Alumni In the News - March 2009
In the Spotlight
Alum Dennis Hollingsworth Named New California Senate Republican Leader
Dennis Hollingsworth (Dairy Science, 1990) has been named the new California State Senate Republican leader. He represents the 36th Senate district, including southwest Riverside County, north and east San Diego County, and portions of the city of San Diego. Before serving in the Legislature, he was a business owner and legislative director for the Riverside County Farm Bureau. Hollingsworth was elected to the State Senate in November 2002 after serving one term in the Assembly. Hollingsworth is vice chairman of the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee and a member of the Senate Food and Agriculture Committee. He previously served as assistant Republican leader and Republican caucus whip, and was vice chairman of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee from 2004 to 2008.
Read the story in the Sacramento Bee:
http://www.sacbee.com/capitolandcalifornia/story/1636157.html
PolySci Alum Helps Break Chandra Levy Murder Cold Case
Ralph Ioimo (B.S., Political Science, 1972), a retired police officer who's now a college professor in Alabama, helped break the Washington D.C. Chandra Levy murder case. Police recently made an arrest in the case, eight years after Levy disappeared while working as a congressional intern. Ioimo, a professor at Auburn University in Alabama, had his crime investigation students look into the cold case of Chandra Levy. Police now have a suspect in her death. Before earning his doctorate and becoming a professor, Ioimo worked his way up the ranks at the Simi Valley Police Department.
Read the story online at KCOY:
http://www.kcoy.com/global/story.asp?s=9914780
Cal Poly Alums Develop Digital System for Government Printing Office
Robert C. Tapella, (B.S., Graphic Communication, 1991) and Blake Edwards (B.S., Graphic Communication, 2003) played key roles in developing a new digital system that will serve the public for years to come by providing quick access to federal government documents online.
The new system of the nation’s Government Printing Office, called FDsys, offers public access to documents from all three branches of government — including such information as congressional bills and President Barack Obama’s stimulus plan. Tapella was named the nation's U.S. Printer in 2007.
Read the SLO Tribune story:
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/story/622316.html
Vivi Zigler’s Zig-Zag Career Earns Her a Top Spot at NBC Universal
Vivi Zigler (B.S., Journalism, 1979) has gone from reporting to marketing to entertainment in her career. The former executive vice president in charge of programming for NBC now heads up the network’s digital programming efforts. She earned her promotion by impressing her boss, Jeff Gaspin, now president and Chief Operating Officer of the Universal Television Group, and NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker, “by learning all sides of an issue and trying to get everybody working together in the best way possible.”
Read the article in Broadcasting & Cable:
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/174546-NBC_s_Convergence_Queen.php?rssid=20065
Architect Bill Wolpert Advocates ‘Passive Houses’ in U.S.
Petaluma-based architect Bill Wolpert (B.S., Architecture, 1986), principal of Green Building Architects, has been interested in creating energy-efficient structures since his student days at Cal Poly. He is now at the national forefront of a new concept in energy efficiency known as the “passive house.” Passive houses use specific design standards that reduce — or completely eliminate — the need for a furnace or air conditioner.
Read the story in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat:
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20090220/LIFESTYLE05/902200932/1315?Title=Passive-houses-aggressive-energy-savers
Math Alum Keeps Count While Leading ‘Straight Ahead Big Band’
Saxophone player Steve Fischer (B.S., Mathematics, 1966) leads the 18-member Straight Ahead Big Band, comprised of local musicians who have been playing their instruments since grade school. The only big band orchestra between Redding and Portland, the Straight Ahead Big Band has been playing its brand of Count Basie-style swing all over the north for 20 years. Having fun is “what keeps everybody doing this,” Fischer said. “They love the music, and we have fun doing it.” For performance dates and to hear some of the band’s music, visit: straightaheadbigband.com.
Read the article in Enjoy Magazine at:
http://www.enjoymagazine.net/articles/article/id_cmsarticles/221
Alumna's Love is Rock Solid
Dean Thompson first saw his future wife Staci Kawa Thompson (B.S., Environmental and Systematic Biology, 1987) while observing peregrine falcons at Morro Rock. She was a Cal Poly student helping researchers gather sea otter data. He was there as a wildlife biologist studying the falcons’ egg hatching. They've been together for some 24 years now, and were featured with several others in a San Luis Obispo Tribune Valentine’s Day tribute to long-lasting love.
