1960s
Jon Cobain, ’64 BS Business Administration, 8kbet’s first graduate, is a specialist in middle market ($10 million- to $100 million-size) mergers and acquisitions. He has worked in more than 200 industries in 33 state and six countries. His hobbies include travel, tennis, swimming, theatrical events, charitable events, and “some poor golf.” He is married to businesswoman and author J.A. Flynn. They have a son, a daughter, and two grandchildren. They live in Henderson.
Edward Bazar, ’65 BS Business Administration, ’75 MBA, and his wife, Karen, moved to Naples, Florida, in June 2014.
1970s
Jack Werner, ’72 BA Political Science, left the federal government as the director of the energy office and became the executive director of the Institute for Sustainable Power, which develops and administers international energy training standards, and also became an assessor for the American National Standards Institute. He also is an expert advisor to the International Renewable Energy Agency in developing an international/regional renewable energy/energy efficiency standards/certification program for 15 West African countries. Additionally, he serves as a senior fellow of the Climate Institute, which is involved in climate change policy, and a senior associate of the Stella Group, a strategic marketing and policy firm. He lives in Washington, D.C.
Gregg Nelson, ’74 BS Hotel Administration, is general manager of the Napili Kai Beach Resort. He lives in Lahaina, Hawaii.
William “Kevin” Haggerty, ’75 BS Hotel Administration, retired last year after spending 30 years with ARAMARK Sports and Entertainment as general manager and resident district manager at stadiums, arenas, and racetracks that hosted a variety of events including professional football, baseball, and hockey as well as World Cup events. He also spent seven years with Hyatt Hotels as director of convention services in a number of cities. Cooking, golfing, and fishing are his hobbies. He lives in San Diego.
David Johnson, ’75 BA Political Science, has joined the Las Vegas law office of Duane Morris as a partner in its trial and gaming law practice groups. He retired as executive vice president, general counsel, and secretary of Global Cash Access. He previously had served as general counsel for International Game Technology, Anchor Gaming, and Bally Technologies. He has more than 30 years of experience in corporate law, regulatory law, and civil litigation with a focus on the gaming and financial services industries. He earned his law degree from Creighton University.
Richard Wilson, ’75 BA Anthropology, ’79 MA Anthropology, worked 31 years as a quality assurance specialist in ammo surveillance for the U.S. Army as a civilian. He lived in several countries including Korea, Panama, Kuwait, and Afghanistan, and traveled on business to many more. He says his anthropology background served him well in dealing with personnel in foreign countries. He was baptized and joined the Pilgrim Home Baptist Church at the age of 61. Woodworking in a field called intarsia is his hobby. He and his wife of 18 years operate a small tree farm in Wicksburg, Alabama. They enjoy traveling around the country, sometimes with grandchildren. The couple lives in Newton.
Ann Occhi, ’76 AA Nursing, ’79 BS Nursing, ’92 MS Nursing, works as a supervisor for school nurses. She earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Phoenix. She was a foster parent for eight medically fragile children and adopted five children. Her hobbies are biking, camping, and being part of a women’s dragon boat team. She lives in Portland, Oregon.
Randy Garcia, ’77 BS Business Administration, is the founder and chief executive officer of The Investment Counsel Co. He is Nevada’s first certified investment management analyst. He serves on numerous community boards, including the 2016 Presidential Debate Steering Committee, the 8kbet Foundation Board of Trustees, and the Las Vegas Area Council of Boy Scouts. He formerly served as chairman of the Nevada Taxicab Authority. This year Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada honored him with its Heart of Hope Award for his many contributions to their work in the community. He and his wife, Staci, have two sons and a daughter.
Bill Buckmaster, ’78 Master of Education, has interviewed more than 5,000 newsmakers and has earned the reputation as Tucson’s most trusted voice for news and information. His communications career spans nearly 50 years and includes television anchor positions at KICU-TV, Tucson, where he for 23 years hosted the iconic Arizona PBS news and public affairs program Arizona Illustrated. A one-time broadcast editor for the Associated Press, he has deep roots in radio serving as news director at stations in Las Vegas; Visalia, California; and Sierra Vista, Arizona. In 2010, he formed Bill Buckmaster Communications, which produces a daily newstalk program on Tucson’s KVOI “The Voice.” A five-time Emmy Award nominee, he has earned many honors, including the 2011 Golden Mic Award from American Advertising Federation; Silver Circle Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences; and the Citizen Medal, the highest civilian honor given by Pima County, Arizona. He even has the rare honor of his name on an asteroid. “20084 Buckmaster” orbits between Mars and Jupiter. Married for 43 years, he has travelled to 100 countries and all 50 states.
Nancy Forni Flagg, ’79 BA Education, ’92 MA English, recently edited a financial planning book written by Ron Vejrostek. Her company, Finishing Touches Project Management, provides writing, editing, and proofreading services for a variety of local and national clients.
Marty Gross, ’79 BS Hotel Administration, is vice president for King of Cage, one of the largest mixed martial arts promotions, owned by Lucas Oil. He has spent most of his career in the casino/hotel industry, including top-level positions at Cannery Casinos, Station Casinos, M Resort, the Riviera, and tribal gaming operations. He and his wife, Bonnie, have been married 34 years and have three children.
1980s
Denise Miller Cipolla, ’80 BS Education, ’80 BA English, ’90 Master of Education, is coordinator of guidance and counseling for Conroe Independent School District in Texas. She previously spent four years as a high school English teacher and 25 years as a high school counselor. Her hobbies include traveling (38 countries so far), scuba diving, cooking, and spending time with grandchildren. She and her husband, Craig Cipolla, ’81 BA Chemistry, ’81 BS Engineering, celebrate their 35th anniversary in November. They live in The Woodlands, Texas.
