May 19, 2015

Class Notes: Spring 2015

classnotes-reunion-logo

Seeking Jewish students from 1917 to 1950

Dr. Arthur P. Urbano, Jr., associate professor of theology, and Dr. Jennifer G. Illuzzi, assistant professor of history, are researching the experiences of Jewish students at PC from 1917-1950. They seek alumni and former students willing to be interviewed, along with families of deceased alumni and former students. Contact Urbano at aurbano@providence.edu or 401.865.1351, or write Theology Department, Providence College, 1 Cunningham Square, Providence, RI 02918-0001.

1960s

’65 (50th Reunion Year)

Brian T. O’Connor, Esq. ’65 of Greenwich, Conn., served as grand marshal of the 41st annual Greenwich St. Patrick’s Parade, one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in Connecticut. He is a partner with the Stamford law firm of Diserio Martin O’Connor & Castiglioni LLP. He is co-chair of the ’65 Golden Anniversary Reunion and Gift Committee for his 50th reunion at PC in 2015.

’68

Bob Donnelly, Esq. ’68 of Millwood, N.Y., a lawyer with Lommen Abdo in New York City, was named one of the “50 Attorneys of Note in the Music Biz” by Billboard magazine. He has been a lawyer in the music industry since 1976, specializing in the negotiation of entertainment contracts and royalties, and has been awarded more than 40 platinum record plaques by performers he has represented.

Stephen D. Gladis ’68 of Annandale, Va., a leadership speaker, author, and executive coach, received the Trustee Leadership Award from Leadership Fairfax, a nonprofit dedicated to the development of leaders in northern Virginia. He was recognized for his commitment to civic, academic, and philanthropic causes, and for establishing Young Business Leaders, a group of top-level young executives dedicated to business and philanthropy.

1970s

’71

Deacon Ed Giard ’71 of Manchester, Conn., retired after teaching religion for 40 years at East Catholic High School in Manchester. He also celebrated 30 years as a permanent deacon in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hartford.

’74

Sean Gleason ’74 of Ventor City, N.J., received the highest individual honor awarded by the Virginia Recreation & Parks Society (VRPS), the Fellows Award. The former director of recreation and parks in Colonial Heights, Va., he was honored for developing new facilities and expanding programs in Colonial Heights, as well as for his service as (now former) president of VRPS and with multiple committees, including strategic planning and redistricting. Gleason is a life member of the Optimist Club of Colonial Heights and a former governor of the Capital-Virginia District of Optimist International.

’75 (40th Reunion Year)

Thomas R. Yantz ’75 of Kensington, Conn., was inducted into the Connecticut High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame as a member of the media. He has been a sports reporter for The Hartford Courant since 1975, covering high school, college, and professional sports, including Major League Baseball and professional golf. He has won numerous writing awards from The Associated Press and the Connecticut Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

’77

Michael D. Aubin, FACHE ’77 of  Jacksonville, Fla., was named the 2014 R. David and I. Lorraine Thomas Child Advocate of the Year by the Children’s Home Society of Florida, Buckner Division, in Jacksonville. He is the president of Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville. A longtime child health advocate, he also was elected to the board of trustees of the Children’s Hospital Association, which represents more than 220 children’s hospitals in the U.S.

John T. Capetta, Esq. ’77 of Stamford, Conn., joined Martin LLP as leader of its Private Equity Practice Group. He has more than 30 years of experience in mergers and acquisitions, and has represented a wide range of private equity firms, portfolio companies, and portfolio company management interests.

Charles J. Fogarty ’77 of Harmony, R.I., was appointed by Gov. Gina Raimondo to be director of elderly affairs in the R.I. Department of Human Services. He formerly was director of the R.I. Department of Labor & Training and has served as state senator and lieutenant governor.

Hank Foley, Ph.D. ’77 of Columbia, Mo., was elected as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and as a fellow of the American Chemical Society’s Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Division. He is also an elected fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. Foley is the senior vice chancellor for research and graduate studies at the University of Missouri and executive vice president of the University of Missouri System. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree at PC’s Ninety-Seventh Commencement Exercises in May 2015.

William Humphrey ’77 of Pacific Palisades, Calif., was appointed general manager of Hudson Media Properties, Inc., which includes Sunset Gower, Sunset Bronson, and United Recording Studios. He oversees the company’s media and entertainment portfolio in Southern California, including sales, marketing, operations, and other strategic initiatives. He previously served as senior vice president for sales and marketing at Point360, an industry-leading digital media service company.

