AE Newsletter - Fall/Winter 2001

Patty Weidle, ’98, of KPFF Consulting Engineers and Todd Belsick, ’98, of Peratrovich, Nottingham & Drage, were engaged on July 19, 2001, on a hiking trip in Alaska.  Both have been living in Seattle, WA since graduation.  Wedding date is set for Sept 20, 2002 in Seattle…Rick Burtt, ’96, I'm still with Jacobs Engineering in Denver doing project controls for capital pr ojects at the Coors Brewing Company.  In June ’01, I married Kimberly Kasper (photo right), and we are adjusting well to married life.  I am also just finishing my first semester of classes at the University of Colorado in pursuit of an M.S. in Civil Engineering...Pam Garbini, ’80, after almost twenty years with Gilbane, I've decided to try something new and different, (OK, not all that different) and have accepted a senior project management position at Bovis Lend Lease, out of the Princeton NJ office.  This change, to a global organization, affords me some personal growth opportunities in developing both health care and pharmaceutical projects that were not available to me previously…Billy Hodges, ’95, an Outside “Salesdude” at Prudential Lighting (a manufacturer of fluorescent lighting and a lighting manufacturers’ representative firm) in Los Angeles.  Denise is back at work at Frank Gehry’s full time on the Disney Concert Hall project here in LA.  Grace has 4 teeth, is starting to crawl and loves Cheerios, apricots and applesauce…Tim Lauth, ’76, Senior Structural Engineer/Project Manager, URS Corporation, Cleveland, OH.Works on everything from cracks in basement walls to a 27-story high rise.Recently served as Project Manager for Six Flags Parks, working on ride foundations and total attraction’s site development…Bob Desmarais, ’88, and wife Jenn are the proud parents of a baby boy, Benjamin, born Oct. 8, 2001, and already too big for his 0-3 month clothes size.My current employer is Providence Engineering, Lancaster, PA, consulting structural engineers with 2 AEs (myself and Allan May ’73, 1 PSU Civil (Mark Broomell ’87), two Harrisburg campus grads (Construction Technology Degree - Dan Fichtner, President, and Jeff Schnupp), and one EIT (Jeremy Kirk, Geneva College Civil)...Robert Courson, P.E., ’92, was married to Tania Salinas on September 14th at Frank Lloyd Wright's Kentucky Knob House in Chalk Hill, PA. They will reside in Reston, VA and are looking forward to the upcoming 10-year reunion!… Scott Radecic, ’86, heads up the collegiate group at HOK Sport,  and recently led the design team for the Beaver Stadium improvements. He was also a Penn State linebacker and is a 12-year veteran of the NFL. Most recently, he was named one of the top 40 sports executives under 40 years old by Street and Smith’s Sports Business Journal (photo left) …Ray Diebel, ’97, graduated PSU to work as a structural engineer for Bala Consulting just outside of Philadelphia.  After three years of engineering, Ray branched out and is now enjoying a career as a Project Manager for NorthStar Advisors, a small Project and Construction Management firm in the same area.  Working on many projects, he is most excited to be involved with the Please Touch Museum,™ a two-story children’s museum slated for the Philadelphia Penn's Landing waterfront in 2004…Lynda Tollner, ’84, working as Project Manager at Maitra Associates in Bridgewater, NJ.  Husband, Dave Loeffler, ME ’83, and I have two sons, Jack (6) and Sam (3) and living in beautiful Mountain Lakes.  My primary client is the Port Authority of NY and NJ.  I’m currently working on an interior design project for the Port’s new headquarters, as well as some other projects prompted by the collapse of the World Trade Center.  I survived the WTC on Sept. 11, but still grieve everyday for those that didn't, and for the Towers and surrounding buildings...Kenneth Gibble, ’61, President of Gibble Norden Champion Brown Consulting Engineers Inc., Structural and Geotechnical Engineers practicing in 26 states, Founder and Principal in Cornerstone Consultants, LLC, Management Counseling for the Construction Team, Engineer of the Year in 2000 awarded by Connecticut Engineers in Private Practice, Co-Founder of Structural Engineers Coalition of Connecticut, serving as Past President of Structural Engineers Risk Management Council (SERMC) of DPIC Insurance…Kevin Choi, ’00, has been with KPFF Consulting Engineers in Santa Monica, CA since Aug ’00.  Most of my projects are hospitals in Zone 4, but I do have a fun one with the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific…Annette (Bacon), ’92, and Daryl Dearolf, ’90, had a son, Wesley James, on August 18, 2001.  His sister Samantha is now 2-1/2. Daryl is an Associate at the structural engineering firm Harrison-Hamnett in Pennington, NJ.  The family is living in Yardley, PA.I hope you hear from many of our classmates!… Frank Malits, P.E., ’87, recently changed jobs and is now back at Cagley & Associates, Rockville, MD, as Vice President, after a seven year hiatus as Vice President, Mid-Atlantic Region for Delon Hampton & Associates.Also, on a personal note, recently had third child, Joanna 9 lbs. 9 oz.…Jeff Volz ’85 (B.A.E.) & ’87 (M.S.), Associate with Holabird & Root, LLP in Chicago, recently celebrated the birth of his first child, Tyler Evan, born April 13, 2001.  Wife Kathy recently returned to work after staying at home with Tyler for his first six months.  Jeff recently worked as Project Structural Engineer with Pritzker Prize-winning architect Rem Koolhaas on the design of the IIT McCormick-Tribune Campus Center (check it out at www.iit.edu).  Jeff is currently contemplating a return to academia to pursue a Ph.D. in structural engineering.  Hope all is well with the class of ’85…Richard Fenati, ’97, still working with Beers Construction in Atlanta.  Just finished up a $72 million cargo handling complex andairport improvement project at Miami International Airport for LanChile and Fine Air.  Consisted of three cargo buildings, one office building and over 22 acres of paving for 747 parking and taxiways.  On my way to build similar project at JFK in NYC for Lufthansa… Rebecca Kennedy, ’01, Currently working as a Development Associate at Greenwich House, Inc., a non-profit social service agency here in NYC doing development and fundraising.  I do everything from organizing volunteer work, corporate sponsorship, foundation grant writing, and special-events fundraisers…Leonard M. Hricz, Jr., P.E., ’91, received his 10-year service award from the Halliburton Company in Houston, TX, that he joined immediately after graduating from Penn State.  Working on structural engineering for industrial petroleum facilities both on and off shore.  His second child (L. Michael, III) was born on April 4 of this year and his older child Noel will be 3 on December 27.  His wife, Vicki (BS Logistics ’90), is now at home full time caring for their children.  He and his wife hope to move back to PA in the not so distant future to raise their children near their families...Jonathan E. Williams, ’93, founded Projectives, LLC in May 2001.Projectives provides professional project management and independent technical consulting services to real estate owners, property managers and other industry organizations.Projects range from traditional building systems improvements to business and information technology interoperability. He has been working with former AE professor Francois Grobler and the International Alliance for Interoperability (IAI) on the development of IFCs and aecXML industry standards. Of course, his wife, Erin (PSU English ’93), two-year-old daughter, Ashley, and he wish everyone well and would look forward to hearing from you.He can be reached via 301-372-8600 or jwilliams@realprojectives.com...

