Hofstra Athletics: Arcadia Publishing and Author Chris R. Vaccaro ’07 to Release Book on Hofstra Athletics

In collaboration with Arcadia Publishing, author Chris R. Vaccaro is proud to announce the forthcoming release of his fifth book, Hofstra Athletics, in Arcadia Publishing’s Images of Sports series.

Hofstra Athletics is set for release in mid- to late-January, and orders are now being accepted for presale. The cost of the book is $21.99 plus $4 for shipping and handling (USPS Priority Mail). For bulk orders or for more information, please call 516-HOF-TIXX. The book may also be ordered online at GoHofstra.com.

Since its founding in 1935, Hofstra University has built a strong reputation in the collegiate sports world. Thousands of athletes have represented one of Long Island’s finest private universities, winning countless championships and helping to create a foundation of history that is remembered today. Hofstra Athletics strings together a pictorial history of Hofstra’s well-known coaches and athletes, championship teams, and players who achieved success on the professional level.

This book captures nearly 200 images of student-athletes, coaches, administrators, facilities and many other aspects of the Hofstra community. With captions accompanying every image and photos dating back to the 1930s, this book is a must for any Hofstra fan. Hofstra Athletics features a foreword by Craig “Speedy” Claxton, one of the most prolific athletes to attend Hofstra. He was selected in the first round of the NBA draft in 2000 and spent 10 seasons in the league. He led the Pride to an NCAA tournament appearance, was inducted into the Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011, and had his jersey number (10) retired.

Chris R. Vaccaro, an award-winning journalist from Long Island and a 2007 graduate of Hofstra University, is the author of four previous books on Long Island sports history and has written for more than 100 publications nationwide. He is an editor with AOL’s Patch.com, adjunct professor of journalism at Hofstra University, and a board member for the Press Club of Long Island.

Arcadia Publishing is the leading local history publisher in the United States, with a catalog of more than 6,000 titles in print and hundreds of new titles released every year.

Established in 1993, Arcadia has blended a visionary management approach with the innovative application of state-of-the-art technology to create high-quality historical publications in small local niches.

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Hofstra Athletics

Springs Sports Prepare for Another Winning Season 

The spring season at Hofstra features some of the University’s most successful teams. The men’s lacrosse program has been to the NCAA Tournament four consecutive seasons, a program-first, while the softball team is a perennial NCAA Regional participant. The women’s lacrosse team has been a contender for the conference title in recent years, while the baseball program is on the rise under Coach Patrick Anderson. 

The Seth Tierney-led men’s lacrosse team graduated one of the best players in program history in All-American Jay Card, but the team does return seniors Brad Loizeaux (six goals, four assists) and Steve Serling (three goals, six assists in four games), and juniors Ian Braddish (16 goals, 17 assists) and Adrian Sorichetti (12 goals, one assist), among others on the offensive end. The defense is strong, led by juniors Cody Solaja, Mark Mullen and Corey Caputo. The Pride also boast one of the nation’s top face-off specialists in All-American John Antoniades and are solid between the pipes with the return of senior All- American goalkeeper Andrew Gvozden. 

The softball team, led by Hall of Fame Coach Bill Edwards, will look to return to the top of the CAA after being upset in the CAA championship last season. The team is bolstered by the return of its two ace starting pitchers – junior Olivia Galati and senior Erin Wade. Galati has been the CAA Pitcher of the Year in each of her last two seasons and set Hofstra records last season for wins (29) and strikeouts (348). Wade won 11 games for the Pride in 2011 and added 109 strikeouts. Galati could also spearhead the Pride offense as she batted .343 a season ago. Juniors D.J. Slugh and Tessa Ziemba also return and will provide boosts on the offensive end. Slugh hit .338 last year, while Ziemba hit .335 with 10 doubles and 44 RBIs. 

The Pride women’s lacrosse team returns seven of its top eight scorers from 2011, led by All-CAA performer Jill Maier, who tallied 37 goals and three assists as a sophomore last season. Junior Clare Brady, who posted 15 goals and a team-best 17 assists, also returns and will be looked upon by Head Coach Abby Morgan to be a playmaker on the offensive end along with senior Maryann Miller. Miller had eight goals and five assists a year ago. Sophomores Jenn Ward, Lindsay McKinnon and Alex Mezzanotte, and junior Jackie Ardolino also provide the Pride with some scoring punch. Senior defenders Lizzie Zorovich and Chrissy Jones will anchor a relatively young defensive unit in front of keeper Jackie Pandolf, who returns for her senior season. 

The baseball team, under Coach Patrick Anderson, has a solid nucleus of players returning, led by first team All- CAA selection Danny Poma. The senior outfielder batted .382 last season with 16 doubles, 28 RBIs and 20 stolen bases. Senior third baseman Joe Perez, junior first baseman Jared Hammer and sophomore catcher Matt Reistetter, who was a third team All-CAA selection last year, also return and should be regulars in the starting lineup. Perez led the team with nine home runs last season, while Hammer hit .358 to rank second on the team. Reistetter batted .270 as a freshman and also did a good job in handling the Pride pitching staff, which is anchored by junior David D’Errico and sophomore closer Bryan Verbitsky. 

Arcadia Publishing and Author Chris R. Vaccaro ’07 to Release Book on Hofstra Athletics 

In collaboration with Arcadia Publishing, author Chris R. Vaccaro is proud to announce the forthcoming release of his fifth book, Hofstra Athletics, in Arcadia Publishing’s Images of Sports series. 

