Notes from the Class of 1979

International Foundation for Electoral Systems’ chief of party Michael Getto (Jour’79) trains and supports election management in Yerevan, Armenia. Michael also conducts voter education for IFES, a nonprofit leader in election assistance and democracy promotion. For the past seven and a half years, Michael has worked in democracy and governance programming in the former Soviet Union. In the U.S. he’s based in Laguna Hills, Calif.

As director of CU’s BioServe Space Technologies Louis Stodieck (Aero’79, MS’81, PhD’85) was involved with a contest that challenged 14-to-18-year-old students to design space experiments. BioServe is responsible for turning the winning entries into experiments that can be launched to the International Space Station. Louis told the BoulderCamera that the intention of the project was to stimulate interest in space and technology. He lives in Boulder.

A professional public speaking coach, speech writer, curriculum developer and trainer, Andi O’Conor (Art’79, MEdu’90, PhD’98) founded Communication Consulting in 2005. Prior to opening her consulting firm, she was an assistant professor at Ohio University and a visiting professor at CU. Andrea has found her doctorate prepared her to tackle life as a tenure-track academic and find multiple professional opportunities. She lives in Boulder.

Attorney Dan Cartin (PolSci’79, MPubAd’11) has been working with the Office of Legislative Legal Services of the Colorado General Assembly for 23 years and has served as director of the office since 2010. In December 2011, he received his master’s degree in public administration from CU-Denver. Dan lives in Lafayette, Colo., with his wife and two daughters.

Former CU cross country and track star Mary Decker Slaney (A&S ex’79) was part of the 2012 Colorado Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Class and received recognition at the ceremony in November. She was the first star in any women’s varsity sport at Colorado, set numerous CU records and was a six-time All-American before turning professional following her sophomore year.  In 1982 she set six world records and, during her career, set world records in 10 different events.  A two-time Olympian, she won the coveted Sullivan Award as the top amateur athlete in the United States in 1982. Mary lives in Eugene, Ore.

Boulder resident Richard Wobbekind* (MEcon’79, PhD’84) is executive director of CU-Boulder’s Business Research Division and senior associate dean for academic programs. He has been on the faculty at Leeds School of Business since 1985 and associate dean since 2000. Richard teaches MBA students in macroeconomics, public policy, entrepreneurship and managerial economics and has received three awards for teaching excellence.

*Lifetime member

In April Scott Flanders (Econ’79) spoke at CU’s 65th Conference on World Affairs. He is CEO of Playboy Enterprises, a company that markets the Playboy brand through a wide range of media properties and licensing initiatives. Scott works on the company’s strategic direction and global business operations. He and his wife live in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Cyclist Henry Kramer (Econ’79) won the men’s 55-59 UCI Cyclocross Masters World Championship on Jan. 31 in Louisville, Ky. It took Henry 37 minutes and 43 seconds to complete the three-lap race for the California Giant Berry Farms team. Cyclocross consists of racing many laps on a short course of pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills and obstacles. Henry lives in Menlo Park, Calif.

Attorney Rick Rubin (Law’79) joined Fox Rothschild as partner. In July Fox Rothschild merged with Denver law firm Lottner Rubin Fishman Saul. Rick represents a variety of clients, including financial institutions, insurance companies, homebuilders and other property owners and developers of commercial real property. He focuses on acquisitions, sales, loans, leases, foreclosures, title insurance issues, land use, common interest communities and other transaction matters related to real estate and corporate law. Rick lives in Denver.

In January Sandy Husk (MEdu’79, EdD’89) became CEO of Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID). AVID is a nonprofit kindergarten-through-higher-education system that prepares students for four-year college eligibility. Sandy has served as a superintendent of various school districts for almost 18 years with a broad and deep experience helping underserved students from challenging backgrounds succeed academically. She lives in Salem, Ore.

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.

Ohio Super Lawyer Magazine named R. Mark Jones (PolSci’79) a “2014 Ohio Super Lawyer.” Mark is a partner at the Cleveland office of Roetzel & Andress and lives in University Heights, Ohio.

January was quite a successful month for Henry Kramer (Econ’79), one could say. First, he won the Cyclocross World Championships in Gossau, Switzerland. And then, just five days later, he got back on the horse, errr … bike, in Boulder to win a national title. When he’s not traveling the country and the world, Kramer and his wife live in Menlo Park, Calif.

After serving as vice president for academic affairs and dean of Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Ga., Carolyn J. Stefanco (Hist’79) was appointed the 11th president of the College of Saint Rose in Albany, N.Y. She started the position in July.

Beth Ann Catalano (Mktg’79) has been appointed president of AHAVA North America. AHAVA is a brand of Dead Sea mineral skincare products. Before this, she was senior vice president of sales, administration and education at the Steiner Leisure Corporation. Beth Ann has served as a guest speaker, lecturer and contributing editor for ABC, Bloomberg, FOX News and MSNBC.

Clinical psychologist Priscilla Dann-Courtney (Engl’79, MPsych’86, PhD’91) wrote a column about the experience of sending her daughter, a CU student, on a Semester at Sea excursion. The time apart “was quite a powerful experience in so many ways,” writes Priscilla, who lives in Boulder. She also wrote an essay for the December issue of the Alumni Association’s Forever Buffs Insider e-newsletter.

The University of West Florida appointed Gregory Lanier (MCDBio’79) dean of the newly formed University College, which helps prepare students for the workforce before and after graduation, among  other services. Previously, Gregory was an associate dean for the arts and sciences college, director for the Kugelman Honors Program and professor of honors in theater and English.

Scott P. Overmyer (Psych’79) was named by Mount Washington College as vice provost and dean of the information technology school. Among other duties, Scott leads the information technology degree programs for the college’s national online program.

Fremont Insurance hired Rich Fasi (PolSci; MPubAd’81) as vice president of marketing and sales. Rich brings 28 years of insurance industry experience to his position. He previously served as vice president of personal lines marketing for Harleysville Insurance Company’s Midwest region.

Colorado Lieutenant Governor Joseph Garcia (IntlBus) was sworn in for a second term on Tuesday, Jan. 13. He previously served as president of Colorado State University-Pueblo and as president of Pikes Peak Community College, Colorado’s second-largest community college. He received his law degree from Harvard University.