CSUB Communications Alumni!

Judith has put together a tentative list of many of CSUB's Communications Department Alumni. The names with an asterisk (*) have Facebook pages that I've hooked up with so far.

Michelle Ajootian * (2005) works for CCCOE in Bakersfield, teaching inmates and parolees.

Jenny Ainsworth is a case manager for Kern Regional Center.

Phillip Auzins * (1997) is studying for his certification from the University of California, Davis (expected 2010) in Labor/Management Relations. He works as a field representative for California Correctional Peace Officers Association in Sacramento. Phil is married and still loyal to Sigma Pi Fraternity - Zeta Kappa.

Christine Azzara Wirt * (1989) works for the Elk Grove Unified School District as a teacher and runs a blog.

Chris Baden (2009) was the department's Outstanding Graduating Senior June, 2009. Chris headed south to LA to pursue work in digital media.

Carol Barnett * is working as an RN supervisor in Bakersfield, hoping a better state economy will being her back to the classroom as an adjunct professor at Bakersfield College.

	Alyse (Barrios) Braaten (2007) is an Outreach Counselor at CSUB, having served previoulsy as the project director of the Southern San Joaquin Valley California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP), a college outreach program, working with the Kern County Superintendent of Schools. She married Chris Braaten, also a CSUB grad, in May 2008.

Andrew Bartole (1998) works for BSK & Associates in Bakersfield, which provides a variety of engineering services. He married Sonya Duarte in May 2008.

Amanda Beck-Caywood left the Mize Agency in 2007, where she served as a media buyer and did public relations, to work as an account executive with the Bakersfield Californian.

Megan V. Beeman is the Public Affairs Communication Specialist for State Farm in Bakersfield, having left the United Way, where she specialized in marketing.

Melissa Bennett * left South High, where she taught English and was the adviser to the high school's newspaper, the Rebel Yell, and is now teaching English at Frontier High.

Demethrasis Blackmon is a field service representative for Bakersfield Pathology Medical Group (BPMG).

Vanessa Boel * is working for a Bakersfield-area financial firm, climbing the ladder from graphic designer to manager of customer relations. She is responsible for all business-to-client and business-to-business correspondence.

Heidi A. Broberg (2001) works as a sales representative for United Healthcare (on the SecureHorizons Senior side) in the LA area. She helps seniors (who have Medicare) get their medical insurance. She is married and has a WILD little girl, Ella.. Heidi still plays the occasional game of soccer (she was a Runner while at CSUB) and is taking up photography.

John Bryan (2006) * is a Professor at Santa Barbara Business College (English, Writing, Reading, Speech, Keyboarding, College Success, Professional Resource Development), currently getting his MA in Business Communications from Jones International U. (Class of April 2009).

Holly Bull-Couch is a long-term substitute teacher for the Kern High School District and is now at Stockdale with her son. Both daughters have recently been married. She also served as a member of Greater Bakersfield Vision 2020.

Brianna Buoni (2008) works in marketing and public relations for Western Pacific Research, Inc. in Bakersfield. She also handles special event management for the prominent Republican campaign consulting firm, with clients such as Assemblywoman Jean Fuller and House Representative Kevin McCarthy.

Susanne Campbell has joined Brown Armstrong Accountancy Corp. as marketing director. She has worked in marketing since 1984, and is a member of the Accounting Association of Marketers.

Todd Camps * is a sports page designer and sports copy editor for the Bakersfield Californian. He occasionally gets out to write sports hard news stories.

Carly Cates is working in retail in Bakersfield and networking for a Comm. job.

Irma Cervantes-Lancaster * is a reporter/photographer for Univision in Bakersfield. She is active in the California Chicano News Media Association, National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. She's married to Adam.

Amber Chiang * (1996) APR, is now FEMA certified in Pandemic Influenza Preparation and Planning, representing Bakersfield College. No wonder she received the Professional of the Year award from the Central California Chapter of PRSA in Spring 2007 at the chapter's annual awards ceremony in Fresno. Amber is the Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Bakersfield College. Amber is also the professional advisor for our CSUB PRSSA chapter. She earned her Accredited Public Relations distinction in August 2008.  She also designs the monthly publication of the Kern County Bar Association. Amber married CSUB alumni Charley Chiang in 1996 and they have two children, Nicklas (7) and Kariya (5). NEWS FLASH: Amber is the Communications Department's Outstanding Alum for 2009!

Shannon Clark (2004) moved back to the Pacific Northwest after working in Bakersfield and then interning in Australia at Oracle Advertising and Hyster Forklift. She will be working beginning Fall 07 as a consultant for a start-up company, AmeriEco, which has seen success in Europe and Australia (it's Enjo there).

Corinne Coats * (2008) is the Director of Communications and Government Affairs for the Bakersfield Association of Realtors.

