Alumni in the News - June 2009
Spotlight
Engineering Alum is Serving in Iraq, Helping Nation Rebuild
Daniel Gutierrez (B.S., Civil Engineering, 2005), joined the Navy just after graduation and is still a Navy man. With his family in Novato, he's assigned to Iraq and is helping the nation rebuild. Lt. Gutierrez is a Navy officer working with the Army Corps of Engineers. He recently spent time at an Iraqi orphanage, handing out food and toys.
Read the story on Gutierrez in the Novato Advance
Can't Get Enough Yankovic? Try 'Al Fest' in Orange County Aug. 1
"Weird Al'"Yankovic fans are set to invade Orange County this summer for "Al Fest," a fan convention and celebration of comedy music. It's set for 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, in Costa Mesa. Yankovic (B.S., Architecture, 1980) is arguably Cal Poly's most famous architecture alum and KCPR DJ. He shot to fame in 1979 when he recorded "My Bologna," a spoof of the Knack's "My Sharona," in the bathroom near of campus radio station, where he was a student DJ. He's been at the top of the charts for three decades, with more than 12 million albums sold, three Grammy Awards (nine nominations), and 10 MTV/VH1 specials
Find our more about the Augst Al Fest on Yahoo! News
Alum is School Assembly Hit with His Poison Dart Frogs
Kendall Roberg (B.S., Statistics, 2007) is passionate about frogs -- even poisonous ones. The 25-year-old La Crescenta resident has a number of amphibious pets and takes them to local schools to speak on science. The Crescenta Valley Sun tagged along on one of his trips to an elementary school and wrote about the experience. Roberg became passionate about poison dart frogs after reading books about them and got his first poison dart frog about five years ago. He's been teaching children and adults about animals for the past 11 years through an educational program called The Awesome Animals Summer Program. It teaches kids from preschool to sixth grade about animals, environmental protection and more.
Read the story on Roberg and his frogs in the Crescenta Valley Sun
Alumna's Firm Makes the Cover of Landscape Architecture Magazine
Arterra, a landscape architecture firm co-owned by alumna Vera Gates (B.S., Landscape Architecture, 1984),was featured on the cover of the January 2009 issue of Landscape Architecture magazine. Gates founded Arterra, a San Francisco-based design studio, in 2003 with business partner Kate Stickley. Arterra designs contemporary, resource-efficient residential gardens. Gates aims to preserve and restore native habitat; provide food, passive heating and cooling; and manage site water.
Go to the January edition of the magazine
Cal Poly Alums Reunite for 'Class of 2000' Goodbye to Kindergarten Teacher
Two Cal Poly alumna are the faces of the millenial generation on the Central Coast. Ramey Miller (B.F.A, Applied Art and Design, 2005) and Kara Meyer (B.S., Kinesiology, 2005) were part of the classroom full of kindergarteners profiled every year by the San Luis Obispo Tribune untill they graduated 13 years later as part of the Class of 2000 at San Luis Obispo High School. The duo and about half of their classmates gathered at Sinsheimer Elementary School in May, 22 years later, to honor their kindergarten teacher, Sue Babcock. Miller and Meyer roomed together while attending attending Cal Poly and worked in San Francisco at the same job for a time.
Read more about Miller and Meyer and other Class of 2000 members in the SLO Tribune story
Toilet to Tap Water Transformation is Alum's Speaking Topic
Chris Reilly (B.S., Natural Resources Management, 1985) is a water resource specialist with the San Diego County Water Authority. Thanks to California's drought, he now finds himself a frequent speaker about the next wave of conservation: purifying wastewater to use as drinking water. "All water is recycled, and the same water that was around 5 million years ago is still with us. There is no such thing as new water,” Reilly told the San Diego News Network.
Read the story on the water quandry
Food Science Alum is An Extreme Marathoner
Dean Karnazes (B.S., Nutrition Science, 1987) had an unusual warm-up for the LA Marathon Memorial Day Weekend. He made the trip from Santa Barbara to LA on foot -- running 100 miles before getting to the marathon's starting line. Karnazes is a 46-year-old ultra-marathoner who grew up in Southern California. He split the Santa Barbara-to-LA run into 50-mile segments the Saturday and Sunday before the Monday L.A. Marathon. He ran his first marathon at age 14.
