Alumni in the News - December 2007
Features
Gocong, Shotwell Both Playing for Philly Eagles
Cal Poly alumni and former Mustang Football teammates Chris Gocong (Engineering, 2006) and Kyle Shotwell (B.A., 2007, Psychology) are now teammates for the Philadelphia Eagles. Shotwell was sidelined with injuries early in his pro career with the Eagles, but has since soared as a defensive lineman. Shotwell signed with the Eagles in late November.
(r) Kyle Shotwell in his Mustang football days
Read the Atlantic City Press story about Gocong and Shotwell
Read the Cal Poly Winter 2007 Magazine story about Gocong
Read the SLO Tribune sports story on Shotwell
Alum is California's Top Harbormaster
Port San Luis Harbor District Operations Manager Randal "Casey" Nielsen (B.S., Political Science, 1996) has been named the 2007 state harbor master of the year by his peers. He is a graduate of Cuesta College and Cal Poly, and also works as a seasonal park ranger at Lake Nacimiento.
Read the Santa Maria Times story
Psychology Alum Founds BioDiesel Firm in San Diego
Peter Schuh (B.S., Psychology, 1996), 34, is chief executive officer of Circle Biodiesel & Ethanol Corp. Schuh has developed a machine that produces biodiesel fuel, which emits less carbon than petroleum-based diesel and gasoline. Schuh uses Jatropha seeds in his biofuels plant. Jatropha is typically found in barren areas of Asia and Africa. Its seeds produce an oil that could become a key ingredient for customers of Schuh's San Marcos-based business.
Read more about Schuh in the San Diego Union-Tribune
Cal Poly Alum Running Family Vineyard in SLO
This fall marked Chuck Ortman’s 40th wine harvest, and he spent it at home: at San Luis Obispo-based Ortman Family Vineyards. Son Matt Ortman (B.S., Construction Management, 1996) is now the chief winemaker in the family affair. Matt Ortman was working in construction management in the Bay Area, but was always an avid brewer, a hobby he had picked up while at Cal Poly. Eventually, just as his dad had, Matt Ortman decided to leave behind his first career and start making wine. He joined his father in the family venture.
Read the SLO Tribune story on the Ortmans
Alum Running for County Supervisor Seat
Vito Chiesa (B.S., Fruit Science, 1987), 43, is a peach and almond grower in Hughson. In addition to his Stanislaus County Farm Bureau presidency, he has served on the board of the California Farm Bureau, the California Canning Peach Association, the 38th District Agricultural Association and as a former member of the board of The Arrowhead Club. Chiesa recently tossed his hat into the ring in the race to replace the retiring District 2 Stanislaus County Supervisor.
Read the Modesto Bee story on the race
State Senator Alum Speaks on Agriculture
State Sen. Jeff Denham (B.A., Political Science, 1992) spoke about the protection of agriculture in the Central Valley Nov. 27 during an ag speaker series at California State University, Stanislaus. He owns and operates Denham Plastics, a leading supplier of reusable containers in the agricultural industry. He and his family also grow almonds at their Merced County ranch. He sits on the senate's agriculture, business, professions and economic development, education and veterans affairs standing committees.
Read the coverage in the Modesto Bee
Mustang Couple are Holiday Parade Marshals in Arroyo Grande
Arroyo Grande residents Jim (M.C.P, City and Regional Planning, 2003) and Anya (M.A., Education, 2003) Bergman took second stage to Santa Claus during the annual Arroyo Grande Village Christmas Parade. Both moved to the county in late 2000 to complete master’s degree programs at Cal Poly. Anya Bergman now works as an academic advisor at Cal Poly and helps with the Cal Poly student club Latinos in Agriculture, and Jim Bergman is an assistant planner with the City of Arroyo Grande.
Read the Times Press Recorder story on the Bergmans
Promotions
Alum is Named New San Luis Obispo County Engineer
Paavo Ogren (B.S., Business Administration, 1984) has been named as the successor to San Luis Obispo County Engineer Noel King, who is set to retire Dec. 31. Ogren has steered the county through the treacherous waters of the Los Osos sewer project in the past year and will lead the county's Department of Public Works.
Read the SLO Tribune story
Alum Named Transit Director in North Carolina
The Western Piedmont Regional Transit Authority in North Carolina recently named Ed Clifford (B.S., City and Regional Planning, 1977) as its first executive director. He'll take the position in January. Clifford received his bachelor’s of science degree in regional planning from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. He has more than 30 years of transit experience in Los Angeles and Orange County.
Read the Hickory Daily Record story
Business Alum Named to Head Chamber of Commerce in Illinois Town
The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce has named Richard Greene (B.S., Business Administration, 1978) as its new director. Green will take over from retiring President and CEO Mike Skarr at the beginning of the new year. In addition to his Cal Poly degree, he also holds an MBA from Utah State University.
Read the Naperville Sun story
Passings
Sausalito Landscape Architect, Central Coast Native Bruce McCrea
Bruce Timothy McCrea, who built lavish theme gardens for clients throughout California, died suddenly at his Sausalito home on Nov. 21 of coronary artery disease. He was 53. He studied fruit science at Cal Poly before moving to Sausalito.
Read the obituary in the Marin Independent-Journal
Animal Science Alumna DeDe Voss
Joan Ellen "DeDe" Voss (B.S., Animal Science, 1977), 53, of Atascadero passed away Nov. 27, 2007, at her home after a courageous battle with melanoma.
Read the obituary in the SLO Tribune
James Edward Dickens, Credential Alum
James Edward Dickens (B.S. Technical Arts, 1964, M.A. Education, 1966) passed away in Freeland, Wash., Nov. 8, 2007. He enrolled at Cal Poly when he was 36 and earned his teaching credential. Afterwards he taught math and shop at Coast Union High School for 16 years while his wife Liz worked at Cal Poly.
Read the SLO Tribune obituary on Dickens