Class Notes

Four films from director and producer Donna Marek (Jour’79) have been released through her Boulder-based production company GraceMar Entertainment. She was named Colorado Filmmaker of the year in 2005 and worked with Clint Eastwood for years as his representative for international media. Donna wrote and directed her most recent film, Niwot’s Curse, a psychological thriller. Visit the film’s website at nitwotscursemovie.com.

The University of Memphis received Greta Coger’s (PhDEngl’80) science fiction and fantasy collection of about 9,000 hardbacks, paperbacks, magazines, fanzines, letters, essays, book reviews and more. The university is calling one of its conference rooms the Dal Coger Room and will hold a dedication most likely in spring. Greta lives in Memphis, Tenn.

A diplomatic correspondent for The Jerusalem Post for nearly 30 years, Herb Keinon (PolSci’80) spoke at the University of Hartford last October about Israel and the media. Herb covers the prime minister and the foreign minister, often traveling with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu abroad. He is author of the book Lone Soldiers: Israel’s Defenders from Around the World. Herb lives in Ma’ale Adumin, Israel.

In 1999 Daniel Carr (MechEngr’82) designed the New York and Rhode Island state quarters for the U.S. Mint. He combined his expertise in mechanical engineering, art and coinage to form his own private mint, Moonlight Mint. Daniel does all of his own designs, sculpting and engraving work to stamp coins, tokens and medals. He restored a surplus U.S. Denver Mint coin press in 2008, which he uses. He lives in Loveland, Colo., and his website is www.moonlightmint.com.

After working in higher education for 40 years as president of Black Hills State University, Kay Schallenkamp(PhDComDisor’82) will retire in spring 2014. She led BHSU in becoming the first state university president to join the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment. Under her seven-year tenure, the university’s student union and life sciences laboratory received LEED Gold certification. Kay lives in Spearfish, S.D.

In 2009 Mark Crumpacker (A&S ex’84) was named Chipotle’s first chief marketing officer. He oversees all of the company’s marketing functions and serves as president of the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation. The foundation promotes a more sustainable, healthful and equitable food future. Prior to joining Chipotle, Mark was founder, CEO and creative director at Sequence, a San Francisco branding and interactive agency.

Few people have experienced Yellowstone National Park like Marjane Ambler (Engl’85). Marjane and her husband lived in a tiny community near the shores of Yellowstone Lake, deep in the park’s interior. Her book Yellowstone Has Teeth, a personal memoir about living year-round in the world’s first national park, was published in June 2013. In the book Marjane reveals a hidden Yellowstone where the beauty is stunning, the dangers real and the experience deeply challenging. She now lives in Atlantic City, Wyo., and her website is www.marjaneambler.com.

The American Institute of Physics selected Jeffrey Bennett (MAstro’85, PhD’87) as one of two winners of the 2013 AIP Science Communication Awards. The award recognizes exceptional science writing that improves the public’s appreciation of physics, astronomy and related fields. Jeffrey’s winning work is a fun and informative science book for kids about a dog who trains to be an astronaut and goes to the moon. He lives in Boulder.

Merrick & Company named Christopher Sherry (ArchEngr’85) the company’s chief operating officer. Christopher is responsible for the successful execution of all projects and the overall financial performance of all business units, including international subsidiaries. Previously Christopher led the corporate and business development group in acquiring four firms that have contributed an additional $12 million in revenue to Merrick. He lives in Castle Rock, Colo.

MobiTV chief strategy officer Rick Herman (PolSci’86) drives strategic planning and execution to grow MobiTV’s end-to-end managed service platform. The company delivers live and on-demand video for screens and devices. Rick identifies and evaluates strategic relationships and manages the execution of alliances, partnerships and agreements to support a global corporate vision. He also supervises business development efforts and oversees content, programming, marketing and public relations programs. Rick lives in Lafayette, Calif.

President and CEO of sock maker Darn Tough Vermont Ric Cabot (Jour’87) helped Colorado flood victims by donating 1,000 pairs of socks produced by the company. Ric told The Northfield News that Boulder “is near and dear to my heart.” He lives in Stowe, Vt. His family has been in the hosiery business for three generations.

International consultant to U.S. Academic Medical Centers Pamela Frank (Span’88) has more than 20 years of senior management experience in international business with a focus on the Middle East and Latin America. Previously she worked as an international adviser to Mount Sinai Medical Center, Partner’s International Healthcare, New York Presbyterian Hospital, the Association for Health Research & Development in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Medical Tourism Training Inc. in Boston. Pamela lives in Jamaica Plain, Mass.

In September Steven Wiesner (MCivEngr’88) was promoted to assistant aviation director at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Steven is responsible for the planning and future expansions of the airport, as well as the North Perry Airport. He manages 45 engineers, project managers and planners in the airport development division. He writes, “When Buffs fly into Florida’s best airport and use the new runway, they use a project directed by a CU civil engineer.”

After living in Colorado for 14 years, Michael Cote (MJour’89) returned to his native New Hampshire. He is business and city editor of the New Hampshire Union Leader and writes a weekly business column for the New Hampshire Sunday News, the state’s largest newspaper. In Colorado Michael worked as business and city editor of the BoulderDaily Camera, editor of ColoradoBiz magazine and adjunct instructor in the journalism and mass communication at CU-Boulder.

Mark A. Grey (PhDAnth’89) is an anthropology professor at the University of Northern Iowa. He also serves as director of the New Iowans Center. Mark is a specialist in immigration and refugee affairs, including refugee migration, integration and trauma. He lives in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Bison farmer Brian Grubb (EnvDes’89, MArch’93) is engaged in sustainable agriculture in upstate New York. He writes he is always eager to share his experiences and passion for American bison and reminds us not to forget that Nov. 2 is National Bison Day.

Experienced entrepreneur in the clean economy Joe Madden (Econ’91) co-founded and serves as chief business development officer of EOS Climate, a recognized leader in the North American greenhouse gas marketplace for its partnerships and award-winning team of experts. Joe’s work includes creating market-based approaches at the intersection of refrigerants and climate to drive economic and environmental benefits on a global scale. He lives in Santa Cruz, Calif.

In November 2012 Jill Hunsaker Ryan (Psych, Soc’91) was elected Eagle County commissioner and was sworn in January 2013. Eagle County is home to Vail and Beaver Creek. Jill lives in Edwards, Colo.

Sandia National Laboratories combustion chemist Craig Taatjes (PhDChemPhys’91) received the prestigious Polanyi Medal for his work in hydrocarbon combustion and atmospheric chemistry. The Polanyi Medal is awarded every two years by the International Symposium on Gas Kinetics for outstanding contributions to the field of gas kinetics. Craig’s research aims to understand the fundamental chemistry of combustion and hydrocarbon oxidation. He lives in Orinda, Calif.

Award-winning journalist Kris Wilson (PhDGeog’93) teaches at the University of Texas journalism school. He spent a decade in television news as a reporter, producer, news director and anchor. Kris’s work has been published in The Journal of Geography, Public Understanding of Science, National Weather Digest and elsewhere. Kris was a finalist for the College of Communication Teaching Excellence Award in 2012 and was nominated for the Regents Teaching Award in 2013. He lives in Austin, Texas.