’78

Donna M. Cupelo ’78 of Franklin, Mass., region president of Verizon New England, was named a Shattuck City Champion by the Boston Municipal Research Bureau for her contributions to the city of Boston. She is a member of PC’s Providence President’s Council and the PC School of Business Advisory Council, and is a former member of the PC Board of Trustees. In April, Cupelo and her husband, William F. Cupelo ’78, were honored at PC’s annual A Night in Black & White for their contributions to the College.

Thomas F. Sheehan ’78 of Winchester, Mass., was named senior vice president of sales at D3 Banking, an innovator in data-driven digital banking. He counsels financial institutions seeking a long-term digital banking strategy.

’79

R. David Cruise ’79 of Cumberland, R.I., was appointed legislative director by R.I. Gov. Gina Raimondo. He had been an administrative magistrate on the state Traffic Tribunal since 2008. He also worked for the late R.I. Gov. Bruce G. Sundlun, in Washington for the Clinton administration, as chief of staff to the R.I. Senate president, and as legal counsel and director of governmental affairs for the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation.

Michael J. Veracka ’79 of Bethpage, N.Y., and Providence, R.I., was promoted to associate professor at Farmingdale State College in Farmingdale, N.Y., where he teaches and serves as chair in the Department of Urban Horticulture and Design in the School of Business. He is an award-winning landscape architect who has designed and created gardens across the country.

1980s

’80 (35th Reunion Year)

Robert W. Ekstrom, C.P.A. ’80 of Tiverton, R.I., was named city auditor for New Bedford, Mass., by Mayor Jon Mitchell. He formerly was manager of financial planning & analysis at UnitedHealth Group, a nationwide health care company, in Providence, and had previously served as chief financial officer at LighthouseMD before its acquisition by UnitedHealth.

’81

Mark A. Flaherty ’81 of Boston, Mass., was appointed an independent director on the board of directors at The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. He is a member of the board’s Audit, Risk and Corporate Governance, Nominating, and Public Responsibilities committees. He retired from Wellington Management Company, an investment management company, after serving as vice chairman, director of global investment services, and partner and senior vice president. He is a member of the PC Board of Trustees.

Mark E. McGwin, III ’81 of North Attleboro, Mass., joined United Bank’s Worcester commercial lending team as senior vice president and commercial banking officer. He is responsible for developing and leading a franchise finance unit serving the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. He formerly was with a major foreign-based bank where he was senior vice president and relationship manager of franchise lending. He is president of PC’s Greater Boston Alumni Club.

Harold R. Nazarian ’81 & ’10G of North Providence, R.I., was ordained and anointed a priest of the Armenian Apostolic Church by His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan in a ceremony at Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church in Providence. Known as the Rev. Fr. Kapriel (Gabriel), he has been assigned as assistant pastor at Sts. Vartanantz in Providence. He earned a master’s degree in theology from PC.

Catherine G. Sutherland ’81 of Atlantic Highlands, N.J., joined the global executive search firm of ZRG Partners as managing director and a key member of the Consumer Practice team. ZRG operates in six countries with 15 offices worldwide. She is based in West Orange, N.J., and works with clients in the consumer industry throughout the country. 

’82

Craig M. Bilodeau, C.P.A. ’82 of Cranston, R.I., was elected treasurer of the board of directors of Junior Achievement of Rhode Island, an organization that educates young people about workforce readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy through hands-on programs. He is a partner at Sansiveri, Kimball & Co. LLP in Providence.

’83

Sister Annunciata Collins, S.S.J. ’83G of Watertown, N.Y., principal of Augustinian Academy in Carthage, marked her 50th year as a Sister of St. Joseph. She began religious life on Sept. 7, 1963; received the habit on June 24, 1964; and made final vows on Aug. 28, 1969. She is a member of the Diocese of Ogdensburg’s Diocesan Council of Consecrated Life and of the Diocesan Pastoral Council.

Thomas A. Mullaney ’83 & ’86G of Providence, R.I., received the 2014 Distinguished Public Service Award from the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council. The state budget officer in the R.I. Office of Management and Budget, he has held a number of public-sector management and budget leadership positions during a 27-year career.

’84

Randall W. Epright ’84 of Houston, Texas, was appointed global business information officer for the consumer businesses of American International Group (AIG). He oversees the vast technology portfolio of AIG’s Life, Health, Disability, Retirement, Wealth Management, Mutual Funds, Personal Insurance, Travel, and Warranty businesses.

