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Miners on the Move
by Lee Nelson
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The UTEP Alumni Association is always excited to share the success stories of our alumni around the world. These are just a few examples of what a degree from UTEP can do. If you have news to share, please send your name, year of graduation, daytime phone number and the information you'd like to share to alumni@utep.edu.
November 2009
Col. Michael Apodaca `86 who took charge of the Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Task Force based in Fort Belvoir, VA in August, has now taken command of a military task force that investigates alleged terrorists in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay.
Suzanne S. Azar `77, El Paso's first woman mayor and owner of Blue Feather Aero flight school in Santa Teresa, NM was recently honored by the YWCA as part of the celebration of their 100 years service to the El Paso border community.
Kathrin L. Berg Pettit `90 has been appointed to the board of Texans for the Arts, a state arts advocacy group to advance the development of arts and culture in the State of Texas through a forum for public policy and planning.
Irene Chavez `79 was recently selected as part of a 13-member Citizens’ Commission for Best Practices in Government in El Paso, to educate the public on corruption and means of prevention.
Marcia A. Daudistel `86, editor of the forthcoming collection “Literary El Paso” at Texas Christian University Press, has been selected to present at the Texas Book Festival in Austin this fall.
Willarda Edwards `72, 2009 Distinguished Alumni, was elected Outstanding Ex by Bel Air High School in El Paso, Texas.
Blanca E. Enriquez `75,`85, Executive Director of El Paso's Operation Head Start program since 1986 and College of Education Gold Nugget Award recipient in 2004, was recently honored with a feature story in El Paso Style magazine, recognizing her leadership of the only Head Start program in the nation to receive an exemplary rating for the past 12 years. Enriquez was also recently selected as part of a 13-member Citizens’ Commission for Best Practices in Government in El Paso, to educate the public on corruption and means of prevention.
Christopher J. Forbes `80 recently retired from Socorro High School. After 25 years as coach, he built the baseball team into El Paso's top high school baseball program that has made the state playoffs 20 times, won 16 district titles, and delivered El Paso County's first state championship in 60 years.
Octavio Gomez `03, entrepreneur and owner of the 1914 Lounge and Vanilla nightclub in the Union Plaza District, continues his support of El Paso`s downtown development with the recent opening of The Garden, a 12,000-square-foot, full-service restaurant featuring contemporary American food with a heavy Latin American influence.
Rosa Elizabeth Guerrero '57, '77, artist in residence at UTEP's Chicano Studies Department, spokesperson for Las Palmas Medical Center, recipient of the Gold Nugget Award from the College of Education '96 and Distinguished Alumni Award '97, was recently featured in the El Paso Community College Borderlands publication for her many honors, accomplishments and dedication in promoting human and civil rights and Mexican culture.
Raymond Hernando `81 was awarded Texas Hispanic Business Man of the Year by The Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce at the state convention in August 2009.
David G. Marcus `74, CPA and managing partner of Marcus, Fairall, Bristol, LLC in El Paso, was recently awarded the Certified Financial Forensics credential by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).
Douglas G. Markham `78 has been promoted to executive vice president/chief administrative officer at Books-A-Million, in Birmingham, Alabama. Books-A-Million is one of the nation’s leading book retailers operating 223 stores in 21 states and the District of Columbia.
Liliana I. Miranda `98, senior vice president/auditor with Bank of the West, was recently named to Hospice El Paso's Board of Directors.
Jordan W. Palmer `06, former UTEP football player and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback, spent the offseason working on a business venture to develop individualized iPhone applications for athletes, allowing them to connect with fans on the go.
James E. “Jimmy” Rogers III, CIC, CRM, `85 of Wells Fargo Insurance Services of Texas, Inc., was recently recognized for professional leadership and advanced knowledge by the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors (CIC), a leading national insurance professional organization.
Mike Rosales `66, a State Farm Insurance agent, was elected Outstanding Ex by El Paso High School in El Paso, Texas.