Read more about Karnazes on PR Newswire
Wine & Food
Alum Runs Family Vineyards in Mendocino
Known for growing excellent grapes since the 1970s, Nelson Family Vineyards has been home to Greg Nelson (Electrical Engineering, 1970) since he was five years old. After Cal Poly, he returned to the family's 1,800-acre ranch in Mendocino County. Today 180 acres of grapes and 30 acres of pears grow on the ranch, and both Nelson's sons have also graduated from Cal Poly. When they returned to the ranch, the family turned its attention to making wine.
Read more on the Nelsons in the Ukiah Daily Journal
Fine Artisinal Cheese in ... Virginia?
When Rick and Helen Feete were married in 1977, they left city life for farm life. Now their Meadowbrook Farms is bringing New Zealand-style, "cow friendly" dairying and the resulting gourmet cheese to Virginia. Before Helen Feete started making cheese, she took a cheese-making course at Cal Poly's Dairy Products Technology Center. And now Meadow Creek Dairy is winning awards and national recognition for its cheeses, sold in gourmet hot spots including Murray's Cheese Shop in New York and the French Laundry in Yountville, Calif., considered one of the best restaurants in the nation.
Read the story in the Winston-Salem Journal
Career Moves
New NanoLogix Science Advisory Board Includes Engineering Alum
NanoLogix, Inc. has announced the creation of its Science Advisory Board to help evaluate and target research and development efforts for products. The new NanoLogix Science Advisory Board Members include Chris Novak (M.S., Electronic and Electrical Engineering, 1998), NanoLogix director of Intellectual Property. He is a registered patent attorney and is licensed to practice law in several states. He earned his law degree from Marquette University, where he also earned a bachelor's in mechanical engineering. Novak is currently working toward a degree in biotechnical science.
Read the story on NanoWerk
Pacific Biosciences Names Math, Computer Sci Alum Schadt as Chief Scientific Officer
Pacific Biosciences, a private company developing third-generation DNA sequencing technology, has named leading genetic scientist Eric E. Schadt as its chief scientific officer. Schadt (B.S., Math, 1991) went on to earn his M.A. in pure mathematics and his doctorate in bio-mathematics, both from UCLA.
Read more on Schadt in Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News
Flowserve Names Ag Business Alum Vice President
Flowserve Corporation, a leading provider of flow control products and services for the global infrastructure markets, has named Paul W. Fehlman (B.S., Business Administration, 1988) vice president for financial planning & analysis and investor relations. Fehlman has served as Flowserve's treasurer since 2005. In addition to his Cal Poly degree, Fehlman earned an MBA from Cornell University.
Read the story on Globe Investor
Alum Named One of Alabama's 'Super Lawyers'
F. Lane Finch, Jr. (B.S., Business Administration, 1984) was recently named to the list of 2009 Alabama Super Lawyers. The designation places him among the top five percent of Alabama's practicing lawyers. Finch specializes in business litigation and works in the Birmingham offices of Haskell Slaughter Young & Rediker. In addition to his Cal Poly degree, he earned his law degree at Hastings in 1987.
See more in the Birmingham News
Alum Named Managing Partner of International Law Firm's Silicon Valley Office
International law firm Nixon Peabody LLP has named Gregory P. O’Hara (B.S., Business Administration, 1984) managing partner of the firm’s Silicon Valley office. He is a partner in the firm’s energy and environmental practice, focusing on cleantech startups, project development, corporate counseling and finance, and permitting. He has extensive transactional and energy regulatory experience. He also represents companies in the energy, chemical, and manufacturing markets in complex litigation and disputes.
