Class Notes
Rob Gresser
MS, Environmental Technology Mgmt (Concentration in Emergency Mgmt/Hazardous Materials)
I am currently working at Gilbert Emergency Hospital as an Emergency Care Technician in the ED and an Emergency Mgmt Coordinator. I also do consulting work in hazardous materials/decontamination planning/training for hospitals. I also volunteer at the Chandler-Gilbert Family YMCA and Chandler Fire Dept. For the YMCA, I am the CPR Program Director/Lead CPR Instructor, where we have certified over 110 people in the last year and saved three lives. For Chandler Fire Dept., I am a member of the Chandler Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), where we provide disaster response assistance.
Brian La Greca
B.S. in Industrial Technology
I graduated last semester from GIT program at the East (now Polytechnic) campus. I started working as a sales rep for a company called Pride Printing. Pride Printing is the largest sheet-fed printer in the Valley and is located in the Scottsdale Airpark. We specialize in direct marketing, which utilizes variable-data "one-to-one" marketing technology. We also offer commercial printing, e-order and fulfillment, promotion administration and database management.
Julie Leuthard
B.S.A. (Digital Media Management) Summa Cum Laude
I was so worried about getting a job when I graduated I started applying in May. I graduated on May 13 and started work on May 17. The best part is, I get to share the valuable skills I learned at East with ASU. I got the web developer position at the College of Nursing! Anyway, I loved going to school at ASU and I love working here even more.
Lucy Rodriguez
B.A. in Elementary Education
I am teaching a 5th grade class in Sonoma Ranch (Gilbert). I'm very excited, and each day I just think about how much I really love teaching. This is my second career so I would like to encourage older adults not to give up on their life-long dreams. You can do it; I did!
David R. Stone
B.A.S. in Fire Service Management
I was 53 years old when I graduated. It was made easier thanks to the support of my wife and son. YOU ARE NEVER TOO YOUNG TO GO TO COLLEGE. I have worked for the Drexel Heights Fire District since 1991 as a firefighter/paramedic for eight years after which I was promoted into the Fire Prevention Division as an inspector and was appointed the Fire Marshal in 2000. With my degree, I have been able to continue climbing the ladder within the fire service. As my Fire Chief stated one day, "You can have twenty years in the fire service, but without a degree you do not have the necessary credentials to becoming a Fire Chief." My desire is for one day to become an Assistant Fire Chief or Fire Chief.
Leatta McLaughlin
B.S. in International Agribusiness
Right after I graduated from ASU, I spent the summer doing a study abroad program in France learning about French agriculture. Then I attended Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, from August 2003-December 2004 and got my Master of Science in Agricultural Economics. I now work as a Fiscal Analyst for the Arizona Legislature.
Brian Schwartz
B.S. in Industrial Technology
In August of 2005, I famously sold an M&M Wrapper on eBay for $2,800 to GoldenPalaceCasino.com. It made on local radio 620 KTAR and 104.7 KISS-FM and in the Arizona Republic newspaper. Here are some articles and stories:
http://www.ktar.com/index.php?nid=6&sid=67316
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/index.php?page=business&story_id=081305b1_wrapper
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/0811wrapper11.html
After this famous auction, Gilbert, AZ residents contacted me to help them design their Web site and market their hot sauce on ebay at www.GourmetHotSauce.com, which goes directly to their ebay store. I am now living in New Jersey working for Health-Tech, Inc., where I'm helping market at various trade shows and online, a new product called Micro Mist, a breath spray on a keychain, which will soon be available on the front end of major retailers nationwide. I've also successfully helped them launch EnergyStrips.com.
Kristina Carey
B.S. Business Administration, 2002 (ASU-East)
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Accountancy, 2004 (ASU-West)
Kristina (Fief) Carey and husband, James Carey, were blessed with a daughter, Leann Elizabeth, born August 29, 2006 at Chandler Regional Hospital. They reside in Chandler, where they own and operate JKC Accounting Consultants, LLC, an accounting firm tailored to meet the needs of small businesses and personal accounting and tax needs. To reach Kristina or learn more about JKC Accounting, email jkcaccounting@cox.net.