Gerald Rubin `65, College of Science Gold Nugget Award `98, Distinguished Alumni Award `02, recently received the Spirit of Texas on the Border Awards, recognizing his contributions to the area and to Texas' growth at the Spirit of Texas Business Conference held recently at the El Paso Convention Center. Rubin is chairman, CEO and president of Helen of Troy, an El Paso Company which designs and markets name-brand personal-care and house ware gadgets.
Stanlee Nita Rubin `65, Distinguished Alumni Award `02 recently received the Spirit of Texas on the Border Awards, recognizing her contributions to the area and to Texas' growth at the Spirit of Texas Business Conference held recently at the El Paso Convention Center. She is on the board of directors for Helen of Troy.
Victor Santana-Melgoza `08 was recently named the new multicultural resource coordinator for University Housing and Dining Services at Oregon State University.
Israel Ramon Silvas `01 former Top Ten Senior, participant of UTEP’s Law School Preparation Institute and Harvard Law School graduate, has joined the Dallas law firm of Godwin Ronquillo, PC as a member of the commercial litigation section.
Virginia Solis-Cera `00, `06, a fifth-grade teacher at Sambrano Elementary in the San Elizario School District, was named Region 19 Elementary Teacher of the Year.
Linda P. Thurston `75, professor and assistant dean at Kansas State University's College of Education and director of the Office of Educational Innovation and Evaluation, was appointed in September to a one-year term as program director for the National Science Foundation.
Frances McNabb Wever `64 and president of the El Paso Federation of Teachers and Support Personnel from 1993 until she retired in June 2008, was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award by the El Paso Central Labor Union at their annual Labor Day Breakfast.
Paulette Wingo `92, `96, 2009 recipient of the College of Education Gold Nugget Award, was recently featured at a book signing event in El Paso for her new book "Learning Doesn't Have to Be Complicated! A Parent's Survival Guide for the School Years."
Marisa Y. Ybarra `05 recently joined Rincon Law Group, P.C. in El Paso as an associate. The firm is dedicated to the representation of leaders of the automobile manufacturing, insurance, railroad, and trucking industries in civil trials and litigation.
Steven T. Yellen `81 was recently selected as part of a 13-member Citizens’ Commission for Best Practices in Government in El Paso, to educate the public on corruption and means of prevention.
September 2009
Francisco Baltier `70 is currently chief engineer for the new US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq.
Sandra Blanco `74, holder of a Texas Master Florist certification and owner of Debbie’s Bloomers flower and gift shop, is celebrating 25 years her company has been in business.
James E. Brundage `74 senior vice president at Wells Fargo Insurance Services of Texas, Inc. was recognized by The Society of Certified Insurance Counselors for his commitment to education, excellence and dedication to the insurance profession.
Irene Chavez `79 was recently named chief executive officer of El Paso Specialty Hospital, the first hospital specializing in orthopedic, joint replacement and spine surgeries in the region and one of less than a dozen highly specialized facilities in the nation.
Diana L. Cordova `06 showcased her documentary "Breaking Borders: Cross Dressers & Drag Queens of El Paso" during the "Women on the Verge: Border Women Filmmakers" part of the El Paso Plaza Classic Film Festival held in August.
Michael P. Embry `63, recently was named senior managing director at Resolute Commercial Services, a company specializing in delivering constructive solutions to complicated real estate matters in Scottsdale, AZ.
Linda K. Garretson `94 was recently named vice president of mortgage lending at El Paso Employees Federal Credit Union.
Christine Elizabeth Gleason `97, `05, Fabens High School teacher and recipient of the 2009 Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year award given by the Texas Education Agency earlier this year, is being honored by Wells Fargo. Wells Fargo has placed her picture and information about her award on most of its 764 ATMs statewide through October 5.
Jennifer Elizabeth Han `07, six-time national amateur boxing champion and winner of numerous national kickboxing titles made her professional boxing at the Pan American Center in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Raymond Hernando `81 was recognized as the Hispanic Business Man of the Year at the 2009 Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce convention held recently in McAllen, TX. Hernando is owner of RHO Logistics Experts Inc., a nationwide transportation brokerage company in El Paso, Texas.
