Class Notes November 2023

By ericksonj2@cofc.edu
Posted on 1 November 2023 | 6:05 pm

Class Notes

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Check out our November edition of Class Notes! Please submit your own Class Note via our online form. We’ll feature you in the next email edition, online, in College of Charleston Magazine, and possibly even on our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

November 2023

1972

Vince Clark was named to the 2023 list of “50 Missourians You Should Know” by Ingrams.com. Mr. Clark is the Vice President of Business Development for Creative Planning, a wealth-management company located in Overland Park, KS. Mr. Clark resides in Kansas City, MO.

1980

Tom Kelecy was promoted to Director of the Navigation and Positioning Systems Department at The Aerospace Corporation in October. Mr. Kelecy received his MS in applied mathematics from the Colorado School of Mines in 1986 and his PhD in aerospace engineering sciences from the University of Colorado Boulder in 1990. He resides in Colorado Springs, CO.

1990

Christine Killen Gray married David Gray in May, and the couple resides in Cross Hill, SC. Ms. Gray is the Medical Director at Carolina Health Centers, Inc.

1992

Scott Sain, formerly of the band Plane Jane, is a DJ in the Charleston, SC, area. Mr. Sain resides on Johns Island, SC.

1993

Jeff Getty released his first book in September, entitled The Descent Is The Real Climb: Unexpected Truths About Successful Business Transitions. Mr. Getty is the Managing Director at Key Corp. He has three daughters, one of whom attends the College. Mr. Getty resides in Sewickley, PA, with his wife, Dorothy.

Forest Mahan has been named the Chief Executive Officer of the Year for the Southern Region by the Association of Community College Trustees. Dr. Mahan became the fifth President of Aiken Technical College in 2016, a position he still holds. He earned his MA in history in 1995 and his PhD in higher educational administration in 2008 from the University of South Carolina. Dr. Mahan resides in Aiken, SC, and recently made a gift to the CofC Fund.

Phillis Kalisky Mair is an Office Manager at Delson Chiropractic. She has a niece at the College, Sydney Delson, Class of 2026, who is on the President’s List. Ms. Mair resides in Charleston, SC, with her husband, Jeffrey.

1994

Krista Heptinstall Bell is an HR consultant with Close HR Connections. Ms. Bell resides in Raleigh, NC.

1995

Marcie Walker Walters is celebrating her 29th year of teaching. Ms. Walters has taught at DuBose Middle School since 2002. She resides in Summerville, SC, with her husband, Jason, and daughters, Ashley and Macy.

1998

Mark Aroneck recently became a commercial airline pilot after practicing law for more than 15 years. Mr. Aroneck obtained his JD from the Seton Hall School of Law. While at the College, he took on the persona of CofC mascot Clyde the Cougar. Mr. Aroneck resides in Seattle with his wife, Anne, and children, Ripley and Sullivan.

MaryAnn Salvatierra Sewell is the Vice President, Strategic Business Development, at Florida Technical College. She was recently recognized as the 2023 Rising Phoenix Key Contributor in the Community Award by the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida. Ms. Sewell obtained her MA in human resource development from Webster University in 2000. She plans to earn her EdD in applied learning science from the University of Miami in 2025. Ms. Sewell resides in Sanford, FL, with her husband, Mark Sewell ’03, and son, Riley. She recently gave to the Alumni Fund.

1999

Mary Cobb Carnahan is pursuing a master’s in accounting from Louisiana Tech University with plans to graduate this March. Ms. Carnahan resides in Choudrant, LA.

2000

Chel Mullis Benyair is an Energy Healer for Insight & Illumination LLC. Ms. Benyair is co-hosting a women’s retreat with two other alumnae—Caroline Cuccia Paradis ’00 and Melissa Schmidt Adrian ’00 —at The Restoration Hotel in downtown Charleston from Feb. 28 through March 3. Interested parties can register online. Ms. Benyair resides in West Hartford, CT, with her son, Sam.

2001

Daniel Waller started a new position with Wells Fargo as Lead Business Execution Consultant in August. Mr. Waller obtained his MBA in business administration and management from the Florida Institute of Technology in 2014. He resides in Indian Land, SC, with his wife, Elizabeth.