Hofstra Athletics is set for release in mid- to late-January, and orders are now being accepted for presale. The cost of the book is $21.99 plus $4 for shipping and handling (USPS Priority Mail). For bulk orders or for more information, please call 516-HOF-TIXX. The book may also be ordered online at GoHofstra.com.

Since its founding in 1935, Hofstra University has built a strong reputation in the collegiate sports world. Thousands of athletes have represented one of Long Island’s finest private universities, winning countless championships and helping to create a foundation of history that is remembered today. Hofstra Athletics strings together a pictorial history of Hofstra’s well-known coaches and athletes, championship teams, and players who achieved success on the professional level. 

This book captures nearly 200 images of student-athletes, coaches, administrators, facilities and many other aspects of the Hofstra community. With captions accompanying every image and photos dating back to the 1930s, this book is a must for any Hofstra fan. Hofstra Athletics features a foreword by Craig “Speedy” Claxton, one of the most prolific athletes to attend Hofstra. He was selected in the first round of the NBA draft in 2000 and spent 10 seasons in the league. He led the Pride to an NCAA tournament appearance, was inducted into the Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011, and had his jersey number (10) retired. 

Chris R. Vaccaro, an award-winning journalist from Long Island and a 2007 graduate of Hofstra University, is the author of four previous books on Long Island sports history and has written for more than 100 publications nationwide. He is an editor with AOL’s Patch.com, adjunct professor of journalism at Hofstra University, and a board member for the Press Club of Long Island. 

Arcadia Publishing is the leading local history publisher in the United States, with a catalog of more than 6,000 titles in print and hundreds of new titles released every year. 

Established in 1993, Arcadia has blended a visionary management approach with the innovative application of state-of-the-art technology to create high-quality historical publications in small local niches. 

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Class Notes 2011

Michelle L. Contino (J.D.) of Port Washington, NY, is an associate at Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, LLP in East Meadow. Ms. Contino joined the real estate practice group after working for the financial department at Draftfcb Worldwide, an international advertising agency in Manhattan, for seven years ... Kathleen Hertsch (B.S.Ed.) of Westminster, MD, was named to the roster of the 2011-2012 U.S. women’s national senior lacrosse team. She joined 36 other seniors from across the country in earning the prestigious honor ... Charles R. Jenkins (B.A.) of Rosedale, NY, was selected in the second round of the NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors ... Louis J. Ruggirello (B.B.A.) of Walden, NY, was named to the 2011 Capital One Academic All-America University Division Men’s At-Large third team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America.

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Class Notes: 2010

Brian Herrington (J.D.) of Islip, NY, was nominated for Long Island Business News’ 40 Under 40 Class of 2011 ... 

Gregory Kalikow (J.D.) of Old Westbury, NY, has been appointed vice president of the Kalikow Group, a family-owned real estate development and investment organization for retail, multi-family, condominiums and single-family properties ... 

Michael S. Leslie (B.A.) of Ballston, NY, is currently ABC 40 and Fox 6’s sports anchor and sports reporter ... 

Bettina Mianulli (B.S.Ed., M.S. ’11) of Caldwell, NJ, is a physical education and health teacher at Carl H. Kumpf Middle School in Clark, NJ. 

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Class Notes: 2009

Hans D. Walters (M.S.) of Broad Channel, NY, is an animal department supervisor and a shark researcher at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium, on Coney Island ... 

Erin Veltman (B.B.A.) of Arlington, VA, currently works for the Republican State Leadership Committee as the Republican Legislative Campaign Committee program director.

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Class Notes: 2008

Michael Aharoni (B.A.) of Great Neck, NY, currently works for Penn Mutual’s Economic Planning Group in the financial services industry ... 

Kyle Arrington (B.A.) of Accokeek, MD, made his first NFL start for the New England Patriots. The cornerback had previously been on the special teams since his arrival in New England ... 

Dr. Jacquelyne M. Cody (Ed.D.) of Brooklyn, NY, has written the book How to Be Happy: A Guide to Finding True Purpose and Self-Empowerment, a step-by-step guide for teenagers and young adults to help them understand their purpose in life and to show them how to set and reach their goals ... 

Kristin R. Creighton (B.A.) of Brooklyn, NY, has started her own freelance design company. Ms. Creighton previously worked for 1800FLOWERS.com as assistant photography manager ... 

Lance Leighton (B.B.A.) of Bellmore, NY, currently works as assistant director for Studley in Manhattan ... 

Christine Perrucci (J.D.) of Holbrook, NY, was recently hired by Roe Taroff Taitz & Portman as an associate. Ms. Perrucci concentrates her practice in residential real estate transactions and trusts and estates ... 

Michael A. Saracino (B.B.A.) of Stoughton, MA, received a Juris Doctor cum laude from New England Law School in Boston, MA, during the 100th commencement ceremony. He also received the New England Law Service Award. 

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Catching up with Emily Miethner ’10

Throughout her student years at Hofstra, Emily Miethner was recognizable as “the face of Hofstra Pride.” Her image was on many of Hofstra’s promotional brochures, the website and even a commercial campaign. However, there is much more to Miethner than a pretty face – her academic achievements and extracurricular involvement as a student were not only admirable, but dizzying! She was very involved in the Fine Arts/Art History Department, where she concentrated in graphic design. She co-founded and served as president of the Hofstra Association of Graphic Artists (HAGA), which presented a number of student art exhibitions in Calkins Hall, and she helped develop an annual networking event, “Not All Artists Are Starving,” which continues to bring fine arts alumni and professionals to campus to offer advice and career guidance to students. She also interned at The Knitting Factory, +1 Records, Time Out New York and Gawker. 