Wesley Coble (2007) * is studying for his Masters in Public Administration at CSUB. He recently served as the promotions/marketing director for Bakersfield Harley-Davidson on 7th Standard Road.

Leslie (Coleman) Carroll (2004) * is an award-winning News Producer at KGET-TV, Bakersfield, doing the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. shows. She is married to Kennon Carroll.

Michelle Collier (now Humecky) (1993) works as the Prevention Services Facilitator for the Kern County Network for Children, which is overseen by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools.

Monroe Conner is Web Developer, Multimedia Specialist for NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base.

Cristy Cortez-Sackrider * (1991) recently left her job as Director of Public Affairs for Kern County's Kaiser Permanente. She completed a master's degree in organizational management at the University of Phoenix, and holds an accreditation in Public Relations from the Public Relations Society of America. In 2003, she was given the outstanding alumni award by the Iota Zeta Chapter (CSUB) of Lambda Pi Eta, the Official Honor Society of the  National Communication Association. She also served on the Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors. She was named Outstanding Alum of the Department of Communications in 2003.

Tiara Cox * (2008 - double major with Political Science) is working as a representative for Congressman Jim Costa, and will take the LSAT in Fall 2009 to prepare to enter law school or graduate school in 2010.

Maria E. Delgado (1989) is taking a leave from her job as the Graduate Evaluator in the Graduate Studies Office in the School of Education at CSUB to move to Texas to help care for her parents. She earned her MA in Interdisciplinary Studies in Student Affairs Administration from CSUB in 2005.

Jim DeLoof is an award-winning photographer at KERO-TV, Bakersfield.

Simon De La Rosa * (2009) is in the Master of Arts in Strategic Communications degree program at National University, intending to poursue his PhD when finished, and is destined for a university classroom.

Toni de Rosa *(2005) is editor of the Arvin Tiller. She recently won writing awards from ACSA Region 11 -- Media Coverage of Public Education; 2009 Outstanding Media Coverage of Public Education for exceptional journalism in support of California public schools and school leadership issues; and ASCA Region XI Media Award for 2009, in recognition of valuable contribution to public education. Congratulations, Toni!

Stef Donev is teaching as an adjunct Communications professor at Bakersfield College, as well as at National University and the University of LaVerne. He taught Comm. classes at CSUB for many years after getting his MA from CSU Northridge.

Mark Dowdle spent many years as the editor for the Mojave Desert News, and later served as the Kern County News Bureau Chief for the Antelope Valley Press. He then switched careers, working for the Kern County Library before coming back to CSUB to work in our Walter Stiern Library. He left CSUB in summer '07 and moved north to the Trinity Alps area of California, where he is renovating an old farmhouse on 80 acres (with a half-mile of year-round stream) he bought.

Kimberly Ellis is senior communication specialist for public affairs for Kaiser Permanente Santa Teresa Medical Center in San Jose. She went into PR after a stint in TV with KHQ-TV in Spokane, Washington. Her early PR work included working with Davis and Associates for a year planning events for the Tiger Woods Foundation, and Rite Aid and the City.

Morgan (Reed) Essert* (2006) is CSUB's new (and first) Assistant Director of Young Alumni Programs. Morgan attended CSUB on a volleyball scholarship and was named Honorable Mention All American in 2005. Prior to returning to CSUB, she worked in LA for 2 years. She married the love of her life, Shawn Essert, in May 2006, had their 1st son, Cash Montgomery, in January 2008, and just welcomed 2nd son, Mavrick Lee, in June 2009.

Kevin Eubanks (2003) * is the marketing manager for Terrio Therapy-Fitness. Kevin was part of the Bakersfield Californian's downsizing, leaving his job as the editor of Bakersfield Life magazine in early 2009. He has come (almost) full circle from his first full-time job after graduating, when he was a sports reporter for the Bakersfield Californian. He also served as Vice President for Public Relations for BARC (Bakersfield Association for Retarded Citizens), leaving his previous job as assistant sports information officer for CSUB. Prior to coming back to CSUB to work in Sports Information, he was the Director of Sports Information at Washington University. He also recently wed Monique Etue.

Lana Fain is now the zoo manager and curator at California Living Museum (CALM), Bakersfield, having spent many years as PR Director at the local SPCA. At CALM, she is responsible for promoting CALM, planning and editing the newsletter, coordinating media relations, etc. She also supervises a staff of 25, oversees and orders for the Gift Store, and plans the fundraising events. More than that, she also transports sick animals to the vet, takes rehab animals into her home (baby deer, baby raccoon, Harrier hawk, etc.) and was "lightly" sprayed by a baby spotted skunk! Come out and visit!