Read the SLO Tribune story at:
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/story/621488.html
Wine & Food
Alum-Winemaker Brings A Bit of Napa to Sofia, Bulgaria
Dave Guffy (B.S. Food Science and Nutrition, 1985) is now head winemaker at The Hess Collection, where a dedication to respecting nature and practicing green business has been guiding the company since its founding in 1978. The Napa Valley winery’s offerings are among the five most-requested wines in American restaurants, and the company has earned awards for its environmentally friendly commitment. Guffy recently took Hess wines to Sofia, Bulgaria, for a presentation and tasting.
Read the whole story in The Sofia Echo:
http://www.sofiaecho.com/2009/02/06/670158_from-vineyard-to-suit-coat
Alums are Engineering a New Brew for 'Beer Geeks'
Home brewers John Moule and Eric Beaton (B.S., Materials Engineering, 1997; MBA Engineering Management, 1999) have opened Creekside Brewing Co. in downtown San Luis Obispo. When the duo’s personal brew operations overflowed into their backyards and garages, they decided to go public with the hope of satisfying “a different downtown crowd, not just the typical college kid. We want to deal with people who enjoy the taste of alcohol. We cater to the beer geeks,” Beaton said.
Read the New Times story:
http://newtimesslo.com/strokes-and-plugs/2020/theres-a-new-brew-in-town/
Alum Opens New Eatery in Templeton
Since Jim Griffin (B.S., Food Science, 1986) opened Griff’s Pizzeria and Bistro in Templeton last July, he’s been serving up pizzas, pastas and panini. Griffin’s career started off some 20 years ago in the food service division of Stouffer’s, a division of Nestle. About five years ago, he joined the staff at Edna Valley Vineyard as hospitality director, but soon realized that if he was going to have his own restaurant, it was now or never.
Read the San Luis Obispo Tribune story:
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/entertainment/dining/story/631683.html
Moving Up
Wright Contracting Picks Right Alum as President
Mark Davis (B.S., Construction Management, 1986) was promoted to president of general commercial builder Wright Contracting of Santa Rosa. Davis joined the company 25 years ago, right after graduation. Most recently, he served as vice president and operations manager.“We recognize the years ahead provide a rapidly changing and challenging marketplace in construction and in our communities," said owner Jay Wright. "Mark has outstanding qualifications to continue the Wright Contracting legacy as the elite general building contractor in the North Bay."
Read the story in the North Bay Business Journal:
http://www.busjrnl.com/article/20090302/BUSINESSJOURNAL/903020934/1218
Penn State Mont Alto Campus Names Alumna Public Relations Director
Kristie Fry (B.S. Journalism, 1994) has been named director of public relations and marketing at Penn State's Mont Alto campus. Fry will be the campus spokesperson and media liaison, and will oversee production of all campus publications and Web communications. Fry joins Mont Alto after managing her own public relations firm for the past five years. She has also been a marketing and public relations officer in professional basketball for the Golden State Warriors in California and for a division of Random House Inc. publishing in Colorado. While a student at Cal Poly, she competed in NCAA Division I basketball on a full scholarship.
Read the story in Public Opinion online:
http://www.publicopiniononline.com/ci_11745353
Robert Kelleher Joins Remote Backup Company RenovoData Inc.
Robert Kelleher (B.S., Physics, 1975) has joined the management team of RenovoData Inc. as senior storage architect in Atlanta. Kelleher brings more than 30 years of experience providing storage, network and systems administration solutions to companies in the Philippines, Costa Rica, Singapore, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, England, Australia and Japan. Most recently, he managed storage architect solutions for SilverPop, where he was responsible for overseeing multiple multi-terabyte (TB) databases, and over 300TB of array space in the Southeastern United States. He has extensive experience in designing backup to disk systems and developing disaster recovery programs.
Read the story in TechLinks:
http://www.techlinks.net/community/articles/article/17143-renovodata-expands-management-team-with-the-addition-of-robert-kelleher
Tulare County Farm Bureau Taps Liza Teixeira As Program Coordinator
Liza Teixeira (B.S., Agricultural Science, 2008) has been tapped by the Tulare County Farm Bureau as a program coordinator. Teixeira has worked for the California Farm Bureau Federation and the California Strawberry Commission. The Farm Bureau represents more than 2,000 family farmers in Tulare County and promotes public education and advocacy on behalf of its members.
Read the story in the Tulare Advance Register:
http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/article/20090204/NEWS01/90204010
Visalia Engineer, Cal Poly Alum Earns State Credential
Craig Hartman (B.S., Civil Engineering, 2005), a principal in the Visalia 4Creeks Inc. office , was certified by the state of California and is now a registered Civil Engineer. Hartman began his career with Quad Knopf in 2004 as a student intern. During his time there, he worked on numerous land projects, water master plans, irrigation delivery and public works projects. He currently focuses on agriculture, energy and environmental projects at 4Creeks.
Read the story in the Visalia Times Delta:
http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/article/20090204/ROI/902040305
Vodanovich Named National Account Manager for Lattice Technology
Chris Vodanovich (Recreation Administration, 1989) has been named national account manager of Lattice Technology, developers of digital manufacturing applications. Vodanovich has 15 years of sales experience and is credited with building successful sales and promotional strategies. Before joining Lattice Technology, he was a senior account executive at Mercado Software (now Omniture Inc.), a provider of online business optimization software used by major corporations.
Read the online story at Ten Links:
http://www.tenlinks.com/NEWS/PR/lattice3d/020509_vodanovich.htm
Alternative Energy Company Recruits Alum as CEO
Chris Soderquist (B.S., Journalism, 1991) was named chief executive officer of Octus Energy, an alternative energy creation and conservation company. Soderquist has 17 years’ experience founding, managing, capitalizing and selling companies. Most recently, he co-founded and served as managing director of Crescendo, which was acquired in 2008 by Abercrombie and Kent.
Read the PRSafe Newsire story:
http://digital50.com/news/80588
Entrepreneurs
Yes It Is Her Beeswax: Alumna Sheds Light on Old-World Candle Making
Lisa Zimmerman-Hansen (B.A., History, 1996), owner and founder of VERIS Candle & Bath Co. in Paso Robles, is a throwback to a long gone era. In a rustic boutique factory, she and other artisans create high-end candle and bath items using techniques straight out of history. Her handmade products are sold in over 150 stores nationwide, in addition to numerous private-label accounts. Zimmerman-Hansen first acquired a passion for beeswax candles while attending Cal Poly, when studying by candlelight became part of her routine.
Read the story in NewswireToday:
http://www.newswiretoday.com/news/47110/
Making a Difference
Business Alum, SLO County Supervisor Named Cuesta College Distinguished Alumnus
Katcho Achadjian (B.S., Business Administration, 1976), San Luis Obispo County Fourth District Supervisor, was recognized by the County Board of Supervisors as a Cuesta College distinguished alumnus. Achadjian earned an associate degree from Cuesta College in 1973. Cuesta College Superintendent/President Dave Pelham and Iris Swisher, Cuesta's Foundation Board of Directors president, presented Achadjian with the award.
Read the story in the Times Press Recorder:
http://www.santamariatimes.com/articles/2009/02/02/news/centralcoast/news06.txt
Ag Biz Alum and Wife Honored as King City's Citizens of the Year
Frank “Mickey” Hearne (B.S., Agricultural Business, 1964) and his wife, Patty, were honored recently as citizens of the year by the King City Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture. Hearne is the son of Larry and Irene Hearne, who moved to King City in 1938 to start the LA Hearne Warehouse, home of the famous King City Pink Beans.
Mickey and Patty Hearne married in the fall of 1962, while Mickey Hearne was still attending Cal Poly and Patty working at the local Bank of America.
Read the article in the King City Rustler:
http://www.kingcityrustler.com/V2_news_articles.php?heading=0&page=72&story_id=320
Diocese Awards Principal of Year Honor to Cal Poly Alum
Diane Arias (B.S., Mathematics, 1965) principal of Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Indio, recently received the Diocese of San Bernardino's Distinguished Principal of the Year award. At the ceremony, she was praised for her leadership in providing quality education for children. The award is given each year to a principal who has the qualities of leadership, courage, outstanding professionalism and the ability to build a community that serves children.
