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Your classmates want to know about the milestones in your life. Send your news, including career changes, accomplishments, publications, weddings, births, and adoptions to the Office of Alumni Relations. Email alumwne@wne.edu or complete a short online form.

1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s| 2020s

1980s

Grady Donaldson Jr. L’80 (JD) has retired after 36 years with Schenkel & Donaldson, P.C. He was an attorney as well as partner for the firm.

Keith Shaw L’82 (JD) has been reappointed as chairman of the CATIC Board of Directors. Shaw has been a board member since 2001.

Thomas Cella L’83 (JD) was recognized for inclusion in the 2024 Best Lawyers in America in three categories: Personal Injury Litigation, Products Liability Litigation, and Medical Malpractice Law. Cella is a partner at Howard, Kohn, Sprague & FitzGerald in Hartford, Conn.

1990s

Michael Mikaelian ’90 (Industrial Engineering) has been appointed as an inside sales engineer for global manufacturer Conval.

Todd Shelanksy ’93 (Accounting) has been promoted to managing principal at HarperWhitfield CPA firm. With offices in Farmington, Conn. and Weatogue, Conn., he will lead the team in achieving the firm’s mission while ensuring its successful growth. Shelansky has been with the firm since 1994, was promoted to manager in 2003, and was promoted again in 2015 to principal.

Cynthia Elomaa ’94 (English) has written a children’s picture book, Nicky’s Very Messy Room. This first book in its series teaches children about personal responsibility, following directions, cooperation, and social and emotional development. Elomaa is an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and the Association of Rhode Island Authors, is available for author visits, and teaches writing workshops for students. To learn more about her books, author events, and classes, please visit her website at www.cynthiadifilippoelomaa.com.

Charles Milhans G’94 (MBA) has been honored as the 2023 veteran of the year in Leominster, Mass. He was awarded for not only his actions in the military but also for what he has done for the community.

Richard LaRose, Jr. L’97 (JD) has joined Goldberg Segalla and will be practicing in the firm’s Workers’ Compensation group in Albany, N.Y.

2000s

Alison Robb ’00 (Marketing Communications/Advertising) has started a new position as marketing consultant for MassMutual’s Protection Products Marketing Team.

Christine Byrne ’02/G’21 (Accounting/MSA) has been promoted to director of finance for the Eastern States Exposition.

Kevin Sears G’02 (MBA) has been named as 2024 president of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). He is a broker and partner of Sears Real Estate in Springfield, where he works alongside his siblings, specializing in single-family brokerage and property management. Sears aims to secure more housing in Massachusetts, especially multifamily options near the MBTA stations, during his time as president.

William Butman, Jr. ’03 (Technical Management) was appointed to serve on the City of Chicopee’s Cultural Council. Additionally, he has recently earned his MS in Human Resources Management (AI) from Northeastern University.

Melissa Grenier ’04 (Social Work) celebrates 13 years of employment with the Alzheimer’s Association, MA/NH Chapter. Grenier has been promoted within the organization from serving as their program coordinator to regional manager for the state of New Hampshire.

Bryan Cassidy ’05 (Computer Information Systems) was awarded Hartford Business Journal’s C-Suite Award for Chief Information Officer, which honors the top performing C-suite level executives in the Greater Hartford area who work in the for-profit, non-profit, and governmental sectors, have contributed to their company’s or organization’s overall growth, and have shown commitment to good ethics, reporting, and involvement in the community.

Stephanie Vincelette ’05 (Marketing) has been promoted to assistant vice president of human resources operations at bankESB.

Phillip Giguere ’06/G’15 (Accounting/MSA) has been promoted to partner at MP CPAs in Springfield, Mass. Giguere joined the firm in 2006 and has more than 18 years of experience in business and individual taxation.

Scott Szczebak L’07 (JD) has been selected as town administrator for Southampton, Mass.

Byron Jones ’09 (Integrated Liberal Studies) has joined the Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Services’ Board of Directors. Jones currently works for the International Trade Association through Platinum Technologies and has 19 years of business and digital strategy experience.

Michael Ormsby ’09 (Communications) has been named the director of One Stop Student Services at UConn Storrs. Ormsby has over 11 years of experience as a leader in student services, including directing orientation programs, teaching and advising first-year students, and working in residential life.

2010s

Jonathan Longobardi L’10 (JD) recently joined Halloran Sage as a partner in the firm’s New Haven, Conn. office. He is an experienced civil litigator with over a decade of practice in insurance defense, personal injury, transportation, medical malpractice, and commercial litigation.

Michael Monti ’10/G’12 (Integrated Liberal Studies/MBA) has joined the American Hockey League as a video coach for the Cleveland Monsters after previously holding the titles of assistant coach, assistant GM, and director of player development for the Omaha Lancers Hockey Club in the United States Hockey League.

David Oliva ’10/G’11 (Sport Management/MBA) was awarded an exclusive seat in the B2B Innovator Class of 2023 last August. Oliva was honored at the 2023 B2B Sales & Marketing Exchange in Boston, an event produced by the renowned Demand Generation Report.

Joshua Risen L’10 (JD) has started a new position as the office administrator for the town manager and selectboard office in Great Barrington, Mass.

Kaylyn Smith ’10 (Psychology) has started a new position at Connecticut College as the associate athletic director.

Rachel (Bradshaw) Griffin ’11 (History) has been promoted as the new senior director of donor relations & stewardship at The UConn Foundation. She has been with the organization since 2019 and served as both the assistant director of stewardship and associate director of stewardship.

Stephen Holstrom L’11 (JD) has been promoted to partner at Bulkley Richardson, the second largest law firm in western Massachusetts.

Justin Martins ’11 (Communications - Public Relations) has re-joined Whalley Computer Associates, Inc. as their new strategic account manager.

Rosa Fredes L’13 (JD) has joined Goldberg Segalla’s Workers’ Compensation group as a partner in Newark, N.J., bringing with her 10 years of experience in this field.

Emily Newman-Savino ’13 (Sport Management) started a new position working as the operations coordinator at InCord Custom Safety Netting Solutions in Colchester, Conn.

Allison Poirier L’13 (JD) has been promoted to partner at Kahan Kerensky Capossela, LLP (KKC). She is a valued member of the Estate Planning Department and has been with KKC since 2013. Additionally, Poirier was selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star, a distinction that only the top 2.5% of attorneys in Connecticut receive, for both 2023 and 2024.

Shelby Van Huysen ’13 (General Biology) has started a new position as clinical nurse manager at Yale School of Medicine, Department of Neurology.

Robert Garlick ’14/G’15 (Accounting-Finance/MSA) was promoted to audit specialist at Voya Financial. In addition to his promotion, Garlick is now a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder.

Michael Camille ’15/MBA’19 (Marketing/MBA) has started a new position as project engineer - supplier management at ALTEN Technology USA.

Dr. Stephen Ako-Nai BCNSP PharmD’16 (PharmD) has published the book, Don’t Lose Your Joy. This book is about how the power of maintaining joy is essential for anyone looking to overcome anger, create positive perception, and achieve their purpose in life. Don’t Lose Your Joy can be found on Amazon.

Lindsee Keefe ’16 (Industrial Engineering) has started a new job at Cartamundi in East Longmeadow, Mass. as the continuous improvement leader of the former Hasbro facility.

Teryn Maihiot ’16 (Pharmaceutical Business) started working at Bristol Myers Squibb as their senior manager of clinical documents.

Sarah Marois ’16 (Accounting, Finance) has begun working as a senior financial analyst at Owens Corning.

Eric Stinson ’16 (Communication - Public Relations) has joined Hilton Hotels of San Diego as the complex senior marketing manager.

Rebecca Turner ’16/G’18 (Communication - Public Relations/MAC) was promoted to web content manager in the Marketing and External Affairs office at Western New England University. She has been with the University for five years.

Sarah Morgan L’17 (JD) has been named vice president of human resources at Health New England (HNE). In this new role, Sarah will lead and oversee HNE’s human capital and organizational development operations, ensuring business strategies, plans, and initiatives are developed and implemented in compliance with governing regulations, internal policies, and procedures.

Paige Auger ’18 (Management and Leadership) has joined Market Mentors as a financial administrator.

Devin Kindred ’18 (Management and Leadership) has been promoted to director of residence life & student conduct at American International College (AIC) in Springfield, Mass. Kindred previously served as AIC’s assistant director for residential and commuter student living, while also facilitating the Safe Zone – LGBTQ+ education series on campus.

Francesco Siniscalchi ’18 (Business Analytics and Information Management) has been promoted to strategic pricing manager at Covetrus.

Dr. Kaitlin Armstrong ’19/PharmD’21 (Pharmacy Studies/PharmD) transitioned into a new role at The Hospital of Central Connecticut as an ICU clinical pharmacist.

Kristen Breen ’19 (Sport Management) is the community outreach assistant for the Chicago Blackhawks. Breen joins the Chicago Blackhawks after four years with UConn Recreation, most recently as an assistant program director for operations and facilities.

Alex Parker ’19/G’20 (Accounting/MS) has started a new position as senior associate with the Center for Audit Solutions at KPMG.

Alexandra Summa ’19 (Psychology) has been promoted to human resources generalist at Tighe & Bond.

Carling Willis ’19 (English) has started a new role as a communications manager at Connecticut Children’s.

2020s

Dr. Kaeli Serafino ’20/OTD’23 (Psychology/OTD) has started as an occupational therapist at CareOne.

Taryn Kubik ’21 (Sport Management) has started a new position with Brown University Athletics as their coordinator of recruiting and retention.

Jack LaBranche ’21 (Accounting) has been promoted to senior associate at MP CPAs Firm.

Emma Laughlin ’21/G’23 (Communications - Public Relations/MS) has started a new position as a communications and content marketing specialist with Health Plans, Inc.

Conner Murphy ’21/G’22 (Sport Management/MBA) has been promoted to assistant director of residence life at Sacred Heart University.

Nicholas Romei G’21 (Sport Leadership and Coaching) started a new position as assistant director of athletic communications at Boston College.

Yassine Sahbani L’21 (JD) has joined Barclay Damon LLC’s Commercial Litigation, Torts & Products Liability Defense, and Labor & Employment Practice Areas as their new associate attorney. Here he represents clients in a wide range of civil litigation matters with a focus on complex contract disputes and the defense of a variety of general liability claims.

Joseph Webber ’21 (Sport Management) is an assistant coach for Dean College’s baseball team.

Amara Barbiero L’22 (JD) has been appointed as an associate attorney at Pellegrini, Seeley, Ryan & Blakesley, P.C. in downtown Springfield, Mass. She will focus her practice on workers’ compensation and personal injury claims.

Samantha Vitka ’22 (Psychology) has started as the sports administration assistant for Wesleyan University.

Caleb Wu ’23 (Sport Management) has broken the men’s Guinness World Record of juggling a soccer ball 75 times in 30 seconds while going 5 mph on a treadmill.