Ausa A. (Salem) Faria * (1997) works in Irving, Texas as Verizon Business IT's Multi-Disciplined Analyst within the Human Resource Department. Prior to working for Verizon, Ausa was the Trade and Marketing Assistant at Korea Trade Center - KOTRA - in Dallas. She also earned a Master's Certificate in Project Management from The George Washington University (2005). She is mother to a little girl, Madi.

Robyn Figures * has returned to KBAK-TV in Bakersfield, where she is now a photojournalist/editor. She left her job at KBAK in 2004 to work in TV news production in Palm Desert, and was part of the team, serving as editor of the 11 p.m. newscast, nominated for an Emmy that year.

Jennifer Fisher * (2006) works for McKesson, the number-one medical/pharma distribution company in the nation. The company is 15 on Fortune 500. She's living in Huntington Beach now and working in Long Beach.

Jason Friedly (2009) earned his BA in both Communications and History in June.

Amanda Galindo * (2008) is an account executive with Lamar Advertising and loving it.

Michelle Garland * (1998) left her job as marketing manager for Three Way Chevrolet in Bakersfield to head north to Vancouver, Washington, where she is currently looking for a job. She earned an MA in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix in 2000.

Brian Gatschet is the Kern County Board of Trade's Media Services Coordinator. Prior to the new position, Brian worked for Employers Training Resource, using his graphic design skills and web design expertise to promote the department's resources. He recently finished production of the "Careers in Kern" and "Jobline" television programs for the Career Services Center. One of Brian's tasks with the Board is to put together more material for the high-definition library the Board of Trade maintains. He'll also lend his technical and production expertise to other agencies in helping promote tourism and film productions in the county.

Christine Goedhart-Humphrey * is Coordinator of Student Events, Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office.

Michelle Grajek Halonen * (1992) is married and living in Cincinnati, Ohio, but gets back every now and then to Bakersfield to visit her sister.

Jose Granados * (1996) joined the staff of the Bakersfield Californian in 1997 and worked for a number of departments including IT and Circulation, and is now in Market Research, as Strategic Marketing Analyst. In 2008, Jose was awarded the Publisher’s Excellence Award for a ground-breaking market share study that has helped keep the family-owned newspaper viable. His major project in 2009 is to work on a customer analysis package, hoping to re-shape the company’s strategy and direction.

Fabian Grateroles * is now working in the Big Apple, for Toy, one of the 10 most award-winning advertising agencies in the world. He works with clients such as Activision (a video game company, whose games are based on movies), Virgin Mobile, YouTube, and they just picked up the Weizman Institute. He graduated with his MFA from San Francisco Academy of Art in 2008. He interned with esteemed advertising agency Crispin Porter & Bogusky (CP+B), helping out in design for clients such as Nike, Haggar, Shimano, Best Buy, Coke, Volkswagon, and Bell Bicycle. He served as art director on a project for Burt's Bees while doing his internship.

Kendra Gray * graduated from Stephen Austin University in Texas in June 2009 with her MA in Communications. She calls Houston home now.

Marci Greenfield * (1999) is a Project Assistant for Global Engineering & Construction with Chevron Business & Real Estate Services here in Bakersfield. She put away her pompoms for good! She is now married to fellow Comm. alum, Jeff Schilling, bringing to the marriage her dog, Jake.

Diana Greenlee is now an assistant principal at West High School in Bakersfield, after teaching English for several years there. She has her Masters Degree from University of LaVerne, and is also pursuing her MA in Education/Administration Credential from Point Loma University.

Christine (Losa) Grontkowski * (2008) is student teaching at Bakersfield High School, after helping the Multiple Sclerosis Society with marketing for Walk MS this Spring. She finished her degree after serving for several years as a producer for the weekend edition of KABC-TV in Los Angeles.

Carla Grubb *(2006) is on track to get her MA in Special Education from CSUB after completing her BA in Communications.

Jason Gutierrez * is the PR assistant in the Public Affairs office for Kern County's Kaiser Permanente. He resigned in February from his long-standing job as Editor of the Bakersfield Life Magazine for The Bakersfield Californian. He was named Outstanding Alum of the Department of Communications in 2007.

Jodie Haney * is Academic Adviser-Online, Mt. Sierra College, Monrovia, CA

Chris Harrison * (1992) is the communications manager with the Pacific Forest Trust in San Francisco. She'll be publicizing PFT and its efforts to promote conservation easements on private land, sustainable forestry techniques, and climate change mitigation related to forest management. She recently served as the Director of Communications for Catholic University in Washington, DC.

Cathy Hart (2003) is the regional manager of public affairs for the Antelope Valley and East Kern region for Southern California Edison.

LaNell Riley Thornton Hart * (2003) is a freelance journalist.

Tim Hart is a cameraman for CNN, based in Los Angeles.