Ken Edwards, ’81 BS Hotel Administration, owns Hotel Management Online, which holds worldwide rights to HMBookstore.com, and is managing partner for Tristar Hotel Group, which owns and operates hotels. He oversees development and acquisitions for Tristar. His hobbies include basketball, football, wine tasting, reading, cooking, and spending time in California. He lives in Phoenix.
Barbara Phillips, ’81 BA Communication Studies, is retired, but politically active in Clean Energy Project, an energy conservation organization, and in volunteering for 2016 Democratic candidates. Previously, she worked for the public television station KLVX. She plans to take a Danube Christmas market cruise. She and her husband, Ronald Phillips, ’73 BS Management, have spent 10 years traveling around the county in recreational vehicles. Her hobbies include art and creative floral projects.
Timothy Bonenfant, ’82 BA Music, ’84 Master of Music, ’05 DMA Music, gave a world premiere performance of “Persona No. 4,” composed by 8kbet music professor Virko Baley, this summer in Madrid. He previously recorded an album of Baley’s works, Multiple Personae: The Family of Clarinets, which was released in 2014. He lives in San Angelo, Texas.
Perry Todd, ’84 BS Hotel Administration, is a table games supervisor. He has spent 40 years working in gaming and food and beverage, including stints as restaurant manager and food and beverage manager, with his jobs taking him to both coasts. He is a member of the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. His hobbies include traveling and reading plays. He has been married for 16 years.
Ron Drake, ’86 BS Business Administration, ’89 MBA, is managing director of sales for Caesars Entertainment. He lives in Henderson.
Lisa Ransom, ’86 BA English, has worked primarily in the field of telephone customer service. Her hobbies include travel, animal rescue, wildlife conservation, veterans’ issues, retiree issues, sewing, knitting, and crafts.
Daniel Royal, ’86 BS Biology, ’03 JD, has patents pending for obtaining pluripotent stem cells from autologous blood. He is the medical director at Royal Medical Clinic in Henderson.
Vida Chow, ’87 BS Hotel Administration, ’06 Master of Hotel Administration, is director of talent management/Asia Pacific for Hyatt Hotels and Resorts. She lives in Hong Kong.
Shannon Hume Shogren, ’87 BA History, is homeschooling her youngest child and working from home for an online event ticket company. After receiving her law degree from California’s McGeorge School of Law in 1990, she passed the Nevada Bar exam and spent eight years working for the state of Nevada as an unemployment appeals referee. She also worked in human resources for a nursing home. Her hobbies include serving as musical director for the local community theater company and sometimes appearing on stage in small character roles. Her son, Carnell Johnson, ’06 Bachelor of Music, is a gondolier at the Venetian. She and her husband have a combined family of four children. They live in Cambridge, Minnesota.
Leon Symanski, ’87 BS Business Administration, ’94 Master of Public Administration, ’01 JD, is an attorney at Craig P. Kenney & Associates. Before attending law school, he worked 10 years in the hotel/casino industry. During his undergraduate years, he played for the Runnin’ Rebels. His hobbies include golf, reading, and thoroughbred horses. He is married to Lisa Gentile Symanski, ’87 BA Communication Studies. They live in Henderson.
Richard Derrick, ’88 BS Business Administration, ’02 Master of Public Administration, is the chief financial officer for the city of Henderson. He leads the city’s financial management services to the public, state agencies, bondholders, grantors, auditors, elected officials, and city departments. Under his leadership, Henderson has maintained one of the highest bond ratings of any city in the state. He has worked for the city since 1999, in a variety of positions, including manager of budget and strategic management, assistant to the city manager, assistant finance director, and finance director. His hobbies include spending time with family, hiking, camping, skiing, kayaking, backpacking, fishing, volleyball, and travel. He and his wife, Bettyann Davis Derrick, ’88 BS Business Administration, ’95 Master of Education, have been married 30 years. They have three children, Leanna Derrick Mackelprang, ’11 BS Elementary Education; Loreal Derrick Hemenway, ’14 BS Elementary Education; and Richie Derrick, who is a junior in 8kbet’s Lee Business School.
Tony Radovich, ’88 BS Business Administration, is the owner of Nevada Bar & Restaurant Supply, Nevada Sports, and Madison Ave Bar & Grill. Golf and travel are his hobbies. He and his wife, Jeannie, live in Henderson.
1990s
Eric Berman, ’90 BS Hotel Administration, ’10 Master of Hotel Administration, is the regional vice president of BJ’s Restaurants.
Bruce Claver, ’90 BS Hotel Administration, is one of only a few hospitality experts employed by Lincoln Motor Co. As a consultant and ambassador, he trains employees at top Lincoln dealerships across the nation on the art and science of luxury hospitality service. He previously worked for Caesars Palace, Four Seasons, and the Union League Club. He lives in Glenview, Illinois.
Beth Daniels, ’90 BA History, earned a master’s degree in English composition from Wright State University. She now is retired from teaching English composition at two community colleges, but continues her career as a novelist. Her most recently published book is SUPERSTAR. She has published 29 books under various names. She is in the process of moving away from romance and into fantasy and mystery. She for many years served as around-the-clock caregiver for her parents. Now that both her parents have died, she has moved from her Ohio hometown and is settling into her new home in Louisville, Kentucky.
Diane Hornsby Ferraro, ’90 BA English, is chief marketing officer for Solana Marketing and currently is providing marketing consulting services at Chapel of the Flowers on the Strip and at Tropicana LV Weddings at the Tropicana. More than 20 years of marketing experience in a variety of industries, including fine jewelry, luxury goods, mobile phones, earphones, educational products, and non-profit organizations, inspired her to start her own agency. Specializing in advising start-up businesses, family-run companies, and entrepreneurs with aggressive growth and expansion plans, she helps other companies with digital and traditional marketing and advertising, social media, and public relations. She lives in Denver.
Matt Engle, ’91 BS Business Administration, is chairman of the board for the Las Vegas Natural History Museum and is heading its expansion committee efforts. He received the 2015 Achievement in Service Award from the Alumni Association, see page 30.