Mark Scott, ’78, After returning from my 7-month sabbatical to Australia, I was offered the position of director of Business Development and Marketing at MKK Consulting Engineers, Inc. in Englewood, CO,which I accepted. Then the country decided to go into recession. Anybody need a Marketing AE?..just kidding!I love my new position. It’s my job to market (read, golf) and spend time understanding how we can impact our clients business.Also on my return from Down Under the family moved onto a small 40-acre ranchette. Now I need to figure out how to make money off of the land. Any suggestions?…Debra Pennington, ’01, I will be playing women’s professional football for the DC Divas.  It's the NWFL’s (National Women’s Football League) 2nd year, and there are now 20 teams, mostly on the East Coast.Check out the Websites at www.dcdivas.com and www.nwflcentral.com…Christie Trexler, ’96, and Mike Giannavola, ’96, were married on June 17, 2001.Christie is working as a lighting designer/structural engineer at the Lighting Studio, HESM & Assoc., and Mike is a consulting engineer at Heery International, both in Atlanta, GA…Lynn Zimmerman, ’99, Structural Designer working on design and analysis for new buildings, retrofits, and seismic evaluations for Forell/Elsesser Engineers in San Francisco.I received my M.S. degree in Civil Engineering from Stanford University and got engaged in January 2001…William J. Rasdorf, ’74, ’78g, received the Computing in Civil Engineering Award from the ASCE at the 2001 ASCE Conference held in Houston.He was recognized for his distinguished career as a professional, educator, mentor and research at the forefront of computing in civil engineering and for his significant contributions to the integration of engineering processes and the design of data and information systems. Rasdorf is a Professor of Civil Engineering at North Carolina State University…Benjamin Cornelius, ’94, Associate, Leslie E. Robertson Assoc., RLLP, in New York City.I am heading up a new LERA branch office in Mount Kisco, NY.My wife Eiko and I now have a son, Akimoto Michael, Born August 4, 2001…Thomas Thompson, ’85, Owner and Principal, Thompson + Sears, LLC, New York, an eight person architectural lighting design firm.Recently won a 2001 Lumen Award for renovation of Hoboken Train Station waiting room.Additional projects include 2000 IALD Award for Samsung’s Rodin Pavillion in Seoul, Korea and Rum Jungle and China Grill at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas… David J. Miller, E.I.T., ’00, Designer, Alfred Benesch & Company, Pottsville, PA. My wife and I brought our fourth daughter home from the hospital on Christmas Eve.  Regina Ruby was born Dec. 22 (my late grandmother Ruby’s, birthday), she weighed 6 lbs., 14 oz. and was 19 inches long…Timothy R. Campbell, P.E., ’92, Senior Project Engineer, Cagley Harman & Associates, Inc., and wife Melissa welcomed their new daughter Hannah Fuller, born Dec. 13, 2001. She is 8 lbs, 13.2 oz, and is 21 inches long…Suzanne LeViseur, P.E.,’81, Design Engineering, President, Blue Heron Consulting, Inc. Jacksonville Beach, FL was installed as Region SII director and regional chairman of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) at its 2001 Annual meeting held in June 2001.As regional director, she oversees the activities of the chapters that cover Florida and represents them in Society activities.She will serve a three-year term from 2001-04…Jeffrey W. Shriver, ’96, P.E., Project Engineer, Barry Isett & Associates, Inc., Trexlertown, PA.I passed my P.E. in October 2001.Just an update since Gesch likes for people to be responsive!…David Holbert, ’75 and Richard Apple, ’75, are excited to announce the formation of the structural engineering firm of Holbert Apple Associates, Inc. in Olney, MD. We bring a combined total of over 50 years of experience in structural engineering design in commercial, institutional and public sector projects ranging from small renovations to large projects in excess of one million square feet.We look forward to the future and to our continued relationship with our friends and colleagues…Hope Furrer, ’73, Principal and Owner, Hope Furrer Associates, Baltimore, MD, is pleased to announce the opening of a new location in State College, PA.HFA has been in business since 1992 in Baltimore, MD.Formerly the structural group of Parfitt/Ling, the HFA PA office will continue to be staffed by M. Kevin Parfitt, P.E., ’75, Consultant, Joseph K. Winslow, P.E. Associate, and Michael T. Hamer, Project Designer.HFA projects include university, corporate, commercial, and institutional developments throughout the Mid-Atlantic region…Charles J. Carter, P.E., S.E., ’90, ’91g, has been named Chief Structural Engineer at the American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc. Carter, who joined AISC in 1991, has been instrumental in the development of many recent steel publications, including the third edition LRFD Manual of Steel Construction, AISC Code of Standard Practice and RCSC Specification for Structural Joints Using ASTM A325 or A490 Bolts. He also was responsible for the revitalization and reorganization of AISC’s continuing education programs. As Chief Structural Engineer, Carter will be responsible for the day-to-day management of AISC’s Engineering and Research department.Carter is on the board of directors of both the Structural Engineers Association of Illinois and the Building Seismic Safety Council. He also serves on the Executive Committee of the Research Council on Structural Connections and is a member of the ASCE/SEI Committee on Design of Steel Building Structures and the NCSEA Advocacy Committee...Davis Mullholand, ’90, wife, Marcy, and 2 children (Conor (2) & Madeline (6), have moved to Salt Lake City, UT where Davis will be President/ CEO of CCI Mechanical, a 41 year old $35 million design/ build/ service firm.  