2002

Ashley Nance has joined Parker Law Group, LLP, based in Hampton, SC. Mr. Nance is a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. He and his wife, Danielle, reside in Florence, SC, with their two children. Mr. Nance is a stalwart supporter of the College and most recently gave to the School of Business Dean’s Excellence Fund.

Amy Chornyak Strunk was recently named the Best Landscaper of Chapel Hill for the third year running. She also won Best Landscaper of Chatham for 2022 and 2023. Ms. Strunk is a landscape designer who owns her own company, Amy Strunk Designs. She resides in Chapel Hill, NC, with her two children, Graham and Finley.

2003

Jason Loring is the new SVP, Deputy Chief Legal Officer and Global Head of Privacy and Data Protection at Vialto Partners. Mr. Loring obtained his JD from the Wake Forest University School of Law in 2006. He and his wife, Julie, reside in Atlanta with their son, Oliver.

2004

Courtney Grooms Anastas and her husband, David, welcomed a son, Matty, to the family in January. Ms. Anastas is the President of the CofC Alumni Association chapter in South Florida. The Anastas family resides in Oakland Park, FL.

Jessica Graham Scully is a self-employed recipe developer and food photographer. She runs a food blog at paleoscaleo.com where she offers gluten-free, dairy-free, and paleo recipes. Ms. Scully resides in Summerville, SC, with her husband, Brandan, and son, Slater.

2005

Darren Dean was recently awarded the top honor at Lincoln Financial Distributors for establishing himself as a top producer and resource to both his colleagues and clients. He holds the position of Sales Vice President at the company. Mr. Dean and his wife, Lindsey Earnhardt Dean ’06, welcomed a son, Charlie, to the family in September. The alumni reside in Roswell, GA, with sons Ethan, Wesley, and Charlie.

Nicholas Glover joined the Environmental Defense Fund in September as Vice President and head of the organization’s Build to Zero business unit. Mr. Glover serves on the College’s Foundation Board and recently made a gift to the CofC Fund. He resides in Tampa, FL, with his wife, Caitlin, and three children, Aiden, Ellery, and Zadie.

2007

Tracy Borczyk Cullinan was promoted to Director of Marketing & Development at Project Sanctuary in July. Ms. Cullinan and her husband welcomed daughter Charlotte Bailey Cullinan to the family in February. The Cullinan family resides in Aiea, HI.

2008

Rebecca Hinson is a self-employed holistic plant-based coach and painter. She also hosts a podcast called The Refined Hippie. She and her husband, Derek McKee, reside in Wilmington, NC.

Marianne McNeeley Seel and her husband, Matthew, welcomed their first daughter, Lillian, to the family last September. The couple wed in 2015 and reside in Charleston, SC, with their three children.

David Wallace started a job in October as Vice President/Business Development Officer at Wells Fargo in Charleston, SC.

2009

Eva Elmer Joseph (MPA) was promoted to Project Management Team Lead at The Task Force for Global Health, Inc. in October. Ms. Joseph resides in Decatur, GA.

Jessica Fuller Manley was promoted to Vice President of Sales for iHeartMedia in July. Ms. Manley lives in Arden, NC, with her husband, Weston. The couple tied the knot in April 2022. Ms. Manley is a generous donor to the Alumni Fund.

Hilda Godley McChesney left Joint Base Charleston Weapons Station in July after 10 years as a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. She now works with the Commander, Navy Installations Command team, as a Sexual Assault Prevention & Response (SAPR) Program Analyst. Ms. McChesney resides in Charleston, SC, with her husband, Matt, and daughter, Naomi Louise.

2010

Amanda Helton Baldwin (MPA) is the new Customer Success Manager at GoodUnited, a marketing automation platform for nonprofits. Ms. Baldwin resides in Charleston, SC, with her husband, Ben, and two children.

Katherine Edwards joined iTech AG in October as a SAFe Product Manager, ServiceNow. Ms. Edwards resides in Charleston, SC.

Amelia Black Joseph earned her MEd in education leadership from New England College in October. Ms. Joseph is a Special Education Coordinator for the Contoocook Valley School District. She resides in Peterborough, NH, with her husband, Hunter, and two sons, Ryan and Aaron.