Ann Marie Maccarone, Esq. ’84 & ’89G of Cranston, R.I., has taken a position as senior legal counsel for the Rhode Island Division of Taxation after nearly 20 years in private law practice. She also is secretary of the Classical High School (Providence) Alumni Association.

Marc A. Paulhus ’84SCE of Providence, R.I., was appointed president of Citizens Bank in Rhode Island. He manages Citizens’ Commercial Banking’s Middle Market lending business in Rhode Island while continuing to run Citizens’ national Asset Finance business. In his 12 years with the bank, he has held a number of senior leadership positions, most recently as Illinois state president, and has led Asset Finance since 2008.

’85 (30th Reunion Year)

Carol A. Blanchette ’85SCE of West Kingston, R.I., was chosen superintendent of schools in Jamestown. She formerly was an administrator in the Chariho Regional School District, serving the towns of Charlestown, Richmond, and Hopkinton, for 15 years, including nearly seven years as assistant superintendent.

Paul M. James, Esq. ’85 of Sharon, Mass., was named vice president – risk management and general counsel of BOND, a 108-year-old regional construction management and general contracting firm based in Everett.  He is responsible for all of the company’s legal affairs, and he works with the executive team on corporate governance and compliance issues, risk management and insurance programs, construction operations issues, and related professional training. He formerly was a long-time partner at Holland & Knight, LLP in Boston.

Anthony J. Pagliarulo ’85 of Medfield, Mass., was named partner, practice leader, and New England lead at NewVantage Partners, based in Boston. In addition to establishing the IT Transformation Practice for NewVantage, he assumed responsibility for its data strategy, data governance, and Big Data initiatives in New England. He was named a Premier 100 IT Leader by Computerworld magazine for 2014. He formerly was IT chief operating officer and senior vice president for EMC Corporation.

’88

Christopher Neronha, Esq. ’88 of Barrington, R.I., was named general counsel at Springfield College in Springfield, Mass. He provides legal counsel and guidance to college leadership, is secretary to the board of trustees, and is a member of the president’s senior leadership team.

’89

Stephen E. Gallucci, C.P.A. ’89 of New Rochelle, N.Y., was named managing partner of the New York office at Deloitte LLP, overseeing marketplace, client, talent, quality, regulatory, and community initiatives for the New York marketplace, which includes 5,000 professionals. He also counsels Deloitte clients in the consumer products, media, and private equity sectors. He has worked for Deloitte for 25 years. Gallucci also was elected to the board of directors of AmeriCares. He is a member of the PC School of Business Advisory Council.

Michael T. McCormack, Esq. ’89 of Hebron, Conn., a business and insurance litigation attorney in Hartford, announced the formation of O’Sullivan McCormack Jensen & Bliss PC, a law firm representing clients in business litigation, bankruptcy, and corporate matters. He has more than 20 years of experience representing and counseling clients.

1990s

’90 (25th Reunion Year)

Christopher R. Molinari, C.P.A. ’90 of South Windsor, Conn., was promoted to senior vice president and director of internal audit at United Bank of Glastonbury. He previously served as deputy director of internal audit at United.

Susan M. Molinari ’90 of Canton, Mass., returned to Baker, Braverman & Barbadoro P.C. of Quincy after working as the associate director of career services at New England Law/Boston. She specializes in complex litigation cases, trials, and appeals in the areas of business and commercial litigation, criminal defense, consumer protection, probate litigation, and zoning appeals. She previously worked for the firm from 1999-2012.

’91

Monica Womack Peterson ’91 of Los Angeles, Calif., attained her M.B.A. degree from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California.

’93

James T. Foster ’93 of Warwick, R.I., was appointed associate head baseball coach at Boston College. He works with pitchers and catchers and is the team’s recruiting coordinator. He formerly was head baseball coach at the University of Rhode Island and an assistant coach at Brown University. Foster was an All-BIG EAST and two-time All-New England selection at PC. He played professional baseball for 10 years — seven with the organization that drafted him, the Baltimore Orioles, and the rest with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Anaheim Angels, and Chicago White Sox organizations.

Joseph D. Giaccone ’93 of Killingworth, Conn., was named a partner at WJ Financial Advisors, LLC, a full-service financial planning and advisory company with offices in Connecticut and the Washington, D.C., area. He also was elected as a board member of the Farnam Neighborhood House, New Haven’s oldest neighborhood center.