Heidi Almase, ’92 BA Psychology, ’96 MA Psychology, ’01 JD, was elected to Las Vegas Municipal Court in 2011 and is serving a six-year term. In 2013, she was nominated to serve a two-year term on the Nevada Judicial Council. In February, she was named an alternate judicial member to the Commission on Judicial Discipline. She is married to attorney Caesar Almase. They have three children.
Christopher Bond, ’92 BS Hotel Administration, has been promoted to vice president of sales at the Mirage. He oversees convention sales, convention services, and catering. He is married to Serena Arce Bond, ’95 BS Business Administration. They live in Henderson.
Erin Maloney, ’92 BS Mechanical Engineering, sat for and passed the mechanical engineering – thermal fluids principles and practices of engineering exam in April.
Brian Slipock, ’92 BS Hotel Administration, has purchased a hair salon, Mad About Hair. For the past 13 years he has owned Jackson’s Bar and Grill. He is married to Robin Harris Slipock, ’93 BS Hotel Administration. They have a teenage daughter, Dina, who is described by her father as a “future Rebel.”
Jon Thumin, ’92 BA Liberal Studies, is a special education teacher in Des Moines, Washington.
Lynn Tynan, ’92 BA Political Science, recently retired, but has her own jewelry business, is a professional actress locally, and does property management. She previously owned her own tour company, served as director of a women’s substance abuse center, and organized recovery events. She has sung with the 8kbet Women’s Choir for more than 10 years, plays tournament badminton, and enjoys traveling to see friends and family, including her three grandchildren. She recently traveled to upstate New York for her 50th high school reunion.
Mika Takasaki Koike, ’94 BS Hotel Administration, is an interpreter for Japan’s Yokohama District Court and an instructor at Sundai Travel & Hotel College. Her hobbies include volleyball and exercising in the gym. She is married and has two daughters and one son. The family lives in Yokohama.
Linda Gray Norcross, ’94 BA Political Science, ’04 JD, recently transitioned from private practice to assistant general counsel for Aristocrat Technologies. Previously, she worked for the Las Vegas office of Howard & Howard. She was named a Mountain States “Super Lawyer” for 2015 by Super Lawyers. Also this year she was named to the “Legal Elite” and “Best Up and Coming Attorneys” lists by Nevada Business magazine.
James Williams, ’94 BS Computer Science, is a firmware engineer. Tennis and flying are among his hobbies. He lives in Reno.
Shifon Foster Berumen, ’95 BA Interdisciplinary Studies, teaches U.S. and world history at Chino High School in California. Her hobbies include hiking, kayaking, and motorcycle riding. She and her sons, Jared and James, have two dogs.
Robert Cortez, ’95 Bachelor of Music, teaches instrumental music at Mexico Senior High School in Mexico, Missouri. Previously, he spent 10 years as a band director with the Clark County School District. He was inducted in to the Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity in 2013 and serves on the board of the Missouri Alliance for Arts Education. A fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus, he enjoys traveling with student groups and with his family. He and his wife, Mikelle, have three children, Alex, Ryan, and Nic.
Darrell Husband, ’95 BS Business Administration, is an attorney in the Phoenix office of Quarles & Brady. He is in the real estate practice group. Among those he represents are financial institutions, local and regional banks, private lenders, and private equity funds. He received his law degree at Pepperdine University.
Karmen Smith, ’95 Master of Social Work, has been a child and family intervention specialist with Clark County Family Services for 20 years. She also is the founder of NSITEFUL, a spiritual enlightenment company that uses social media to spread the wisdom of the universe that “you are the one” to change your life and the world. A spiritual teacher and an ordained minister, she has written a book, The ‘I AM’ Solution: Five Practices to Ignite Your Inner Hero, which will be published later this year. She lives in Henderson.
Dawn Nation Ward, ’95 BA Theatre Arts, is the only full-tine paralegal instructor for the online paralegal program at Cerro Coso Community College. Previously, she practiced law in Ohio. She lives in Ridgecrest, California.
Sondra Cosgrove, ’96 BA History, ’04 PhD History, is a professor and former Faculty Senate chair at the College of Southern Nevada. President of the League of Women Voters of the Las Vegas Valley, she also serves as first vice president of the League of Women Voters of Nevada.
Michael Higdon, ’97 MA Communication Studies, ’01 JD, is an associate professor of law and the director of legal writing at the University of Tennessee College of Law in Knoxville. He teaches constitutional law, family law, legal writing, and sexuality, gender and the law.
Cindy Kern, ’97 BS Education, ’07 Master of Education, ’13 PhD Secondary Education, has been named a visiting assistant professor of education and director of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Center for Science and Teaching at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut. The center is a network of scientists, engineers, and educators collaborating to advance the art of science, technology, engineering, and math education from kindergarten to the university level. She previously was an assistant professor at the University of New Haven in Connecticut. Previously, she taught at Green Valley High School for 16 years and served as an adjunct science professor at 8kbet. She and her husband, Jason, have a son, Khorbin.
Catherine Mazzeo, ’97 BA Psychology, ’02 JD, will be the 2016 president of the Clark County Bar Association.
Michael Berk, ’98 BS Hotel Administration, recently became director of catering for JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek. He will lead the team of catering and event managers. He has spent the majority of his career with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, most recently serving as the director of catering at the Four Seasons Denver. He also has worked at Four Seasons Jackson Hole (Wyoming) and Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas.
Anne Alama Carpenter, ’98 Master of Public Administration, is a captain with the Nevada Highway Patrol, responsible for the commercial, rural, and urban day shift operations. In March she receive the Public Safety Award from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Safety Communications Award from the Strategic Highway Safety Plan/Zero Fatalities for the “It Can Wait for 28” Distracted Driving Program.
