Class Notes

Bill Wilson (A&S’64) has lived in Colorado since 1977. In 2022, he moved from the Denver metroplex to Grand Junction. He recently self-published a new collection of short stories, Escape in 1948. The lead story is about a group of people escaping the Iron Curtain from Czechoslovakia. The remaining stories outline experiences in Wilson’s life.

James Navratil (Chem'70; MS'72; PhD'75) is a professor emeritus of environmental engineering and science at Clemson University. Navratil, who resides in Nederland, Colorado, has recently published two novels, Bare Essentials and Bear Hugs. Both novels partially take place on the CU Boulder campus. 

Seth Rosenman (EnvDes'76) was the architect for the Major General Maurice Rose monument in Denver's Lincon-Veterans Memorial Park, across the street from the State Capitol. Genera; Rose, a Denver native, was the highest-ranking American soldier killed by enemy gunfire in World War II. Rosenman's project involved the design of the site and pedestal for the 10-foot-high bronze statue by noted sculptor George Lundeen. Rosenman was also the designer of the Colorado Fallen Heroes Memorial, located in the same park. 

Mariko Tatsumoto (Psych'74; Law'77) immigrated to the U.S. from Japan when she was 8 years old and became the first Asian woman attorney to be admitted to the Colorado Bar before becoming a novelist. Tatsumoto recently published a historical fiction novel, Blossoms on a Poisoned Sea, through Northampton House Press. Set in Japan, the book is based on the true events of one of history's most shocking corporate betrayals and industrial disasters. Tatsumoto explains: "Blossoms is about environmental pollution, politics, corporate cover-up, social injustice and ethics, along with romance and murders. 

Gregory Hinton (PerMgmt'77) wrote A Sissy in Wyoming, a play about Larry Goodwin, a notable Wyoming resident who dressed in feminine clothing and faced discrimination for his self-expression. The play tells the story of his life and the trials he faced throughout it. Hinton's work has earned three national awards for diversity, excellence and fine art. 

Karen Gilleland (Engl'82) has lived in Boulder since 1965. She recently published the third mystery novel in her series Diamond-Dennison Mysteries. The book, Diamond and the French Blue, is recommended for those seeking a combination of mystery and personal revelations. 

John Bayard Tweedy Jr. (Engl’82), Beret Elizabeth Strong (Engl’83) and Katrina Washington Miller (Jour’07) helped direct and produce the documentary film This is [Not] Who We Are, which explores the history of Boulder and the sometimes painful experiences of Boulder’s Black community. The film has screened in 40 film festivals nationally and internationally, won nearly 20 awards and sold out at its Colorado Chautauqua Auditorium screening. The film is now available for programming to 350 PBS stations nationwide and is free to every K–12 school in Boulder County. 

Geary Larrick (PhDMus’84) has played solo marimba programs for Women’s History Month for 20 years. Larrick plays out of his home in Glenview, Illinois. On March 4, 2024, Larrick played his original piece, “My Lydia,” composed at CU Boulder. He also played a piece his daughter wrote in a gifted and talented class as a sixth grader. 

Corey Lofdahl (ElEngr’84; PhDPolSci’97) participated in the NASTAR 2024 Alpine Ski Racing Championships in Snowmass, Colorado, winning his age group and a gold medal in the bronze division. When not racing or training, Lofdahl works as a research scientist for Leidos Corp. in Carlisle, Massachusetts. 

David Bagby (Mktg’86) founded Alliance Memory Inc., a memory technology company, in 2006. Today he is the president and CEO. With over three decades of experience in the memory marketing industry, Bagby continues to drive positive change and stand out as a market leader in the evolving technology landscape. His daughter, Courtney Bagby (Advert’15), is a fellow CU alum.