Karen S. Danner
B.S., Exercise and Wellness
Karen is the Founder and CEO of Love Yourself Well. To find out more about Karen and Love Yourself Well, I encourage you to visit www.loveyourselfwell.com or contact her at Karen@loveyourselfwell.com.
Christopher Popjoy
B.S. in Agribusiness
Currently working for Norfolk Southern Corporation as a Trainmaster in Cleveland, OH. I miss the heat.
Dan Trujillo
B.S. in Information and Management Technology
After graduation I went to work in the webcasting (internet broadcasting) industry. I spent 2 years in the industry before the fall of the tech sector. With all of the industry-wide layoffs I became one of the many necessity-entrepreneurs out there looking for a way to apply my skills and knowledge in a market that was not hiring. So, what did I do? I started my own web design/development company and more recently launched gorage.com with 2 business partners. The site is the new online garage sale, classified and storefront shopping alternative. The site has been launched for a month now, and we've already gotten users signed up from all four corners of the United States.
Tracey Dutson
B.S. in Agribusiness
In 2000, I was accepted into the Professional of Veterinary Medicine (PVM) program at Colorado State University. I graduated with my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) in May 2004 and just returned to the northwest Phoenix area to begin working as a small animal veterinarian in July 2004.
Sheryl Gelbard
M.S. in Technology
I recently returned to Phoenix and changed careers, joining Century 21 Metro Alliance in Scottsdale, AZ as a REALTOR. Contact me by email - sheryl.gelbard@century21.com, Web site - www.azyellowbrickroad.com or phone - (602) 616-0313.
Bryan Russell
M.S. in Manufacturing/Industrial Technology
Bryan Russel has published the book "Weapons of Mass Destruction Found," which details the nuclear, biological and chemical weapons found during the current campaign in Iraq. Bryan Russell is a Major in the Air Force Reserves and has completed three tours of duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His book includes pictures of US forces capturing weapons of mass destruction as part of the current campaign in Iraq. Profits are to be donated to Disabled American Veterans. The book is available here: http://www.ebookstand.com/m/bryanrussell/.
James Akers
BS Aeronautical Management Technology
I currently work for the U.S. Air Force at Langley AFB, VA as the assistant operations officer
(ADO). I enlisted in the Air Force back in 1997 as a pilot, and went to Officer Training School
at Maxwell AFB, AL. After that, I went on to undergraduate pilot training at Columbus AFB, MS.
Once I earned my wings in 1998, I went on to fly the F-15C Eagle at Langley AFB, and Tyndall AFB
as an instructor from 1999-2005 earning over 1200 hrs and 2 combat tours to Iraq. In 2005, I was
selected to be one of the first operational F-22A pilots at Langley AFB. I have been flying the
Raptor for almost a year. Prior to the Air Force, I worked at Phoenix Sky Harbor’s Sawyer
Aviation as a CFI/CFII/MEI and ATP. I have over 2300 hrs in various Cessna, Beechcraft, Piper, and
Citation aircraft. While working at Sawyer, I earned my degree at the main campus in Aeronautical Technology.
Michael Blaker
B.S. in Manufacturing and Industrial Technology
Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, Homecoming King fall 1991, has left the Pasadena area of Los Angeles to move back to Arizona and affiliate with the US Air Force Reserve at Tucson's Davis Monthan AFB. He spent the last 14 years working in commercial printing and real estate in Los Angeles. During his 4 years at ASU he served the US Air Force Reserve with the 944th TFG at Luke AFB and the Arizona Air National Guard's 162nd TFG at Tucson IAP. Contact him at michaelblaker@gmail.com.
David Dacquino
B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering Technology
In February 2007, David Dacquino was named vice president and general manager of Raytheon Technical Services Company LLC’s Integrated Support Solutions unit.
Tell us about the highlights of your story by contacting Linda Holland at (480) 727-1897 or by e-mail at Linda.Holland@asu.edu.
To update your contact information, visit the ASU Alumni Association's Devils' Den Web site.