Anna Marie Huerta `09 recently joined Culberson Hospital in Van Horn, TX as a physical therapist.
Robert A. Malone `74, was elected as a new board member of Halliburton in Houston, Texas. Halliburton is one of the world’s largest providers of products and services to the energy industry. Malone was a recipient of the College of Engineering Gold Nugget Award in 2002, the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2003 and was UTEP’s Commencement speaker in May 2004.
Patricia Elena Maese-Tidwell `00, was recently hired as the public information officer for the Canutillo Independent School District in Canutillo, Texas.
Emmanuel Y. “Manuel” Raux `99, a member of the UTEP tennis team from 1996 to 1998, was the men’s top seed for the El Paso Gold Open at the El Paso Tennis Club held in August.
Martha G. Rodriguez-Staufert `92, `96 was named principal of Dellview Elementary School in San Antonio, Texas.
Cristina I. Torres `02 recently joined the Dallas office of Andrews Kurth LLP, an international law firm with over 400 lawyers. Torres participated in the UTEP Law School Preparation Institute program in 2001 and specializes in labor and employment laws and regulations.
Bert E. Williams `50, was honored by the Humanitarian Society of El Paso for his pioneer work in the civil-rights movement while serving as an alderman on the El Paso City Council and as mayor. Williams was instrumental in the outlawing of discrimination in El Paso prior to the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
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August 2009
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Mirna Aguinaga ’83 was recently promoted to Vice President of CARD Services Strategic Planning for Bank of America in Dallas, TX.
Erica Alvarez ’08 is one of seven El Pasoans accepted into the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Paul L. Foster School of Medicine’s first class.
Amelia J. Anchondo ’78, a kindergarten teacher at Vista Del Sol Elementary School, was chosen Teacher of the Year for elementary schools by the Socorro Independent School District in El Paso.
Candelario Barragan ’96, a math teacher at El Dorado High School and one of four Texas teachers to receive the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award in 2007, was honored in May by the Texas House and Senate.
Pauline Anne Dow ’84, ’87, ’89, associate superintendent at the Canutillo Independent School District, was recently named the chief academic officer for the Ysleta Independent School District in El Paso.
Mirella B. Garcia ’92, ’98, a financial representative for Premier Wealth Group in El Paso, was appointed to the Early Childhood Intervention Advisory Committee by Governor Rick Perry in May.
Rosa Guerrero ’57, ’77, 1996 Gold Nugget Award recipient for the College of Education and 1997 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, was honored by the YWCA for her contribution to the organization as part of the YWCA’s celebration of 100 years service to the community.
Marina Hansen ’81, an English teacher at Mission Early College High School, was named Teacher of the Year for secondary schools by the Socorro Independent School District in El Paso.
Ron H. Hou ’94 is celebrating his 12th year at WaferTech, LLC, the first dedicated semiconductor contract manufacturer in the United States, located in Camas, WA. He is currently the manager of IT.
Omar Khateeb ’08 is one of seven El Pasoans accepted into the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Paul L. Foster School of Medicine’s first class.
Ashok Lakkavaram ’97 recently joined the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and is transferring to Houston, TX.
Susan A. Melendez ’79, a member of the Cornerstone Society, UTEP Trust and the Marketing and Management Advisory Board of the UTEP College of Business Administration, is being honored for her years of dedicated service to the YWCA during its celebration of 100 years service to the community.
Luis A. Mendez Jr. ’60 is retiring after 50 years teaching music, most recently at the Jewett School of the Arts in Winter Haven, Florida. He will still perform with his own group- the Louie Mendez Trio.
Keri Lynn Moe ’99, ’02, lecturer at the UTEP Department of Communication, associate professor of speech communication at El Paso Community College (EPCC), and officer of the UTEP Alumni Association Board, was given a teaching award at this year’s EPCC Awards Dinner.
Thomas Mayhew ’86 was recently selected for promotion to captain in the US Navy. He is currently serving a tour with the Marine Corps as the assistant operations officer, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing in San Diego, CA.
Grace Ng ’08 is one of seven El Pasoans accepted into the Texas Tech university Health Sciences Center Paul L. Foster School of Medicine’s first class.