Julianne Moffatt Lang is the school leader at Lowcountry Leadership Charter School. In July, she was included in Charleston Regional Business Journal’s 2023 Forty Under 40 class. Ms. Lang received her MEd in educational administration from Purdue University in 2014. She resides in Summerville, SC.

Joseph Rogers is a Financial Advisor for Northwestern Mutual, and he and his wife, Nicole, reside in Encinitas, CA.

Katie McNeill Williams is the HR Director for CMC. She received her MS in human resources from the University of South Carolina in 2014. Ms. Williams resides with her husband, Chase, in Huntersville, NC.

2012

Hannah Cummings Loveland is the new Director of Member Engagement and Optimization for Advocate Health in Charlotte, NC. Ms. Loveland earned her MA in organization sciences from George Washington University in 2014.

2013

Cara Beth Heath Graebner started a new role as an In-House Writer for Pocket FM in October. Ms. Graebner resides in Chicago.

Greg Odachowski is the Founder/Head Baker at Holey City Bagels. He opened the business in 2022 with Bridget Byrne ’12. Mr. Odachowski received his MA in teaching from The Citadel in 2016. He resides in Charleston, SC, with his son, Patrick.

2014

Kirsten Scott Akins is a Site Coordinator for Communities in Schools in Ladson, SC. Ms. Akins obtained her MEd from Walden University in April and has plans to receive her EdD from Walden in 2025. Ms. Akins resides in Charleston, SC, with her three children, Ashlynn-Morgan, Liam, and Luka.

Kimberly Bruyette is a Career Coach and resides in La Jolla, CA.

Ryan Elizabeth Smiley Esckilsen and her husband, Scott, welcomed their first child, Georgia Grace Esckilsen, to the family last November. Ms. Esckilsen works as a Team Lead – Senior Meeting Coordinator for Advarra IRB. She and her family reside in Charleston, SC.

Michael Palmer is the new Vice President of SRS Real Estate Partners’ Miami office. Mr. Palmer has seven years of commercial real estate experience and obtained his SIOR and CCIM designations in 2018.

Charlotte Pultz is the new Customer Success Manager at Case Status in Charleston, SC.

Jennifer Rosene Thayer is the Director of Sales, Northeast, for OneTrust. She married Michael Ballard in April, and the couple resides in Cary, NC. Ms. Thayer recently made a generous gift to the Honors College Dean’s Excellence Fund.

2015

Madelyn Baggett obtained her Level 3 Award in Spirits from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. Ms. Baggett is a specialist for the Republic National Distributing Company, a company she has worked for since 2015. She resides in Charleston, SC, and recently gave to the Alumni Association Fund.

Kaitlyn Hardwick married Jake Rockefeller ’15 in Charleston, SC, last month. Ms. Hardwick is the Senior Audit Manager for Johnson Lambert, and the couple resides in Baltimore, MD. Ms. Hardwick recently made gifts to the Alumni Association Fund and Chapter Management Fund.

Matthew Johnson joined Bridge Commercial as an Associate with a focus on Commercial Leasing and Sales in October. Mr. Johnson resides in Charleston, SC.

Rebecca Kahn joined Gisou by Negin Mirsalehi in September as the Brand Manager for North America. Ms. Kahn resides in San Francisco.

Madison McGhee launched a podcast in May investigating the unsolved 2002 murder of her father, John Cornelius McGhee. Ice Cold Case has been featured on People, E! News, Daily Mail, and Access Hollywood, among other publications. Ms. McGhee resides in Los Angeles.

Elena Origlio was promoted to Program Manager at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement in October. She first joined the Boston-based institute in 2018.

2016

Darren Callihan is a Manager, Brand and Insights, for Greystar. Mr. Callihan resides in Goose Creek, SC, and recently made gifts to the Management and Marketing Fund, Alumni Association Fund, and Chapter Management Fund.

Meredith Cox was promoted to Senior Convention Sales Manager of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority in September. The Greer, SC, native resides in Charlotte, NC.

Emily Edwards is the new Associate Digital Merchandiser for Anthropologie. She resides in Lansdale, PA.

Taylor Moore Leach married her husband, Nathan, in May 2022 and recently celebrated becoming a 200-hour certified yoga instructor. The Leach family resides in Charleston, SC.

