The late Fredrick J. Kovac, BS ’52, MS ’55, JD ’62, was named to the Tire Industry Association Hall of Fame. Kovac was vice president of tire technology for Goodyear, where he worked from 1956 to 1995. During his tenure, he was responsible for a number of significant tire successes, including the belted-bias tire construction process and an all-season tire. In 1978, he transformed a former Akron tire plant into Goodyear’s technical center, which continues to operate as one of the company’s key global innovation centers.

After 62 years, Ronald Graves was reunited with Ruth Ann Struglinski, BSED ’53, the fourth-grade teacher who positively impacted his life. Struglinski was a new graduate when she taught Graves at the former Rankin Elementary in Akron. An article in the Akron Beacon Journal detailed Grave’s quest to find Struglinski, who had left teaching for a time to raise her family and ultimately retired from the Revere Local School District in 1991.

Frederick Compton Jr., JD ’73, and Ronald B. Lee, BS ’74, JD ’78 – both with Roetzel & Andress – have been named to the 2017 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers lists are compiled based on an exhaustive peer-review evaluation, and inclusion is considered a singular honor.

David P. Barker, BS ’87; Helen S. Carroll, BA ’89, JD ’92; Michael J. Hudak, JD ’87; Paul L. Jackson, BS ’85, JD ’88; Brian J. Moore, JD ’84; Bruce R. Schrader II, BA ’84; and Roger J. Stevenson, JD ’81 – all of Roetzel & Andress – have been named to the 2017 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers lists are compiled based on an exhaustive peer-review evaluation, and inclusion is considered a singular honor.

Robert A. Incorvati, AAS ’85, BS ’87, JD ’90, has served since June as Barberton’s municipal court administrator. His responsibilities range from administrative to overseeing employees and dealing with the budget.

Susan B. Lee, BA ’85, BS ’88, was elected the 26^th national president of Theta Phi Alpha Fraternity for the 2016-2018 biennium. As national president, Lee acts as CEO of the organization, which was founded in Michigan in 1912, and serves on its board of trustees and with its foundation. In 1981, Lee was initiated into Sigma Chapter on UA’s campus.

John T. Neil, BSBA ’84, BSIM ’85, was named vice president of strategic operations at Gibraltar Industries, a leading manufacturer and distributor of products for residential and industrial markets based in Buffalo, N.Y. In his new role, Neil reports to the president and CEO and will drive the 80/20 business simplification process while further improving operational excellence across the company. Neil joined Gibraltar after a 26-year career with Illinois Tool Works Inc., and, more recently, SFS Intec.

Daniel Peterman, BSEE ’85, was promoted by Bridgestone Americas to manager of race tire development/production and building services, a new position (based in Akron) overseeing all aspects of the company’s race tire development and manufacturing. He previously served as plant engineer at Bridgestone’s passenger tire plant in Aiken, S.C.

Barbara A. Sykes, AAS ’81, BA ’89, MPA ’91, was named state director of AARP Ohio. Sykes – a past three-term state representative, first African-American woman on Akron City Council, former president and CEO of United Way, consummate community leader, and devoted advocate for the underserved in Ohio – began her new appointment in August. She leads and manages the advocacy, communications, and community outreach work of AARP and its 1.5 million members in Ohio.

David C. Vidikan, BSCE ’84, was the project engineer on the Rueter-Hess Water Purification Facility project in Parker, Colo. The facility was honored with the 2016 Excellence in Environmental Engineering Award, a national award from the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists that recognizes breakthrough technology and use of a renewable water supply. The innovative facility, which opened last year, has been studied and toured by engineers from around the world.

Derek A. Bauman, BSBA ’91, MS ’00, was interviewed on WKRC-TV in Cincinnati about efforts to bring daily high-speed rail service to the city. Bauman is a 20-year law enforcement veteran and currently serves the Mason, Ohio, police department as an officer and president of the Mason Police Officers Association. He also is vice chair and SW Ohio director of All Aboard Ohio and chair of Cincinnatians for Progress.

Steven S. Cox, JD ’94, MT ’95, of Roetzel & Andress, and Jeffrey P. Rust (pictured), JD ’99, MBA ’02, a partner at Farrell Fritz, have been named to the 2017 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers lists are compiled based on an exhaustive peer-review evaluation, and inclusion is considered a singular honor.

Michael D. Farley, BA ’98, joined the Ohio Insurance Institute (OII) as vice president of legal and government affairs. Farley will assume leadership of the association’s legislative and regulatory affairs initiatives. Prior to joining OII, Farley was judicial and legislative affairs counsel at the Supreme Court of Ohio. He also served as assistant director for legislative affairs at the Ohio Department of Insurance and held legislative/public affairs positions with the American Red Cross-Ohio, Office of Governor Bob Taft, and for former-state representative David R. Evans, among others.