Kevin C. Leahy, C.P.A., CFP® ’93 of Durham, Conn., was named to the Medical Economics list of “Best Financial Advisers for Doctors” for the fourth consecutive year. The designation is awarded based on knowledge, experience, esteemed credentials, geography, fee structures, and minimum investment requirements. He is the founder and chief executive officer of Connecticut Wealth Management, LLC, serving business owners, corporate executives, and others with complex financial affairs.

’94

Patricia C. Philippon ’94 of Bristol, Conn., was named executive director of the American Clock & Watch Museum in Bristol. The museum maintains an extensive collection of historic timepieces, many linked to the pioneers of the American clock industry. She formerly worked for 13 years at the Mark Twain House in Hartford, serving as collections manager, chief curator, and interim executive director.

’95 (20th Reunion Year)

Andrew S. Hersom ’95 of Glastonbury, Conn., was appointed senior vice president, investor relations, at People’s United Bank in Bridgeport. He formerly was director, investor relations at The Travelers Co., and worked as a financial analyst with Citigroup and with the Internal Revenue Service.

’97

Matthew P. Gibney ’97 of Brentwood, N.H., is the owner of The STRATosphere, an electric guitar parts company that he founded in 2003. The company recently was featured in The Music Trades list of the “Top 200 Music Product Retailers,” ranked by sales volume and productivity.

’98

Amanda Blake Davis ’98 of Burbank, Calif., and originally from Auburn, Mass., wrote the music and lyrics for 50 Shades! The Musical, an original musical parody based on the book 50 Shades of Grey. It debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in the summer of 2012 and began its off-Broadway run at the Elektra Theatre in New York City in March 2014. She is an actress, improviser, and writer.

Joseph E. Fournier ’98 of Ann Arbor, Mich., has been appointed chief human resources officer for the University of Michigan Health System, responsible for human resources programs, initiatives, and services for its community of more than 26,000 employees. He was formerly vice president and chief human resources officer for UMass Memorial Medical Center in Massachusetts. He was formerly a major in the U.S. Air Force.

’99

Gregory Hindsley ’99 of Mount Rainier, Md., was admitted to the Graduate Certificate Program in Contexts of Environmental Policy in the Columbian College of Arts & Sciences at George Washington University. He was awarded the Roger Kennedy National Parks Fellowship, which helps prepare current and future leaders who are responsible for the preservation and protection of public lands and cultural heritage. Hindsley has worked at the National Park Service in Washington, D.C., for nine years and at the U.S. Department of the Interior for 12 years.

2000s

2000s

Brandon E. Dusick ’00 of Belcamp, Md., served as an analytical chemist with the U.S. government during a 10-month deployment aboard the MV Cape Ray, which was tasked with the destruction of 600 metric tons of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile at sea. His responsibilities included identifying declared chemicals, verifying that the destruction criteria were met, and operating the system used for the destruction. He is a senior chemist with the Environmental Monitoring Lab, Directorate of Program Integration, at the Edgewood Chemical and Biological Center in Gunpowder, Md.

Alyssa J. Goduti ’00 of Cromwell, Conn., completed the 11-month Quest Program of Leadership Greater Hartford, a community-based, leadership development program for professionals. She is president and CEO of the Connecticut Council of Family Service Agencies and formerly was vice president for business development and communications with Community Health Resources.

Curtis G. LeGeyt ’00 of Alexandria, Va., was named senior vice president for public policy at the National Association of Broadcasters, serving as the organization’s principal liaison to the White House and executive departments. He has worked with the association since 2011. Formerly, he was senior counsel to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy and a member of the 2008 Obama for America legal team.

Mary Teresa B. Soltis ’00 of Philadelphia, Pa., was recognized by The Legal Intelligencer as a “Lawyer on the Fast Track.” Nominees were judged in four areas: development of the law, advocacy and community contribution, peer and public recognition, and service to the bar. She currently serves as an assistant United States attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

’01

William J. Bernat ’01 of Westborough, Mass., was elected a partner at Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP, a Boston-based law firm. A member of the firm’s Business Department, he represents clients in a broad range of industries, including life sciences, technology, social media, and consumer products, in connection with private equity, venture capital and angel financing transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance issues.

Christina A. Furtado ’01 of New York City, N.Y., earned a doctorate in English literature from Fordham University.

Zeffro P. Gianetti ’01G of Wrentham, Mass., was named superintendent of the Mansfield Public Schools. He had been principal of Qualters Middle School for four years. He formerly worked as the K-12 music director in Franklin, served as a middle school assistant principal in Bridgewater, and was a middle school principal in Weymouth and Norwood.