Elliot Park married Grace Grinold Park ’16 in March of 2022. Mr. Park is a Financial Advisor for Merrill Lynch, and the couple resides in Beaufort, SC.

Michael Schmidt is the owner and founder of SuperfoodSuperhuman LLC, a holistic nutrition health coaching program designed to empower people through diet. Mr. Schmidt resides in San Diego.

MacKenzie Schroeck is a Second Grade Teacher for Charleston County School District and resides in Charleston, SC.

2017

Hannah Lagasse Gafford joined Aspire Lifestyles as a Travel Advisor & Lifestyle Concierge in July. Ms. Gafford and her husband, Jonathan, celebrated their second wedding anniversary in October, and the couple resides in Gaston, SC.

Jason Katz is the new Assistant Operations Manager for Thompson Denver in Denver.

Amanda Malool has obtained her NYU Fundamentals of Global Sports Management Certificate from Yellowbrick. Ms. Malool is a Promotions Team Member for the New Jersey Devils professional hockey team. She earned her JD from Rutgers Law School in 2022 and resides in Scotch Plains, NJ.

Amanda Phagan started as a Copywriter with Venables Bell and Partners in October. Ms. Phagan resides on Daniel Island.

Olivia Roberson started a new part-time job at The Citadel as a Graduate Assistant within the Department of General Education in October. Ms. Roberson divides her time as a meditation and yoga teacher and works as a Clinical Research Associate for the University of Connecticut. Ms. Roberson earned her MS in clinical, counseling, and applied psychology from The Citadel in May. She resides in Charleston, SC.

Victoria Simpson is an Assistant Athletic Trainer for the University of Missouri’s football team, a role she started in June. Ms. Simpson obtained her MS in athletic training from the University of South Carolina in 2021. She resides in Columbia, MO.

2018

Lindsay Adams is a Middle School Humanities Adolescent Teacher at James Simons Montessori. Ms. Adams resides in North Charleston, SC, and recently made a gift to the Alumni Fund.

Kathryn O’Brien Dolbir and her husband, Peter, welcomed a son, Levi Aron, to the family in September. The Dolbir family resides in North Charleston, SC.

Katie Decker Drummond married Speight Drummond in August. The couple have a one-year-old daughter, Lyla James Drummond. Ms. Drummond graduated from Boston University with an MS in advertising in May. The Drummond family lives in Newburyport, MA.

Katie Hannah was promoted to Account Director at Epsilon in October. Ms. Hannah resides in Charlotte, NC, and recently made a gift to the Campus Preservation Fund.

Charles Hinnant launched a new company, Rave Me Away, which aims to provide increased health and safety measures through wearables and application technology at live events. Mr. Hinnant graduated from Georgetown University with a master’s degree in integrated marketing and communications in 2023. He resides in Norwalk, CT.

Ariana Pearsall McGill is a Senior Account Manager for Destination South Meetings + Events, a DMC Network Company. Ms. McGill is a Certified Meeting Professional. She married Emory McGill ’16 in March, and the couple resides in Mount Pleasant, SC, with their two dogs, Isla and Skye.

Izabella Nieves started a new position as an Occupational Health and Safety RN at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Ms. Nieves resides in Denver.

Viveke Rai joined Nephron Pharmaceuticals as a Microbiology Analyst in July. Mr. Rai obtained his MS in bio-molecular science from Lipscomb University in 2020. He resides in Orangeburg, SC.

Shannon Ross married Justin Prairie in October, and the couple lives in North Charleston, SC.

Sydney Friedman Slomovitz ’18 and her husband, Landon, welcomed their first child, Elliott “Ellie” Miller Slomovitz, in October. The couple were married in September 2022 and reside in Cleveland, OH.

William Spitzer joined Mass Mutual as a Financial Services Professional in August. Mr. Spitzer resides in Philadelphia.

Daniel Torres became Project Manager of Great Southern Homes in September. Mr. Torres resides in Greenville, SC.

Kristina Friend Wright is the new Chief Operating Officer for Weyo Media, a Charleston, SC-based growth marketing agency.

2019

Mary Scott Anderson married her husband, Jereth, in March. Ms. Anderson is an Education Coordinator for HIV Alliance. The Andersons live in Eugene, OR.