Gina Hayden is Marketing Manager for Golden Empire Transit District (GET) in Bakersfield.

Michelle (Heiduk) Courtis (2000) is teaching Communciation classes at Bakersfield College as an adjunct professor, specializing in small group, public speaking, and health communication. She got an MA in Strategic Communication and Leadership from Seton Hall University in Orange, NJ (2005).

Augie Hernandez is working for Southwest Airlines and is an entrepreneur in Las Vegas, Nevada, owning a promotional items business.

Rudy and Jaclyn's first dance.
	Jaclyn (Loveless) Hernandez * (2003) just resigned from her job as the Public Affairs Assistant at CSUB. She came to work with University Advancement at CSUB after many years in the newsroom at KBAK-TV. She is mom of son Aidan and will stay home to be a full-tome mom! Rudy Hernandez (2001) is working as a social worker at Kaiser Permanente in Bakersfield, having followed up his BA in Communications with a Masters in Social Work at CSUB (2007). He also worked many years at KBAK, and met his new wife as an undergrad. And he is dad of son Aidan!

Craig Hill * (1992) left CSUB to go to graduate school, studying Art, at Claremont. After graduating, he worked in his own business designing surfboards. He lives in Pasadena, is married and until recently worked as a general superintendant with a commercial construction company based in Irvine. Most the work was in the LA area and was in public works improvements, street lights, street signs, traffic signals, sidewalks, curb and gutters. The economy brought about a layoff, but Craig is putting his contractors license to good use in private business.

Melissa Hill * (2005) now works as a news producer for KBAK-TV, after spending some time in Promotions for the station. Prior to that, she was the editor of the Shafter Press. She and Devin Rossiter married in the summer of 2008 and honeymooned in Canada (good choice!).

Meghan (Johnson) Hoetker * (2002) gave birth to baby Phoebe Elaine in June 2008. Meghan is married to Geoff and working part-time from home in sales, and still writing. Check out her mommyblog. It's the story of the life and times of Phoebe and her parents.

Sheri Horn Bunk (2000) * is the new Foundation Director at Taft College, charged with building the first Taft College Foundation office. Prior to this, she was the Development Officer - Major Gifts, Office of University Advancement at CSUB. Before that appointment, Sheri was the marketing director for the City of Bakersfield's Park at Riverwalk Amphitheater (now BrightHouse), and before that, the marketing/promotions director for the Bakersfield Symphony. And way back when, she worked in TV.

Gerry Huggins * (2003) works for Sprint, after Nextel was bought out. He is still making beautiful music as a saxophonist, and has produced three CDs to date. He has performed professionally hundreds of times. His debut album, "Ocean Breeze" was released in 2002, followed by "A Very Special Christmas" in 2005 and "From the Heart" in 2007. He's currently working on his fourth CD.

Johannah (Isaacs) Wurmnest * (2006) earned her Masters of Science degree in Organizational Administration through Extended University at CSUB in 2009. She accepted a job in January 2008 with the Kern County Department of Human Services, and began her new career as a Social Service Worker. She was married in September 2008. She is now enrolled in the PhD. program at the University of Phoenix for Industrial/Organizational Psychololgy.

Jim Jennings (1997) was working until recently as a Workforce Development Specialist for Micron Technology Inc., in Boise, ID and is currently looking for employment opportunities.  View his web page to learn more.

Kim (Kummer) Johnson * (1997) is living in Utah and working as a technical writer. She writes computer manuals for medical software.

Matt Johnson (2007) received his degree from President Mitchell in December's ceremonies, just a month before succumbing to a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy. He was an MDA ambassador for Kern County. He was also involved in student government at CSUB, serving as chair of the Student Union Board of Directors. He was a member of the CSUB branch of the national Honors Communication Society, Lambda Pi Eta. He was 25 years old. RIP, Matt.

Michelle (Johnson) Newell (1988) is working in PR with Aera Energy here in Bakersfield, leaving her job as Public Affairs writer for CSUB's Office of University Advancement.

Nancy (Toten) Johnson Trivitt * left her position as Vice President, Business Development, of Delano Regional Medical Center. With her MBA from CSUB, she is an adjunct professor at Bakersfield College, teaching human communication classes. She also teaches at University of Phoenix.

Matt Jones (2006) * has been promoted from graphic designer to Marketing Coordinator for The Bakersfield Californian. He still does creative work, such as design, TV promotions, radio promotions, and storyboards. He can sometimes be seen in online video on the newspaper's home page, interacting with advertisers and highlighting the Californian's services (catch the one where he is playing with beagle puppies!) Prior to this, he worked as a graphic designer with Bakersfield Life. He married classmate Danay Sempel in Fall 2007.