John A. McBrine01 of Waltham, Mass., was elected a partner at Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP, a Boston-based law firm. A member of the firm’s Trusts and Estates Department and Nutter Charitable Advisors, he helps individuals and families achieve their estate planning goals.

’02

U.S. Army Col. Ellis Hopkins III ’02G of Hope, R.I., was promoted from lieutenant colonel to his current rank at a ceremony at Rhode Island National Guard headquarters.

’03

Nathan G. Everding, M.D. ’03 of Skaneateles, N.Y., joined Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists in Syracuse. He is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder surgery. Last fall, he traveled to Istanbul, Turkey, to present at the 25th annual meeting of the European Society for Surgery of the
Shoulder and Elbow.

Brendan W. McGair ’03 of Cranston, R.I., was named Rhode Island Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association for the third time in five years. He is a sportswriter and columnist who covers the Pawtucket Red Sox and college and high school sports for The Call of Woonsocket and The Times of Pawtucket.

’05 (10th Reunion Year)

Joseph J. Solomon, Jr., Esq. ’05 of Warwick, R.I., was one of 15 new members inaugurated to the Rhode Island House of Representatives. He is a Democrat elected to represent District 22. A lawyer for seven years, he is licensed to practice law in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Washington, D.C. He formerly was legal counsel to the Joint Committee on Legislative Services in the R.I. State House and is currently practicing law in Providence.

’06

Raymond Concannon ’06 & ’08G of New Bedford, Mass., earned a master’s degree in educational leadership through the University of Dayton. He teaches at St. Francis Xavier School in Acushnet and is a captain at Boston Harbor Cruises. 

Jaclyn A. Cooke ’06 of Yonkers, N.Y., was promoted to STEM PACT manager for the Title V STEM grant at Mercy College in New York City. The Step Up to STEM grant works in coordination with the City University of New York’s borough of Manhattan Community College to support Hispanic and low-income students attaining degrees in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

James Keefe ’06 of Holliston, Mass., was appointed chief operating officer at Balanced Rock Investment Advisors, a unique fee-only and fiduciary-only, financial planning and wealth management firm located in Boston. He says he is enthusiastic about helping his clients honor their values through the development of a personalized, values-based investment program for the firm.

Katie Leonard ’06 of Peabody, Mass., was named communications specialist for the DentaQuest Foundation. Headquartered in Boston, the foundation works with a national network of partners dedicated to improving oral health across the lifespan.

’07

Laura E. Bedrossian ’07 of Astoria, N.Y., accepted a position as a senior publicist at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. She previously worked at the New York City-based communications and marketing firm Peppercomm. While there, she received Honorable Mention recognition for PR Week’s Young PR Pro Award.

Michael P. Carroll, J.D. ’07SCE of North Attleboro, Mass., was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar and sworn in during a ceremony at Faneuil Hall in Boston. He received his juris doctor degree from New England Law/Boston.

Jay Darigan ’07 of Plymouth, Mass., was invited to write a series of articles for The Barnstable Patriot newspaper focusing on financial planning and insurance strategies of agents and financial professionals at New York Life, where he has been employed since 2012. He recently qualified as a registered representative offering securities through NYLIFE Securities.

’09

Clare E. Brewka ’09 of Cleveland, Ohio, was named program & information manager at The Gateway Center for Giving in St. Louis, Mo. The center provides programming, research, and professional development opportunities to grant-makers in the St. Louis region.  Since graduation, she has served with
the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, worked in student affairs at St. Mary’s College in South Bend, Ind., and acquired her master’s degree in social work from Washington University in St. Louis.

Caitlyn Carpenter, DPT ’09 of Manchester, Conn., was named a staff physical therapist at the Springfield, Mass., location of ProEx Physical Therapy, which specializes in orthopedics and spine and sports medicine. She previously was a physical therapist with Prohealth Physicians. ProEx has offices in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Connecticut.

Michael A. Fenton, Esq. ’09 of Springfield, Mass., an associate with Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C. of Springfield, was selected to the Super Lawyers’ Rising Stars for Massachusetts list. Super Lawyers rates outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Honorees must be 40 years old or younger or in practice for 10 years or less. He also was honored as one of the “Top 25 Up and Coming Lawyers in Massachusetts” by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly in 2014. He concentrates his practice in the areas of business planning, commercial real estate, estate planning, and elder law.

’14

Laura J. Isabelle ’14 of Troy, N.Y., was named a community supports professional in the Community Supports Department of Catholic Charities Disabilities Services, a program of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany.