Cord Injury Knoxville Lawyer Spinal
[2000]
GUILLE ESQUIVEL (B.A.) and co-author Mayrely Pérez published their first book, “Out of the Park,” about their countries’ national pastime. Esquivel is Mexican-American and Perez is Dominican. Their bilingual book looks at some Latino baseball players’ personal lives, including some of Major League Baseball’s biggest stars, up-and-coming stars and Cuban baseball players who have never played in the majors. “Out of the Park” is available at www.lulu.com and was expected to hit bookstores soon.
KATE (BERG) GALINDO (B.A.) and her husband, Cesar, celebrated the arrival of their first child, Diego David, on July 1, 2009. Kate teaches English as a second language at a K-8 public charter school in Denver, where she lives with Cesar, Diego, and her two stepchildren, Gaby and Leo.
ROBIN McKENZIE (Ph.D.) retired from the U.S. Navy after 30 years of active duty service. Her last position was commanding officer, Naval School of Health Sciences in San Diego. Robin and her husband now live in Orange Park, Fla., where she is an adjunct faculty as a medical-surgical clinical instructor with the University of North Florida and the Jacksonville University schools of nursing.
CHARLES SCHEIN (BBA) and his wife, Monica (Escobedo) ’00, moved to a new home in Visalia, Calif.
ANGELA (SESTI) POND (B.A.) and her husband, Joshua, celebrated the arrival of their third daughter, Caralena Ann, on Sept. 19, 2008. Caralena joins sisters Isabella Marie, 3, and Annalesa Jean, 2. All three sisters were born in September. Angela has been teaching first grade for the past eight years. “My husband and I enjoy spending time with the girls and look forward to summer vacation!” she says.
[2001]
KRISTEN DENNIS (MBA, J.D. ’04) moved back to San Diego and accepted a job at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of California. “Along with tremendous professional growth, my family has grown,” she writes. “I now have a second child.”
PAULA (CHAPMAN) ISHAM (B.A.) and her husband, Jeff, welcomed their first son, Eli Lewis, on Jan. 21, 2009. “Eli loves playing with all of his USD aunties!” she says.
RODD MILLER (BBA) and his wife, Mary (Wheeler) ’01, moved back to San Diego with their two future Toreros, Rylan, 3, and Madelyn, 1.
[2002]
SAMUEL ADAMO (BBA) graduated from South Texas College of Law in Houston in 2006 and practices as a criminal defense attorney with Adamo & Adamo in Houston. The other Adamo is his father, Samuel says.
JAMES BECHTOLD (B.Acc.) was married on May 16, 2009, to Erica Diaz. He raced in the World Champion-ship Ironman Triathlon on Oct. 15, 2008, with a finish time of 9:50:15. James works in real estate with his father. Erica earned her undergraduate degree from Long Beach State and her law degree from Chapman Law School. She passed the bar exam and is now a lawyer in Orange County.
YVETTE CANABA (B.A.) is in her third year at Temple University in the School of Podiatric Medicine.
JARED CEFALIA (BBA) and his wife, Kelly, were married on Oct. 10, 2004. Their first son, Jared Jr., was born on July 30, 2007, and their second, Joel, was born on Dec. 1, 2008. Jared started JJJ Builders (www.jjjbuilder.com) in 2003, which specializes in building custom homes.
SARA CHIOCCA (B.A.) has been a staff physical therapist at Star Physical Therapy since May 2008.
ERICA COSTANZO (B.Acc., BBA ’02) earned her CPA license recently. She is an audit manager at McGladrey & Pullen in San Diego.
SUSAN WERNER DeVOE (M.A.) has been an elementary and middle school counselor for the past six years. She is taking a year off to stay home with her first child.
KENDALL BROWN FULTON (MBA) and her husband, Michael, were married on May 16, 2009, in Niagara Falls, Ontario. They honeymooned in Montreal, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. Michael is a homicide detective. Kendall and Michael live in Maryland with their five children.
MARIE ANTOINETTE (REYES) HASKELL (MBA) and her husband welcomed a second son, John David, into the family on May 11, 2009.
JENNIFER LUNDY (M.A.) has worked with children, young adults and families in clinical therapy settings and has provided in-home services. Her background also includes human relations, diversity training, supporting victims of domestic violence and abuse, and working with adults who have chronic mental illness and addiction. Currently, Jennifer practices individual, couples and family therapy in her own practice, Positive Change Counseling Center, in La Mesa. She is also a volunteer facilitator for an anxiety support group and is a part-time research therapist treating post-traumatic stress disorder for combat veterans at the Veterans Hospital in La Jolla.
JASON MORRIS (B.A.) graduated from USC Dental School in May 2008. He is now an active-duty dentist at a naval base in San Diego.
KAY NORTON (B.A.) volunteers for Habitat for Humanity one day a week. “I love it!” she says.
DEBORAH STRAUHAL (B.A.) lives in Leucadia and reports that she is “thriving in business, life and love!”
J.P. SIMON WRIGHT (BBA) and his wife, Marina, welcomed their second daughter, Catherine Margaret, on April 16, 2009. Oldest daughter Charlotte turned 2 in July.