Stacey Jones (1997) works for American Honda in San Diego, handling all PR/Media efforts for their motorcycle team and is also working for EXPN during the XGames. This all started after an internship at the now-closed Mesa Marin Raceway in Bakersfield. Proof that an internship can really pay off!

Lauren Kesel * (2003) works for Trilogy Financial Services in Orange County. She supervises about 170 representatives in the company, as the person in charge of compliance with the broker/dealer. She's been there for over 5 years now. She's a Driller Alumni, and Disneyland attraction cast member 2000-2006.

Kristi Lansford * (1997) is the new assistant coach for the Runner softball team here at CSUB. She begins this academic year, after serving as head coach for eight seasons at San Francisco State. She earned an MA from CSUB before heading north.

Amanda Lauria is working at Shafter High School, where she is the yearbook adviser.

Wendelyn Leon (2006) is a Community Relations Specialist with CH2M Hill, an environmnetal engineering, consulting, and support company working with the Department of Defense as an independent contractor, based out of Edwards Air Force Base in Rosamond, California.

Angelica Lopez-Hutchinson married Sean Wine in May 2009. She will be getting her teaching credential and her MA at CSU Long Beach. For now, she is employed with the Bakersfield City School District.

Sonia Evelyn Lopez * (2007) is mom to three kids, one daughter and two boys.

Kristina Lowman is working in retail in Santa Barbara while pursuing freelance writing opportunities.

Oscar Lozoya (2009) * is working as an intern this summer with the post-production crew at NBC on "Law and Order." He spent the summer of 2008 as a CSU Summer Media Intern in Los Angeles and most recently was on the video crew of the Bakersfield Jam semi-pro basketball team.

Gavin Markovits left PR and is now assistant volleyball coach for Metropolitan State College of Denver (Division II).

Patricia Marquez is the Marketing Coordinator for the Kern Economic Development Corporation.

Don Martin * left a long career in local TV news production to open his own art gallery and (soon) wine and coffee bar, at the Metro Galleries in Bakersfield, 1604 19th Street. He hosts monthly musical events, as part of the The Metro Galleries Concert Series.

Leonel Martinez (1983) * works for the Kern County Superintendent of Schools as a Public Information Specialist, and until recently wrote a weekly column in the Bakersfield Californian, largely on Hispanic issues. In September, 2008, he was honored for his work at the annual Cal State Bakersfield's Hispanic Excellence Scholarship Fund dinner, and was awarded a civic leadership honor during the ceremony.

Reneee Massey (1994) is now the Director of Communications for Castle & Cooke in Bakersfield. She comes to campus often to distribute scholarship funds from Castle & Cooke, most recently at the June 2008 Honors Presentation by the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Renee is also on the board for Leadership Bakersfield.

Katie McElree (2006) * works with King Pharmaceuticals as a Pharmaceutical Specialty Sales Rep. She previously worked with the Tri-City Americans (Western Hockey League team) in Kennewick, WA as an Account Executive/Community Relations Manager. Before joining the Americans, Katie held a similar position with the Bakersfield Blitz of the AF2. She also was the head coach of the Norris Jr. High girls' basketball team and the Central California Elite club basketball team in Bakersfield While at CSUB, she earned All-Americans honors as a basketball player and still holds six school records. She is engaged to be married.

Sam MacGaughey (2008) is the Comm. Department's Outstanding Graduating Senior in 2008. Sam is seen here with Professors Emig and Slaughter (l,r). He is engaged to be married.

Megan Moore * is an award-winning News Producer at KGET-TV, Bakersfield and is engaged to a KGET newsphotographer. Her wedding to Grant Simpson takes place Sept. 5, 2009.

Michelle Mudryk (2007) * is working in Dental Equipment Sales/Marketing for a Bakersfield dental equipment company. Her passion, though, is travel.

Marcus Mulick (2007) * was awarded his Masters by USC's Annenberg School of Communication in June 2009. While at CSUB, he was a soccer player and involved in student government. He lives in Los Angeles. He is now an intern with Fuel TV, a cable TV station that shows the best of action sports and music. He is now a Roadrunner-Trojan!

Matt Munoz * is the Editor and Product Manager for both Bakotopia.com and Bakotopia Magazine, and a reporter for MAS magazine. He also handles marketing for Mercado Nuevo, the extension of the Bakersfield Californian responsible for MAS. He still performs frequently with his band, Mento Buru. He is masterful blogger, so start a conversation!

