Class Notes: Summer 2023

70s

John Abbott, MBA ’74, launched a new five-part documentary series exploring the history of Chalfont Borough on the Doylestown Historical Society’s YouTube page.

Angela Dowd-Burton, Trustee, BS Accounting ’74, MBA ’79, received the Woman of Distinction Award at a luncheon hosted by Teenshop Inc., a college preparatory and life skills program for “Girls with Goals.” The signature event celebrated outstanding African American women and recognized Teenshop girls who participated in the Women’s History Month essay contest.

Kenneth Kosik, MD, MCP ’76, was appointed to the Scientific Advisory Board of Expansion Therapeutics Inc., a biotechnology company focused on developing transformative oral medicines for severe RNA-mediated diseases.

Angela Passo Norkiewicz, BS Business Administration ’71, presented a webinar for small business owners called “Getting Started with QuickBooks Online,” hosted by the SCORE Chester and Delaware counties.

Robert Ratonyi, MS Engineering Management ’70, gave a presentation at an event “Unforgettable Stories from the Holocaust” on Feb. 24 as part of the Holocaust oral history series at the Breman Museum in Atlanta, Georgia. Ratonyi was 6 years old when his parents were deported to concentration camps and he escaped Hungary, following a bloody uprising of 1956.

Paul D. VanDuyne, BS Electrical Engineering ’74, CEO and president of IMEG Corp., was awarded the Legacy Award by engineering industry magazine ENR (Engineering News-Record).

80s

Ella's War by Rusty Allen

Russ Allen, MS Communication ’85, published a debut novel, “Ella’s War.” When Ella Hall is left to fend for herself and her child after the departure of her restless common-law husband to World War II, she is able to save their farm with the aid of a German POW farmhand who becomes more than a helper, leaving her with an explosive situation and a heartrending decision.

Mark Biancaniello, BS Psychology ’87, MGP, HU Group Process & Group Psych ’94, was named senior vice president of human resources at Samaritan, a nonprofit founded in Moorestown, New Jersey, in 1980 as one of the first hospices in the country.

Virginia Calega, MD, MCP ’87, was appointed to the board of directors of Chester County Food Bank.

Stephen Caltabiano, BS Biological Sciences ’80, senior director and clinical scientist of TrialSpark, was featured in the list of the Top 25 Healthcare Technology Leaders of Pennsylvania for 2023 by The Healthcare Technology Report.

George J. Dickson Jr., BS Finance ’86, was promoted to chief investment officer at New York Private Bank & Trust (NYPB&T) and as co-head of Emigrant Capital Markets. Dickson manages the investment portfolio for Emigrant Bank and advises NYPB&T client portfolios, focused on nonprofits, endowments and ultra-high-net-worth individuals. He also serves on the board of directors of Sarasota Private Trust and Cleveland Private Trust.

Brian Dutton, BS Electrical Engineering ’81, joined Quarles & Brady LLP as a senior counsel to the firm’s intellectual property practice group.

Vincent D. Gordon, BS Medical Technology ’87, was featured in the Philadelphia Business Journal‘s Black History Month Spotlight. Gordon is the founder, president and CEO of the Gordon Policy Group, a Southeastern Pennsylvania-based management consulting firm focused on health care policy, business strategy and building relationships between health care providers, health insurance companies and community-based organizations.

Alexander Turco, BS Finance ’89, MBA ’95, joined Legacy Supply Chain as the director of IT security and compliance.

90s

Karen Burke Pelzer, BS Interior Design ’92, MS Hospitality Management ’18, joined NELSON Worldwide, an architecture, design and strategy firm, as a senior project manager, hospitality.

Robert J. Curatola, MBA ’90, was named chief financial officer of Samaritan, a nonprofit founded in Moorestown, New Jersey, in 1980 as one of the first hospices in the country.

Mark Fendrick, MBA ’90, senior portfolio manager at The Fendrick Group – UBS Financial Services, a financial advisor of UBS Wealth Management USA, is part of an advisor team that was named to the Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams list for 2023. The Fendrick Group placed fourth in South Jersey.

David J. Glass, PhD Law-Psychology ’98, was the featured cover story in Divorcing Well magazine’s April 2023 edition. The article focused on Glass’ dual background in clinical psychology and law, and how he helps his clients to “move on” after divorce, so they can maximize their second chance at happiness.

Daniel I. Kim, MD, HU ’94, is chair, medicine, at Riverside University Health System, where he received the 2022 Riverside County Medical Association’s 2022 Outstanding Contribution to Medicine Award at the Jan. 27, 2023, Riverside County Medical Association Meeting.

Ron Philip, ANS Trustee, BS Information Systems ’96, CEO of Spark Therapeutics, was featured in the list of the Top 25 Healthcare Technology Leaders of Pennsylvania for 2023 by The Healthcare Technology Report. Since joining Spark in 2017, Philip has played a key role in the company’s rapid growth and achievements — most notably, directing the commercial launch of Spark’s first approved gene therapy, Luxturna.

Peter Pisasale, BS Electrical Engineering ’99, was presented with the 2023 Engineer of the Year Award by the Rhode Island Society of Professional Engineers. The award recognizes an individual who demonstrates technical excellence, exemplifies the highest ethical standards of the profession and is a resolute leader.

00s

The Disappeared by JD Adler

Jeffrey D. Adler, MS Publications Management ’07, announced the June release of “The Disappeared.” This novel is about missing persons, alien abductions and the lies that protect secrets. It highlights the tale of two souls torn apart by forces beyond their control, struggling to find their way back to the only home they ever knew: each other.

Anastasia Bottos, BS Business Administration ’05, president and CEO of Alert360, was selected as a 2023 honoree for the SIA (Security Industry Association) Women in Security Forum Power 100.

Stephanie Gilibert, MD, MCPHU ’00, was featured on the ThinkTech Hawaii podcast, “Telehealth in Hawaii,” to discuss the importance of taking care of your kidneys.

Laura A. Glantz, BA Architecture ’07, was promoted to partner at Asher Slaunwhite Architects, joining founder Mark Asher and Partner Deborah Slaunwhite in firm leadership. In recognition, the firm has changed its name to Asher Slaunwhite + Partners (AS+P).

Flavius R.W. Lilly, MPH, MCPHU ’00, a gerontologist who has forged a diverse career in health care and academia, was selected as the new provost for McDaniel College following a national search, effective June 28, 2023. Since 2010, Lilly served as the vice provost of academic and student affairs and the vice dean of the Graduate School at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.

10s

Ana Aguilar, MBA’16, CFO of Menarini Silicon Biosystems, was featured in the list of the Top 25 Healthcare Technology Leaders of Pennsylvania for 2023 by The Healthcare Technology Report.

Rachel Bernhardt, BS Health Sciences ’17, became a contender for Team USA in the 2023 World Aquatics Championships after posting the fourth-fastest time by an American woman in the 100-meter breaststroke in the spring, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Danielle Brown, MBA’15, senior vice president and chief information officer of Whirlpool Corp., joined the board of directors of Corewell Health.

Kevin Buttery, BS Entertainment & Arts Management ’10, joined law firm Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani as an associate in the firm’s Florham Park, New Jersey, office. Buttery is a member of the Professional Liability practice group in the New Jersey office of Gordon & Rees and is admitted to practice in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Michael Celec, MS Library & Information Science ’11, was appointed as executive director of the Bucks County Audubon Society. Celec was previously the director of the Union Library Company of Hatboro.

Najah A. Jacobs, Esq., JD’18, associate at Berger Montague, was recognized in the Philadelphia Business Journal‘s annual 40 Under 40 Awards.

Break Limits, Make Millions: Achieve $100,000 in 90 Days with Neural Rewiring and a Master Course in Sales

Arsen Nikiforouk, BS Finance ’15, published a book, “Break Limits, Make Millions: Achieve $100,000 in 90 Days with Neural Rewiring and a Master Course in Sales.”

Angelle Richardson, PhD Couple and Family Therapy ’11, was named chair of the Department of Counseling at Bethune-Cookman University.

S. Yaseen Zia, MD ’10, was appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper to serve as a member of the North Carolina Advisory Committee on Cancer Coordination and Control.

20s

Jeannine A. Cook, MFA ’23, is expanding her line of book shops, with plans to open Josephine’s Bookshop in Paris, France later this year.

Hailey Moss, MS Arts Admin & Museum Leadership ’23, joined the University of Wyoming Extension and Wyoming Outdoor Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality (WORTH) Initiative as the state’s first WORTH Initiative Extension educator.

Rachel Schmidt, BS Photography ’22, joined Wright Auctions in Chicago as a photography assistant. Wright Auctions is the industry’s leading auction house specializing in 20th century art and design.


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