[2003]
ROBERT BEAMER (B.A., M.A. ’08) lives on the “beautiful campus of Notre Dame,” where he is the assistant rector of Fisher Hall. He is studying liturgical and systematic theology at the university and teaches Spanish at a local high school.
OMAR BECERRA (B.Acc.) worked in the Assurance and Advisory Business Services Group at Ernst and Young after graduation. He is now a CPA in the corporate finance department at SAIC. “I continue to be involved with USD’s accounting department, Accounting Society, the USD School of Business Admin-istration Alumni Association and the USD Alumni Association,” he says. Omar spends his spare time with friends and family and his cat, Charlie. He loves to eat out and has spent a lot of time traveling the world. “USD has been instrumental in achieving my dreams!” he says.
DAVID BRENNAN (LL.M.) teaches international law and is director of the Civil and Judicial Externship Program at Western State University in Fullerton, Calif. His article on Riegel v. Medtronic was published in June 2009.
KIMBERLY (BURNETT) BUCK (B.A.) and her husband, Christopher ’04, welcomed their first child, Lila Rose, on Feb. 1, 2009. “We love our future Torero!”
LISA (McMANUS) DANIELS (B.A.) is the marketing and membership director for the Palomar YMCA. She lives in Escondido with her husband, Bobby ’03, an alumnus of the School of Law.
TIFFANI (FITZSIMMONS) DeTAR (B.A.) and her husband, Gabe, were married on July 5, 2008, at Wente Vineyards in Livermore, Calif. They honeymooned in Vietnam and live in Vacaville, Calif. Tiffani teaches kindergarten and plans to study conservation efforts in Namibia, South Africa.
RYAN DE YOUNG (B.Acc., M.S. ’04) is the third generation to work at De Young Properties in Fresno, Calif., his family’s homebuilding business. As vice president of finance, Ryan helps continue the family’s 60-year tradition in the homebuilding industry. He works with his parents, Jerry and Paula, brother, Brandon, and sister, Ashley. In his spare time, Ryan is a member of the band Carpe Noctem. De Young Properties has long supported community organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club, Saint Agnes Medical Center and the Clovis Unified School District Foundation. De Young Properties recently built a home in less than one week for a local hero as part of the television show, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (as seen in USD Magazine’s Summer 2009 issue).
ENRIQUE ELIAS (MBA) is promoting a new version of tequila (www.sotol.com) that is produced with a wild-harvested agave plant that grows exclusively in the desert of Chihuahua, Mexico. It was voted among the 25 favorite agave-based spirits in Paul Pacult’s “Spirit Journal” and won the highest award at the Agave Challenge.
MELISSA ESPINAL (B.A.) lives in Knoxville, Tenn., with her girlfriend, Jaye. They have shared custody of Jaye’s niece for two years. “Our career plans are undecided at this time, but travel is definitely in our future,” Melissa says. “I hope to find myself back in California sooner rather than later.”
TED FATES (J.D.) and Mandy Rushforth ’03 were married in July 2005. Their daughter, Ellie, was born on July 24, 2007, and their son, Andrew, was born on April 6, 2009. The family lives in La Jolla.
DENIS GRASSKA (B.A.) is the assistant editor of The Southern Cross, the newspaper of the Catholic Diocese of San Diego. He joined the paper in April 2005 as a staff writer.
MICHAELA HANEY (B.A.) graduated from medical school in May 2009 and was planning to start her dermatology residency at the University of New Mexico.
HILARY HEDEMARK (B.A.) and her husband, Jason Bedient, were married in July 2008. Hilary is an attorney with Steven Adair MacDonald & Associates, specializing in real estate and landlord/tenant law.
MEGAN HILFER (B.A.) is an account coordinator at Parsons Public Relations, a firm in Seattle that works exclusively with green and sustainable companies and organizations. She owns a condo in West Seattle and lives there with her boyfriend, dog and cat. “I have traveled internationally, including recent trips to Costa Rica and Nepal,” she says. “I also climbed Mount Olympus on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State in 2007.”
JEREMY HORN (B.A.) joined the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps in July 2009 as a first lieutenant. He expected to be promoted to captain in January 2010. His first assignment is in Japan.
WILLIAM KALENIUS (B.A.) finished his second year as a firefighter-paramedic with the Corvallis Fire Department in Oregon. “I continue to run off-road ultramarathons, row as a single and climb the Cascade Volcanoes,” he says.
SHELLEY MILLER (MSEL) is writing her first book, a memoir with the working title “Postcards from Home.” It is the story of her family trading homes with families in England, Ireland, Germany, France and Italy between April and August 2000. Shelley went on sabbatical from her job, her husband, Stan, worked via phone and Internet, they pulled their two kids, ages 12 and 8, out of school, and everyone kept journals during their adventure. “Our efforts resulted in an experience that changed my family’s life forever,” Shelley says. (See story on page 28.)
FABIENNE MUERI (BBA) moved to Texas after graduation, then Oklahoma, and she is now back in San Diego working for Petco. She ran her first marathon in May 2009, tries to travel to one new country per year, and is looking into some master’s programs to continue her education.