Walter (Buddy) Brennan, Jr., P.E., ’95
Tuned in to Fellow Classmate’s 15 Minutes of Fame…
So there I am dozing on the couch after a long day at work, while my new wife watches her evening game shows. “Look,” she says as she disturbs my much-needed nap, “this guy says he was a walk-on for Penn State and a structural engineer.” The words were still hanging in the air as I open my heavy eyelids to see Bob Lupo,’95, talking with Pat Sajak. For reasons beyond me he’s wearing Tiki Barber’s N.Y. Giants #21 jersey and losing very badly to the woman next to him wearing Jerome Bettis’s jersey. It seemed like both times Bob touched the wheel he hit ‘Lose Your Turn.’ It was lucky he got the last round puzzle or he would have been shut out. As it was, he ended with a respectable $5,000, but finished a distant second to the Jerome Bettis woman who earned $15,500. But he kept smilin’ and clappin’ through it all so...enjoy those runner up prizes Bob! You earned them! Congratulations!!

By the by, some of you may have caught my nephew (Erik Per Sullivan, a.k.a. Dewey on Malcolm in the Middle and Fuzzy in Cider House Rules and little Joe Dirt in Joe Dirt) on Hollywood Squares the week of Christmas. He has some crazy answers to Tom Bergeron’s questions! Hopefully they'll re-air it ’cuz I missed a couple of them.
 

In Memoriam

John C. Mason, ’71, died, July 22, 2001 in Pine Grove Mills. Born Feb. 3, 1943, in Erie, he was a son of John J. Mason of Girard and the late Matilda R. Mason. He was a goldsmith and owner of Aurum Goldsmiths, previously the Silver Cellar, in State College. A memorial fund has been established for the John C. Mason Award of Excellence in Jewelry Design at the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts. Donations can be sent to the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, P.O. Box 1023, State College, PA 16804. 

In Memoriam

George Stern, '38, '42g, died March 19, 2001.  In 1941, Stern received the first Ph.D. degree in Architectural Engineering  conferred by Penn State.   He taught architecture at Virginia Tech early in his career, and was director of the William H. Sardo Jr. Pallet and Container Research Laboratory until his retirement in 1979. Stern’s research in the field of wood construction earned him the nickname “Mr. Nail.” Virginia Tech’s Stern Fastener and Pallet Research Laboratory is named in his honor.