Class Notes

1960s

Michael Harris ’67 Charlotte, North Carolina

Mike was presented the top award from SCORE Charlotte, its 2018 Dick O’Brien Award, in recognition of his more than 13 years of volunteer service to the mentoring organization. Before offering his expertise to small business owners as a SCORE mentor, Mike distinguished himself during a 40-year career as an electrical engineer, a research scientist and an entrepreneur. He earned his bachelor’s in management science from Case Institute of Technology and a master’s in economics from CWRU.

James J. Genova ’68 Greensboro, North Carolina

Jim has been enjoying retirement in North Carolina since 2012 after a successful career in the defense industry. Since leaving the Naval Research Laboratory, he has authored two books. The first, published in 2017, is a Bible study entitled, If Jesus is the Answer, What is the Question? The second, published in 2018 by ArTech House, is a treatise on modern defense systems entitled, Electronic Warfare Signal Processing. Both are available from Amazon and other online book sellers. 30 years working with Fortune 200 companies in the high technology electronics industry. He earned his bachelor’s in electrical engineering from Case and a master’s in computer science from Penn.

Brian Humphrey ’72 Mentor, Ohio

Brian sent us news of his retirement: “After 45 years of working, I have decided to retire in May 2019. Cathy and I plan to remain in NEO to watch the four grandchildren grow up. The oldest, Hannah, is considering CWRU for continuing her education. I enjoy supporting the Summer on the Cuyahoga program to help retain bright students in our area.”

1980s

Tom Sarfi ’87 Broadview Heights, Ohio

Tom has been appointed Business Development Manager at Pickering Interfaces, an England-based designer and manufacturer of signal switching and simulation solutions for electronic testing and verification. Tom, who earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Case Institute of Technology, has more than 30 years’ experience in the test and measurement industry.

1970s

Charles Fay ’71 Newton Square, Pennsylvania

Charles, an advisor at BMI Mergers & Acquisitions, recently upgraded his credentials and will handle securities transactions as a registered representative of StillPoint Capital, LLC. Charles spent more than

1990s

Cynthia Paschal, PhD ’92 Nashville, Tennessee

Cynthia became senior associate dean for undergraduate education in the School of Engineering at Vanderbilt University this January. She’s also is an associate professor of biomedical engineering and of radiology and radiological sciences. She joined the Vanderbilt faculty in late 1992 after earning her doctorate in biomedical engineering from the Case School of Engineering.

Aneesha Johnson ’95 Valdosta, Georgia

Aneesha has been appointed to a fiveyear term on the Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority Board of Directors in Valdosta, Georgia, where she works as a Plant Manager for DuPont. The Cleveland native earned her bachelor’s in chemical engineering at Case and has worked for DuPont for 20 years in numerous technical and leadership positions.

Jeni Panhorst ’99 Tempe, Arizona

Jeni was promoted to Vice President of the Data Center Group, General Manager of Network Strategy & Programs at Intel Corp. She leads a team of business and technical strategists, market intelligence analysts, product and technology planners, and program and operations managers driving one of Intel’s fastest growing businesses. She earned her bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from the Case School of Engineering with a minor in artificial intelligence. A strong advocate for causes in education and women in technology, Jeni serves in leadership roles for the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing and on the boards of two Arizona nonprofits.

Send your updates, including photos, about job promotions, professional development and personal milestones to casealum@casealum.org.

2000s

Asim Haque ’02 Columbus, Ohio

Asim was named executive director of strategic policy and external affairs at PJM Interconnection in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. He is stepping down in March as chairman and CEO of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). Asim was appointed to PUCO by Ohio Governor John Kasich in 2013 and reappointed to a second term in 2016. He earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Case before becoming an attorney.

Adam Snyder ’02, MEM ’03 Akron, Ohio

Adam has assumed a new leadership role in Northeast Ohio’s economy. As Sector Partnership leader for Workforce Connects at MAGNET—the Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network—he will lead efforts to address the region’s shortage of manufacturing talent. Previously, Adam served as president of ArtWall, which specializes in digitally printing art reproductions.

2010s

Matheus Fernandes ’13 Arlington, Massachusetts

Matheus is a math PhD candidate at the John Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Harvard University, where he is using mathematics and computer science to examine how the skeletal composition of ocean sponges could be applied to make stronger structures. A native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Matheus came to Case to study computer science but switched to electrical engineering, then civil engineering, and finally earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.

Lauren Smith ’13, MS ’15 Manhattan Beach, California

Lauren, one of Aviation Week’s 20 Twenties in 2014, is now a mechanical test engineering manager for Northrop Grumman’s James Webb Space Telescope program. She was featured in a recent profile in Aviation Week, “The Engineering Life: At Work with Northrop Grumman’s Lauren Smith.” Lauren earned her bachelor’s degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering and her master’s in mechanical engineering from Case School of Engineering, where she was the Propulsion Lead for the Design, Build, Fly Club.

Monika Goss ’14, MS ’15 Oil City, Pennsylvania

Monika joined Goss Gas Products, an independent distributor of industrial gases and welding supplies, as purchasing and inventory manager. She is the fourth generation to work in the family business, which was started by her great-grandfather, R.N. Goss, in 1934. “I always knew I wanted to join the family business and play a bigger role in the company,” she said. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biomedical engineering from the Case School of Engineering.

Nicholas DiFranco ’16, MEM ’17 Mayfield Village, Ohio

Nick returned to campus to give the keynote address at the Design Spotlight of the CWRU chapter of Design for America in December. He’s a marketing specialist for Lubrizol LifeSciences. He shared with the students how design thinking influences his work.

Marziehossadat Ayati, PhD ’18 Edinburg, Texas

Marzieh is one of the four “faces of success” featured in the Welcome to Succeed campaign on the website of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. She’s an assistant professor of computer science at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and works with teens to foster their interest in STEM fields. Marzieh earned her doctorate degree in computer science from the Case School of Engineering.

Janet Gbur, PhD ’18 Canfield, Ohio

Janet was recognized as one of seven accomplished women graduates of Youngstown State University, a “Penguin Women on the Move,” at YSU’s Women’s History Month celebration in March. She works as a project mentor for undergraduate research at CWRU and as an instructor in the Mechanical, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Department at YSU. She also serves on the ASM International’s Women in Materials Engineering Committee. Janet earned her doctorate in Materials Science and Engineering from the Case School of Engineering.

Send your updates, including photos, about job promotions, professional development and personal milestones to casealum@casealum.org.