Ed Nieto (1992) * is an executive producer in Portland, Oregon with KOIN. Prior to this, he worked for the CBS-owned KPIX-TV in San Francisco. His newscasts have received two Emmy nominations. In 2006-2007, he received a regional Edward R. Murrow Award, a National Headliner Award, and an APTRA Mark Twain Award nomination for a series of reports he produced on questionable billing practices in the cell phone industry. The reports inspired a bill passed by the California legislature designed to give consumers more protection. Other consumer-oriented programs and reports he has produced have won five First Place Peninsula Press Club Awards. A weekly consumer-oriented program he created and produced earned an Emmy nomination in 2004 and continues to air on KPIX-TV. Before moving to KPIX-TV in 2002, he won the 2000 APTRA Mark Twain Award for Best 30-minute newscast while at KCRA-TV, the NBC affiliate in Sacramento. Prior to moving to KCRA in 1996, he earned the 1995 Kern Press Club Award for Best 60-minute Newcast while at KGET-TV in Bakersfield.

Ed and his wife Andrea live in Sausalito. In Spring 2008, they celebrated the birth of their daughter, Ana.

Rebekah Nupp (2009) * has been accepted into the Masters of Social Work program at CSUB, beginning Fall 2009.

Reyna Olaguez (2007) * double majored in Political Science. While a student, she interned with Radio Campesina. After graduating, she served as a legislative aide to state senate Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg. She also was a crime preventoin specialist for the Kern County Sheriff's Dept. Now Reyna is a partnership specialist for Kern County for the U.S. Census Bureau. She is also a member of the San Joaquin Valley Young Latino Professionals Network.

Rosario Ortiz now does taxes for H&R Block, sells insurance for Aflac, and also sells Mary Kay, after spending many years working in Spanish-language and Spanish-focused publications in Bakersfield.

Chris Page, 29, died at his home in Mesa, Arizona, May 26, 2008. He most recently was a theater reviewer at the Arizona East Valley Tribune. Prior to that, he worked in a similar position for the Bakersfield Californian, after he finished his Comm. degree. While studying at CSUB, however, Chris was one of the original "Under 21" reporters at the newspaper from 2000-2003. A description of Chris on the Tribune's web site says he was a "one-time punk rocker from Southern California" who enjoyed "smoking a pipe, listening to old jazz, wearing jackets with elbow patches and cultivating a true bon vivant's taste for fine scotches and stinky cheeses." RIP, Chris.

Elise Palos * (1998) teaches English at East High School and is working toward her MA in History at CSUB. Her son, Christian, is now a sophomore at East High. Christian attended many Wednesday reviews of the Runner while his mother was finishing her BA.

Lezley Parker is the Marketing Manager at Motor City Auto Center in Bakersfield. She oversees all Marketing & Graphics Design for all divisions: Lexus, GMC, Buick, Pontiac, Saturn and the GMC Commercial Truck Division as well as Pre-owned vehicles. She's mom to two sons, Connor and Cohen.

Luz Pena * is now freelancing after working as a journalist for MAS magazine in Bakersfield. Prior to that, she wrote for Vida En El Valle, a Spanish-language publication of the Fresno Bee.

Rachel (Perez) Frasnelly is the Marketing and Special Events Coordinator for the United Way of Kern County.

Steve Perez * is the Senior Coordinator, Strategic Marketing & Communication, at Arizona State University Tempe campus, working on undergraduate admissions and recruitment initiatives. He was recently appointed to serve as a Commissioner on the City of Phoenix Human Relations Commission - which basically serves as a governing body appointed by the city council and mayor to promote diversity and civil rights initiatives for the 1.5 million residents of Phoenix. After CSUB, he earned his MA at USC's Annenberg School of Communication and worked with Disney while in Southern California. He also taught at junior college in the Phoenix area. So he's now a Roadrunner-Trojan-Sun Devil!

Cathy Perfect is the managing editor of the Kern Valley Sun in Lake Isabella, after running her own consulting firm for several years. She also taught English at Cerro Coso College. She completed her MA at the Annenburg School of Communications at USC after graduating from CSUB. She now a Roadrunner-Trojan!

Karlyn Pipes-Neilsen (1999) * started her business, Aquatic Edge Inc., when she moved to Kona, Hawaii in 2004. She co-owns the business with her ex-husband Eric, an Ironman triathlete, and together they host 60+ swim technique clinics and camps a year worldwide. Karlyn writes a monthly column in Swimming World magazine called The Pool's Edge and contributes to the West Hawaii Today newspaper. Check out an interview with her after she swam in the Chesapeake Elite Pro-Am in Oklahoma City in December 2008.

Karlyn is also a motivational and technical speaker and has presented at the World Swim Coaches Convention three times. Karlyn is the oldest athlete to set and/or hold an NCAA record, a feat she accomplished in 1998 while swimming for CSUB at the age of 36. Karlyn has set over 162 Masters World records and will be inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 2008.

Kellie Ponzo (1998) is working for Johnson & Johnson in Bakersfield as a pharmaceutical sales rep.

Brittany Porterfield (2008) is taking her skills from her Public Relations concentration and heading south to the LA area to pursue a career in the non-profit world.

