Joel R. Aberth, JD ’70; David W. Hilkert, BA ’71; and Philip S. Kaufman, JD ’71, all with the law firm of Stark & Knoll, have been recognized for their outstanding work by Best Lawyer magazine, the oldest and most highly respected peer-review guide to the legal profession. Aberth is of-counsel with the firm’s Estate Planning and Probate Group, Hilkert is a partner with the firm and works in the Litigation and Employment Group, and Kaufman is a partner with the firm and group chair of the Estate Planning and Probate Group.

Sandra L. Neely, BA ’79, is a senior vice president and deputy general counsel at Nationwide Insurance in Columbus, Ohio.

Lisa R. Whitney Cumming, BS ’86, studied the stunning ecosystems, fascinating array of desert plants, and the diversity of life at both the Bahía de los Ángeles UNESCO World Heritage site and in the Sea of Cortez. A chemistry teacher at Olmsted Falls High School in Olmsted Falls, Ohio, Cumming took the graduate course this summer in pursuit of her master’s degree from Miami University’s Global Field Program.

Janet de Vries, BS ’80, has been promoted to director of student success services at Casper College in Casper, Wyo., and elected president of the Wyoming Counseling Association.

Michael R. Kisha, MSA ’84, has been named chief operating officer of Cleveland-based trade show display and signage supplier Post-Up Stand. In the newly created position, Kisha will be responsible for the operational management of the business, including production, procurement and supply chain management, and productivity and process improvements. Previously, Kisha served Omni Systems as vice president of manufacturing and distribution and Avery Dennison as general manager of the automotive division.

Craig S. Marshall, JD ’82, was honored by Best Lawyer magazine, the oldest and most highly respected peer-review guide to the legal profession, for his work in the area of corporate law. Marshall is a partner in the Business Services Group with the law firm of Stark & Knoll.

Kurt E. Morgan, BS ’89, a 22-year insurance industry underwriting, marketing and agency management specialist, joined Capital Insurance Group as director of personal lines.

Robert J. Riesbeck, BS ’87, was named CFO at retailer hhgregg on September 15, 2014.

Steven C. Schnoebelen, MBA ’83, has joined SolomonEdwards, a national professional services firm, as managing partner of its Chicago practice.

David C. Vidikan, BS ’84, has been hired as business unit manager and leader of the water practice in the Denver office of Dewberry, a privately held professional services firm. In his new role, Vidikan will be responsible for leading the office’s business performance, staffing, and client and business development initiatives.

Max R. Barton II, MA ’93, was named executive director of the Canton Museum of Art by its board of trustees in September 2014.

Heather L. Berry, BA ’92, is the new editor of the Jefferson County Journal in New York.

Peter L. Donato, MBA ’99, was appointed by Bovie Medical Corporation to executive vice president and chief financial officer.

Denise A. Gadomski, BS ’96, has been promoted to partner in the Cleveland office of Plante Moran, one of the nation’s largest certified public accounting and business advisory firms. A reimbursement specialist, Gadomski leads the firm's practice in serving the developmentally disabled population, including intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities and community-based settings.

Julie Hicks Patrick, BA ’87, MA ’91, PHD ’95, is the recipient of the Distinguished Gerontologist Award for 2014, as announced by the Coordinating Council of the Institute for Life-Span Development and Gerontology at The University of Akron. The award is given to an alumnus of UA who has made outstanding contributions to the field of aging. Since 2004 Patrick has served the Psychology Department at West Virginia University as associate professor. 

Erin E. Ryan, BS ’96, joined SME (Soil and Materials Engineers Inc.) as a senior business development manager in August 2014.

Thomas A. Tatum, MA ’91, received the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Humanitarian Award of Excellence from the March of Dimes. The prestigious award pays tribute to an outstanding key volunteer who has demonstrated impressive dedication and exemplary service through charitable work in the community in support of the March of Dimes. Named for March of Dimes founder and the 32nd U.S. President, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Humanitarian Award of Excellence is the highest honor bestowed by the NEO Division of the March of Dimes. Tatum also is a longtime UA supporter, having served as a member of the National Alumni Board of Directors, and he was instrumental in establishing the corporate club of Alpha Phi Alpha, Eta Tau Lambda Chapter.

Lynne M. Tracy, JD ’94, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, is deputy chief of mission with the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. Since joining the State Department following her graduation from UA, Tracy has held several overseas assignments, primarily in Central and South Asia. She also is the recipient of the Secretary’s Award for Heroism (2009) for her service in Peshawar, Pakistan, and several Superior Honor Awards.

David M. Nicole, BA ’00, was chosen by United Way of Allen County’s board as president and CEO, effective November 1, 2014.

Kurt M. Reed, BM ’08, founder and owner of the Hudson School of Music, is a 2014 “30 for the Future” award winner.

Alexander V. Sarady, JD ’02, joined the law firm of Weltman, Weinbert & Reis Co., LPA. Sarady practices in the area of consumer collections, with a focus on special collections group.

Ginger D. Swanson, BS ’08, is executive director of the Portage-Summit Diaper Bank, a nonprofit she founded to meet diaper need in Northeast Ohio for impoverished families. Learn more at www.portage-summitdiaperbank.org or email Swanson at ginger@portage-summitdiaperbank.org.

Samuel T. Snodgrass, BA ’11, BFA ’12, joined Westminster College as a full-time faculty member, serving as a visiting assistant professor and instruction librarian.

Kaitlin E. Sponseller, BA ’10, and her production partner launched a 30-day crowd-funding campaign on Kickstarter.com in September to raise funds toward the production costs of their film “Our Brittle Books.” The film’s message is about the importance of book preservation and literacy. Sponseller currently attends Columbia College Chicago, where she is working toward her MFA in creative producing.