Class notes

Charles L. Greene, BAED ’62, JD ’77, has been appointed chairman of the Alpha Phi Alpha Foundation. He is currently CEO of Tomorrow’s People, Inc., a consulting firm based in Akron.

Charles H. Huettner, BSIM ’69, was presented with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who’s Who, the world’s premier publisher of biographical profiles. Huettner has celebrated many years’ experience in his professional network, and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and success he has accrued in his field. Huettner has amassed more than three decades of expertise in aviation and aerospace policy.

James P. Ogden, JD ’70, was honored by the Florida Bar virtually at a 50-Year Member and Senior Counselor Recognition Luncheon for his distinguished years of service.

Kathleen Meyer, BSN ’78, will be one of nine local activists honored with the Woman of the Year award by the Women’s History Project of the Akron Area, a program of the Summit County Historical Society, at a special presentation in June. Meyer will be honored with the Creativity Award. Meyer is founder and president of Peace Together Choir and a hospice nurse.

Pamela J. Braden, BA ’81, has joined the firm of AE Industrial Partners, LP (“AEI”), as an operating partner. AEI is a private equity firm specializing in aerospace, defense and government services, space, power and utility services, and specialty industrial markets. Braden brings more than 35 years of defense, technology, and government services expertise, having served most recently as CEO of Gryphon Technologies.

Cheryl L. (Romis) Lanese, BSA ’88, has been promoted to managing principal at the Mentor, Ohio office of HW&Co., a leading CPA and business advisory firm. Lanese has over 30 years’ experience in public accounting providing compliance, tax planning, and business consulting needs to privately held and family owned businesses in a variety of industries. She has extensive experience in financial statement compilation and review engagements, with an emphasis on construction and manufacturing.

Stephen R. “Steve” McClellan, BSIM ’88, of the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, has been named to the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) Board of Directors. McClellan will join the NMA Board to bolster the association’s leadership in policy advocacy, workforce solutions, legal action, operational excellence and news and insights. He will help the industry advance an agenda that promotes opportunity and prosperity for all Americans.

Jeffery R. “Jeff” Parker, BSME ’87, has been appointed to Energy Focus, Inc.’s Board of Directors. Energy Focus, Inc. is a leader in sustainable and human-centric lighting technologies and developer of a range of UV-C disinfection products. Parker has a proven track record of driving growth through innovation in the LED lighting industry with product and distribution channel differentiation. He will serve as a non-executive, independent director and will sit on the company’s compensation committee.

Joseph E. “Joe” Reece, ’84, ’87, co-founder and managing partner of SilverBox, along with four others, celebrated the success of SilverBox Capital’s merger with Black Rifle Coffee by ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) at market on February 10, 2022.

Tari S. Rivera, AAS ’81, BCT ’82, MBA ’88, founder and president of Regency Construction, has been named the 2022 Medaille Shield Award Honoree for Saint Joseph Academy. She was honored at “Celebrate the Academy,” the school’s annual gala on February 22, 2022. Rivera embodies the spirit and mission of the Academy and the charism of the Sisters, leaving a lasting impact with her generosity, joyous support, and overall enrichment of the lives of the students.

Lawrence J. “Larry” Rybka, BSBA ’84, chairman and CEO of Valmark Financial Group, has been inducted into the NAEPC Estate Planning Hall of Fame and is a recipient of the Accredited Estate Planner designation for 2021. The award is given annually in recognition of lifetime achievement and outstanding contributions to the practice and profession of estate planning. Rybka was nominated for his notable contributions to the field of insurance. The award was presented by NAEPC leadership during a special virtual award ceremony on November 4, 2021.

Bonita “Bonnie” Teeuwen, BSCE ’85, has been appointed Chief Operating Officer by Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb. Teeuwen has more than 30 years of experience in the civil engineering and public administration field, most recently serving as the Director of Transportation and Municipal Engineering for Osborn Engineering where she worked with public clients on infrastructure projects. Her appointment reinforces the administration’s commitment to hiring emerging and experienced leadership in the mayor’s cabinet and senior team.  

Andrew P. “Paul” Gluck, BSCE ’93, has been promoted to Great Lakes Regional Director at Michael Baker International, a global leader in engineering, planning, and consulting services. Gluck will be responsible for overseeing all engineering, business, and financial operations, as well as growth efforts for Michael Baker’s Great Lakes Region, which encompasses 16 offices across 11 states.