Read more on O'Hara
Alum is New Chief Probation Officer for San Luis Obispo County
San Luis Obispo County supervisors this month named Jim Salio (B.S., Social Science, 1991) as the new chief probation officer. Salio is a 19-year veteran of the Probation Department, graduated magna cum laude from Cal Poly. He is currently assistant chief probation officer, and will take over his new duties June 28.
Read The Tribune story on Salio
Alum is New Public Works Director in Aptos
John Presleigh (B.S., Civil Engineering, 1983) became the new public works director of Aptos May 16. Presleigh is an 18-year veteran of the department, most recently serving as assistant public works director. In addition to his Cal Poly degree, Presleigh earned a second bachelor's degree in water and soil sciences from UC Davis in 1990.
Read about Presleigh in the MCPost
Grad Expanding his Tech Networking Facility in SLO
Digital West Networks Inc. founder and Cal Poly graduate Tim Williams (B.S., Journalism, 1996) is expanding his San Luis Obispo facility. “The need for our data center space and our other services continues to grow,” he told the San Luis Obispo Tribune's business section.
Read the SLO Tribune story on Williams
History Grad Elected Vice President, Corporate Development at CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
CF Industries Holdings, Inc. announced in June that that Lynn F. White (B.S., History, 1977) has been elected vice president, Corporate Development for the company. White minored in economics at Cal Poly. Prior to joining CF Industries, White, 56, was the founder and managing director of Twemlow Group LLC, a consulting firm he established in 2008.
Read the Business Wire story
Engineering Grad Firm's Growth Reflected in New Web Site
Thoma Electric Co. is an electrical engineering, design and construction firm based in San Luis Obispo and headed by alum Bill Thoma (B.S., Electrical Engineering, 1977). Its new corporate Web site reflects the company’s evolution toward sustainable electrical engineering practices and the wide range of projects it recently completed. The site includes project images and descriptions for some of the firm's work, including the recent re-engineering of the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa lighting systems, the new Santa Maria Public Library and the electrical design and construction project for Rabbit Ridge Winery, as well as some of the most environmentally significant buildings at Cal Poly.
Read the Santa Maria Times story on Thoma Electric
Central Coast Alum Elected to Lead National Propane Energy Council
California businessman William Platz (B.S., Industrial Arts, 1980) is president of the Paso Robles-based propane corporation Delta Liquid Energy. He was elected in May to serve as national chairman of the Propane Education & Research Council. A California native, Platz has worked in the third-generation family business of Delta Liquid Energy (DLE) in Paso Robles since 1986.
NewswireToday.com
Alum Named Product Manager for 8e6 Technologies
8e6 Technologies, a leading supplier of Internet Filtering and Reporting Appliances, has named David Angier (B.S., Business Administration, 1994) as its director of product management.
Read the story on Press Release Point
Alum Retiring After Long Career in City, Community Planning
After a decade as San Luis Obispo County Planning Director, Vic Holanda (B.S., City and Regional Planning, 1975) announced his retirement in late May. Before becoming the county's planning leader, Holanda worked in Stanislaus County, Calistoga, Mendocino County and Napa.
Read the story in The Tribune
Serving the Community
Alum is On the Fire Lines in Santa Barbara County
Cal Poly alum Nick Hoover (B.S., Graphic Communication, 2006) rushed to the rescue effort New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina as a Cal Poly undergrad. The ace photographer, who worked as a photo technician at The Tribune while attending Cal Poly, is now a firefighter with the Carpinteria Fire Department. He battled some of the recent wildfires in Santa Barbara County.
Read The Tribune story on Hoover
Zimmerman throws Hat into Ring for San Luis Obispo County 4th District Supervisor Seat
Longtime Arroyo Grande lawyer Michael Zimmerman (B.S., Agribusiness, 1975) announced in early June he intends to run for the 4th District county supervisor’s seat being vacated by Katcho Achadjian (B.S., Business Administration, 1976) in 2010. In addition to his Cal Poly degree, Zimmerman earned his law degree from Western State University School of Law in 1978 and began his law practice the same year in Arroyo Grande.