Selena C. Myers, BSBA ’99, MAE ’09, will be honored as a “30 for the Future” award recipient during a ceremony on September 29. Part of the Greater Akron Chamber’s strategy to attract and retain talent in the region, the “30 for the Future” award honors young professionals ages 25-39 whose stellar contributions have impacted their industries and the region. Myers is the Barberton satellite coordinator at Stark State College.

Robert W. Redick, JD ’99, is a member of the Akron Bar Association and co-chair of its Bar Applicants & Students Committee, which assists in determining fitness for students to sit for the bar exam. The exam application is quite extensive according to Redick, who also is a founding partner of the personal injury firm Kisling, Nestico & Redick. Redick joined the committee more than 10 years ago and become co-chair in May 2016.

Margaret H. “Peggy” Reeves, MAED ’96, was named director of adult and continuing education at the Medina County Career Center. Reeves and her staff are developing new ways to make the Adult Education Department more approachable and welcoming.

Kristen M. Scalise, BSA ’90, and Summit County Fiscal Officer, was named by the American Institute of CPAs the 2016 Outstanding CPA in Government Impact Award Winner, Local Level. Under the direction of Scalise, the Summit County Fiscal Office has continued to be the recipient of the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) and the Ohio Auditor of State (AOS) Award with distinction.

Murthy V. Simhambhatla, MS ’90, PhD ’94, was named president of Alphaeon Corporation, an Irvine, Calif.-based technology company focused on health-care products and services. The company works in partnership with board certified physicians, ensuring access to leading advancements in lifestyle health care.

John J. Sliter, BSA ’98, co-founder and president of V3 Transportation since January 2013, has seen the business grow rapidly into a full-fledged expedited ground transportation company, with a new headquarters in Medina, Ohio. V3 Transportation expects to post $25 million in revenue this year, a little more than double the number from 2015.

Karen M. (Kaminski) Smith, BSA ’91, was elected board treasurer of the National Leased Housing Association. Smith is a partner in the Boston office of CohnReznick and a member of its Affordable Housing Industry Practice. With more than 25 years of audit, tax, and management advisory experience, she specializes in affordable housing and has worked with numerous real estate entities and not-for-profit organizations.

Susan K. Sweeney, BA ’92, JD ’00, was named assistant court executive officer for the Summit County Court of Common Pleas, General Division. In addition, she was sworn in as a magistrate by Summit County Court of Common Pleas Administrative Judge Thomas Teodosio, BA ’79, JD ’82, and will serve in that capacity on an as-needed basis.

Terry J. Wagner, BS ’90, was named 2016 Family Physician of the Year by the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians. Wagner is partner/president of Hudson Family Practice in Stow, Ohio, where he has practiced family medicine since 1997. A record-breaking 148 patients – including the Hudson fire and police departments and other community leaders – nominated him for the award.

Cara E. Adams, BA ’02, BS ’02, is the subject of an Inventors Digest profile highlighting her work as a senior project engineer of IndyCar superspeedway tires. Her degree in mechanical engineering, with a concentration in vehicle dynamics, eventually led to her becoming senior project engineer for race tire development with Bridgestone Americas. She joined the company in 2003, and today her primary design responsibility is the IndyCar superspeedway tires for Firestone.

Melissa C. Adams, (top left) MA ’08; William R. “Willy” Kollman, (top right) BA ’08, MAED ’10; Ellen M. Lander Nischt, (bottom left) BA ’09, JD ’12; Kendra Philon, BS ’04; David C. Rich, (bottom right) BA ’04, MPA ’13; and Stephanie L. Torok, BS ’03, will be honored as “30 for the Future” award recipients during a ceremony on September 29. Part of the Greater Akron Chamber’s strategy to attract and retain talent in the region, the “30 for the Future” awards honor young professionals ages 25-39 whose stellar contributions have impacted their industries and the region. Adams is marketing manager at Smithers Information. Kollman is director of alumni relations at The University of Akron. Lander Nischt is assistant director of law for the city of Akron. Philon is manager, CPA with Meaden & Moore. Rich is director of development at Community Health Center. Torok is a client specialist supervisor at Robert W. Baird & Co. PHOTOS

Katie L. Chieda, BSN ’07, of Willard, Ohio, was promoted to senior vice president of clinical services at Fisher-Titus Medical Center. In her new role, Chieda administers and organizes the departments of nursing, imaging services, patient safety, infection control, surgery, rehabilitation, laboratory, pharmacy, cardiovascular, oncology, and pulmonary medicine, as well as the sleep center.