Linda Quinones-Vaughan is working for State Farm Insurance in Bakersfield. She was named Outstanding Alum of the Department of Communications and Outstanding Alum of the School of Arts & Sciences in the late 1990s. She also earned her MBA at CSUB and acted as adjunct professor in the Communications Department for many years.

Gabriel Ramirez * graduated with his MA in Education Curriculum and Instruction from CSUB in June 2009. He still freelances for MAS and Bakersfield Life magazines, after leaving his full-time job as a reporter to become a science teacher. He also dabbles in local theater and in May 2008 played an Argentinian in the CSUB production of "Evita."

Sonia (Ramirez) Lopez * (2007) is celebrating (in 2009) seven years of marriage and enjoying her three kids.

Marques Ray * found his break in The Second City and now appears on MTV's improv show "Nick Cannon Presents: Wild 'N Out." He appeared in Bakersfield in January 2008 in The Naked Panda improv and was featured in the Eye Street section of the Bakersfield Californian.

Melody Saberon * (1998) is a Marketing Project Manager for ProSoft Technology in Bakersfield. She volunteers her time as the media relations specialist for the new face of Bakersfield's Independent Media, FaceBakersfield.com. She invites you to sign on and comment on their news. She has a weekly advice column, and invites you all to talk with her.

Michelle St. John

Christine Saldivar * left KBAK-TV in 2008 after many years on the morning anchor team. She is getting ready to launch her own talk show via podcast, with a launch date of March 1st.

Maya Sanchez * (1991) recently left her job as a reporter with KTLA in Los Angeles. Prior to KTLA, she worked at KGET-TV in Bakersfield as a reporter and weekend anchor. She was named Outstanding Alum of the Department of Communications in 2005.

Lupe Santos * (2008) is in Texas, working at a branch of the Bank of America, while her husband is stationed there. They are moving back to California in 2009 and will be stationed in Santa Maria.

Jeff Schilling * (2003) is now married to fellow Comm. alum, Marci Greenfield. Jeff swam with the Runners from 2000-2003.

Cheryl Scott is Vice President, Kern Economic Development Corporation, in Bakersfield.

Nicole (Montoya) Searfoss * (2005) married, gave birth to a baby girl, and developed a new direct sales company.

Danay Sempel (2007) is working at Three-Way Chevrolet until she enters graduate school in San Francisco in 2008. She married fellow Comm. grad Matt Jones in Fall 2007.

Emily Shapiro * (2009) is now in Seoul, South Korea, teaching English. She also passed the CBEST.

Kim Sherlock-Barker * left her job as marketing director of the Alzheimer's Disease Association of Kern County to become a Professional Representative for Merck and Co. Inc. She plans to start law school soon.

Sarah Shoop * is the new Special Events Coordinator for CSUB, working with the Office of University Advancement to promote CSUB and fundraise. She works with two other CSUB Comm. grads in the office.

Rosie (Cruz) Shriver (2009) is working for the Girl Scouts of Central California South as Public Relations & Fund Development Manager. For two years prior to this, she was Promotions & Marketing Coordinator for KBAK-TV & KBFX-CA. She also served as a Business Analyst Intern at Target in 2008. She gave birth in late Winter 2010.

Maricela Solorio is a radio reporter for KERN 1410AM, Bakersfield.

Andrea Staffero (2008) works in the Graduate Research and Sponsored Programs office at CSUB, and plans to enter the Masters in Educational Counseling program at CSUB shortly.

Quinton Standridge (2008) is pursuing his MA in Education from Point Loma Nazarene University, graduating June 2010. He will be teaching Fall 2009 at Curran Jr. High. Working with kids with special needs has been something he has wanted to do for a while.

Pam Stewart (1995) is raising Cockapoos at her home near Kernville, and teaching part-time at the local high school. Check out her pups online!

Mark Stinnett teaches English at Shafter High School. He served as the newspaper adviser there as well for many years.

Alexis Stokes * (2008) is editor of the Wasco Tribune and the Shafter Press.

Stephanie Sutton lives in beautiful San Diego and works as a pharmaceutical representative.

Gabrielle Temple (2008) started her Masters in Educational Counseling at the University of LaVerne soon after graduating.

Stacy Tesar (Hayden) * (1998) gave birth Feb. 17, 2009 to Jackson Alexander Hayden. She is married to Gary and also has a two-year-old son, Benjamin. She worked in outside sales (temporary services, payroll services and pharmaceuticals) from 1997-2002 and is now in education, working for Bakersfield City School Districts' Rafer Johnson Children Center as a Preschool teacher for students with Speech/Language impairments. She earned a Masters in School Counseling from University of LaVerne (2007) and is currently working toward her credential as an Education Specialist for Mild/Moderate Special Education.