Angie Staples Abdelmonem, ’99 BA Anthropology, is completing her doctoral degree in anthropology at Arizona State University (ASU) with a research specialization in sexual violence, social movements, non-governmental organizations, transnational feminism, and Egypt and the Middle East. Her dissertation explores the cultural politics of grassroots activism to combat public sexual violence in Egypt. She is a faculty associate with ASU’s global technology and development program. She also is part of a British Academy-funded project exploring media, public sexual violence, and respectability. She is married and has three children. She divides her time between North Las Vegas, Arizona, and Egypt.
Jesse Oakley III, ’99 BS Civil Engineering, is a supervisor II associate engineer for the Nevada Department of Transportation. He is a published author, having penned Greetings Happy People: The Positive Words and Wisdom Through the Eyes of Mr. I-I-I. He served as the 2012-13 District 33 governor for Toastmasters International, serving clubs in Southern Nevada and central California. This summer, he and his wife, Dana, served as host district co-chairs of the 2015 Toastmasters International Convention, which took place at Caesars Palace. They have been married since July 1, 2012.
Charles “Mike” Prince, ’99 BA Elementary Education, is the recipient of the Will Rogers Medallion for best Western novel for young adults in 2014 for his latest book, Flint Pierce, the Adventures of a Young Nevada Cowboy. This is his second Will Rogers Medallion. He currently is working on a book about Flint Pierce and the Arizona Strip outlaws. He retired this year from teaching science and math at Pahranagat Valley Middle School. Raising cattle is one of his hobbies. He and his wife, Jean, live in Alamo.
Todd Weinstein, ’99 MS Hotel Administration, launched Gavia Partners to provide executive coaching, leadership development, and consulting services to clients in hospitality, technology, and specialty retail. He has focused his efforts in human resources positions in the areas of employee relations, leadership development, talent management, and organizational change at Bally’s and Paris Las Vegas, as well as Expedia.com and PetSmart. He is an avid trail cyclist, independent film enthusiast, musician, and cook. He and his wife, Beth Appelbaum Weinstein, ’98 MS Hotel Administration, live in Phoenix.
Tony Zaranti, ’99 BS Hotel Administration, is general manager of the Summit Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Previously, he served as assistant general manger at Ridglea Country Club as well as at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. His hobbies include golf, travel, food, and boutique wines. He and his wife, Christi, live in Bixby with their two rescue dogs, Riley and Allie.
2000s
Barbara Britton, ’00 BS Business Administration, is retired from California’s Napa County where she worked as the property tax manager for the auditor-controller department. She lives in Yountville.
Dolores Campuzano-Pignatello, ’00 BS Hotel Administration, is director of banquet operations at The Mirage Resort and Casino. In 2014 she received the highest honor given by MGM Resorts International, the Terrance J. Lanni Award for Excellence. This year she received the Glass Ceiling Award from NAWBO. She chairs the Hispanic/Latino Network Group at MGM Resorts International and serves on the board of the Women’s Chamber of Nevada. She has worked with MGM Resorts for more than 12 years. Previously, she worked for Disney World in Florida. Her hobbies include family, friends, faith, travel, music, animals, arts, culture, Broadway, movies, and the outdoors. She and her husband, Joseph Pignatello, have been married four years. They have two daughters, four sons, and three dogs.
Mike La Vita, ’00 BS Hotel Administration, is a senior event planner and team lead in the conferences and events department for Commonwealth Financial Network. He plans and executes networking, educational, and incentive conferences. His hobbies include travel, golf, cooking, poker, and movies. Married since 2013, he lives in Milton, Massachusetts.
Richard Rawson, ’00 BS Business Administration, ’04 JD, earned a Master of Laws degree with a concentration in business transactions from the University of Alabama School of Law in August. He is a managing partner for Ballard Rawson in Las Vegas.
Genie Serrano, ’00 BA Psychology, ’03 JD, is the owner of Peaceful Transformations, a mediation firm specializing in divorce, child custody, and asset and debt division.
Robert Beyer, ’01 JD, and his wife, Sandy, welcomed their second son, Ace, in November 2014. They reside in Hoboken, New Jersey.
Natalie Cox, ’01 JD, is a trial attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice, office of the U.S. trustee, in Wilmington, Delaware.
Nicole Gagnon Davis, ’01 BA English, ’04 Master of Education, is director of the Learning Center at Bishop Gorman High School. Her husband, Stephen Davis, ’12 BA Public Administration, currently is enrolled in the Boyd School of Law. The couple has two children, Faith and MacGyver.
Mark Jackson, ’01 JD, is a foreign service officer at the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C., where he manages the human rights portfolio for sub-Saharan Africa on child labor and slavery, religious freedom, and disability rights. He co-manages the portfolio for child soldiers; human trafficking; lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues; and refugees. He serves as the lead for the Bureau of African Affairs and oversees regional human rights program funding and management.
Steven Krinsky, ’01 JD, opened his Los Angeles-based criminal defense firm, Law Office of Steven Krinsky, in July. Previously, he spent 13 years as a public defender for Los Angeles County.
Gail Clark Lorenzo, ’01 BS Business Administration, is a dental hygienist. She has a son, James, and a daughter, Elaine.
Nancy Olson, ’01 BS Business Administration, just celebrated her first anniversary as an assistant U.S. attorney for the district of Oregon. She prosecutes a variety of white collar and fraud-based cases in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies. She lives in Eugene.
Ian Zabarte, ’01 BA Communication Studies, descries himself as “from backpack, to briefcase, to hardhat,” having switched careers from working in human resources to being an electrician.
David Engler, ’02 BA Theatre, recently was promoted to front office manager at the Hampton Inn and Suites Hampton Cove in Huntsville, Alabama. He lives in Harvest.
Paola Armeni Androvandi, ’03 JD, is now with the firm of Gentile, Cristalli, Miller, Armeni & Savarese.
Adriana Fralick, ’03 JD, is chief deputy district attorney in the Carson City district attorney’s office.