Read the Santa Maria Times story on Zimmerman
Got a Garden Question? Ask Tony -- he's an Alum
Tony Tomeo (B.S. Ornamental Horticulture, 1992) is a certified arborist, garden columnist and radio reporter based in Santa Cruz. He's also launched a Web site, www.AskTonyTheGardener.com, to be a “loud speaker” for educating the world about gardening, and how to achieve the most sustainable and aesthetically pleasing gardens possible. His 710 square-foot entry in the 2009 San Francisco Flower Show took bronze in the "best overall' category.
Grad's Service in Massachusetts Earns Recognition
Karson Aubuchon (B.S., Home Economics, 1969) is now chair of Community Builders in Fitchburg, Mass. She received the 2009 Service Above Self Awards during Mount Wachusett Community College's 44th Commencement in May.
Fitchburg Sentinel & Enterprise
Alum Retires After Career as Tulare City Schools Chief
Tulare City Schools Superintendent John Beck (Physical Education, 1974) is retiring after 34 years with the district. Before beginning his career in Tulare, Beck taught for two years in Arroyo Grande.
More in the Visalia Times Delta
Engineering Alum Speaks Out On His Passion: Mission San Fernando
Ken Pauley (B.S., Aero Engineering and mathematics, 1961) and his wife, Carol, have extensively studied the San Fernando Mission. The husband-and-wife author team recently published a book titled "San Fernando, Rey de España: An Illustrated History." The duo spoke to the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society on the history of the San Fernando Mission. In addition to his Cal Poly degrees, Ken Pauley earned his master's and a doctorate in structural mechanics from UCLA.
See more about the book and the mission on Santa Clara TV News
Passings
Search and Rescue Team Leader Meadows Killed in the Line of Duty
Central Coast Search and Rescue Team leader Christopher Meadows (B.S., Business Administration, 2007) was a Cal Poly graduate, a Central Coast paramedic and search and rescue volunteer. Meadows, 24, was killed in an ATV roll-over while responding to a call for medical help on the Oceano Dunes duringMemorial Day weekend.
KSBY story on Meadows' funeral | Tribune story on Meadows' funeral | Meadows' Tribune obituary
Engineering Grad Killed in the Line of Duty in Iraq
At 54 years old, Navy reserve Cmdr. Duane Wolfe (B.S., Construction Management, 1980) thought about retiring from a long career in the military. After more than 30 years of service in various reserve units attached to the Naval Operational Support Center at Naval Base Ventura County and a career as a civilian deputy commander at Vandenberg Air Force Base, he signed up for a tour of duty in Iraq. He was killed by a roadside bomb in May. Services held at Vandenberg on June 2 were attended by hundreds.
SLO Tribune Story on Wolfe | Ventura Star story on Wolfe | SLO Tribune story on Wolfe's funeral
Donald Arthur Griswold
Donald Arthur Griswold, a resident of Terra Bella, passed away Saturday, May 23, at the age of 65, after a year-long battle with cancer. Griswold (B.S., Agricultural Business, 1965) served two years with the Naval Reserve while at Cal Poly before receiving his commission from Officers Candidate School at Newport, R.I. in December 1965.
Read the obituary in the Porterville Recorder
Robert Carl Beard
Robert Carl Beard, 62, (B.S., Mechanical Engineering, 1969) died Tuesday, May 12. He was born in Chicago Heights, Ill. After graduating from Cal Poly, he worked for PG&E for 25 years.
Read The Tribune obituary
Former Physics Professor Walt Ogier
Walter T. “Walt” Ogier, 83, passed away peacefully at his home in Atascadero on May 5, 2009. Ogier moved to Atascadero with his wife in 1989 after spending nearly 30 years teaching at Pomona College. He continued his research and teaching at Cal Poly. His motto was “Physics is Phun!”
Read the Atascadero News obituary
Charles Burch
Charles "Charlie" Burch died Saturday, May 2, at his sister's home in Paso Robles after a brief illness. Burch (History, 1975) was born in San Luis Obispo in January 1949 and was a fourth-generation San Luis Obispo resident. He attended San Luis Obispo High School.
Read The Tribune obituary