Brian Keith Johnson, BM ’90, an Akron Public Schools teacher and professional opera singer, sang the national anthem at the Browns-Steelers game in Cleveland on October 31, 2021. The music educator, who has sung opera everywhere from New York’s Carnegie Hall to Europe throughout his career, said it was especially important for children of different races and nationalities to see the interesting and exciting places where being a vocal performer can take you. On October 31^st, it was a football stadium in front of 80,000 people.

Janardhan N. Vellore, MS ’97, an experienced life sciences industry consultant, has been promoted to partner by Beghou Consulting. Vellore counsels life sciences clients in oncology, hematology, rare disease, specialty and primary care, and helps shape their commercial strategy and operations decisions. He specializes in forecasting, customer segmentation and targeting, field force design, incentive compensation, patient support, payer access, corporate accounts strategy, marketing and digital engagement, channel optimization, and machine learning and technology solutions.

Jerome J. “Jay” Rohr III, BAE ’07, MSE ’12, has been named Jackson High School’s head football coach. The Jackson Local school board approved the hiring of Rohr, widely considered the greatest player in Jackson football history, as the district’s head varsity football coach by a 5-0 vote. Rohr had played football at The University of Akron, where he grew from a special teams player as a freshman to the Zips’ defensive player of the year as a senior. He helped Akron reach its first Division I-A bowl game.

John R. Zuppo III, BS ’00, has been appointed executive vice president of Synalloy Chemicals, effective November 12, 2021. Synalloy is an industrials company focused on the production and distribution of piping, tubing and specialty chemicals. Zuppo has over 20 years of executive leadership experience and an extensive background in the specialty chemicals industry.

Kaitlyn A. Eades, BSA ’18, has joined Bober Markey Fedorovich, a regional CPA and advisory firm, as senior accountant, assurance and advisory.

Zachary A. “Zack” Hawks, JD ’14, LLM ’14, has joined the firm of Black McCuskey Souers & Arbaugh LPA as an associate attorney. Hawks focuses his practice in the areas of business, and intellectual property, including patent, trademark, and copyright law. Hawks is a member of the patent bar.

Jennaca Hete, BA ’15, was presented The Early Career Award by the executive board and members of the Ohio School Psychologists Association on November 4, 2021. The award is to acknowledge the accomplishments of school psychologists in the first five years of their career. Nominees demonstrate a commitment to the practice and promotion of school psychology, research, and advocacy.

Lia E. Jones, JD ’12, was elected as a member of the Board of Education at the Jackson Local School District effective November 2021.

Jeffrey S. Pritt, BA ’13, has been named as one of Cleveland Crain’s 2021 notable entrepreneurs. Jeffrey is the co-founder/creative director at Pritt Entertainment Group and co-founder of Pritt Properties. He is also the founder of FrameWorks Capital. Over the last decade, Pritt has jointly and individually founded and run numerous companies, most prominently with his brother, Ryan Pritt, BA ’08, with their most notable being Pritt Entertainment Group, an Emmy Award Winning Creative Agency with its headquarters in the heart of downtown Akron. Pritt has deep roots in live events, directing and participating in over 1,000 live events by the time he was 30 years old, including the Olympics, WWE (including premier events like WrestleMania), Cleveland Guardians, Cleveland Browns, and countless others. His latest ventures include a focus in commercial and residential real estate acquisition and improvement.

Samuel J. Trecaso, BS ’13. MS ’14, a third generation Trecaso, is following in the footsteps of his great uncle, John A. Trecaso, and his father Ralph, a founding member of the Wells Trecaso Financial Group. Samuel will carry the title of investment associate, helping with new business development and handling the financial needs of clients and their families.

The following UA alumni are on Crain’s Cleveland People on the Move list:

Natasa Cekic, BS ’08, has been named an electrical associate at Karpinski Engineering.

Tanjeet Dhillon, JD ’21, has been named an associate attorney at Sutter O’Connell Co.

Austin M. Richards, JD ’21, has been named an associate attorney at Sutter O’Connell Co.

Daniel Vujanov, BBA ’17, has been named retirement plan consultant at Peak Wealth Solutions.

The following UA alumni are recipients of the 2022 5 Under 35 Award:

EbaNee Bond, BSME ’18, Customary Discovery and Communications Consultant

Luis Escudero Muniz, BSME ’18, Owner/Tequila Taster, El Patron Tequileria & Cuisine

Ellen Lander Nischt, BA ’09, JD ’12, Attorney; Recently Press Secretary and Senior Counsel to Mayor Dan Horrigan, City of Akron

Jen Meade, BA ’17, Akron Hope Manager, The Well CDC

Jeffrey Pritt, BA ’13, Co-Founder/Creative Director, Pritt Entertainment Group; Co-Founder, Pritt Properties; and Founder, FrameWorks Capital