Stephen Koehler (Phys’86) assumed command of the U.S. Pacific Fleet in April 2024. Koehler was commissioned in 1986 after graduating from CU Boulder, became a designated naval aviator in 1989 and has logged more than 3,900 flight hours in F-14 Tomcat and F-18 E/F/G Super Hornets. He previously served as the commanding officer of the amphibious assault ship Bataan, aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower and Carrier Strike Group 9 and was the executive officer of aircraft carrier Carl Vinson.

W.E. O’Neil Construction has promoted Todd Guthrie (CivEngr’87) from the company’s Colorado president to regional president. "My goal was to provide a strong foundation for the business that the next generation could leverage into even more success, far surpassing what we have accomplished to date. I hope that I can help the Tennessee and Arizona offices thrive like the Colorado team," said Guthrie. 

Scott Moore (Econ’89) is a feature film writer and director best known for contributing to films The Hangover and Bad Moms. Moore co-wrote The Hangover, which won the 2010 Golden Globe for Best Comedy and earned more than $275 million domestically, making it the highest-grossing R-rated comedy of all time. The script earned Moore a nomination for Best Original Screenplay from the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). Additionally, another of Moore’s co-written films, Bad Moms, earned more than $180 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing R-rated comedy of the year. The film also won the People’s Choice Award for Best Comedy of 2016. In addition to these films, Moore is credited on films starring celebrities such as Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Reynolds. 

D. Eric Maikranz (Russ’91) and Marcos Perez (Psych’97) recently finished the narrative non-fiction book The Next Good Thing: A True Story of Positivity and Transformation in 10 Lessons. It tells the true story of a man whose life is transformed when he takes an unlikely caretaking job for a disabled 87-year-old man who is more than he seems.

Carl Quintanilla (PolSci’93), co-anchor of CNBC’s Squawk on the Street and Money Movers, stepped back on campus to speak at this year’s Conference on World Affairs in April. The same weekend, he hosted the CNBC special “Cities of Success: Denver and Boulder,” where he highlighted the growing spectrum of industries in the Mountain West.

Julie Marshall (MJour’95) initiated a ballot measure for the state of Colorado to end trophy hunting of mountain lions and fur trapping of bobcats. The effort now has the endorsement of more than 80 organizations, including the Colorado Sierra Club. As a homegrown journalist, Marshall has covered this issue for 30 years, including as a former opinion editor for the Boulder Daily Camera. She recently won first place for her lion columns from the Colorado Press Association. The campaign is called “Cats Aren’t Trophies,” and the website is www.catsarenttrophies.org. She encourages everyone to sign up and volunteer. Colorado voters will decide on the issue during the upcoming November election. Marshall is a public relations director for Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy, based in Washington, D.C. 

Rodney Lie (MusEdu’95; MA’99) is beginning a new position as district manager in Fort Collins for Vector Marketing Corp. He is reopening the district office that has been closed since the pandemic and is building a new sales team to cover the entire Northern Colorado region.

Cultural anthropologist Laura DeLuca (MAnth’96; PhD’02), founder of impact travel venture Discover with DeLuca, has collaborated with fellow alum Brian Ash (Econ’13), co-founder of African eco-lodge Bomanoma, to plan and lead a “travel like an anthropologist” safari through Narok, Kenya, and Maasai Mara this summer. The trip will be an immersive cultural experience to support the surrounding communities and to teach about Maasai culture, for an overall safari venture centered on fun, global fluency and making a difference.

Chandler Smith (Mktg’99) was named executive director of the Grand Valley Outdoor Recreation Coalition, based in Grand Junction, Colorado. The organization plays an integral role in fostering a sustainable and inclusive outdoor recreation industry across the Western Slope. Smith lives with his wife and daughters in Grand Junction and remains a principal with The Ride Collective, which produces the road cycling events Copper Triangle, Tour of the Moon, Tour de Vineyards and the Enchanted Circle Bicycle Tour.

W.E. O’Neil Construction promoted Matt Hoster (CivEngr’00) to the company’s president in Colorado. He will lead the Denver and Colorado Springs offices.