LAURA (WALKER) NIXON (B.A.) and her husband, Christopher, were married in August 2008. Christopher is a graduate of the University of Colorado. Laura and Christopher live and work in Denver.
JOHN NOWAKOWSKI (J.D.) made the news in Las Vegas for a case he is working on in which a Clark County, Nev., man has sued Usana Health Sciences, alleging the direct marketer operates a pyramid scheme. John represents the plaintiff, who wants the suit to be certified as a class-action representing all Nevada Usana distributors.
ERIKA OTOCKA (B.A.) was admitted to the Connecticut and New York state bars in 2008 and 2009. She practices for a family law firm in Stamford, Conn.
STEPHANI RICHARDS-WILSON (Ed.D.) was selected a fellow for the 14th annual Summer Institute on the Holocaust, sponsored by Northwestern University and the Holocaust Education Foundation. Stephani is the assistant dean of the Helen Way Klingler College of Arts and Sciences at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis.
ELIZABETH RUNYEN (B.A.) and Colin Gilbert ’04 live in Southern California, where Elizabeth is an associate publisher and Colin is a freelance educator, writer and photographer.
STEPHANIE (SHAFFER) SANTIAGO (M.A.) and her husband, Billy, celebrated the birth of their daughter, Nora Eloise, on Nov. 10, 2008.
NICOLE SAUNDERS (B.A.) was a market research intern in 2008 at SAP in Palo Alto, Calif. She completed her MBA from Santa Clara University in June 2009. Her concentrations were in managing innovations and technology, and marketing management.
BETT SIMPSON (B.A.) married Spencer Lucas on March 28, 2009, at Holy Rosary Church in Tacoma, Wash. Bett is a sales manager at Sound Refining, a petroleum and logistics company in Tacoma. She is also president of the Young Professionals Network of Tacoma-Pierce County, fundraising director for the board of directors of Rebuilding Together South Sound, and a big sister through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.
MICHAEL TABATA (BBA) returned to Portland, Ore., after graduating from USD to work as a commercial insurance broker. In the spring of 2006, he suffered a spinal cord injury in a snowboarding accident and became paraplegic. He returned to California to undergo therapy at Project Walk, a spinal cord injury recovery program in Carlsbad. “Much to my surprise, I ran into my former Torero football teammate, Damien Minna, who was also in recovery at Project Walk after becoming quadriplegic in a boating accident,” Michael says. He is now back in Portland, attending Lewis and Clark Law School and working as a legal intern at the Paul Krueger law firm. “I continue to make progress toward my recovery through the program of intense exercise-based therapy I learned at Project Walk,” he says.
VERONICA DAVIDSON TUCKER (M.A.) and her husband, Aaron, have two children, Abigayle Grace, 4, and Luke Geyer, 2, and they are raising them in Fort Worth, Texas. Veronica is a college adviser at All Saints’ Episcopal School, and Aaron works at XTO Energy.
KOREN UYEMURA (B.A.) has a 2-year-old son, Isaiah Ka’ohuakealoha-iowaiolola Seichi Uyemura. Koren expects to complete her master’s degree in secondary education soon and plans to teach math.
[2004]
JEANNELLE (IBARRA) BITTERLIN (B.A.) took two years after graduation to travel around the world, enjoying such exotic places as Morocco, Egypt and India. She then returned to school and in December 2008 received a master’s degree in counseling from National University. Jeannelle lives in La Jolla, is working toward licensure and is planning to pursue a doctorate degree.
JOHN CANDITO (MSSCM) is at Raytheon as a material program manager for a Navy weapons system called Rolling Airframe Missile, or RAM. It is part of a close-in weapons system that protects U.S. and allied naval vessels around the world. It can detect and destroy antiship missiles, surface vessels and helicopter attacks. “Besides work, I have taken time to coach all three of my daughters’ sports teams and enjoy family vacations and outings,” he says. “Go Toreros!”
ILIANA GUZMAN CASTRO (B.A.) and her husband, Arturo, were married on Nov. 22, 2008, at Founders Chapel. She graduated from California Western School of Law on April 27, 2009. Iliana and Arturo live in Los Angeles.
SUSANNE (DUNWELL) GOETT (B.A.) and her husband, Steve, were married on May 2, 2009, in Temecula, Calif. Susanne is a corporate recruiter for Booz Allen Hamilton in San Diego.
JENNY INZUNZA (B.A.) has been a government accounts administrator at SAIC in San Diego since 2004. “I love my job!” she says. “I enjoy traveling. I recently applied to the MBA program at SDSU. Wish me luck!”
MAJA (RUSEK) KONRAD (IMBA) and her husband, Marcel, have twin boys, born on Feb. 21, 2007. The family lives in Walnut Creek, Calif.
ABBY YOUNG KOSTRZEWA (B.A.) and her husband, Robert, were married on July 7, 2007. They moved to Montana for a business opportunity for Robert and an education opportunity for Abby, who will be pursuing a master’s degree in biological sciences at the University of Montana in Bozeman. “Hopefully, more good news will follow soon,” she writes.