Miethner is currently serving as the community manager at RecordSetter.com and co-founder and president of NY Creative Interns, a group dedicated to helping college students and recent graduates find internships, mentors, and inspiration through networking and meetups. 

What is RecordSetter.com? 

We’re like the Wikipedia of world records. Our philosophy is that everyone is the best at something, and this is a way for people to show off their unique achievements. Our only requirements are that the records submitted be quantifiable and have media evidence. We currently host over 10,000 records from over 50 different countries. We’re also really excited; our first book comes out in November.

As community manager I work on social media and outreach. We’re a small company of about 10 people, and it’s a fun environment. Before I started, I was interning and working for them as a freelance designer, so I knew the team was really talented before I came on board.

What are some of your favorite records? 

My all-time favorite is the longest headspin – 14 minutes performed by an 11-year-old. I also love the largest cardboard fort built by a group of Harvard University students, and the most bites taken out of an apple while juggling an apple, a bowling ball and a flaming torch.

What inspired you to co-found NY Creative Interns? 

Basically, I knew I wanted to help students and recent graduates learn the importance of meeting people and finding mentors. Students who major in things like accounting or science, for instance, have more traditional career paths. But students who want to get into creative careers have much less of a defined path – they need to surround themselves with mentors and inspiring creatives, learn how to market themselves, and be entrepreneurial.

I founded NY Creative Interns with another Hofstra grad, Reb Carlson [‘10]. The organization is less than a year old, and we’ve become the largest and most active intern group in New York, having thrown over 20 different events totaling more than 1,000 attendees. [Also on the board of NY Creative Interns are Hofstra alumni Jaime Hoerbelt and Dani Newman, and contributors include alumni Phil Robibero, Marise Montrose, Amber Young, and current students Gennifer Delman and Nick Schweers.]

In a previous interview for the Hofstra website, you said your dream was to work in graphic design for the music industry. Have your goals changed? What have you learned about yourself in the year and a half since you graduated?

I’m really happy I majored in graphic design because of the amazing environment and support I received from the department; I use the skills I learned at Hofstra every day. But yes, my goals have definitely changed. I really enjoy running my own business (NY Creative Interns) and would like to continue in this capacity in the future. That’s why I love my job at RecordSetter; I’m learning a ton about growing something from nothing.

What is your advice for current students majoring in fine arts? 

Stay happy by challenging yourself and make an effort to get more out of your classes and work experiences. At my first job [at Sterling Publishing] I filled a new role as the social media coordinator. My bosses were always super supportive so I was able to take it upon myself to learn and find new opportunities because the job had yet to be completely defined. Practice taking initiative; don’t always sit back and wait for instructions.

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Class Notes: 2007

Stephanie Bushey (Ph.D.) of Melville, NY, has been named vice president for institutional research and assessment at Hofstra University ... 

Michael Fedun (B.B.A.) of East Quogue, NY, has been elected to the board of trustees for the nonprofit company Partnership in Philanthropy. He is senior auditor at Sobel & Company in Livingston, New Jersey ... 

Lawrence Keigwin (B.A.) of New York, NY, is the choreographer of the returning Broadway hit Rent ... 

Kenneth Pelczar (B.A.) of Calverton, NY, has joined Ventana, in New York City. Mr. Pelczar is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including a New York Emmy Award nomination, two Edward R Murrow regional awards for investigative and hard news reporting, two Associated Press awards, three Press Club awards, and a deadline award from the Society of Professional Journalists ... 

Christopher Vaccaro (B.A.) of Holtsville, NY, is set to release his fifth book, Hofstra Athletics, in January 2012. The book captures nearly 200 images of student-athletes, coaches, administrators, facilities and many other aspects of the Hofstra athletics community.

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Class Notes: 2006

Stephen Bowen (B.A.) of Frisco, TX, signed a five-year contract with the Washington Redskins, after playing the last five seasons with the Dallas Cowboys ... 

William Colon (B.A.) of Bronx, NY, re-signed a five-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, after playing for the Steelers for the last five years ... 

John S. Orsen (B.B.A.) of Laurel Hollow, NY, has joined Marquette University’s varsity men’s lacrosse program as an assistant coach ... 

Leslie Ann Snyder (B.A.) is the media and corporate communications manager for CCS, a fundraising, consulting, and management firm based in New York City. 

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Class Notes: 2005

John P. Brazel (B.A.) of East Meadow, NY, was named an assistant coach for Hofstra University’s men’s lacrosse team ... 

Tiffany E. Dixon (B.A.) of Brooklyn, NY, has been selected as one of the new faces for Procter & Gamble’s national campaign “My Black Is Beautiful”... 

Denise Fehrenbach (M.A.) of Amityville, NY, directed The Laramie Project, a docu-drama by Moises Kaufman, which opened on February 15, 2011, at Adelphi University’s Performing Arts Center ... 

Corinna Anna Ferrini (B.A.) of Dedham, MA, is an associate at Tully Rinckey PLLC in the firm’s Washington D.C. office. She represents federal employees on a range of employment and labor issues ... 

Gisella Rivera (J.D.) of Mineola, NY, is an associate in the corporate law group at Meltzer, Lippe, Goldstein & Breitston in Mineola. 

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Class Notes: 2004

Cara Castronuova (B.A.) of Elmont, NY, starred on NBC’s The Biggest Loser as a new female trainer. She was Hofstra’s Alumna of the Month in May ... 