Juan M. Ontiveros ’74, executive director of utilities and energy management at UT Austin and International District Energy Association (IDEA) member since 1999, was elected 2009-2010 chair at IDEA’s annual meeting held in July in Arlington, VA.
Danny Martin Paniagua ’00, a Clardy Elementary School coach, was named Teacher of the Year for elementary schools by the El Paso Independent School District in May.
Susie Quintana ’04 has recently been commissioned to serve as a U.S. Diplomat in Mumbai, India.
Benjamin Ramos ’09 is one of seven El Pasoans accepted into the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Paul L. Foster School of Medicine’s first class.
Mark G. Sassenfeld ’09 was selected to begin a year of special study and internship for students wanting to enter the intelligence field, by the National Reconnaissance Office. This new program was created in partnership with the University of Southern California Information Sciences Institute.
Carolyn Scott ’97, R.N., M.Ed., M.H.A., has joined Premier Healthcare Alliance as vice president of Performance Improvement and Quality and will oversee QUEST, a nationwide hospital quality and cost improvement collaborative.
Russell A. "Russ" Vandenburg ’70, the 2002 UTEP Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, member of the UTEP Development Board, chairman of the UTEP Centennial Campaign Leadership Council and president & CEO of El Paso-based TVO North America, was recently elected to serve on the National Multi Housing Council's Board of Directors.
James B. “Brian” Young ’00, former UTEP football standout and semi-retired NFL defensive tackle conducted the third annual Brian Young Pro Camp in El Paso’s Sun Bowl free for high school juniors and seniors.
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July 2009
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Candelario Barragan `96, a math teacher at El Dorado High School and recipient of the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award in 2007, was recently honored with special resolutions on the floors of the Texas Senate and House, recognizing him for extraordinary expertise in teaching math and making a real difference in El Paso and the lives of children.
Mary E. Benham `84, the Interim Superintendent of the Socorro Independent School District, retired June 30th after 35 years working in education.
Mary Brochu Bell `83 has been named regional president for Wells Fargo’s Indiana and Ohio region. She will be based in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Violeta Chávez ` 03 recently graduated with a Ph. D. in Microbiology from the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.
John F. Cook `77, Mayor of the City of El Paso, has been appointed to the Federal Southwest Border Task Force by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.
Jim Dixon `73 recently completed his term as president of the Houston Chapter of ARMA International, the professional association for records and information management personnel. Dixon has been an active volunteer with the Houston Chapter of the UTEP Alumni Association since its inception in 2004 and is currently the chapter’s vice president.
Yusuf E. Farran `86, `94, executive director of facilities and transportation at the Canutillo Independent School District in El Paso, was named to the Texas Fire Protection Commission by Governor Rick Perry. The commission enforces fire service standards statewide and provides education and assistance to fire personnel.
Joyce Edwards Feinberg `71 has been honored for exceptional and exemplary volunteer leadership by General Secretary Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda of the World YWCA Council at its 26th meeting in Nairobi, Kenya and also by the YWCA El Paso del Norte Region during its celebration of 100 years of service.
Robby Lawrence Felix ’08 recently signed a free-agent contract with the Baltimore Ravens.
Dr. George Raymond Gibson III `98, chief of Aeromedical Services at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, has recently earned the Malcolm C. Grow Outstanding Flight Surgeon Award.
Paul Marshall Griffin `86 has just been appointed Department Head Chair of the Harold and Inge Marcus Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering at Pennsylvania State University after serving as professor of industrial engineering, co-director of the Center for Health Care Logistics, and associate chair during his tenure in the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Georgia Tech.
Patty C. Hudgens `49 was recently recognized for her outstanding volunteer leadership by the YWCA El Paso del Norte Region as it celebrates 100 years of service.
Dr. Lorenzo G. LaFarelle `56 was honored on his 85th birthday by friends and former students from Jefferson, Bowie, Tech, Evening School, EPCC and UTEP for 34 years of service and to commemorate the naming of Dr. Lorenzo G. LaFarelle Middle School.