Jamie Weaver Rauch, ’03 BA Psychology, has worked in the pharmaceutical industry for 10 years and currently is employed by GlaxoSmithKline. Her hobbies include travel, decorating, spending time with family, history, and arts and crafts. She and her husband, John Rauch, ’00 BS Fitness Management, have two children, Jackson and Jenavive. The family lives in Henderson.
Juan Rodriguez, ’03 BS Biology, was named a Mountain States “Rising Star” for 2015 by Super Lawyers. He is an attorney in the intellectual property section of the Las Vegas office of Howard & Howard.
Ericka Aviles, ’04 BS Hotel Administration, is director of sales & strategic partnerships for Bonotel Exclusive Travel. Founded more than 25 years ago, the company is one of the largest luxury inbound tour operators specialize in high-end luxury resort accommodations throughout North America. She oversees the sales and strategic efforts for the Americas. She also serves on the alumni board of the Hotel College. Her hobbies include traveling, spending time with friends and family, working out, and practicing yoga.
Audrey Beeson, ’04 BA Political Science, ’07 JD, is a Nevada board-certified family law specialist. She also serves as a mentor for the Nevada State Bar’s TIP (transitioning into practice) mentoring program, which provides transitional support to attorneys newly admitted to the bar who have less that five years’ experience. She is an attorney at the law offices of Frank J. Toti.
Lawrence Hill, ’04 BA Political Science, ’10 JD, was named as “Legal Elite 2015” by Nevada Business magazine and as a “Rising Star -Mountain States 2015” by Super Lawyers.
Jennifer Hostetler, ’04 BA Criminal Justice, ’10 JD, is now the personnel chief for the Nevada attorney general’s office.
Jeanne Lambertsen, ’04 JD, practices family law as an associate with Webster & Associates.
Ben Mazal, ’04 MS Sports & Leisure Service Management, is manager of parks, open space, and golf for the city of Lafayette, Colorado. He has one daughter, Isabel, 9.
Cami Perkins, ’04 JD, is a partner and shareholder at the Las Vegas office of Holley, Driggs, Walch, Puzey & Thompson.
Casper Sesto, ’04 BA Psychology, is a school counselor for the Clark County School District. He also hosts a weekly Internet talk radio show called “Dr. S.: Mind, Body, & Soul. What is Your Truth” and a morning Inspirational Moments with Dr. S webinar. His hobbies include biking, meditation, and eating healthy foods.
Shane Young, ’04 JD, serves as general counsel for Provident Trust Group, Las Vegas.
Nadin Cutter, ’05 BS Business Administration, ’08 JD, celebrated the fourth anniversary of her firm, Cutter Law Firm, this year. She practices family law, business litigation and personal injury. She was named the 2015 Alumna of the Year for the Honors College (see page 30).
Lisa Dell, ’05 BA Communication Studies, recently was named vice president, marketing for Olive Films. While at 8kbet she was advertising manager of the Rebel Yell.
Michael Gardineer, ’05 BA Philosophy, ’09 Executive MBA, is CEO and co-founder of Command Global, a firm that develops and markets nutritional supplements globally. His hobbies include weight training, grappling, shooting, cattle ranching, and spending time with family. He and his wife, Kristen, have three children, Lauren, 9, Beau, 7, and Jude, 3.
Robyn Hadden, ’05 MS Hotel Administration, is the assistant director for special events for Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center as well as for the university’s Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute. On July 4, she married Scott Flowers. The couple lives in the small town of Washington Court House.
Tina Jagerson, ’05 JD, received a master’s degree in library and information science from California’s San Jose State University School of Information in May. She lives in Denver.
Danny Lovell, ’05 JD, now has his own practice, Law Offices of Dan J. Lovell, specializing in bankruptcy, family law, and criminal law.
Aaron Manfredi, ’05 BA Criminal Justice, ’14 Master of Public Administration, is the founder/executive director of the nonprofit Asperger’s Training, Employment and Life Skills. Previously, he was employed by the Clark County School District, teaching middle school reading and emotionally challenged students and coaching varsity football for Sierra Vista High School. He also has worked as a juvenile probation officer. A veteran of Operation Desert Storm, he earned the Southwest Asian Medal with a Bronze Star. He played on the world champion U.S. Navy softball team and is a lifetime member of both the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. He is a member of the 8kbet Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders ambassador program. He earned a master’s degree in justice management from UNR. His hobbies include softball, flag football, working out, and traveling. He has one son.
Brian Ballentine, ’06 BS Secondary Education, is a former teacher for the Clark County School District who founded the Sunset Activist Collective. Ballentine spends time helping people and the planet.
Tiffany Lawrence Banning, ’06 BS Business Administration, ’12 JD, married Jesse Banning on June 27.
Alexis Brown, ’06 BA Mathematical Sciences, ’11 JD, celebrated the first anniversary of her firm, Alexis Brown Law, last December.
Sara Costanza, ’06 BA Journalism and Media Studies, is a physician liaison at 21st Century Oncology. She is engaged to JC Sibley, ’07 BS Kinesiology, director of wellness at Tim Soder Physical Therapy and Wellness. He played baseball at 8kbet. She was a cheerleader. The couple plans to marry in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, in September 2016.
Timothy Geswein, ’06 JD, has returned to his family and the practice of law after suffering from a life-threatening illness in 2014. He and his wife Shemilly Briscoe, ’02 BA English, ’06 JD, would like to offer heartfelt thanks to the law school and legal community for the thoughts, prayers, and assistance received during a difficult time. He is an attorney at Frias Transportation Management.
Autumn Santeler Henderson, ’06 BA English, is general manager at Polar Tech Industries, a manufacturer of insulated containers and cold packs for perishable shipping in the food and biomedical industries. This year she was recognized in Plastics News in a story concerning women in the plastics industry. Her hobbies include fitness, spin cycling, and reading. Last year she married James Henderson. They opened a neighborhood gym, Total Fitness West Dundee. They live in West Dundee, Illinois.