Madison Fusco started a new job as a Customer Success Manager at Propel PRM in August. Ms. Fusco recently moved to Chicago and is looking forward to connecting with alumni in the area.

Aaron Handelman and Yarden Shuminer ’19 got married in September, and the couple resides in New York. Ms. Shuminer recently made a gift to the Campus Preservation Fund.

Natalie Lennon joined Accenture Federal Services as a Health Analytics Specialist in October. Ms. Lennon earned her MS in behavioral, social, and health education sciences from Emory University in 2021, and she resides in Arlington, VA.

Nathan Ocker and his wife, Kelsey, welcomed son Krew Thomas Ocker to the family in September. Mr. Ocker played baseball at the College and was drafted by the Cleveland Indians (now the Guardians) in the 29th round of the 2019 MLB Draft. He currently serves as Director of Eastern Pennsylvania for Prep Baseball Report. The Ocker family resides in Middletown, PA.

Rob Solomon married Claudia Gold ’19 in May, and the couple resides in New York.

2020

Mary Bruns wed Kyle Harbin in August. Ms. Bruns is a Systems Educator at the Medical University of South Carolina. The couple resides in Awendaw, SC.

Dylan Cooper is a Law Clerk at Dunlap, Bennett & Ludwig. Mr. Cooper received his JD from the Charleston School of Law in May. He resides in Vienna, VA, and made a recent gift to the Campus Preservation Fund.

Jordan Halfon joined the College’s Office of Alumni Engagement & Annual Giving in September as the Assistant Director of Student & Young Alumni Giving. Ms. Halfon resides on Johns Island, SC.

Allison Hansen received a promotion to Lead Data Scientist at Booz Allen Hamilton in October. Ms. Hansen earned her MS in data science from the University of Virginia in August 2022 and resides in Charleston, SC.

Ellen Snyder is the new Associate Category Manager, Core Cookware & Kitchen Essentials, for Le Creuset. She resides in Mount Pleasant, SC.

2021

Hunter Cunningham started a new job as a Fire Rescue Recruit for Orange County Fire Rescue in October. Mr. Cunningham resides in Winter Park, FL.

Grace Daughtry has been promoted to Account Executive at Ruder Finn and resides in Summerville, SC.

Roberto Angelo Sto Domingo is a medical student at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville. Mr. Sto Domingo lives in Greenville, SC, and recently supported the College through the Alumni Association Fund.

Lauren Kenney is the new Human Resources Coordinator for LS3P Associates, LTD. in Charleston, SC.

Hannah Marshall joined Lifestyle Real Estate SC as a Real Estate Agent in August and resides in Mount Pleasant, SC.

2022

Maris Ackerman is pursuing an MA in public relations and advertising from DePaul University with a tentative graduation date of June 2024. Ms. Ackerman resides in Chicago.

Ellie Bryson was promoted to Fleet Operations Specialist of Marquee Insurance Group in October. Ms. Bryson resides in Atlanta.

2023

Kaiya Blank is the new Events Coordinator for the Society of Women Engineers and lives in Charleston, SC.

Kimberly Hardy is a new Customer Support Associate for Empower, and she resides in Charleston, SC.

Samantha Hirsh joined The Local Palate as a Digital Marketing Intern in October. Ms. Hirsh recently made a gift to the Campus Preservation Fund.

Katherine Jordan is the Marketing Coordinator for the engineering firm, Davis & Floyd, and handles the firm’s writing of proposals.

Delaney Lambert is a Functional Consultant for Oracle. Her sister, Kate Lambert, is a sophomore at the College. Ms. Lambert resides in Austin, TX, and recently made a gift to the Campus Preservation Fund.

Maggie McGuire joined b.good PR as a Public Relations Coordinator in August. She resides in New York City and recently gave to the Campus Preservation Fund.

Ryan Smith recently started a new job with NAI Charleston as a real estate agent, becoming the fifth generation in his family to get involved in the industry. Mr. Smith graduated from the College with a major in psychology and a focus in business psychology. He also received a minor in business administration. Mr. Smith resides in Charleston, SC, and recently gave in support of the Campus Preservation Fund.