John Lewandowski `87 will celebrate his 21st year with IBM. Lewandowski is currently an Aix Application programmer and systems analyst in charge of security in Round Rock, Texas.
Josefina Lujan `83, `88, regional dean of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Anita Thigpen Perry School of Nursing in El Paso, is one of 20 nurses nationally to be selected as a 2009 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation executive nurse fellow. She was also recently appointed by Governor Perry to the Texas Board of Nursing.
Carlos G. Madrid `04 received the Outstanding Young Lawyer Award from the El Paso Bar Association.
Sheryl C. Maxsom `89 was recently appointed as the new principal of Gonzalo and Sofia Garcia Elementary School by the Canutillo Independent School District in El Paso.
Paul C. Maxwell `67, executive director and CEO of the Bi-National Sustainability Laboratory in El Paso, was appointed by Governor Rick Perry to the Product Development and Small Business Incubator Board. The board advises the Economic Development Bank on the administration of the product and small business development fund.
Jeanine Avie Mazoff `99 was nominated by students to be the 2008-2009 El Paso Times Teacher of the Year and received honorable mention for her work at Marion Manor Elementary.
Thomas Meagher `77, `85 recently became administrator of Durango Surgery Center in Las Vegas, NV after serving several years as executive director of Hospice El Paso.
Osvaldo Mendoza `04 had his composition “Atardecer en la Montana `M`” premiered by the El Paso Symphony Youth Orchestra in concert on May 31st at the Plaza Theatre in El Paso. Mendoza is currently a music composition student at Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore.
David Wendell Molix III `94 was nominated by students to be the 2008-2009 El Paso Times Teacher of the Year and received honorable mention for his work at Montwood High School.
Diana Nuñez `99, executive secretary for El Paso Mayor John Cook, received the Administrative Professional of the Year Award at the Eighth Annual Conference for Administrative Professionals in El Paso.
Leticia Paez `74 was recognized for her outstanding leadership and service to the National YWCA Board and the YWCA El Paso del Norte Region during the local YWCA’s celebration of 100 years of service.
Margarita Porras-Grant `99, principal of Jose H. Damian Elementary in Canutillo Independent School District, was named District 19 TEPSAN of the Year for the Texas Elementary Principal and Supervisors Association.
Pam Goldfarb Fenenbock, M.Ed. `86, a psychology instructor at Heald College in Hayward, California, recently passed boards in California to become licensed as a marriage and family therapist.
Richard D. Praytor `96, author, motivational speaker and Christian comedian, recently headlined the Comedy Bus Tour in High Point, North Carolina.
J. James Rohack, M.D. ‘76 was inaugurated June 16, 2009 as the 164th president of the American Medical Association (AMA), the nation's largest and most influential physician organization. Dr. Rohack received the Gold Nugget Award from UTEP’s College of Liberal Arts in 2002 and the Distinguished Alumni Award, the university’s highest honor in 2008.
Carlos Eduardo Ruvalcaba `06 received his law degree May 16th from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law, San Diego, CA.
Michael F. Shaw `70, `75 was recently appointed as chief operations officer for Baja Mining Corporation, in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Humberto R. Silva Jr. `02 received his Ph.D. with highest honors in Aerospace Engineering from Arizona State University in May 2009.
Duke S. Skarda `94 has been appointed as corporate vice president for information technology and software development at The Planet, a global leader in IT hosting, a leading provider of On Demand IT infrastructure solutions located in Houston and Dallas.
Oscar E. Venegas `73 is owner and president of Venegas Engineering Management and Construction which was recently awarded an $8.6 million contract from the Department of Defense to build a training facility at Fort Bliss.
Robert V. Wingo `73 is CEO of Sanders\Wingo ad agency which was recently selected as the 2009 Advertising Agency of the Year by Black Enterprise Magazine.
Margaret Jerry Wright `99, senior associate at TVO North America, was recently appointed by Governor Perry to the Automobile Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority.
Tracy Jo Yellen `95 was recently recognized for her leadership and service by the YWCA El Paso del Norte Region during its celebration of 100 years of service. |
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