Courtney A. Gras, AAS ’07, BS ’13, co-founder and CEO of Design Flux Technologies LLC, is working to develop systems that will enable vast numbers of battery cells to be used far more efficiently and effectively. If successful, the “intermittent” characteristics that now limit the use of solar, wind, and other forms of renewable energy could disappear, as the world would become able to store and call up as much power as it ever needed using smart battery technology championed by Gras. Crain’s Cleveland Business singled out Gras as one of its 20 up-and-coming professionals.

Ernest L. Hoffman, BA ’02, MA ’12, PhD ’16, earned the 2016 Future Leader HR award for using his passion for psychology, statistics, and spirituality to revolutionize hiring practices at PRADCO Talent Assessment & Management Services.

Jeffrey W. LeBeau, BSBA ’06, took ownership of WRL Advertising in September 2015, becoming the third generation to run the Jackson Township, Ohio-based advertising agency, which was founded in 1954. During his first year as owner, LeBeau worked to expand the business into different areas and, as a result, has been able to hire and add talent. According to LeBeau, “WRL is evolving with the advertising industry and investing in digital market platforms, search engine optimization programs and increased video ability. The agency strives to develop campaigns that use digital information to track results to record the client's return on investment.”

Victor R. “Vic” Maculaitis, AAS ’04, was named a partner and head of financial crimes advisory at AML RightSource in Cleveland. The company assists financial institutions with a wide array of issues, including financial institution fraud, anti-money laundering, economic sanctions, and combating the financing of terrorism. Maculaitis is based out of the firm’s Phoenix office.

Kevin L. McCue, JD ’01, is a member of the Akron Bar Association and co-chair of its Bar Applicants & Students Committee, which assists in determining fitness for students to sit for the bar exam. McCue is a sole practitioner in Fairlawn, focusing on personal injury and criminal defense.

Christopher P. Reuscher, JD ’02, and John J. Rutter, JD ’05 – both with Roetzel & Andress – have been named to the 2017 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers lists are compiled based on an exhaustive peer-review evaluation, and inclusion is considered a singular honor.

Zach M. Santmyer, BSBA ’01, JD ’05, MBA ’05, was elected 2016-17 chair of the board of directors of the Ohio Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association, a statewide trade association representing more than 500 independent, small businesses in the petroleum and convenience industry in Ohio. He is president of Santmyer Oil Company Inc., SOCI Petroleum, and Santmyer Commercial Fueling in Wooster, Ohio.

Marcy R. Trew, BA ’01, MS ’07, MA ’08, was named director of adult education at Cuyahoga Valley Career Center. Trew began her career as a paralegal, working in the industry for 16 years before transitioning to education. She previously worked as an adjunct professor, department chair, dean and associate dean at Brown Mackie College, where she taught courses in criminal justice, paralegal, and sociology.

William D. Albright (pictured), BS ’10; Willie K. Cook, BS ’14; and Erica A Millen, MA ’11, will be honored as “30 for the Future” award recipients during a ceremony on September 29. Part of the Greater Akron Chamber’s strategy to attract and retain talent in the region, the “30 for the Future” awards honor young professionals ages 25-39 whose stellar contributions have impacted their industries and the region. Albright is a legislative liaison with the Ohio Adjutant General's Department. Cook is an engineer at Turner Construction Company. Millen is employed with First Energy Corp.

Health-care attorney Isabelle Bibet-Kalinyak, JD ’13, joined the Cleveland office of McDonald Hopkins, a business advisory and advocacy law firm, as an associate and will work with a team of more than 25 health-care attorneys. Most recently, Bibet-Kalinyak was with Brouse McDowell.

Theron E. Brown, BM ’13, collaborated with a Cleveland non-profit to obtain a John S. and James L. Knight Foundation grant to fund the inaugural Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival. A respected jazz pianist and educator at Youngstown State University, Brown has played with numerous bands and artists, including the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, the Glenn Miller Orchestra and bassist Christian McBride, and he had a brief part as Herbie Hancock in Don Cheadle’s 2015 Miles Davis biopic “Miles Ahead.”

Dianne M. Curtis, JD ’11, is co-chair of the Akron Bar Association’s Juvenile Court Committee. The committee is charged with keeping attorneys updated on laws and trends in that practice area, so they can provide feedback to the Summit County Juvenile Court. Curtis is a family law attorney with an office Twinsburg, Ohio.

Brenner F. Lewis, BSA ’16, was promoted to staff accountant in the Millersburg, Ohio, office of Rea & Associates, a regional accounting and business consulting firm. Lewis has been with Rea & Associates since May, after participating in an internship program with the organization.