Yvonne Randall, ’06 EdD Special Education, is director of the School of Occupational Therapy at Touro University Nevada for the master of science in occupational therapy and the pending entry-level doctorate in occupational therapy academic programs. In January she will become the chairperson of the American Occupational Therapy Political Action Committee.
Rikki Tanenbaum, ’06 Master of Hotel Administration, is thrilled to be back in Las Vegas where she recently joined Golden Nugget Casinos as the senior vice president of marketing for the Nevada region. Previously, she spent nearly five years moving around the South and Midwest in marketing roles for Penn National Gaming.
Shaun Tuch, ’06 BS Hotel Administration, has expanded and franchised his Professor Egghead business, a company that provides science and engineering education to children. He hopes to expand to Las Vegas soon. He lives in Los Angeles.
Karen Whelan, ’06 JD, was chosen as one of six attorneys nationwide to attend the 2015 International Fellows Program in Washington, D.C. The fellows will conduct research and projects centered on the theme “Innovative Prosecutorial and Crime Fighting Strategies.” Articles prepared by the group will be presented in New York at the end of the fellowship. She is a prosecutor in the special prosecutions division of the Nevada attorney general’s office. In 2012, she raised funds for village families under the untouchable caste in Nepal to receive electrical power in their homes.
Adam Woodrum, ’06 JD, is now a partner at Woodrum Law. He specializes in criminal defense, white-collar crime, appeals, and habeas corpus.
Maricar Andrade, ’07 JD, of Andrade Law serves as the Public Information Committee chair for the Nevada Council for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and is an alternate hearing master for temporary protective orders in the family court division of Clark County District Court. She also coordinates a yearly Asian Pacific American Youth Leadership Symposium with the nonprofit Bamboo Bridges.
Jacqueline Jeanney Bluth, ’07 JD, is the chief deputy district attorney for the special victim’s unit at the Clark County District Attorney’s Office.
Kerry Doyle, ’07 JD, and Tyler Crawford ’07 JD, opened their own Las Vegas practice, Thunder Law, earlier this year.
Amanda Hendrix-Komoto, ’07 Master of Education, is an assistant professor of the American West at Montana State University in Bozeman. This year she completed her doctoral degree in history, specializing in the 19th century American West, at the University of Michigan. Her husband, Jordan Komoto, ’08 Master of Education, is human resources manager of Ultra Electronics, which specializes in defense, aerospace, energy, transportation, and cybersecurity products. They have a daughter, Eleanor.
Shannon Neumann Inglet, ’07 BA Chemistry, is the medication safety specialist for the Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah. She earned a doctorate of pharmacy degree from the University of Utah. She and her husband, Quinton, married in 2010 and are expecting their first child this month. She says Quinton couldn’t resist a woman in a lab coat and goggles. Her hobbies include running marathons (11 so far), traveling (10 countries on four continents), and cooking new foods from various cultures.
Darren Rodriguez, ’07 BA Psychology, ’12 JD, is an associate at Maier Gutierrez Ayon.
Tim Rogan, ’07 BA Computer Science, works for one of the world’s largest IT consulting firms. The job has allowed him to work in many different cities and for several Fortune 500 companies, including Proctor & Gamble and MillerCoors. On a day-to-day basis he manages several software development projects with multiple developers both onshore and offshore.
Amber Geremia, ’08 Elementary Education, ’11 Master of Education, has taught elementary school for seven years and now is a technology specialist. She also is head coach of the cross-country team at Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy. She says that running taught her life skills such as goal setting, work ethic, and teamwork, and that she tries to instill these in the athletes with whom she works. Her hobbies include painting, drawing, crafting, watching comedies, and taking her dogs (including one named Reb) to the park. She and her husband, Didier Lino, ’09 BS Business Administration, attend 8kbet football and basketball games. They live in Henderson.
Kirk Homeyer, ’08 BS Business Administration, ’11 JD, joined Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck’s Las Vegas office earlier this year as an associate in the firm’s corporate department.
Marla Hudgens, ’08 JD, relocated to Arizona, where she continues to maintain an appellate and commercial litigation practice in Phoenix.
Rene Labo, ’08 BS Business Administration, is an insurance agent. His hobbies include playing on Mt. Charleston in the winter, playing tennis all year, reading, gaming, and riding anything with the word “board” in it — snowboard, wakeboard, etc. He lives in Henderson.
Christina Mamer, ’08 BA Criminal Justice, ’12 JD, is an associate at Wood, Smith, Henning and Berman.
Teresa Thomason Manley, ’08 BS Hotel Administration, ’15 MS Hotel Administration, is the guest service trainer in food and beverage at Margaritaville in Bossier City, Louisanna. Previously, she was a catering manager, food and beverage manager, and club operations manager for the U.S. Air Force. Her hobbies include cooking, baking, reading, and swimming. She and her husband have one son, Josef. They live in Haughton.
Bret Meich, ’08 JD, joined Downey Brand LLP in January. He lives in Reno.
Kristopher Milicevic, ’08 BA Economics, ’11 JD, opened his own firm, Milicevic & Associates, in 2014. He specializes in personal injury and worker’s compensation.
Rachel Silverstein, ’08 JD, joined Littler Mendelson as a special counsel last year. She lives in Henderson.
Thaddeus “Toby” Yurek, ’08 JD, joined Greenman, Goldberg, Raby & Martinez in August. His focus is workers’ compensation claims. Before becoming a lawyer, he spent 20 years with the Henderson police department, obtaining the rank of lieutenant.
Margo Chernysheva, ’09 JD, is with MC Law Group, a firm that advises and represents clients on matters of business-based and family-based immigration issues. They specialize in I-9 compliance, investor visas, employer-sponsored visas, NAFTA immigration services, sponsorship, and fiancé visas. Firm employees are fluent in several languages, including Spanish, French, Armenian, Russian, Tagalog, Mandarin, and Cantonese.
Kristie Fischer, ’09 JD, launched a new website for her contract drafting and per diem attorney services company, Contract Guru.
