He is also the company’s ISO-9001:2000 management representative. Oliver is the founder and currently serves as chairman of the IEEE Pittsburgh EMC Chapter. He is co-chairman of the SAE AE4 Electromagnetic Compatibility Committee, and a member of the IEEE EMC Standards Advisory Coordination Committee (SACCom). 

ANTHONY J. SCIARRINO, ESQ. 
LYDIA (GONZALEZ) SCIARRINO Anthony is a Philadelphia-area attorney who specializes in the insurance field. While Lydia is the new CEO of the Mazzoni Center in South Philadelphia.  

90 

ANTHONY J. BERDIS, PH.D. is an associate professor of chemistry and the team leader of Cleveland State University’s Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, which is conducting research on a new therapeutic agent to improve the effectiveness of treatment for patients who have been diagnosed with brain cancer. The Center will soon begin tests on additional cancerous tumors to assess the effectiveness of the agent in treating breast cancer, leukemia and other diseases. 

DAVID J. FENOGLIETTO ’90M was appointed national chairman of the Lutheran Services in America Board of Directors. Fenoglietto has served as CEO and president for Lutheran SeniorLife, based in Mars, Pa., since 2004. SeniorLife is a nonprofit social ministry serving senior citizens regardless of physical condition or financial circumstances. Additional SeniorLife campuses serve Armstrong, Butler, Beaver and Lawrence counties. Lutheran Services in America is one of the largest health and human services networks in the United States, with more than 300 nonprofits. LSA provides a range of critical services to seniors, children and families. 

RENEE (VOGT) LAMIS, PH.D. ’90M is the new Chief of Staff for Erie Mayor Joe Schember.  

SHERRY A. MASOTTO SWETZ ’98M, ’76 is being honored with a Community Service Award by the Pymatuning Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution for her work with Joshua’s Haven in Sharon, Pa. Masotto Swetz recognized the community needed a shelter and opened the first location for Joshua’s Haven Rescue Mission on Oct. 1, 2008, relocating to a larger facility on Nov. 1, 2015. The mission houses men, but food is often given to men, women and children in need, and, if finances are available, a motel room or bus ticket is provided. 

KENNETH M. OGOREK ’90M continues to speak and consult with Catholic organizations throughout United States. Focusing on “Organizational Health for Apostolic Impact” Ogorek’s 2018 schedule includes the Mid-Atlantic Congress, the National Catholic Educational Association Convention and Expo, and the Saint John Bosco Conference for Evangelization and Catechesis.  

BRADLEY T. ROAE is seeking the Republican nomination for a seventh term as the 6th District seat in the state House of Representatives. He was first elected in 2006 and currently serves on the House appropriations, insurance, state government and gaming oversite committees. 

91 

DIANE (RAO) HARMAN, PH.D. was honored by Muskingum University with the “William Oxley Thompson Award for Excellence in Teaching.” The award is named in honor of an alumnus whose career combined teaching, ministry and service as president of Miami University and Ohio State University. Harman currently serves as professor of theatre and director of forensics at Muskingum University. During her time at Muskingum, she has directed more than 25 productions and written plays for students to present. 

KAREN (FETSKO) HJERPE, PH.D. has spent nearly 25 years as a member of the athletic department at California University of Pennsylvania, where she coached the women’s volleyball team from 1993-97 before assuming the position of athletic business manager. She was promoted to associate athletic director in 2003 before becoming interim athletic director in 2011. She is in her third year as athletic director. Hjerpe, also Cal’s head compliance officer and former senior woman administrator, was inducted into the Baldwin High School Sports Hall of Fame following her volleyball career. During her 1986-87 senior year at Baldwin she was a key member of Baldwin’s first-ever WPIAL girls volleyball championship team. 

TIMOTHY P. KUZMA is among the Erie School Board nominees vying for a seat on the school board. Kuzma won a Republican nomination as a write-in candidate in the May primary. He is a real estate agent for Howard Hanna, and has also coached swimming and diving and water polo at area high schools, colleges and universities. 

92 

DARON C. PRAETZEL, D.M.D. founded the nonprofit organization Faces Foundation in Hot Springs, Ariz. in 2014. The foundation provides facial surgery and reconstruction for children and young adults with facial deformities who would otherwise not have the resources to have them corrected. The organization provides these services free for low-income families, active military and veterans who have birth defects, facial scarring, facial abnormalities and those who have sustained war injuries. In return for the surgery and services, patients who qualify will be able to earn their surgery by “paying-it-forward,” donating their time to partnering with nonprofit organizations in the community. 

