Class Notes

1979

Patricia Perez Fresard, B.B.A.’79, was appointed as presiding judge of the Civil Division of the Wayne County Circuit Court.

1981

Donn M. Fresard Jr., B.B.A.’81, was installed as president of the Detroit Bar Association.

1983

Trond G. Flagstad, B.B.A.’83, is serving as chief executive officer at US Facilities Lighting, an energy savings company.

1984

Daniel C. Copeland, B.B.A.’84, is celebrating the 30th anniversary of his company, Michiana Business Publication. The company began in 1987 and continues to thrive, producing numerous magazines, airport terminal advertising, promotional products and apparel.

1988

Patricia Eskro Spitler, B.B.A.’88, is celebrating retirement from The Dow Chemical Company after 21 years and is thankful for the wonderful experience she had at WMU that prepared her for a successful career and retirement.

1989

Renee Hudson Allen, B.B.A.’89, began her role as the marketing and events specialist for the Western Michigan Lee Honors College in August 2016.

Laura Albright Large, B.B.A.’89, has returned to WMU as an office coordinator in the Department of World Languages and Literatures.

1990

Wayne D. Roberts, B.B.A.’90, was selected as a partner for Varnum LLP. Roberts is a tax attorney who has represented Fortune 1000 companies in disputes with the IRS, Department of Treasury and multiple state and local jurisdictions throughout Michigan.

1992

Hank N.W. Campbell, B.B.A.’92, was promoted to director of customer service at DTE Energy.

Nancy Fishbeck Turtle, B.B.A.’92, M.P.A.’97, was named community bank president for the Kalamazoo and southwest Michigan Market of Mercantile Bank of Michigan. Turtle has more than 20 years of commercial banking experience and previously held leadership positions with First National Bank of Michigan and Fifth Third Bank.

David H. Valk, B.B.A.’92, was chosen as vice president and retirement plan services business development officer in the wealth management group by Chemical Bank. Valk is a 22-year veteran with the company and most recently served as director of training.

1994

Beth Grime Mooney, B.B.A.’94, is serving as marketing manager, aftermarket channel, for Eaton Corporation. Mooney has been employed by Eaton for more than seven years and prior to that worked at Tenneco.

Eddie M. Sander, B.B.A.’94, was promoted to senior manager, investor relations, for BorgWarner Inc.

1995

Mary Tracey Glerum, B.B.A.’95, joined CoStar Group in Washington, D.C., as director, product management.

Stefan M. Haney, B.B.A.’95, was named director of Amazon Consumer Shopping Experience.

1997

Jodi Burns Havera, B.B.A.’97, was announced as vice president, finance, and chief financial officer for Kalamazoo-based Landscape Forms.

1999

Steven R. Mollison, B.B.A.’99, began working as a publisher for Lighthouse Catholic Publishing. Mollison is currently engaged in producing a niche market magazine for St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Portage, Michigan.

2000

Ryan W. Arledge, B.B.A.’00, MBA’07, completed a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt certification in 2017 after completing an executive education course through WMU’s Center for Integrated Supply Management.

Timothy S. Parker, B.S.’90, MBA’00, was named the new president of Grand Angels, an angel investment network and venture capital firm. Parker had been operating T.S. Parker Global, exporting packaged goods from Michigan for six years previously.

2001

Michelle Longo Knierim, B.B.A.’01, has taken on a new role with Educational Data Systems Inc. as a regional consultant. Knierim has worked for EDSI for more than six years and will be assisting multiple employers, colleges and development boards bridge the gap of talent and training. 

Michael Scott, B.B.A.’01, was granted a patent for a children’s toothbrush that he invented.

2002

Brian A. Hicks B.B.A.’02, has been promoted to general manager and the executive leadership team with Walnut Capital Management, a regional real estate development firm in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

John M. Oros, B.B.A.’02, was hired as a first officer with United Airlines and will be based out of Los Angeles, California.

Jason A. Parker, MBA’02, was promoted to vice president and commercial loan officer of ChoiceOne Bank.

Josh A. Roland, B.B.A.’02, MBA’03, is serving as vice president of operations for Performics, a global digital marketing agency headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Roland proudly wore his WMU hat through the fall and winter as his beloved Broncos stormed the gridiron. 

Dan E. Troup, B.B.A.’02, was announced as regional director for RE/MAX of Michigan. Troup had previously served as RE/MAX of Michigan’s information technology director for over 12 years.

Larry J. Zemlick III, B.B.A.’02, MBA’08, was promoted to group marketing manager at Stryker Navigation and was also named 2016 Impact Player of the Year.

2003

Brooke Muir Anderson, B.B.A.’03, married Sam Anderson in Holland, Michigan, on April 16, 2016.

Kirk B. Sternberg, B.B.A.’03, was named director of solution consulting at BluJay Solutions, a global supply chain software company.

2004

Daniel J. Hoffman, B.B.A.’04, welcomed his first child, a perfect baby Bronco, with Lindsey Schlotterer Hoffman, B.S.’07. 