Kelley Goldberg, ’09 JD, joined the Neon Museum Board of Trustees. She is a shareholder at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck and is the head of the Las Vegas office’s intellectual property and technology department.
Amanda Ireland, ’09 BA Economics, ’13 JD, is an associate at Wilson Elser.
Rachel Jones, ’09 BA Political Science, is an associate attorney at Kramer, deBoer and Keane in Woodland Hills, Calif. She lives in Sherman Oaks.
Alysson Thewes Love, ’09 BS Social Work, ’11 Master of Social Work, is the resident clinician at Lakeview Heights, an inpatient psychiatric facility. She recently became certified to practice equine-assisted psychotherapy and is engaged in postgraduate training to become a licensed clinical social worker. She enjoys spending time with her horse, dogs, and aquatic turtles. She lives in Heppner, Oregon.
Chelsea Milko, ’09 BA Political Science, ’09 BS Kinesiology, recently joined the government publishing office in Washington, D.C., as social media lead and assistant media liaison. Previously, she worked as the staff assistant to the inspector general for the U.S. General Services Administration and as a Center for Government Leadership Fellow with the Partnership for Public Service. In 2012, she received a master of public administration degree from Rutgers University. She served in Uganda as a Peace Corps volunteer.
Chelsea Pyasetskyy, ’09 JD, was named a partner at Thenell Law Group in Portland, Ore., where she leads the third-party, personal injury protection and uninsured/underinsured motorist litigation practice. She also is licensed in Nevada and Washington.
Krystal Gallagher Rosse, ’09 JD, serves as an assistant U.S. attorney for the District of Nevada in the Las Vegas office.
Brittany Walker, ’09 BA Political Science, is a project director for the Republican National Lawyers Association. She lives in Washington, D.C.
2010s
Kareema Mitchell Allen, ’10 JD, and Eric Allen ’10 JD, are expecting their first child, a girl. They both practice at Allen Legal Services in Salt Lake City.
Edward Bobbett, ’10 MS Hotel Administration, recently was promoted to front office manager of the Hyatt Regency Monterey in California. He also is a captain in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.
Mark Fernandez, ’10 BA Criminal Justice, is the judicial executive assistant for District Judge Matthew Harter. Previously, he served as a courtroom clerk in District Court. He enjoys hiking, running, traveling, trying new cuisines, video gaming, and the occasional glass of wine.
Adam Greenbaum, ’10 BS Business Administration, has launched his own digital marketing consulting firm, GreenbaumDigital.com. The company offers small business digital marketing strategy, implementation, and continued management. He and his girlfriend, another 8kbet alum, own two Boston terriers, and a cat. They enjoy hiking and exploring nature. The couple lives in Denver.
Rafael Schatz, ’10 BA Political Science, was appointed president of ServiceMax Green Cleaning Systems in January. Two months later, it won a top honor for “green business” from Nevada Business. His hobbies include going to gym and to movies, spending time outdoors, futbol, and “everything Rebel.” He and his wife, Esther, enjoy spending time with their children.
Vincent Wood, ’10 BA Psychology, recently was promoted to captain at SkyWest Airlines, flying Embraer 175 aircraft. This summer, he got engaged. His hobbies include weight lifting, ice hockey, soccer, riding motorcycles, and spending time with family and his dog, Rocky. He lives in Thornton, Colo.
Mabior Ayuen, ’11 BS Business Administration, is founder and chief executive officer at the Graduates Network Center in Nevada and in the South Sudan, Africa. Its mission is to promote a social change in the community and strengthen unity among people. He earned an MBA from Regis University and a professional development program certificate from Harvard. He is pursuing a doctoral degree in management and finance at Walden University in Minnesota. His hobbies include bowling, camping, fishing, and reading.
Kimberly Delmonico, ’11 JD, joined Eglet Law Group’s mass tort litigation team last year.
Jessica Green, ’11 JD, an attorney with Lipson Neilson, was named as “Rising Star-Mountain States 2015” by Super Lawyers. This is the second year in a row that she has received the title.
Trevor Hewitt, ’11 Master of Hotel Administration, continues to expand his Pizza Rock by Tony Gemignani and Slice House restaurants. Three new restaurants have opened in Las Vegas in the last year and four more are on the way. A total of 10 operate in Nevada and California.
Andrew Insigne, ’11 BS Hotel Administration, is assistant director of event marketing for TAO Group. He assists in conceptualizing, executing, and managing all aspects of events and partnerships at all of the company’s newly redesigned nightlife and entertainment venues, including Marquee Nightclub & Dayclub at the Cosmopolitan, TAO Nightclub and TAO Beach at the Venetian, and LAVO at the Palazzo.
Brian John, ’11 JD, will continue to work for the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General Corps in Bahrain after serving two years as a defense attorney in southern Spain.
Amy Ma, ’11 JD, founded Paleo Angel, dedicated to providing foods under the guidelines of the paleo diet and autoimmune protocol. The purpose of Paleo Angel is to nourish and educate individuals about the benefits and impact of whole foods and autoimmune disorders. She is an associate at Weinberg Wheeler Hudgins Gunn & Dial. She specializes in civil litigation.
Keith Pickard, ’11 JD, drafted and was the principal lobbyist for assembly bill 263, which was enacted earlier this year by the Nevada Legislature. The law will harmonize previously conflicting rules regarding the bases for child custody determinations by dropping prior threshold tests based upon gender and prior marital status in favor of a “child-centered” test. It also adjusted the calculus for relocation cases so that the interests of the child are placed ahead of the tactical goals of a parent. He practices family law at his firm, Pickard Parry Pfau.
Debra Amens, ’12 JD, operates a full-service law firm, Amens Law, which serves rural Nevada. With offices in Battle Mountain and Austin, the firm offers services such as family law, criminal defense, estate planning, environmental law, business formation, and trademarks to those residing in remote areas.