Diana Torres (2008) is the assistant in the CSUB Theater Department, coordinating the annual Taste of the Arts and assisting with the Jazz Festival.

Michael Trujillo * (2006) left his marketing job with the Bakersfield Condors to enter the graduate Comm. program at Chico State in Fall 2007. He is now a teaching assistant in the graduate program. His wedding to Amy Mitchell, fellow CSUB grad, took place Fall 2008 in Red Bluff.

Greg Watson is working in Shafter in the agriculture sector.

Johnny G. Watson * is the Chair of the Fine Arts Department at Arvin High School. He teaches three subjects: Video Production, Advanced Video Production, and AVID. He also coaches Track and Field and acts as Advisor of three clubs on campus: The Video Production Club, Track Club, and Block A Club. He also teaches after-school Workforce Video Production. He worked for many years at KBAK-TV in Bakersfield, and still fills in there on a part-time basis. After his BA in Comm. from CSUB, Johnny earned his MA in Educational Administration, and his credential. He was ranked 5th in the country as a Master's Track and Field Athlete in 2005. He has been a keynote speaker at many conferences and for many corporations in Southern California. His most recent adventure is starting his own video production business. It's called Real 2 Reel Productions. His focus is weddings, quiencieneras, sports highlight videos and other occasions that need video work done. He was named Outstanding Alum of the Department of Communications in 2006.

Jill Watts * (2006) is the Fresno-area Medical Consultant for PSS World Medical, part of the medical distribution company, Kern Surgical Supply.

Danny Wells has been a police officer for the City of Bakersfield for 7 years. Married to Cerrena, he is the father of two young kids. He is currently one of the officers in charge of "Life Interrupted," a media campaign aimed at junior and high school students. In this capacity, he is working with an intern from the Comm. Dept. on shooting and editing fresh video for the campaign.

Rosanna Westmoreland is the manager of the California Farm Bureau Federation Communications/News Division, based in Sacramento. She provides strategic communications counsel to the organization and oversees production of Farm Bureau publications, including the Ag Alert® weekly newspaper and California Country® magazine; the weekly California Country television program; and the Farm Bureau Web site. She oversees comprehensive communications programs for members, news media and the general public provided by the state's largest farm organization. Along with her BA from CSUB in Communications, she has a master's degree from the University of Phoenix and a national accreditation in public relations from the Public Relations Society of America.

	Kevin Willey * (1994) is a Producer/Director for Brighthouse Networks in Bakersfield, planning and shooting commercials and also producing original programming (Channel 300). His team also covers most of the sports in town: Condor's, Jam, CSUB Basketball, and High School Football. He recently completed his Masters degree in Media Studies online through The New School University in New York. He is father to three children (two girls, ages 11 and 10, and a boy, age 7.) His wife Kelly is teaching music.

Don Williams went on to graduate with his Masters in Film and Video in 2000. He directed an award- winning hip hop documentary to graduate from the Academy of Arts in San Francisco. Since graduating, he's been employed at advertising giant Young and Rubicam in their San Francisco office as an editor. Don now lives in Los Angeles, starting there as a casting editor for a reality TV show. He moved on to work on movie trailers and his present job is as an assistant editor/head logger for reality TV shows. He's planning to direct music videos and commercials as the next stage in his career. Don is the proud father of a baby boy.

Lisa Wuertz * (2006) left her position as an award-winning journalist with the Northwest Voice (a subsidiary of the Bakersfield Californian), to seek other adventures. She is now the mother of a little girl. She also won writing awards while reporting for MAS Magazine (also affiliated with the Californian).

Daren Yurosek (2002) passed away April 12, 2009. Daren came to CSUB after graduating from Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, where he majored in marketing and management. He worked for Boskovich Farms in Oxnard between college and CSUB. Working with CSUB's Services for Students with disabilities, Daren succeeded in earning his degree in Communications. RIP, Daren.

P.K. Zander * (1991) is still searching out Central Coast and Southern Coast spots for big surf and working in sales in Bakersfield.

Becky Zelinski * (2002) lives on California's Central Coast and works with the wine industry, as the owner of First Crush, which she describes as "a weekend wine making experience for couples, small groups or teams who want to enjoy the experience of making wine from berry to bottle." She is also Chief Operating Officer of Precision Ag, Inc. with her husband, Lowell. Her next Berry to Bottle Wine Tour will be Jan. 17, 2010.

Alum: If you see I have some facts wrong or you'd like to add some personal details or even pictures, let me know by e-mailing me. If you want to get in touch with other alumni on this list, e-mail me and I will try to pull up details for you. If there are fellow alum I have missed (and there are plenty!), have them send me an e-mail. I will be building and modifying this list probably until I retire.