Erin Hallahan (B.A.) of Long Beach, NY, and David Shaw (B.A.) are pleased to announce their engagement. A June 2012 wedding is planned. Ms. Hallahan is currently employed with St. George University as the communications and publications coordinator ... 

Brian Michels (B.B.A.) of Miller Place, NY, was nominated for Long Island Business News’ 40 Under 40 Class of 2011 ... 

Renauld Williams (B.B.A.) of Uniondale, NY, has joined the Hamilton Tiger Cats of the Canadian Football League. 

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Class Notes: 2003

Michael Hanley (B.B.A.) of Kings Park, NY, was named Kings Park’s 2010 Person of the Year. After founding his own accounting firm and moving to Kings Park in 2004, Mr. Hanley has made a tremendous impact on the Kings Park community. He has served on the board of directors of the Kings Park Chamber of Commerce for the past several years, is a founding member and current president of the Irish Business Network, president of Smithtown- Kings Park Ancient Order of Hibernians, and has been involved in many fundraising activities in the Kings Park community ... 

Christopher J. Kutner (M.B.A.) of Rockville Centre, NY, was recently appointed to New York Hospital Queens Community Advisory Council ... 

Christine L. Moran (B.S.Ed.) of Holtsville, NY, was awarded Teacher of the Year by the Nassau County Zone of the New York State Assoication for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Ms. Moran currently teaches elementary physical education in Wantagh and coaches three sports there. Ms. Moran’s years of commitment to teaching children and young people about sports, fitness, and teamwork have been marked by numerous achievements and countless hours of dedication and attainment in the field of teaching ... 

Keith Waryold (M.B.A.) of Great Neck, NY, was appointed by HumiSeal, a leading vendor of conformal coatings, to the position of global business unit director. 

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Class Notes: 2002

Bernard Ralph Cleophat (M.B.A.) of Hempstead, NY, and Tony Manzolillo, collectively known as Berton Vending Solutions, have partnered with HUMAN Healthy Vending to ensure that residents in Nassau County communities have convenient access to vending machine foods and drinks that meet a high caliber of nutritional standards. 

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Catching up with Carolyn Gierer ’10

What are you doing now? 

For a little over a year now, I’ve been an account associate at Emanate PR, which is a sister agency to Ketchum. I love working in an agency culture because I’m learning so much and getting a broad range of experience. Most of my time is focused on Bank of America’s online, mobile and fraud claims division; we work with the bank’s internal media team and executives on projects such as product launches (including ClearXchange, as well as the iPad, Android and Windows 7 apps), executive positioning, influencer relations, and media relations (both traditional and social). Right now I’m working on issues such as the regulatory environment and other tactical elements for several programs that will launch in 2012. Never in a million years did I think I would be working in financial services when I graduated from Hofstra, but I find the emerging technologies, innovation and changing environment in the banking industry to be really interesting.

I also closely support Stiefel, a GlaxoSmithKline company that develops skin care products, and am working on overall global positioning for some of its brands. Most of my current focus is on MaxClarity, an acne product. We work with several other agencies in order to integrate all the marketing, direct response and public relations efforts for their internal communications, social media, customer engagement, and traditional media relations. We want to make sure we’re implementing new and engaging ways to reach and connect with our teen audience.

How did Hofstra prepare you for your career? 

I loved that Hofstra offered public relations as a specific major; in many other schools, you get just a broad communications degree. It was also great that we had so many adjunct professors – they were working professionals who could share firsthand experience of all the changes that the PR field was going through. In fact, every career opportunity I’ve had has been through a Hofstra connection. First, I gained two internships, one at WPIX-11 and another at NBC Universal, through the School of Communication. Then, after graduation, I was looking for work and attended a networking event at Bryant Park, and met Torsten Gross, who was also a Hofstra alumnus. He made a few calls and helped set up some interviews, and I ended up with two job offers, including the one from my current employer.

How has your Hofstra connection helped you in giving back? 

Well, Torsten and I, along with two others, founded a nonprofit called Host For Good (HostForGood.org), which is a new charity model that offers everyone, everywhere, the tools to host charity events at home in order to enforce the idea of doing good for the sake of good. We’re creating a movement that’s changing how people and organizations view their priorities for donating. The mission of Host For Good is to remove the bias and stress from giving. We believe that charity should be about the selfless act of giving and hope, to spread the message that anyone can make a difference, regardless of how much money is raised by individual events. I’m also the director of communications for the group, and we’re very excited about launching the organization in 2012.

What do you remember most about your time at college? 

I transferred to Hofstra as a sophomore from Indiana University and am so grateful for the friends that I made in my three years there. I was a member of Sigma Delta Tau and was on the cheerleading team, and met so many amazing people whom I still speak to and see regularly. I really miss having my best friends be just a door away and love going back to see everyone.

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Class Notes: 2001

Ivan Hakimian (B.B.A.) of Great Neck, NY, a broker who specializes in off-market commercial deals, has started his own firm, Hakimian Properties ... 

Benjamin Malerba (J.D., M.B.A. ’05) of Bellmore, NY, was nominated for Long Island Business News’ 40 Under 40 Class of 2011 ... 

Melissa Negrin-Wiener (J.D.) of Lake Grove, NY, was nominated for Long Island Business News’ 40 Under 40 Class of 2011 ...

Jermaine Warren (B.B.A.) of Malverne, NY has been promoted from senior associate 

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Class Notes: 2000

Jason Kurland (J.D.) of East Meadow, NY, was nominated for Long Island Business News’ 40 Under 40 Class of 2011 ... 

Lauren Ruotolo (B.A.) of New York, NY, spoke in March at Hofstra’s “Night of Networking and Communication” and recently published a book, Unstoppable in Stilettos: A Girl’s Guide to Living Tall in a Small World ... 

Christina Schimmel (B.A.) of Margate, FL, has relocated from Huntington, NY, and is now living in South Florida. She is a multimedia sales consultant with the Sun-Sentinel specializing in real estate online marketing and advertising.

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Class Notes: 1999

Gianni C. Ottaviano (M.B.A.) of Massapequa, NY, was promoted to senior vice president, structured finance by Arbor Realty Trust. He previously held the title of vice president, structured finance. In his new position, he is responsible for structured finance production management, including the screening process and oversight of team members, as well as deal management on a more comprehensive level.

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Class Notes: 1998

Eric Knopf (B.A.) of Fair Lawn, NJ, works as a graphic designer at Maximum Impact, a sales promotion company ... 

Samuel Krause (J.D.) of Northridge, CA, joined the downtown Los Angeles office of Snell and Wilmer as counsel ... 

Barbara A. Lukeman (B.A., J.D. ’00) of New York, NY, joined the international law firm Nixon Peabody LLP as a partner. Ms. Lukeman’s practice primarily focuses in the areas of products liability, mass tort defense, and complex business disputes ... 

Richard A. Mele (B.A.) of Farmingville, NY, was hired by Definition 6, a unified marketing agency, as senior editor in the New York office. He began his career in theatrical editing, and has worked on a number of trailer finishes for comedies, dramas, and documentaries. He has worked with clients such as FOX, ABC, MTV, FX, Nickelodeon, Discovery Channel, SyFy, and A&E ... 

Carle-Marie P. Memnon (M.A.) of Milford, CT, recertified her Fellow status with the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) this past spring. She originally joined ACHE as a student associate in 1998, while enrolled in Hofstra’s Health Administration Program and first earned her Fellow credential in 2008 ... 

Jennifer Rodriguez (B.B.A.) of Beverly Hills, CA, was nominated for the 2011 Latino Business Award, which was Ms. Rodriguez’s second nomination ... 

Jeremy J. Wolk (J.D., M.B.A. ’99) of Brighton, NY, was elected president of the Jewish Community Center in Rochester, where he is responsible for leading the board in its activities and for serving as the principal liaison between management and the board.

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Class Notes: 1997

Laura Granelli (J.D.) of Garden City, NY, was nominated for Long Island Business News’ 40 under 40 Class of 2011 ... 

Adam H. Green (B.S.) of Los Angeles, CA, is a writer/director of horror films, including Coffee & Donuts, Hatchet, Spiral, and Frozen ... 

Thomas Leigh (M.A.) of Queenstown, MA, was hired by CREB Conservancy to serve as its full-time Miles-Wye riverkeeper ... 

David C. Scileppi (B.B.A.) of Palm Beach, FL, was promoted from associate to group leader, scecurities & corporate governance at Gunster ... 

Snehal D. Thakkar (B.E.) of Brooklyn, NY, was honored by the United States Small Business Administration as Small Business Person of the Year in New York City. Mr. Thakkar founded Charter School Business Management Inc., with annual sales of $700,000 ...

Louisa Tsang (B.B.A.) of New Hyde Park, NY, is sales director within the Chinese sector of LT Trading Group. She works to establish and develop a proficient operations base for Resource Exchange of America ... 

Anthony L. Zuco (B.A.) of Brooklyn, NY, was promoted to controller at Owl Creek Asset Management L.P., a global event-driven hedge fund. He recently adopted a daughter, Abigail Elizabeth, with his partner of six years, Ricky. 

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Class Notes: 1996

Bethany Goedecke (B.S.) of South Euclid, OH, is now the HR manager for the North American Region of OM Group, Inc. ... 

Scott R. Gurba (M.B.A.) of Melville, NY, has been promoted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York to senior vice president in the management information function of the Corporate Group, which he joined as a vice president in 2007 ... 

Christopher A. Johnke (B.S.) of San Francisco, CA, joined the UGL Services San Francisco office as senior vice president. Mr. Johnke brings extensive tenant representation experience from his previous position with Grubb & Ellis Company ... 

Honorable Anna P. Pereira (J.D.) of Newark, NJ, was sworn in as the city of Newark’s first Portuguese-American corporation counsel ... 

Christopher Porzio (J.D.) of New York, NY, was promoted general counsel of Phoenix Partners Groups with offices in New York, London, and Paris ... 

Sunil Sachdev (B.B.A.) of Mount Sinai, NY, was recently hired by Fiserv, Inc., as a country manager for India’s markets. Mr. Sachdev is responsible for business development in India ... 

Robert Scott (J.D.) of Dallas, Texas, spoke at the Annual Conference of the Council on Litigation Management in March 2011. 

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Class Notes: 1995

Lorraine Aycock (B.A., M.B.A.) of Jericho, NY, was selected as one of Long Island’s Top 50 Most Influential Women in Business ... 

Diane R. Hatton (M.B.A.) of Southampton, NY, was appointed by Photon Sciences Directorate as its chief operating officer. She provides oversight of operating activities ... 

Kostas Koutsoubis (B.A.) of Bayside, NY, recently opened a new office, New York Physical Therapy Sports Rehabilitation ... 

Susan K. Scafard (B.B.A.) of Sparta, NJ, was recently hired by Agile OAK LLC, a Sparta-based international management consultancy, to take over the company’s finance and accounting function ... 

Mathew B. Tully (B.A.) of Niskayuna, NY, has been promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel by the New York Army National Guard ... 

Joseph A. Vanella (M.B.A.) of Smithtown, NY, was appointed by Wells Fargo & Co. to its regional Small Business Administration lending network for Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. He operates from the bank’s Melville, NY, office. 

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Class Notes: 1994

Jacquelyn Ghedine (B.A.) of Bellmore, NY, is associate publisher of Advertising Age ... 

Jeffrey L. Hecht (M.B.A.) of Jericho, NY, joined Ernst & Young LLP’s Financial Services Office as a partner within its Tax Practice. In this position, he leads tax services for private equity clients ... 

Gregory Hlibok (J.D.) of Elliot City, MD, is head of the Federal Communication Commission’s disability rights office. As a deaf man, Mr. Hlibok is the first chief of the office with a disability ... 

Miguel Alexander Pozo (B.A.) of Roseland, NJ, was selected as the new national finance director for the Hispanic National Bar Association ... 

Peter Shevell (ALND) of New York, NY, joined Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate as vice president. While at Hofstra, he worked at Glen Cove Racquetball & Health Club, which he eventually purchased, making him the youngest owner and operator of a health racquet club in the Northeast at that time ... 

Jennifer A. (Tipsord) Sklenar (J.D.) of Los Angeles, CA, has been named a partner of Arnold & Porter LLP in its Los Angeles office ... 

Jordan E. Trager (J.D.) of East Northport, NY, joined the law firm Wisselman, Harounian, & Associates, P.C. in Great Neck, NY. Mr. Trager practices in matrimonial, family law, criminal law, and civil litigation for the firm. 

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Class Notes 1993

Ben Abramovitz (B.B.A.) of Brooklyn, NY, works as a senior analyst for Kaufman Bros., L.P. He covers the telecommunications and data services sector ... Michael Bond, Esq. (B.A.) of New York, NY, recently started his own law practice, the Law Office of Michael Bond. Mr. Bond serves clients from New York and New Jersey, and primarily focuses on estate planning, residential real estate, contract review and negotiation, and elder law ... Lucy Cates (B.B.A.) of Wantagh, NY, currently works at the Bank of America of Amherst Securities Group LP. Mrs. Cates previous worked for Bear Stearns for more than 15 years as an associate director in fixed income sales, where she acquired her Series 7 and 63 ... Chris D. Ellinas (M.B.A.) of Nicosia, Cyprus, is the region solution sales director – payment and imaging solutions for NCR Corporation, based at the NCR Area Head Office for the Middle East and Africa, in Cyprus ... Jean McCormick (B.A.) of Bethpage, NY, was chosen to perform at a holiday concert for The Community Club of Garden City and Hempstead in December of 2010.

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Class Notes: 1992

Keith S. Ernst (B.E.) of Westbury, NY, has been selected by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as associate director for consumer research and examination support in the Division of Depositor and Consumer Protection. He joined the FDIC from the Center for Responsible Lending in North Carolina, a nationally recognized research and policy organization, where he was the director of research ... 

Freida D. Foster (B.A.) of Harlem, NY, was recently appointed by Mayor Bloomberg to the Panel for Educational Policy. Ms. Foster also is a commissioner on the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board ... 

Caryn Lilling (J.D.) of East Norwich, NY, was selected as one of Long Island’s Top 50 Most Influential Women in Business ... 

David C. Potter (B.A.) of Fort Myers, FL, has joined Fowler White Boggs’ statewide Labor and Employment practice. 

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Catching up with Steve Denker ’93

Steve Denker earned a B.B.A. in marketing at Hofstra, where he was involved with the Hofstra chapter of the American Marketing Association and was a member of Zeta Beta Tau fraternity. Today, Denker, a Pennsylvania native, lives in Atlanta, GA, and is co-founder and COO of Beach.com, a website launched in November 2011.

Do you have a favorite Hofstra memory? 

I had a great experience at Hofstra and met many of my lifelong friends there. Spring weekend at Hofstra my senior year was a great memory. I remember perfect weather, live music, a ton of people out having a good time, and knowing that it was all ending soon so I really took it in. The Hofstra alums from back then who I’ve remained close to include David Wolfson [’93], Mark Pinocci [’91], Howard Brill [’91], Mitch Weinstein [’92] and John Mikes [’91], to name a few. We were all ZBT brothers.

How did you come to relocate to Atlanta? 

I had an offer from the Aramark Corporation prior to graduation. There were opportunities with the company in Atlanta, Denver and San Jose. With the 1996 Olympics coming to Atlanta, I thought it would be a strategic career move to head down south and not only work as hard as I could to learn their business, but also align myself with as many large brands as possible. As it turns out, my next career move was to The Coca-Cola Company, directly related to relationships made during my time with Aramark.

How did the idea for Beach.com come about? 

With the global interest in beach-related travel, as well as the millions of people living in beach destinations, there was a need for a complete beach portal providing local content, innovative products and expert technology.

What differentiates your website from other similarly themed sites? Who do you see as your audience? 

Beach.com’s unique local content is derived from both local destination experts and consumer-generated opinions. There are social applications to solicit friends’ opinions as well. Consumers can weigh all this information to make informed decisions as to the vacation destination, hotel or vacation rental, restaurants, and activities. Beach.com manages all plans on a proprietary platform that can be shared with friends and family, with updates and reminders sent through a choice of preferred communication options.

The content is managed through our global distribution network. We have partnered with the top sites in many destinations to write original content, provide local recommendations, and answer questions through our destination forums. While some of these distributors, like St. Barth Properties and HiltonHead.com, do have a strong local presence, it’s in all of our best interests to provide the most objective content available.

Beach.com is a lifestyle site, not just a vacation booking engine. The compelling value to users is the ability to search global destinations, research accommodations and things to do, select and book hotels or vacation rentals, ask questions and seek expert local advice, receive customized local deals and offers, and share the experience. Beach.com offers its business partners the opportunity to increase traffic, revenue and branding from a targeted and loyal consumer base.

What are the challenges of starting a new business in this economy? Also, why do you see this as a good time to take a chance on offering this new travel/lifestyle service? 

I believe the challenge in any economy is not just coming up with a strong idea that fills a void in the current marketplace, but having the ability to execute that business plan. Today’s largest challenge for start-ups is capital raising. Surrounding yourself with an experienced management team with a track record of success is the key to meeting this challenge. While some may say that the existing competition in the online travel market would make any positive disruption nearly impossible, we look at it as a tremendous opportunity. Beach.com has the ability to become a destination site independent of major search engines, deliver the best value proposition to users from beach destinations around the world, and create sustaining value to its shareholders.

What advice would you offer current Hofstra students or recent graduates who are hoping to succeed in business and possibly start their own companies? 

My advice would be to seek experience in the core functional areas of business before immediately going out on your own. I worked at different companies prior to co-founding Beach.com, including positions in operations and management, marketing and planning, sales and advertising, and most recently business development and finance. All of the experience, including exposure to great managers and poor ones, helped shape my approach to how Beach.com will become a global travel and media company.

Be accountable in everything you do, always negotiate, never compromise your integrity, and return all calls and emails – you’ll be amazed how appreciated it is and how few people do it.

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Class Notes: 1991

Honorable Samantha (Ruiz) Cohen (J.D.) of Miami Beach, FL, was formally sworn in as a Miami Dade circuit judge. Judge Cohen is the former Miami Dade prosecutor and a university professor ... 

Michelle Fleishman (J.D.) of Basking Ridge, NJ, currently serves as J.H. Cohn’s associate counsel. J.H. Cohn LLP, one of the leading audit, tax, and business advisory firms in the United States, has announced the election of Michelle Fleishman to its partnership ... 

Susan M. Iadarola (B.B.A.) of Wantagh, NY, is director of sales and marketing at the Dana Rader Golf School, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she is responsible for all advertising, branding, promotions, print collateral, Web communication, event planning, public relations, customer service, and sales efforts ... 

David B. Kaplan (B.B.A.) of Bayside, NY, has joined EisenerLubin’s audit staff from Berdon LLP, where he was an audit supervisor ... 

Lisa Fischer Macon (B.S.) of Orlando, FL, was recently named the dean of business, IT and public services at Valencia College, East Campus in Orlando, Florida ... 

Andrew Posner (B.A.) of Randolph, NJ, was promoted to vice president-managing director of the Residential Management Division of Brown Harris Stevens in New York, NY ... 

Victor Ricciardi (B.B.A.) of Towson, MD, is an assistant professor of financial management at Goucher College in Towson, Maryland ... 

Andre Spitzer (B.A., M.A. ’92) of Fairfield, CT, is director of finance & administration for the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at the Yale School of Medicine ... 

Joseph Talamo (B.B.A., M.B.A. ’00) of New Canaan, CT, is vice president, corporate controller and chief accounting officer at NeoStem, Inc. ... 

Wayne H. Wink, Jr. (B.A.) of Roslyn, NY, has joined Gerstman Schwartz, LLP, a Nassau County-based law firm, as partner. The firm officially changed its name to Gerstman, Schwartz & Wink, LLP. In addition to his law practice, Mr. Wink currently serves as a Nassau County legislator ... 

Matthew S. Zvolensky (B.A.) of Manorville, NY, has been appointed executive minister of the North Shore Christian Church in Riverhead, NY. In this position he is responsible for all aspects of church business, management of church staff and programs, including many partnerships with the eastern Long Island community. 

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Class Notes: 1990

Leslie A. Berkoff (J.D.) of Commack, NY, was recently named by the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI) as co-editor in chief of its Healthcare Bankruptcy Manual, Second Edition. She moderated the panel discussion “Hear the Preferences and Thoughts of Judges and Trustees” at the National Business Institute’s Bankruptcy Judicial and Trustee Forum at the Long Island Hilton Hotel in Melville. Ms. Berkoff is a partner at Moritt Hock & Hamroff LLP, where she also serves as co-chair of the firm’s Litigation and Bankruptcy practice groups. She concentrates her practice in the areas of bankruptcy and restructuring litigation and corporate workouts ... 

Christine Cunneen (B.B.A.) of Johnston, RI, was elected secretary to the board of directors of the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS). She is currently chief executive officer of Hire Image LLC, a nationwide background screening and drug testing company ...

Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (B.A.) of Glen Cove, NY, was nominated by the Nassau County Democratic Committee to run for the vacant position that will be left by Diane Yatauro in the county’s 18th legislative district in November 2012. Mrs. Whitton has served on the Glen Cove City Council and is the daughter of former Glen Cove Mayor Donald DeRiggi. Mrs. Whitton currently works for a company that helps clients lower their taxes on real estate transactions, and is on the board of the Diabetes Research Institute ... 

Claudio A. De Vellis (B.B.A.) of Howard Beach, NY, recently joined Smith, Gambrell, and Russell LLP’s estate planning and wealth protection practice in New York. ... 