2005

Shawn A. Bushouse, B.B.A.’05, has been appointed executive vice president of J. Skinner Baking Co. Bushouse previously served as the chief financial officer for the company.

Matthew R. Larson, B.B.A.’05, M.A.’09, MBA’11, merged his crowdfunding firm, CampusStarter LLC with London-based Hubbub.net. Larson has also signed a lease agreement on a 101-year-old bank structure in Ludington, Michigan, to house offices and serve as an event space for the community.

Kelley Steinhofer Walczak, B.B.A.’05, and her husband David, welcomed their first child, Dominic, on November 18, 2016. The Walczaks reside in Chicago, Illinois. 

2006

Tiffany L. Smith, B.B.A.’06, was promoted to senior staff tax accountant at Crowe Horwath LLP.

2007

Kyle R. Frailing, B.B.A.’07, was appointed as client services manager for Miller-Davis Co. Frailing will work with current and prospective clients to connect them with the appropriate construction services and ensure their needs are met.

Thomas P. McCrossen, B.B.A.’07, was selected by Pet Age as a 2016 Forty Under 40 winner for demonstrating dedication to the growth of the pet industry and professional excellence within the community.

2008

Matthew J. Moss, B.B.A.’08, was named vice president of the restructuring and debt advisory investment banking group of Evercore. Moss previously worked as a financial analyst for Ally Financial and GMAC Financial Services.

Tamara D. Warren, B.B.A.’08, was promoted to the Michigan State Budget Office as a policy and budget analyst. In this position, Warren will develop and monitor the budget for the Department of Technology, Management and Budget. Warren previously served in the Michigan Senate as an enrolling clerk to the session staff.

2009

Katie Hallin Hambright, B.B.A.’09, and John J. Hambright, B.B.A.’08, were married in 2012. In 2016, they helped break the world record for most vow renewals at WMU and are parents to two beautiful children, ages one and three. They enjoy residing in the Kalamazoo community, and John is currently the production manager at Abraxas Worldwide.

2010

Trevor J. DeGoede, B.B.A.’10, M.S.A.’11, was chosen as assistant controller for Monroe Products in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Michael D. Rutz, B.S.’94, MBA’10, began a new career as field operations manager for BDN Industrial Hygiene Consultants.

2011

Maria A. Bravo, MBA’11, was named supervisor for Amway’s new business center in Buena Park, California. Bravo has been busy putting together a team of 20 individuals and ensuring that processes are in place to guarantee the grand opening is a complete success.

2012

Eric M. Kramer, B.B.A.’12, and his wife are excited to announce that a baby boy will be joining them and their three-year-old daughter in July. 

2012

Brenda Schnepp Melville, B.B.A.’12, celebrated her 100-pound weight loss by establishing her own health and wellness business with Isagenix International, helping others with their weight loss, energy, performance, healthy aging and overall nutrition goals. In 2016, Melville was a finalist in the National Body Transformation contest and can be seen in many of Isagenix’s marketing materials.

Jennifer Fuerst Page, B.B.A.’12, was married on November 7, 2015. Page has also accepted a position as social catering sales manager at Starwood Hotels and Resorts in Lombard, Illinois.

2013

Wesley A. Pandoff, B.B.A.’13, married fellow Bronco alum Jessica Rae Beach Pandoff, B.S.’12. He is incredibly thankful he joined the bowling club that Beach Pandoff started and was able to meet the love of his life. #WeWillReign

Kegan H. Russell, B.B.A.’13, has joined the West Michigan office of Signature Associates to specialize in retail. Russell previously worked in the automotive industry in sales, service and engineering.

Charles C. Zierle, B.B.A.’13, was promoted in the engineering department of Burr Oak Tool. Zierle has recently been assigned as head of die rebuilds and is currently pursuing SolidWorks professional certification.

2014

Darrell L. Rich Jr., B.B.A.’14, has been promoted to branch rental manager for Enterprise Rent A Car’s Jackson, Michigan, location. Rich has been with the company more than two years and has had multiple career advancements during his time with Enterprise.

2015

Michael J. Bower, B.S.’12, B.B.A.’15, graduated from the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School in Fort Benning, Georgia. Bower has been commissioned as a second lieutenant in the aviation branch. 

Haines twins Rebecca, B.B.A.'15 and Laura, B.B.A.'14 were both promoted to pricing analyst positions supporting grocery categories at competing retailers Meijer and Target. Still competing and always twinning!

Casey M. Strohauer, B.B.A.’15, was promoted to surety underwriter and relocated to Columbus, Ohio.

2016

Zach G. Conroe, B.B.A.’16, was named staff consultant for BlueGranite, a technology company in Portage, Michigan.

Samantha M. Rabidoux, B.B.A.’16, and Brandon K. Rice, B.B.A.’15, were married on June 3, 2016, in Gun Lake, Michigan.

Carrie M. Renfrow, B.B.A.’16, was selected as a staff consultant for BlueGranite, a technology company in Portage, Michigan.