MATTHEW KUHN (B.Acc.) lives in Hawaii, where he started a full-service development/construction company, specializing in restaurants and hospitality.
CMDR. JON-PAUL LaBRUZZO (MSGL) completed his tour at U.S. Central Command, where he served as a speechwriter for Gen. David Patraeus, writing for the commander on issues affecting Central Command strategy and on U.S. operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and throughout the command’s area of responsibility. Jon-Paul is returning to San Diego, where he will command an aviation unit at Naval Air Station North Island.
RYAN MANDELL (B.A.) and Meghan (Burke) ’05 have been married for three years and live with their two dogs in University Place, Wash. Ryan is in the collision repair industry and Meghan is pursuing a career in elementary education.
LISA SALDIN QUARTARARO (B.A.) married her husband, Jason, in July 2008, after dating for seven years. They were married at Rancho de las Flores in Somis, Calif., and they honeymooned in the Bahamas. Lisa and Jason bought a house in Moorpark, Calif. Jason teaches eighth-grade history, and Lisa teaches first grade.
JESSICA (LEWIS) RASMUSSEN (M.A.) and her husband, Eric, were married on Aug. 9, 2008. They live in Alabama, where Jessica is a therapist at an outpatient clinic.
JESSICA RATTO (B.A.) graduated from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences with dual degrees: doctor of osteopathy and a master of business administration, with an emphasis in healthcare leadership. In July 2009, Jessica began a three-year pediatric residency program at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Mo.
VIRGINIA REYNOLDS (B.A.) graduated from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. She lives in Rhode Island and is in a small animal rotating internship at Ocean State Veterinary Specialists.
DAVID ROSALES (BBA) married Kendra Tarrant in Corona del Mar, Calif., on Dec. 20, 2008. David is a musician, and Kendra is a high school math teacher. They live in Huntington Beach, Calif.
KRISTEN (LUEBBERT) WICK (B.A.) was married to Joshua Wick on July 3, 2004. Kristen earned a master’s degree in secondary education at Texas A&M University and has been teaching high school physics and chemistry for four years. Joshua is stationed at Naval Training Center Great Lakes, and the family lives in the suburbs of Chicago.
[2005]
BRANDON BOWE (B.A.) completed his second tour in Iraq as a company commander of 136 Marines. “Very successful deployment, and we operated in five different Iraqi provinces,” he reports. “Very rare for a single Marine unit to travel so much.” Brandon lives next to USD, is an active member in church and in the Men’s Military Ministry. He is about to specialize in antiterrorism and force protection studies and practices.
CHRISTINE (BURGER) PISTEK (B.A.) and her husband, Peter, welcomed their daughter, Milena Lucie, into the world on June 8, 2009.
KIRA QUINN-WORRALL (B.A.) moved back to Tucson, Ariz., where her family lives, and she began her career in social work with Child Protective Services. “While working for CPS, I started a home-based telecom business with ACN and have since been able to go full-time and work from home,” she says. “I look forward to a life filled with service to others and difference making.”
ERYN (McKINLEY) XAVIER (B.A.) married her husband, Gary, on July 19, 2008. Eryn graduated from the University of Nevada School of Medicine in May 2009 and began her family medicine residency in Sacramento in June 2009.
[2006]
ELIZABETH THOMETZ (B.A.) graduated in May 2009 from University of North Carolina, Greensboro, with a master’s degree in athletic training. She is a certified athletic trainer working with the 1st Battalion, 13th Infantry Division, at Fort Jackson Army Base in South Carolina.
[2007]
SERGIO CHINOS (B.A.) earned a master’s degree in education from Loyola Marymount University in May 2009. Sergio is a resource specialist teacher at Locke High School in Los Angeles.
MICHAEL GASPERSON (BBA) was a wide receiver for the Phil-adelphia Eagles for three years. He and his wife, Mandy (Leasure) ’07, were married in July 2006 and they live in Portland, Ore. Michael and Mandy welcomed Hudson Quinn on Feb. 17, 2008. Mandy taught middle school in New Jersey.
MERIDITH MILLER (B.A.) graduated from the University of San Francisco Law School in 2008 and passed the California bar exam on her first try. She is an attorney with the Morgan Lewis law firm in San Francisco, specializing in corporate litigation.
SAMANTHA PISANI (B.A.) married Matthew Petrucci ’07 on June 27, 2009, in Founders Chapel. After graduation, Samantha was a research assistant at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. The fall of 2009 marked her second year in the M.D./Ph.D. program at the University of Illinois, which allows her to attend medical school while also earning a Ph.D. in neuroscience. “I cannot express how beneficial my experience at USD has been in preparing me for this rigorous training program,” she says. “The small class sizes, intense labs, integrative curriculum and close faculty mentoring really challenged me to develop the skills necessary to become a successful scientist and physician.” Matthew is relocating to Champaign, Ill., to work as a mechanical engineer with an imaging company at the University of Illinois Research Park. “The Midwest is definitely different from California, but we keep sunny San Diego close at heart!” Samantha says.
[2000]
GUILLE ESQUIVEL (B.A.) and co-author Mayrely Pérez published their first book, “Out of the Park,” about their countries’ national pastime. Esquivel is Mexican-American and Perez is Dominican. Their bilingual book looks at some Latino baseball players’ personal lives, including some of Major League Baseball’s biggest stars, up-and-coming stars and Cuban baseball players who have never played in the majors. “Out of the Park” is available at www.lulu.com and was expected to hit bookstores soon.
KATE (BERG) GALINDO (B.A.) and her husband, Cesar, celebrated the arrival of their first child, Diego David, on July 1, 2009. Kate teaches English as a second language at a K-8 public charter school in Denver, where she lives with Cesar, Diego, and her two stepchildren, Gaby and Leo.
ROBIN McKENZIE (Ph.D.) retired from the U.S. Navy after 30 years of active duty service. Her last position was commanding officer, Naval School of Health Sciences in San Diego. Robin and her husband now live in Orange Park, Fla., where she is an adjunct faculty as a medical-surgical clinical instructor with the University of North Florida and the Jacksonville University schools of nursing.
CHARLES SCHEIN (BBA) and his wife, Monica (Escobedo) ’00, moved to a new home in Visalia, Calif.
ANGELA (SESTI) POND (B.A.) and her husband, Joshua, celebrated the arrival of their third daughter, Caralena Ann, on Sept. 19, 2008. Caralena joins sisters Isabella Marie, 3, and Annalesa Jean, 2. All three sisters were born in September. Angela has been teaching first grade for the past eight years. “My husband and I enjoy spending time with the girls and look forward to summer vacation!” she says.
[2001]
KRISTEN DENNIS (MBA, J.D. ’04) moved back to San Diego and accepted a job at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of California. “Along with tremendous professional growth, my family has grown,” she writes. “I now have a second child.”
PAULA (CHAPMAN) ISHAM (B.A.) and her husband, Jeff, welcomed their first son, Eli Lewis, on Jan. 21, 2009. “Eli loves playing with all of his USD aunties!” she says.
RODD MILLER (BBA) and his wife, Mary (Wheeler) ’01, moved back to San Diego with their two future Toreros, Rylan, 3, and Madelyn, 1.
[2002]
SAMUEL ADAMO (BBA) graduated from South Texas College of Law in Houston in 2006 and practices as a criminal defense attorney with Adamo & Adamo in Houston. The other Adamo is his father, Samuel says.
JAMES BECHTOLD (B.Acc.) was married on May 16, 2009, to Erica Diaz. He raced in the World Champion-ship Ironman Triathlon on Oct. 15, 2008, with a finish time of 9:50:15. James works in real estate with his father. Erica earned her undergraduate degree from Long Beach State and her law degree from Chapman Law School. She passed the bar exam and is now a lawyer in Orange County.
YVETTE CANABA (B.A.) is in her third year at Temple University in the School of Podiatric Medicine.
JARED CEFALIA (BBA) and his wife, Kelly, were married on Oct. 10, 2004. Their first son, Jared Jr., was born on July 30, 2007, and their second, Joel, was born on Dec. 1, 2008. Jared started JJJ Builders (www.jjjbuilder.com) in 2003, which specializes in building custom homes.
SARA CHIOCCA (B.A.) has been a staff physical therapist at Star Physical Therapy since May 2008.
ERICA COSTANZO (B.Acc., BBA ’02) earned her CPA license recently. She is an audit manager at McGladrey & Pullen in San Diego.
SUSAN WERNER DeVOE (M.A.) has been an elementary and middle school counselor for the past six years. She is taking a year off to stay home with her first child.
KENDALL BROWN FULTON (MBA) and her husband, Michael, were married on May 16, 2009, in Niagara Falls, Ontario. They honeymooned in Montreal, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. Michael is a homicide detective. Kendall and Michael live in Maryland with their five children.
MARIE ANTOINETTE (REYES) HASKELL (MBA) and her husband welcomed a second son, John David, into the family on May 11, 2009.
JENNIFER LUNDY (M.A.) has worked with children, young adults and families in clinical therapy settings and has provided in-home services. Her background also includes human relations, diversity training, supporting victims of domestic violence and abuse, and working with adults who have chronic mental illness and addiction. Currently, Jennifer practices individual, couples and family therapy in her own practice, Positive Change Counseling Center, in La Mesa. She is also a volunteer facilitator for an anxiety support group and is a part-time research therapist treating post-traumatic stress disorder for combat veterans at the Veterans Hospital in La Jolla.
JASON MORRIS (B.A.) graduated from USC Dental School in May 2008. He is now an active-duty dentist at a naval base in San Diego.
KAY NORTON (B.A.) volunteers for Habitat for Humanity one day a week. “I love it!” she says.
DEBORAH STRAUHAL (B.A.) lives in Leucadia and reports that she is “thriving in business, life and love!”
J.P. SIMON WRIGHT (BBA) and his wife, Marina, welcomed their second daughter, Catherine Margaret, on April 16, 2009. Oldest daughter Charlotte turned 2 in July.
[2003]
ROBERT BEAMER (B.A., M.A. ’08) lives on the “beautiful campus of Notre Dame,” where he is the assistant rector of Fisher Hall. He is studying liturgical and systematic theology at the university and teaches Spanish at a local high school.
OMAR BECERRA (B.Acc.) worked in the Assurance and Advisory Business Services Group at Ernst and Young after graduation. He is now a CPA in the corporate finance department at SAIC. “I continue to be involved with USD’s accounting department, Accounting Society, the USD School of Business Admin-istration Alumni Association and the USD Alumni Association,” he says. Omar spends his spare time with friends and family and his cat, Charlie. He loves to eat out and has spent a lot of time traveling the world. “USD has been instrumental in achieving my dreams!” he says.
DAVID BRENNAN (LL.M.) teaches international law and is director of the Civil and Judicial Externship Program at Western State University in Fullerton, Calif. His article on Riegel v. Medtronic was published in June 2009.
KIMBERLY (BURNETT) BUCK (B.A.) and her husband, Christopher ’04, welcomed their first child, Lila Rose, on Feb. 1, 2009. “We love our future Torero!”
LISA (McMANUS) DANIELS (B.A.) is the marketing and membership director for the Palomar YMCA. She lives in Escondido with her husband, Bobby ’03, an alumnus of the School of Law.
TIFFANI (FITZSIMMONS) DeTAR (B.A.) and her husband, Gabe, were married on July 5, 2008, at Wente Vineyards in Livermore, Calif. They honeymooned in Vietnam and live in Vacaville, Calif. Tiffani teaches kindergarten and plans to study conservation efforts in Namibia, South Africa.
RYAN DE YOUNG (B.Acc., M.S. ’04) is the third generation to work at De Young Properties in Fresno, Calif., his family’s homebuilding business. As vice president of finance, Ryan helps continue the family’s 60-year tradition in the homebuilding industry. He works with his parents, Jerry and Paula, brother, Brandon, and sister, Ashley. In his spare time, Ryan is a member of the band Carpe Noctem. De Young Properties has long supported community organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club, Saint Agnes Medical Center and the Clovis Unified School District Foundation. De Young Properties recently built a home in less than one week for a local hero as part of the television show, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (as seen in USD Magazine’s Summer 2009 issue).
ENRIQUE ELIAS (MBA) is promoting a new version of tequila (www.sotol.com) that is produced with a wild-harvested agave plant that grows exclusively in the desert of Chihuahua, Mexico. It was voted among the 25 favorite agave-based spirits in Paul Pacult’s “Spirit Journal” and won the highest award at the Agave Challenge.
MELISSA ESPINAL (B.A.) lives in Knoxville, Tenn., with her girlfriend, Jaye. They have shared custody of Jaye’s niece for two years. “Our career plans are undecided at this time, but travel is definitely in our future,” Melissa says. “I hope to find myself back in California sooner rather than later.”
TED FATES (J.D.) and Mandy Rushforth ’03 were married in July 2005. Their daughter, Ellie, was born on July 24, 2007, and their son, Andrew, was born on April 6, 2009. The family lives in La Jolla.
DENIS GRASSKA (B.A.) is the assistant editor of The Southern Cross, the newspaper of the Catholic Diocese of San Diego. He joined the paper in April 2005 as a staff writer.
MICHAELA HANEY (B.A.) graduated from medical school in May 2009 and was planning to start her dermatology residency at the University of New Mexico.
HILARY HEDEMARK (B.A.) and her husband, Jason Bedient, were married in July 2008. Hilary is an attorney with Steven Adair MacDonald & Associates, specializing in real estate and landlord/tenant law.
MEGAN HILFER (B.A.) is an account coordinator at Parsons Public Relations, a firm in Seattle that works exclusively with green and sustainable companies and organizations. She owns a condo in West Seattle and lives there with her boyfriend, dog and cat. “I have traveled internationally, including recent trips to Costa Rica and Nepal,” she says. “I also climbed Mount Olympus on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State in 2007.”
JEREMY HORN (B.A.) joined the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps in July 2009 as a first lieutenant. He expected to be promoted to captain in January 2010. His first assignment is in Japan.
WILLIAM KALENIUS (B.A.) finished his second year as a firefighter-paramedic with the Corvallis Fire Department in Oregon. “I continue to run off-road ultramarathons, row as a single and climb the Cascade Volcanoes,” he says.
SHELLEY MILLER (MSEL) is writing her first book, a memoir with the working title “Postcards from Home.” It is the story of her family trading homes with families in England, Ireland, Germany, France and Italy between April and August 2000. Shelley went on sabbatical from her job, her husband, Stan, worked via phone and Internet, they pulled their two kids, ages 12 and 8, out of school, and everyone kept journals during their adventure. “Our efforts resulted in an experience that changed my family’s life forever,” Shelley says. (See story on page 28.)
FABIENNE MUERI (BBA) moved to Texas after graduation, then Oklahoma, and she is now back in San Diego working for Petco. She ran her first marathon in May 2009, tries to travel to one new country per year, and is looking into some master’s programs to continue her education.
LAURA (WALKER) NIXON (B.A.) and her husband, Christopher, were married in August 2008. Christopher is a graduate of the University of Colorado. Laura and Christopher live and work in Denver.
JOHN NOWAKOWSKI (J.D.) made the news in Las Vegas for a case he is working on in which a Clark County, Nev., man has sued Usana Health Sciences, alleging the direct marketer operates a pyramid scheme. John represents the plaintiff, who wants the suit to be certified as a class-action representing all Nevada Usana distributors.
ERIKA OTOCKA (B.A.) was admitted to the Connecticut and New York state bars in 2008 and 2009. She practices for a family law firm in Stamford, Conn.
STEPHANI RICHARDS-WILSON (Ed.D.) was selected a fellow for the 14th annual Summer Institute on the Holocaust, sponsored by Northwestern University and the Holocaust Education Foundation. Stephani is the assistant dean of the Helen Way Klingler College of Arts and Sciences at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis.
ELIZABETH RUNYEN (B.A.) and Colin Gilbert ’04 live in Southern California, where Elizabeth is an associate publisher and Colin is a freelance educator, writer and photographer.
STEPHANIE (SHAFFER) SANTIAGO (M.A.) and her husband, Billy, celebrated the birth of their daughter, Nora Eloise, on Nov. 10, 2008.
NICOLE SAUNDERS (B.A.) was a market research intern in 2008 at SAP in Palo Alto, Calif. She completed her MBA from Santa Clara University in June 2009. Her concentrations were in managing innovations and technology, and marketing management.
BETT SIMPSON (B.A.) married Spencer Lucas on March 28, 2009, at Holy Rosary Church in Tacoma, Wash. Bett is a sales manager at Sound Refining, a petroleum and logistics company in Tacoma. She is also president of the Young Professionals Network of Tacoma-Pierce County, fundraising director for the board of directors of Rebuilding Together South Sound, and a big sister through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.
MICHAEL TABATA (BBA) returned to Portland, Ore., after graduating from USD to work as a commercial insurance broker. In the spring of 2006, he suffered a spinal cord injury in a snowboarding accident and became paraplegic. He returned to California to undergo therapy at Project Walk, a spinal cord injury recovery program in Carlsbad. “Much to my surprise, I ran into my former Torero football teammate, Damien Minna, who was also in recovery at Project Walk after becoming quadriplegic in a boating accident,” Michael says. He is now back in Portland, attending Lewis and Clark Law School and working as a legal intern at the Paul Krueger law firm. “I continue to make progress toward my recovery through the program of intense exercise-based therapy I learned at Project Walk,” he says.
VERONICA DAVIDSON TUCKER (M.A.) and her husband, Aaron, have two children, Abigayle Grace, 4, and Luke Geyer, 2, and they are raising them in Fort Worth, Texas. Veronica is a college adviser at All Saints’ Episcopal School, and Aaron works at XTO Energy.
KOREN UYEMURA (B.A.) has a 2-year-old son, Isaiah Ka’ohuakealoha-iowaiolola Seichi Uyemura. Koren expects to complete her master’s degree in secondary education soon and plans to teach math.
[2004]
JEANNELLE (IBARRA) BITTERLIN (B.A.) took two years after graduation to travel around the world, enjoying such exotic places as Morocco, Egypt and India. She then returned to school and in December 2008 received a master’s degree in counseling from National University. Jeannelle lives in La Jolla, is working toward licensure and is planning to pursue a doctorate degree.
JOHN CANDITO (MSSCM) is at Raytheon as a material program manager for a Navy weapons system called Rolling Airframe Missile, or RAM. It is part of a close-in weapons system that protects U.S. and allied naval vessels around the world. It can detect and destroy antiship missiles, surface vessels and helicopter attacks. “Besides work, I have taken time to coach all three of my daughters’ sports teams and enjoy family vacations and outings,” he says. “Go Toreros!”
ILIANA GUZMAN CASTRO (B.A.) and her husband, Arturo, were married on Nov. 22, 2008, at Founders Chapel. She graduated from California Western School of Law on April 27, 2009. Iliana and Arturo live in Los Angeles.
SUSANNE (DUNWELL) GOETT (B.A.) and her husband, Steve, were married on May 2, 2009, in Temecula, Calif. Susanne is a corporate recruiter for Booz Allen Hamilton in San Diego.
JENNY INZUNZA (B.A.) has been a government accounts administrator at SAIC in San Diego since 2004. “I love my job!” she says. “I enjoy traveling. I recently applied to the MBA program at SDSU. Wish me luck!”
MAJA (RUSEK) KONRAD (IMBA) and her husband, Marcel, have twin boys, born on Feb. 21, 2007. The family lives in Walnut Creek, Calif.
ABBY YOUNG KOSTRZEWA (B.A.) and her husband, Robert, were married on July 7, 2007. They moved to Montana for a business opportunity for Robert and an education opportunity for Abby, who will be pursuing a master’s degree in biological sciences at the University of Montana in Bozeman. “Hopefully, more good news will follow soon,” she writes.
MATTHEW KUHN (B.Acc.) lives in Hawaii, where he started a full-service development/construction company, specializing in restaurants and hospitality.
CMDR. JON-PAUL LaBRUZZO (MSGL) completed his tour at U.S. Central Command, where he served as a speechwriter for Gen. David Patraeus, writing for the commander on issues affecting Central Command strategy and on U.S. operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and throughout the command’s area of responsibility. Jon-Paul is returning to San Diego, where he will command an aviation unit at Naval Air Station North Island.
RYAN MANDELL (B.A.) and Meghan (Burke) ’05 have been married for three years and live with their two dogs in University Place, Wash. Ryan is in the collision repair industry and Meghan is pursuing a career in elementary education.
LISA SALDIN QUARTARARO (B.A.) married her husband, Jason, in July 2008, after dating for seven years. They were married at Rancho de las Flores in Somis, Calif., and they honeymooned in the Bahamas. Lisa and Jason bought a house in Moorpark, Calif. Jason teaches eighth-grade history, and Lisa teaches first grade.
JESSICA (LEWIS) RASMUSSEN (M.A.) and her husband, Eric, were married on Aug. 9, 2008. They live in Alabama, where Jessica is a therapist at an outpatient clinic.
JESSICA RATTO (B.A.) graduated from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences with dual degrees: doctor of osteopathy and a master of business administration, with an emphasis in healthcare leadership. In July 2009, Jessica began a three-year pediatric residency program at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Mo.
VIRGINIA REYNOLDS (B.A.) graduated from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. She lives in Rhode Island and is in a small animal rotating internship at Ocean State Veterinary Specialists.
DAVID ROSALES (BBA) married Kendra Tarrant in Corona del Mar, Calif., on Dec. 20, 2008. David is a musician, and Kendra is a high school math teacher. They live in Huntington Beach, Calif.
KRISTEN (LUEBBERT) WICK (B.A.) was married to Joshua Wick on July 3, 2004. Kristen earned a master’s degree in secondary education at Texas A&M University and has been teaching high school physics and chemistry for four years. Joshua is stationed at Naval Training Center Great Lakes, and the family lives in the suburbs of Chicago.
[2005]
BRANDON BOWE (B.A.) completed his second tour in Iraq as a company commander of 136 Marines. “Very successful deployment, and we operated in five different Iraqi provinces,” he reports. “Very rare for a single Marine unit to travel so much.” Brandon lives next to USD, is an active member in church and in the Men’s Military Ministry. He is about to specialize in antiterrorism and force protection studies and practices.
CHRISTINE (BURGER) PISTEK (B.A.) and her husband, Peter, welcomed their daughter, Milena Lucie, into the world on June 8, 2009.
KIRA QUINN-WORRALL (B.A.) moved back to Tucson, Ariz., where her family lives, and she began her career in social work with Child Protective Services. “While working for CPS, I started a home-based telecom business with ACN and have since been able to go full-time and work from home,” she says. “I look forward to a life filled with service to others and difference making.”
ERYN (McKINLEY) XAVIER (B.A.) married her husband, Gary, on July 19, 2008. Eryn graduated from the University of Nevada School of Medicine in May 2009 and began her family medicine residency in Sacramento in June 2009.
[2006]
ELIZABETH THOMETZ (B.A.) graduated in May 2009 from University of North Carolina, Greensboro, with a master’s degree in athletic training. She is a certified athletic trainer working with the 1st Battalion, 13th Infantry Division, at Fort Jackson Army Base in South Carolina.
[2007]
SERGIO CHINOS (B.A.) earned a master’s degree in education from Loyola Marymount University in May 2009. Sergio is a resource specialist teacher at Locke High School in Los Angeles.
MICHAEL GASPERSON (BBA) was a wide receiver for the Phil-adelphia Eagles for three years. He and his wife, Mandy (Leasure) ’07, were married in July 2006 and they live in Portland, Ore. Michael and Mandy welcomed Hudson Quinn on Feb. 17, 2008. Mandy taught middle school in New Jersey.
MERIDITH MILLER (B.A.) graduated from the University of San Francisco Law School in 2008 and passed the California bar exam on her first try. She is an attorney with the Morgan Lewis law firm in San Francisco, specializing in corporate litigation.
SAMANTHA PISANI (B.A.) married Matthew Petrucci ’07 on June 27, 2009, in Founders Chapel. After graduation, Samantha was a research assistant at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. The fall of 2009 marked her second year in the M.D./Ph.D. program at the University of Illinois, which allows her to attend medical school while also earning a Ph.D. in neuroscience. “I cannot express how beneficial my experience at USD has been in preparing me for this rigorous training program,” she says. “The small class sizes, intense labs, integrative curriculum and close faculty mentoring really challenged me to develop the skills necessary to become a successful scientist and physician.” Matthew is relocating to Champaign, Ill., to work as a mechanical engineer with an imaging company at the University of Illinois Research Park. “The Midwest is definitely different from California, but we keep sunny San Diego close at heart!” Samantha says.
Set up child rights, justice panels 'forthwith': apex court