Alex Andres, ’12 BA Theatre Arts, has landed his dream job as a LEGO model builder at Merlin Studios Carlsbad in California. Using the training he received at 8kbet where his degree emphasis was in theatre design and technology, he builds models for existing and future LEGOLAND theme parks and LEGOLAND Discovery Centers around the world. His models have appeared in the parks in California and Florida and will be on display at the planned park in Dubai. Previously, he worked as an entertainment technician at the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts at the University of California, Davis, and at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in San Francisco. His hobbies include LEGO model building, video games, sports, ballroom dancing, interior design, art, film, and cooking. He is married and lives in Oceanside.
Matthew Carlyon, ’12 JD, volunteered as a judge for the truancy diversion project in the Clark County School District. The project is an incentive-based program created to decrease absenteeism in all levels within the district.
Ashly Ryan, ’12 BS Business Administration, started working for NV Energy in January as the business coordinator for the renewable energy and origination department and was promoted to associate renewable energy analyst in July. She now is pursuing a graduate certificate in solar and renewable energy at 8kbet. In the last year, she has traveled to the United Kingdom, France, Spain, and Mexico. She also enjoys playing tennis, sewing, reading, and playing with her golden retriever, Mickey.
Roxanne Angelie San Jose, ’12 BA Political Science, is the author of Annagram, a fantasy fiction book for both young adults and adults. Her hobbies include reading and biking.
Richard Andrews, ’13 JD, was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General Corps in 2013. He is stationed at Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. Earlier this year, he spent 10 weeks attending the Naval Justice School.
Frank Beninato, ’13 JD, received a Master of Laws degree in taxation at the University of Miami School of Law this year.
Christopher Blinzinger, ’13 MS Public Administration, has been the emergency manager for the city of Provo, Utah, since 2010. He served as chairman of the Utah County Local Emergency Planning Committee in 2014. This year he was elected president of the Utah Emergency Management Association. His hobbies include bicycle touring of the West, backpacking in the Rocky Mountains, fishing, and reading history. He and his wife have a blended family of eight children. They live in Pleasant Grove.
Zachary Conine, ’13 JD, founded Joseph Beare & Company, a management consulting firm that specializes in start-ups and large-scale feasibility work.
Tamara Prouty Day, ’13 BA Psychology, has worked for the court system for more than 16 years. Her hobbies include hiking, camping, reading, and traveling. The mother of two has seven grandchildren and one more on the way. She lives in St. George, Utah.
Kelsey Fraga, ’13 BA Journalism and Media Studies, began work right after graduation as an assistant account executive at HeBS Digital, a company that provides digital marketing for hotels. She since has received two Above and Beyond awards and was promoted this year to account executive. She is training for the Disneyland marathon. Other hobbies include taking workout classes and hiking. She lives in Henderson with her husband, three cats, and two dogs.
Josh Millan, ’13 MS Hotel Administration, recently was promoted to project manager for retail, dining, and entertainment for Pinnacle Entertainment. In his new role, he assists with developing and supporting implementation of the company’s strategic engagement plan. Previously, he was manager of labor planning for the company.
Pete Reyes, ’13 BA Psychology, recently was promoted to compensation and recruitment coordinator for 8kbet’s human resources department. He previously was a personnel technician 3. He is pursuing a master of public administration degree at 8kbet. Before beginning his undergraduate studies, he spent a few years playing guitar in an indie rock band, In Aviate. The group released two albums through Rise Records and toured the nation numerous times. His hobbies include writing, recording, and playing music; attending music festivals; hiking; and camping. He lives in North Las Vegas.
Ann Sheahan, ’13 JD, is the domestic violence court coordinator of the Ada County Domestic Violence Court in Boise, Idaho.
Mary Vail, ’13 Executive MBA, was the executive producer of a public service announcement, “Float Like a Duck,” which won an Award of Distinction in the 2015 International Videographer Awards competition. The PSA was a collaboration between Paragon Pools and Clark County. She represented Paragon Pools on the project. Among her contributions were developing the concept, writing the script, coordinating the production, and scouting locations. Starring the family-friendly mascot, Duckie, the PSA promotes the importance of water safety, especially for people with children. It may be viewed on YouTube.
Jeffrey Fleming, ’14 BA History, is completing a master’s program in history archeology anthropology at Frances’s Universite de Pau et des Payes de l’Adour. Fleming, who minored in French at 8kbet, says he wants to become the best professor possible in the transcultural study of French rural intellectual history. Soccer and reading are his hobbies. He lives in Pau.
Kandis McClure, ’14 JD, joined Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck’s Las Vegas office earlier this year as a policy advisor. She focuses on the Nevada state government.
Adriana Osorto, ’14 BS Hotel Administration, is a management associate in the human resources department at the Luxor.
Shannon Phenix, ’14 Master of Social Work, ’14 JD, is a deputy public defender for Clark County.
Joseph Sakai, ’14 JD, is an associate at Ballard Spahr specializing in all phases of litigation.
Rob Telles, ’14 JD, opened his firm, Accolade Law, in March. The firm donates a portion of every fee to a nonprofit or charity that operates in Southern Nevada. He currently sits on committees at the Latin Chamber of Commerce, the Clark County Bar Association, the Las Vegas Rotary Club, and A-Tech Academy.
Andrew Williams, ’14 BA Political Science, ’14 BS Public Administration, works for Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., in Washington, D.C. He has been promoted to legislative correspondent, covering energy, environment, transportation, and natural resource issues for the senator. Previously, he worked as a staff assistant. He lives in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Dmetri Culkar, ’15 BS Business Administration, is pursuing a law degree at the University of Michigan. His hobbies include trying new restaurants and bars as well as spending time with his girlfriend and his dogs. He lives in Ann Arbor.
Lee Gorlin, ’15 JD, is a judicial clerk for Nevada Supreme Court Justice Michael Cherry.
Nicole Pedroza, ’15 BA Psychology, is pursuing a master of social work degree at the University of Southern California.