Read the Desert Sun (Palm Springs) story at:
http://www.mydesert.com/article/20090206/NEWS04/902050370/1006/news01
Ag Engineering Alum to Speak at Farm City Festival Breakfast in Yolo County
Lewis Bair (B.S., Agricultural Engineering, 1995) is the featured speaker at Yolo County’s National Agriculture Week event. The 29th Annual Farm City Festival Breakfast, scheduled by the Farm Bureau, is set for March 18. Bair, general manager of Reclamation District No. 108, is a registered civil engineer in California and is a member of Class 33 of the Agricultural Leadership Program.
Read the Daily Democrat article:
http://www.dailydemocrat.com/business/ci_11748547
Passings
Brian Kobata
Brian Kobata (B.S. Business Administration, 1995), 38, collapsed and died on the ice while playing recreational hockey at Sharks Ice arena in San Jose Feb. 22. Kobata, of Morgan Hill, was playing with his team, Mug Shots. He had just scored a goal against the opposing team when he collapsed.
Read the story in the San Jose Mercury News:
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11770229?source=most_viewed
Judy Lisse Ferrell
Longtime Columbia resident Judy Lisse Ferrell (M.A., Education, 1965) died Feb. 12 at a Sonora doctor’s office. Ferrell was a New York native and served as a pharmacist’s mate in the U.S. Navy WAVES from 1945 to 1946. She graduated from Michigan State College before earning advanced degrees from Cal Poly and San Jose State. She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Sonora, PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), and the Sonora Regional Medical Center Auxiliary. She was also a past president of Young Ladies Institute at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.
Read the obituary in the Sonora Union Democrat:
http://www.uniondemocrat.com/2009021995983/News/Obituaries/Obituaries-for-February-19-2009
Warner ‘Eddie’ Lowe
Warner "Eddie" Lowe (Dairy Husbandry, 1955), long-time Templeton resident, died Jan. 27. He was born in Hempstead on New York's Long Island. During World War II, Warner served in the U.S. Navy as a radioman on a PBN-1 seaplane and with the Carrier Aircraft Service in Imperial Beach, Calif. While awaiting his discharge, he visited a nearby farm, where he worked and met the dairyman's daughter, Dorothy Shelton. The couple were married for 61 years, and made their home in San Luis Obispo County.
Read the obituary in the SLO Tribune:
http://www.legacy.com/sanluisobispo/DeathNotices.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=123523180
Jane Roller
Jane Roller (B.S. Elementary Education, 1958), passed away Tuesday, Feb. 3, at her home in San Luis Obispo. She graduated from East High School in Wichita, Kan., in 1940 and married Austin Roller in 1943. The couple came to California shortly after. After World War II, they moved to Santa Maria and then San Luis Obispo. Roller earned her elementary teaching credential at Cal Poly and taught for 24 years at Quintana (later renamed Bishop's Peak) Elementary School. She was a mentor teacher for student teachers and retired in 1982.
Read the obituary in the SLO Tribune:
http://www.legacy.com/sanluisobispo/DeathNotices.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=123786972
Geoffrey ‘Jeff’ Perry Smith
Geoffrey "Jeff" Perry Smith (Mechanized Agriculture, 1969) was born March 5, 1948, in Willits. He passed away at his home in Willits on Feb. 2 after a heart attack. He served the people of Little Lake Valley for 31 years as a firefighter, retiring in March 2008 after 22 years as Little Lake Fire Department chief. During his career, he received two Medals of Valor from the California State Firefighters Association for acts of heroism. Smith was a known as devoted and loving husband and father.
Read the Willits News obituary:
http://www.willitsnews.com/ci_11645625?source=most_emailed
William Roy Turri Jr.
Bill Turri (B.S., Animal Husbandry, 1957) was born in January 1936 in San Luis Obispo, and lost his struggle with Parkinson's disease Feb. 6, , at his home. He graduated from San Luis Obispo High School and then from Cal Poly. He grew up on the family's dairy business on the Turri Ranch in San Luis Obispo. In 1959 Turri moved with his parents to Flournoy, Calif., where he and his father established the William Turri & Son Ranch.
Read the obituary in the San Luis Obispo Tribune:
http://www.legacy.com/sanluisobispo/DeathNotices.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=124002135