93 

MATTHEW FLANNERY, ED.D. has been selected as Assistant Superintendent of Schools for the Wilson School District in Pennsylvania, where he has been employed for over 11 years and currently serves as principal of Shiloh Hills Elementary School, from which he received a nomination for the 2017 National Distinguished Principal award. Prior to serving at Shiloh Hills, Flannery was the principal of Wilson’s Lincoln Park and West Wyomissing Elementary Schools, were he worked to transform the schools from the lowest performing in the district to the highest. In his new role as assistant superintendent, Flannery is supervising the evaluation and development of building-level leadership, as well as completing professional development initiatives related to principal and teacher evaluations.  

SCOTT E. MILLER, D.B.A. has been named the Dean of Edinboro University’s College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (CAHSS). Miller joined the University faculty in 2010, and has served as the Interim Dean of the CAHSS since 2015. He will continue his role as Dean of the School of Business, which he has held since 2012, in addition to his responsibilities in CAHSS. 

98 

REV. JASON A. GLOVER, S.T.L. in January 2017, Rev. Glover became president of The Kennedy Catholic Family of Schools. He served as the interim president since June 2016.  

JOHN F. KROTO, ESQ. has been selected as the new Chief Deputy for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Kroto was a member of the Knox Law Firm since 2013, and previously served as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Thomas P. Agresti and was a litigator at the Quinn Law Firm. 

JODI (SMITH) PRESLOID was among the women honored by the Career Women’s Club in Punxsutawney, Pa. during Career Women’s Week. Presloid is the community banking manager and vice president at S&T Bank. She manages the operations of the bank while maintaining a high level of service for its customers, and she is responsible for business development. Presloid serves as treasurer of the Punxsutawney Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Punxsutawney Rotary Club, where she is the executive secretary/administrator. She is a treasurer at the SS.C.D. school and an S&T retail advisory board volunteer. 

DAVID L. ROSE ’93 is Managing Director of Spiroflow Automation Solutions, Inc. in Monroe, N.C. Rose has experience in operations management, organizational design and business development in the manufacturing and engineering industries. Prior to Spiroflow, he was VP and General Manager of the Precision Castparts Corporation, a materials business based in Charlotte. He also served in a variety of business leadership roles as president, CEO and managing director for GE, and various other aerospace, railway and building products industry companies. 

ANDREW SALAMON has been named region vice president of sales for iHeartMedia’s Virginia-Carolina Region. Salamon most recently served as the region VP of sales for the Pittsburgh Region. 

99 

GREGORY J. BAKER presented on the implications of gender in “Spirituality and Gender: Catholic Perspectives on a Whole and Just Life” in October as part of the annual fall lecture sponsored by Mercyhurst University’s William C. Sennett Institute for Mercy & Catholic Studies. Baker serves as director of campus ministry and adjunct instructor at Mercyhurst. He has been engaged in youth and young adult ministry for the past 20 years and has been heavily involved in local ecumenical work. 

STEPHEN P. KOVACS, D.O., FCCP has joined the Board of Trustees for Mercyhurst Preparatory School. Kovacs is the co-director of the newly formed Lung Center at UPMC Hamot, and is co-founder of Medical Opinion Systems, a new local startup that arranges online medical second opinions with physicians from all over the country. He also serves on the Board of Trustees at Erie Day School. 

TIMOTHY M. SHINE has been promoted to vice president of Commercial Lines Technology. He joined Erie Insurance in 1999 as an Actuarial Programmer. He has held a number of positions across ERIE’s IT department, serving as a systems analyst, release manager, section supervisor and section manager before being promoted to IT Director in 2014. 

00 

CHANEL M. COOK is among the 30-something women who have chosen to make Erie their home, to work and live, and to make a difference. She is the outreach services manager for the Erie County Public Library. 

DEBRA A. FRAZIER ’00M is an English professor at Butler County Community College where her students improved their reading skills by authoring books for three- to five-year-old children. The reading and comprehension skills she teaches serve to improve the reading skills of students who have dyslexia, are line-skippers, have difficulty in identifying or recalling facts, or are overcoming other obstacles affecting their reading. 

BRIAN M. KUPCHELLA ’01M was honored as one of 14 Penn State Alumni Fellows in October 2017. The lifelong title of Fellow is the highest award given by the Penn State Alumni Association. Kupchella is president, CEO and chairman of Truck-Lite, a market leader in truck and trailer safety lighting that has introduced over 250 innovations to the transportation industry. 

01 

REV. THOMAS S. MATHEW ’10M has been appointed to the faculty of Gannon University with residence at Our Lady of Peace Parish in Millcreek Township. 

MICHAEL J. NUNES is vice president of current programming for NBC, including being involved with the nation’s favorite drama, “This is Us,” and has been named by Variety magazine as one of “the most prominent up-and-comers in the entertainment business.” 

