Class notes

George S. Crawford, A.A.S. ’85, B.S. ’86, M.A. ’88, has retired from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as Lead Counterintelligence/Counterterrorism Special Agent at the John Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. He concluded his more than 34 years of federal service with 14.5 years at NASA preceded by 20 years with the US Air Force in the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. His awards include the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, NASA Distinguished Achievement Award, National Intelligence Meritorious Unit Citation and the Bronze Star Medal. In retirement, Crawford plans to spend time with family and friends and travel.

Martin E. Denker, B.S. ’85, Ph.D. ’92, was admitted to the Carlton Society, 3M’s highest recognition of lifetime achievement for 3M scientists and engineers. Denker is a retired corporate scientist in the Display Materials and Systems Division. During his 32-year career at 3M, he led the commercialization of a new-to-the world method for oriented stretching in multilayer optical films (MOF). This expanded the MOF value proposition into the smartphone and consumer electronic market. Having scaled the process technology from the lab to manufacturing, his overall leadership across multiple generations of reflective polarizers has provided a competitive advantage and delivered significant new sales given the broad adoption of this technology across the industry.

Rev. John Thomas J. Lane, B.M. ’87, was recently elected the Provincial Superior or president of Province of Saint Ann, which is an international order founded by Saint Peter Julian Eymard with priests, brothers, sisters,and lay people around the world. Lane was elected to lead the United States in ministries across the country with places in New York, Florida, Connecticut, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and Hawaii. He will also continue to be the pastor of his home parish, Saint Paschal Baylon in Highland Heights.

Stephen A. Robbins, J.D. ’80, recently published his first novel, “The Healer’s Miraculous Discovery.” The book is set (in part) at The University of Akron, and the two principal characters are graduates from UA in the 1960’s. The book is available on all major online book sites, such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Goodreads.

Annette M. (Januzzi) Wick, B.S. ’89, has published “Experiments in Voice” in the issue of Creative Nonfiction, which includes her essay “Finding Your Public Voice.”

Dr. Linda D. Woodard, B.S. ’83, has been appointed the new Chief Mission Officer at Goodwill Industries of North Florida.

Heather M. Barnes, B.S.M.E. ’96, has been named to the 2023 Ohio Super Lawyers list. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Barnes is a registered patent attorney focusing on intellectual property matters, including the domestic and international prosecution of patents, trademarks and copyrights. PHOTO

Robert G. Bryant, M.S. ’90, Ph.D. ’95, is being inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame for his invention of Langley Research Center-Soluble Imide (LaRC-SI). Bryant, a NASA chemist, developed the polymer LaRC-SI, taking it from laboratory discovery to application as an insulation material for leads in implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy devices. PHOTO

Jeffrey M. Hastings, M.S.E. ’92, has joined the senior leadership team at AliMed, Inc., as the Senior Vice President of Commercial Growth and Development. In his new role, Hastings will lead AliMed’s national sales and sales support teams, spearheading commercial expansion of its product portfolio to strengthen the company’s position and market share in both the acute and post-acute care space. As an influential senior executive in the health care industry, Hastings brings decades of leadership experience to AliMed. PHOTO

Xiao Christina Huang, M.S. ’98, was promoted to partner at Faegre Drinker effective Jan. 1, 2023. Huang exemplifies a relentless commitment to client service, collaboration,and teamwork and has made invaluable contributions to the firm and clients. PHOTO

Fuming (Bruce) Li, Ph.D. ’98, was admitted to the Carlton Society, 3M’s highest recognition of lifetime achievement for 3M scientists and engineers. Li, a corporate scientist in the Safety and Industrial Business Group Laboratory at 3M, is credited for numerous groundbreaking discoveries in the fundamental science of a filter media technology platform. His efforts directly contributed to the discovery and development of additives and processes to improve performance of filter media. Li is also known for his broad collaboration across roles and for mentorship and support of colleagues worldwide. PHOTO

Barbara Lopez Kunz, M.S. ’90, has been appointed to Caidya’s Board of Directors, effective Nov. 1, 2022. Caidya is a multi-therapeutic clinical research organization serving innovators worldwide. Lopez Kunz is an internationally savvy executive with a history of visionary leadership and transformation in complex global environments. PHOTO

William V. Mars, ’94, received the Harold Herzlich Distinguished Technology Achievement Medal on September 14, 2022, at the International Tire Exhibit and Conference the largest tire manufacturing trade show and conference in North America held at the John S. Knight Center. The Medal is only awarded every other year to recognize a tire industry pioneer whose career and accomplishments have changed the industry for the better, leaving a lasting impact on tire design, development and manufacturing. Receiving the medal is a pinnacle point in Mars’ lifetime quest to improve how rubber products are designed and brought to market. PHOTO

Brian R. Mertes, J.D. ’95, has been named managing partner of Black McCuskey Law Firm effective Jan.1, 2023. He will continue to practice law and serve his clients while leading the growth of the firm. Mertes focuses his practice on labor and employment and general corporate matters. PHOTO

Caroline L. Sangal, B.S. ’98, Ph.D. ’04, has been appointed to Omicron Delta Kappa National Board of Trustees. Sangal is the chief executive recruiter at the Chatham Group, part of MRI Network. She focuses on helping client companies secure to talent and candidates to advance within their chemical industry-related careers. PHOTO

Todd Thompson, B.S.B.A. ’94 was recently featured in an article published in the January 2023 issue of Orlando Arts. Thompson is a director, writer, producer, and sometimes, actor. His Orlando-based production company, Stars North, creates a variety of intriguing films – many of them documentaries for which Thompson wears multiple hats.