Brad Kovnat (B.A.) of Houston, TX, was promoted to vice president of operations for Acro Energy Technologies Corp., a leading U.S. residential solar energy integrator. 

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Class Notes: 1989

P. Joseph Campisi Jr. (J.D.) of Princeton, NJ, was promoted to the position of vice president and associate general counsel, transactional practice group, of Bristol- Myers Squibb Company ... 

Joseph Deguardia (J.D.) of Bronx, NY, a longtime fight promoter and head of STAR Boxing, recently promoted the first of five Punchin’ at the Paradise fight cards at Loew’s Paradise Theatre in the Bronx, NY. Mr. Deguardia previously served as assistant district attorney to Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson ... 

Emily F. Franchina (J.D.) of Huntington, NY, has become vice president of the 10th Judicial District by the New York State Bar Association ... 

Gary Friedman (M.B.A.) of Port Washington, NY, recieved the Commercial Industrial Brokers Society of Long Island’s Rising Star award ... 

Scott A. Gordon (B.B.A.) of Cupertino, CA, has joined ForeScout’s management team as vice president of worldwide marketing ... 

Frank Nappi (B.A.) of Massapequa, NY, will have his second novel, The Legend of Mickey Tussler, re-released along with the sequel, Sophomore Campaign, in April 2012. The Legend of Mickey Tussler was adapted as the film A Mile in His Shoes, which was aired nationwide on GMC TV on September 25, 2011. In addition to writing novels, Mr. Nappi maintains a full-time teaching position at Oceanside High School ... 

Joseph R. Paretta (B.A., M.A. ’96) of Jim Thorpe, PA, has written Mastering the Card: Say Goodbye to Credit Card Debt Forever. The book, published by Balboa Press, takes a positive, motivational approach to overcoming debt ... 

Michael P. Pasternack (B.A.) of Plainview, NY, recently joined the firm Farrell Fritz, P.C. Mr. Pasternack’s practice includes the representation of hospitals, nursing homes, home care agencies, health facilities, rehabilitation agencies, and physicians ... 

Pamela Anthony Pincus (B.A., M.S.Ed. ’91) of Downingtown, PA, is currently a special education teacher for the Chester County, Intermediate Unit in Chester County, Pennsylvania ... 

Michelle A. Riklan (B.A.) of Marlboro, NJ, is the managing director of Riklan Resources, LLC, and was recognized as the third place winner of the Best Creative Resume Award. This award was acknowledged at the annual Toast of the Resume Industry awards hosted by Career Directors International. 

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Class Notes: 1988

Kristin Cohen (B.A.) of West Orange, NJ, was named vice president for enrollment management at William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ, in April 2011. She anticipates earning a Ph.D. in higher education administration from New York University in May 2012 ... 

Michael Giannelli (B.S.) of Okatie, SC, is senior vice president, design for The Children’s Place Retail Stores, Inc. ... 

Howard Ginsberg (B.B.A.) of Roslyn Heights, NY, was named Genworth Financial top advisor for the seventh consecutive year. Mr. Ginsberg is one of only two individuals in New York to ever achieve this honor for seven years. He is currently the financial director of Ginsberg Wealth Management, LLC ... 

Honorable Douglas Hayden (J.D.) of Floral Park, NY, was re-elected to his fourth term as village justice of Floral Park. 

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Class Notes: 1987

Priscilla Almodovar (B.A.) of New York, NY, heads Chase’s national community development real estate lending business, which extends $4.3 billion in financing to 75 community development organizations and more than 900 affordable housing and economic development projects across the United States ... 

Janice Gable Bashman (B.A.) of Dresher, PA, was nominated for a 2010 Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in Nonfiction for her book titled Wanted Undead or Alive: Vampire Hunters and Other Kick-Ass Enemies of Evil (co-authored by New York Times bestseller author Jonathan Maberry). The novel deals with the struggle of good vs. evil in film, comics, pop culture, world myth, literature, and the real world. It includes interviews with Stan Lee, Charlaine Harris, Peter Straub, and many more, and is fully illustrated by top horror, comics, and fantasy artists ... 

Tanya Carter (B.A.) of Greenville, MS, received the 2010 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award. The award recognizes the achievements of individuals or organizations who have worked diligently to prevent crime, drug, and gang violence ... 

James V. Mahon (J.D.) of Apex, NC, recently became a partner of Andrews Kurth, LLP ... 

William A. Munck (B.S., J.D. ’92) of McKinney, TX, was named by D Magazine as one of the top lawyers in Dallas and was also recognized by Best Lawyers in America’s list of Texas Best Lawyers. Mr. Munck is the co-founder of Dallas technology-based law firm Munck Carter ... 

Christine Newins (B.S.) of Levittown, NY, was inducted into Hofstra University’s 2011 Athletic Hall of Fame ... 

Lisa M. Ricciardi (B.B.A.) of Massapequa, NY, has been selected as one of Long Island’s Top 50 Most Influential Women in Business ... 

Steven G. Rogers (B.B.A.) of Merrick, NY, is president and managing director of First American Title Insurance Company’s New York division ... 

Rita Williams-Garcia (B.A.) of Jamaica, NY, was awarded the Coretta Scott King Award for her 2010 middle grade book One Crazy Summer, which was also named a John Newbery Honor Book ... 

Honorable John F. Zoll (B.A., J.D. ’91) of Long Beach, NY, has been appointed as an interim civil court judge of the Civil Court of New York City and currently serves in Family Court. 

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