JOHN T. SANTARLAS has been named general manager for Penn Machine Co. He will be responsible for coordinating operations of the company’s Rail Transit and Locomotive Gear Divisions to help ensure long-term growth. Before he was promoted to his current position, Santarlas led Penn Machine’s Locomotive Gear Division. Prior to joining Penn Machine, he held positions focused on strategic procurement and operational excellence with GE Transportation, Siemens and Kongsberg. 

03 

VICTORIA L. GILCHRIST is currently serving as the director of Community Services at Brevillier Village in Harborcreek, Pa.   

CORY K. JOHNSTON has been promoted to vice president/controller for CNB Financial Corporation. In his position, Johnston will lead the finance department and oversee financial and regulatory reporting for the bank’s 41 branch offices in Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York. He also will act as the primary liaison with external audit and tax firms, and serve on the Management Asset-Liability Committee and Enterprise Risk Management Committee. 
 

LYNEIL C. MITCHELL ’05M, ’07M is now a member of the Butler Area School District Athletic Hall of Fame and Gannon University Athletic Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Butler HOF in 2014 and the Gannon HOF this year during the induction ceremony on Jan. 27. Mitchell is a physical therapist and owner of Revolution Physical Therapy, with facilities at Family Sports Center in Butler and the Lakevue Athletic Club in Valencia. 

04 

KENNETH A. BERLIN ’04C will remain Superintendent of the Wattsburg Area School District for the next five years, a position he has served in since September 2013. 

KELLY D. MATCZAK ’04M, ’02C has served in leadership roles for more than 19 years. Drawing from her experience, she created Eagle Point East, a company dedicated to empowerment. Matczak helps professionals and individuals find their true paths and creative solutions to life’s challenges. She is the author of two books, “Manifesting, Willing and Creating: Live the Life You Desire” and “Italy with a Side of Mayo.” 

SUE A. (LONG) MOYER ’04M, ’05C was named new superintendent for the Duquesne City School District on March 1. 

SONYA (PYLE) WHITMAN competes in CrossFit competitions in addition to being the Villa Maria Academy’s swim team coach. Whitman was a member of the Gannon University swim and water polo teams, and in 2007 swam 26.5 miles across Lake Erie. 

05 

TIFFANY L. GILKEY was chosen as the New Castle Area School District monthly recipient of its school board’s Pride and Promise award for her fundraising efforts to provide back-packs for underprivileged children within the district. Gilkey works as the executive assistant to Georgia Berner, the CEO of Berner International in New Castle, Pa. 

MATTHEW P. JONES appeared on the cover of Lake Erie LifeStyle in 2012. Jones was basketball coach at the former East High School. He set records at East High while he was on the court. Jones is a behavioral speech therapist at Wilson Middle School, and mentors students on many levels. 

07  

EMILY E. BARKER, PA-C ’08M was recently awarded a specialty credential called a Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) in Pediatrics from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Barker is a certified physician assistant with Children’s Primary Care in Turtle Creek, Pa. She is one of only seven PAs in the state to earn a CAQ in Pediatrics since the program’s inception in 2014. 

AMANDA D. SCULLY ’10M is a physical therapist with NovaCare Physical Therapy in Erie. She recently traveled to Poland for the World Games to provide her PT services for 2016 Olympian, Laura Zeng. She also has assisted with ALC rehabilitation of two Chinese Olympic volleyball players. Scully has been working with USA Gymnastics for five years and has been instrumental in developing their injury prevention and sports performance programming. 

08 

JOSEPH A. BRADLEY ’08C will resign as the Superintendent of the Purchase Line School District in Commodore, Pa. on June 30. He joined the district in November 2013, and previously worked for several years with cyber schools, including Pennsylvania Virtual Charter Schools, in Norristown and Commonwealth Connections Academy in Harrisburg. He also served four years as principal of North Star High School in Somerset County. 

JEFFREY J. JOHNSON, II ’11M has joined the General Electric sales staff at the company’s Fort Worth, Texas location. 

REBECCA (AIRGOOD) MILLER, PA-C ’08M is now seeing patients at Penn Highlands Family Medicine in Saint Mary’s, Pa. Miller will provide patients with wellness exams and vaccinations as well as treatment and management for both acute and chronic illnesses. 

09 

ERIN M. CARROLL ’10M is an occupational therapist working at the Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center. She was recently highlighted by the Cleveland (Ohio) ABC affiliate for the work she is doing to help veterans regain their independence. 

KYLE J. GOLDCAMP ’11M is serving as the director of LaSallian Ministry at Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh. 

LEIGH A. KRAEMER-NASER ’09M is celebrating five years as an entrepreneur and owner of Curriculum Solution Center, LLC. She has trained over 7,000 educators in creating safe social environments and using engaging, hands-on learning strategies. Recently, Kraemer-Naser presented at the International Bullying Prevention Association Annual Conference, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Regional Conference and the Pennsylvania School Age Child Care Association Annual Conference. Her latest professional passion is researching and exploring STEM strategies.  