Lydia C. Thompson, A.A.S. ’91, recently completed her first autobiographical book, “Retrieving the Wheatfield: Look Where He Brought Me From.” Thompson, the 91-year-old author and a consummate storyteller, has chronicled her life as a young girl growing up on a sharecropper’s plantation in segregated South Carolina in the 1930s. Like many African Americans, her family left the south during the Great Migration to come north seeking freedom, justice, and opportunity. The book is full of laughter, pain, joy, tragedy and an unshakeable trust in God. PHOTO

Rachid Bendali-Yahya, B.S.M.E. ’01, current vice president, operations for the Engineered Materials Group at Parker Hannifin Corporation, has been elected by the Board of Directors as vice president and president – Engineered Materials Group. Bendali-Yahya’s demonstrated operational leadership and international experiences with LORD Corporation, and more recently within Parker, will serve him well in the critical role leading the Engineered Materials Group. Parker Hannifin is a Fortune 250 global leader in motion and control technologies.

Fiona M. Chambers, M.T. ’01, a Deloitte professional for 29 years, has been named Northeast Ohio managing partner for Deloitte LLP, effective Jan. 2, 2023. The Northeast Ohio practice includes 586 professionals providing audit and assurance, tax, consulting, and risk and financial advisory services. As the managing partner of Deloitte’s Northeast Ohio practice, Chambers will be responsible for Deloitte’s strategy, business development, corporate citizenship and other strategic initiatives in the region.

Tiffany S. Collins, B.S.I.M. ’00, has been named a notable executive in diversity, equity and inclusion for 2022 via Crain’s Cleveland Business. These executives are working actively and with intentionality to promote understanding and generate diversity and inclusion, for the benefit of all. Collins is currently the global director of diversity, equity and inclusion at Avery Dennison.

Amy K. Corrigall-Jones, J.D. ’01, joined Oriana House as vice president of Behavioral Health. Corrigall-Jones most recently served as a Summit County Common Pleas Judge, a position she held since 2012. Oriana House is a private, nonprofit behavioral health, and community corrections agency with programs in Summit, Stark, Cuyahoga, Seneca, Sandusky, Huron and Washington counties and has been providing services since 1981.

Joshua “Josh” R. Davis, B.A. ’02, B.A. ’02, J.D. ’05, associate vice chancellor for global affairs and senior international officer at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, will now serve as the chancellor’s chief of staff. Davis has served as a Nebraska U leader of global affairs and strategy for more than 10 years. In his new role, Davis will serve as a senior adviser, reporting on a variety of strategic and executive duties, including internal and external relations.

Bryce D. Dingman, M.S. ’01, has been promoted to associate and shareholder of Barton & Loguidice. Barton & Loguidice is a multi-disciplinary consulting firm with 350 employees that provides technical solutions to public and private clients from offices in New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maine.

David H. Hamilton, B.A. ’07, will serve as the administrative/presiding judge of the Akron Municipal Court for 2023. In this role, Judge Hamilton will oversee the court’s administration, docket, and court calendar, as well as the observance of the rules of superintendence and the timely reporting and termination of all cases in the court.

Jennifer L. Highfield, B.A. ’01, has been named president and executive director of Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens. Highfield worked at Stan Hywet from 2006 to 2010 as its director of fund development fundraising for the estate. Stan Hywet is the former estate of Goodyear co-founder, F.A. Seiberling, and is a National Historic Landmark and among the largest such estates open for public tours in the country.

Michael P. Kelly, M.P.A. ’02, was named vice president for finance and administration at the State University of New York at Fredonia. Kelly brings with him extensive experience with financial turnarounds, strategic planning for financial sustainability, multi-year capital planning, policy and procedure development and implementation, contracting and purchasing, and change management, along with many other administrative functions and business operations.

Kevin Kroskey, B.A.E. ’01, M.B.A. ’05, founder and managing partner of True Wealth Design, LLC, was a 2022 winner of the Weatherhead 100 for being one of Northeast Ohio’s fastest growing companies. True Wealth is a wealth management firm with deep expertise in retirement, tax and investment planning.

Scott A. Wagner, B.S. ’03, recently assumed a new leadership role at Regency Construction Services, Inc. where he has spent most of his career. Wagner will assume the role of vice president of corporate operations. In addition to overseeing the company’s business operations, he continues to lead business development and marketing. Wagner has extensive experience with education, library, parks, government, civic, health care and commercial projects.