10 

HANNAH E. KIRBY ’11M has taken on a new business venture. She owns the coffee shop Ember+Forge in downtown Erie at 401 State Street. Kirby’s coffee shop is housed in a 200-year-old building that was originally home to a chandlery and candle-maker, which got her to thinking about flames and different images of fire before she eventually settled on the idea of ember. Kirby also wanted to honor Erie’s industrial tradition, which led her, eventually, to the word forge. It was her husband, Sam Caraballo, who suggested she combine the words for the shop’s name. 

11 

BRIAN P. HENNESSY has joined the law firm of MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton LLP as an Associate with the firm.  He will be a member of the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group and the Business Transactions Practice Group. 

TRAVIS M. SHAFFER credits the opportunity he took during the summer following his sophomore year at Gannon University as the key to his future career path. He believes saying “yes” to an opportunity, as well as taking on challenging situations, is important to finding the chosen direction in life after college. Shaffer accepted the challenge of attending a six-week nuclear chemistry program at Brookhaven National Laboratory, which led him to finding his professional passion and career in biomedical research. 

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ASHLEY B. PETRONE is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in neuroscience at West Virginia University. She recently had an article published on azcentral.com, a part of the USAToday network. The article explains why wrestlers have hydration test requirements to compete at the high school and collegiate level. 

SHERRY ZIESENHEIM ’12M has been named a senior manager for the East Pennsboro Township-based accounting firm, Boyer & Ritter. She will work with the forensic, valuation and litigation support services groups. 

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KENNETH ADAM MEYERS recorded a five-song extended-play album titled “Motive” that raised $3,440 for the Fibrosis Foundation of Western Pennsylvania at its release party last July at Pittsburgh’s Hard Rock Cafe. Meyers was selected to participate in the Foundation’s Pittsburgh’s 50 Finest that honors young men and women for success in their careers while tasking them to raise funds and awareness for the foundation. Meyers is a registered nurse and cares for CF patients. 

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ERIKA D. FAIN ’15M is currently employed by Select Rehabilitation as an occupational therapist. 

JACOB I. FAIT, PH.D. ’14M has been named Dean of the School of Business and Technology for Tusculum College in Greenville, Tenn. Fait previously served as assistant dean of graduate and professional programs and Doctor of Business Administration director at Lincoln Memorial University. In his new role, Fait will be responsible for the development, management, assessment and improvement of programs, curricula, faculty, staff and resources for the School of Business and Technology. He works closely with other senior academic administrators to develop, implement and evaluate institution-wide academic policies and procedures. 

LIAM L. NADLER is now a member of the Sioux City Bandits, a professional football team competing in the Champions Indoor Football League. Nadler is the team’s new starting quarterback. 

JABULANI “JABS” NEWBY has been signed by Saenz Horeca Araberri of the Spanish Liga Española de Baloncesto (LEB) Oro Gold League from CB Clavijo. Newby began his fourth year of professional basketball with Saint John Riptide in the National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada). The 6-foot-3 guard then signed a professional contract with CB Clavijo of the LEB Oro Golde League where he played in 10 games, before moving to Saenz Horeca Araberri. During his professional basketball career he has traveled to Canada, Mexico and Spain.  

BRETT R. WILER ’14M was named the new business development officer in Erie Mayor Joe Schember’s administration. Wiler’s focus is toward business retention and attraction. 

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ADAM M. BLAZEK has signed a contract to play overseas with Rustavi of the Georgian Super League, the top level of competition in Georgia. Blazek, a guard, played the past two seasons in the National Basketball League of Canada. 

LAURALEE E. GECI ’15M is currently employed by CoreMedical Group as a travel occupational therapist.  

CORINNA N. PALKO, D.V.M. recently completed her D.V.M. degree at Purdue University, after studying at Gannon-affiliated Ross University vet school in the West Indies island of St. Kitts and Nevis. Palko works at BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Vet Hospital in Tampa, Fla. 

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TIMOTHY J. GRUNZEL was again St. Patrick in this year’s Erie St. Patrick’s Day Parade, taking over for his second cousin, Mark Borowy, who passed away in May, after playing St. Patrick for decades.  

ASHLEY MATSON AND LEANNA H. NIERATKO are among the 30-something women who have chosen to make Erie their home to work, live and make a difference. Matson is director of the Mother Baby Unit at Magee-Women’s, UPMC Hamot. While Nieratko is the general manager of the Whole Foods Co-Op. 

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MICHAEL A. PLEVA will be attending St. Vincent Seminary this year. 

SHAWNA A. RAYMOND is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Physician Assistant studies at Gannon University.