Chelsea K. Ball, B.S.E.D. ’17, has taken her passion for teaching to the top of her profession. Ball, a sixth-grade teacher at Louisville Middle School, has been named “National Teacher of the Year” as part of Gannett’s Amazing Teacher program. Gannett operates the Canton Repository, Massillon Independent and Alliance Review in Stark County. The Amazing Teacher program is sponsored by Walsh University, and the program is a company-wide initiative that recognizes teachers across the nation. Throughout the year, community members nominate teachers from their local school districts, provide their information and give a description of the extraordinary ways that a teacher makes a difference.

Matthew A. Parnell, M.S.E. ’11, and wife Michelle D. (Smith) Parnell, A.A.S. ’14, welcomed their son, Memphis Alexander Parnell, on Jan. 1, 2023 at 7 pounds and 9 ounces.

Tyler A. Chaplin, B.S.B.A. ’10, M.T. ’13, has been promoted to senior manager at Bober Markey Fedorovich. Chaplin serves in the Private Client Services practice and works with S-corporations, partnerships, and high net worth individuals. He also specializes in individual and estate tax planning and leads the training for new tax staff and interns.

Tessa M. Gaffney, B.A. ’15, ’21, has had successful leadership with the Center for Applied Drama and Autism (CADA)Inclusive Chatter Network. CADA celebrates a decade of empowering people of all ages and abilities as they discover the joys of theatre. In recognition of this, CADA was awarded a matching grant of $15,000 from Ohio Arts Council (OAC), in order to provide access, training,and experience for neurodiverse performers in podcasting and social networking through a program called the Inclusive Chatter Network (ICN).

Nathan A. Lieb, B.S.A. ’11, M.S.A. ’13, has been promoted to senior manager at Bober Markey Fedorovich. Lieb serves a variety of multi-state companies in taxation including public and private C-corporations, S-corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships. His experience includes providing tax compliance in multiple taxing jurisdictions, consulting and various tax planning strategies, tax due diligence, and compliance with ASC 740 (FAS 109/FIN 48) Accounting for Income Taxes.

Joseph A. Manno, B.S. ’11, J.D. ’14, has been named to the 2023 Ohio Rising Stars list. Rising Stars are outstanding lawyers who are age 40 or younger or who have been in practice for 10 years or less. While up to 5% of the lawyers in a state are named to Super Lawyers each year, no more than 2.5% of the lawyers in a state are named to Rising Stars. Manno is a member of Tucker Ellis’s national and local counsel teams that defend manufacturers, suppliers and distributors in mass tort and product liability claims.

Stephen A. Mazza, B.S.A. ’11, has joined Bober Markey Fedorovich as a partner in the firms Tax Services Group. Mazza brings a unique blend of technical accounting expertise with strong business strategy skills in ways that make a significant impact for his clients.

Kandice C. Saulsberry, A.A.B. ’12, Managing Funeral Director at Dale-Riggs Funeral Home, Inc., received a 2022 20 Under 40 Leadership Recognition Award this past October. She was among the 20 selected from a field of 168 candidates. Dale-Riggs Funeral Home is the oldest African American funeral home in Toledo which has been operating for over 100 years. She is licensed as a funeral director, preneed insurance agent and certified funeral celebrant. At 28, Saulsberry became the youngest managing funeral director in Toledo and continues to hold that status.

Jessica L. Sublett L.L.M. ’14, J.D. ’14, current COO of Akron’s Bounce Innovation Hub, became CEO effective January 2023. Bounce Innovation Hub, founded in January 2018, serves Northeast Ohio entrepreneurs, startups and small businesses. The nonprofit organization comprises more than 300,00 square feet of coworking, event, meeting and professional office space. With more than 50 organizations in the building, Bounce accounts for more than 250 people working and creating.

Kendra Weekley, B.S. ’15, won the Olympic-distance Athena 39 and younger national title in a time of 2:43;42.!

The following UA alumni were recognized in Crain’s Cleveland Business 2022 40 Under 40, a standout group of dedicated young executives, professionals, and leaders who happen to be under the age of 40:

Joseph G. Ayoub, B.S.E.E. ’10, vice president, director of engineering at CDM Smith, Inc.

Willie K. Cook, A.A.S. ’14, B.S. ’15, assistant principal at Copley High School

Vanja Djuric, B.S.B.A. ’06, M.S.M. ’13, associate professor at The University of Akron and director of analytics for the University’s Taylor Institute

Four Akron Municipal Court Specialized Dockets earned renewed Certifications:

Active Recovery Creates Hope Court is led by Judge Nicole A. Walker, B.A. ’98, J.D. ’06, and is now certified through Dec. 31, 2025.

Valor Court is led by Judge Gerald “Jerry” K. Larson, B.S.B.A. ’88, JD ’91, and is now certified through Dec. 31, 2025.

Family Intervention Court is led by Judge Ronald L. Cable, Jr., B.A. ’06, J.D. ’00, and is now certified through Dec. 31, 2025.

Restore Individual Self-Empowerment Court is led by Judge Ronald L. Cable, Jr., B.A. ’06,

J.D. ’00, and is now certified through Dec. 31, 2025.