G I T C H O ’01 N A M E D R E P U B L I C A N N AT I O N A L P R E S S S E C R E TA RY After several stints in political communications, Gail Gitcho ’01 of Arlington, Va., has just been named national press secretary of the Republican National Committee. The Republican National Committee is the official organization representing the Republican Party in American politics. In her position, Gitcho serves as the primary spokesman for the Republican National Committee, helps craft responses to the Democratic party and helps develop message strategy among other duties. Gitcho previously served as the Mid-Atlantic regional communications director for U.S. Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign; regional press secretary for Gov. Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign; and press secretary for the Congressional Office and campaign communications director for U.S. Congressman Clay Shaw (R-FL). “I have always had an interest in politics, and after attending Ripon College I had the opportunity to work
“Ripon students on a congresreceive a very sional campaign well-rounded in Colorado as education,” the press secreGitcho says. tary,” Gitcho “While Professor says. “Despite Jody Roy’s speech losing the Colcommunication orado campaign, department I enjoyed it and played a defining learned a lot, and role in my career ultimately decided path, graduate to pursue politics Gail Gitcho ’01 requirements as a career.” allowed me to take classes Gitcho says she likes her that were outside my career job because politics brings interests — like Professor something different every Jack Christ’s leadership day. studies, Professor Joe “Today brings new challenges and experiences than Hatcher’s psychology class and Professor Colleen yesterday — and you can bet the same will be true for Byron’s chemistry lab (which I can’t believe I tomorrow,” she says. “I passed). have had the chance to “I was also able to travel the country working on political campaigns, meet expand my opportunities by lots of interesting people and going off-campus two times — once for Urban Studies work with some of the best in Chicago and then again political operatives in the for an unbelievable experibusiness. I have also made some great friends along the ence during my semester in Florence, Italy. I will way.” always be grateful for the She credits her Ripon education and unique education with expanding opportunities I received at her horizons and taking her Ripon College.” to where she is today.
2000s June 25-27, 2009 10th Reunion, Class of ’00 5th Reunion, Class of ’05 Austin Richmond Durham ’00 and Jaclyn Kenny Durham ’03 of New Berlin, Wis., have a daughter, Reagan Renee Durham, born April 10, 2008. Austin is a marketing representative for Kemper Insurance, and Jaclyn is a kindergarten teacher at St. Anthony School in Milwaukee. Nathan Evans ’00 and Kindra Schweitzer-Evans ’01 recently relocated to Birmingham, Ala. Kindra earned her master’s of business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in July 2008. Nate graduated with his doctorate in physiology in May 2008 from the University of Wisconsin Medical School.
Stephanie Hanson ’00 of Gordon, Wis., will teach English as a second language for Princess Cruises this summer, sailing in the Caribbean. In August, she plans to move to Indonesia to become an English Language Fellow for the U.S. State Department. Erica Kempen ’00 married Bryan Shefchik, June 24, 2006. They live in Madison, Wis., where Erica works at US Bank on the square. Charles Leroy Larson III ’00 of Wauwatosa, Wis., has been promoted to vice president of communications with the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League. Larson just completed his ninth season with the Admirals and previously held the title of senior director of communications for the team. His responsibilities include guiding the team’s media and community relations efforts and the maintaining the Admirals Web site.
Tracey Wiedmeyer ’00 of Pleasant Prairie, Wis., along with Ripon natives Bob Gillespie Jr. and Rich Scamehorn, has started a company, In Context Solutions, that creates software to allow consumer package goods companies (General Mills, Kraft, etc.) to test product changes (new packaging designs, etc.) in a virtual, 3D environment. “The uses of this software are infinite, really,” Tracey says. “We’re talking to advertising and marketing companies, as well, to test advertising displays, store fixtures, product layout, and eventually we’ll talk directly to retailers, like Jewel, Super Valu, etc., to build out entire stores.” In Context Solutions recently placed 12th out of more than 340 competitors in the Rice University Business Plan Competition, the biggest in the world; and finished third in the business plan competition for University of Chicago Booth School of Business. This lead to articles in Forbes magazine and the company’s selection as Forbes’ third profile company for its America’s Most Promising Companies. In Context Solutions’ Web site is at www.incon textsolutions.net. Dante A.C. Houston ’01 of Milwaukee has been elected president of the Ripon College Alumni Association’s Board of Directors. Nick Spaeth ’04 of Glendale, Wis., was elected the board’s vice president. They are the youngest officers ever for the board. Vicky Nytes ’01 of Hot Springs, Mont., is teaching high school French and history, along with coaching track and field at Hot Springs High School. Sean Riesenberg ’01 and Amanda Luttenberger Riesenberg ’03 of De Pere, Wis., have a daughter, Brooke Elizabeth Riesenberg, born March 8, 2008. Amanda is a certified group fitness instructor and now works as a fitness specialist with the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin. She also is certified in kickboxing and zumba, and is a certified personal trainer. Kristi Sigurslid ’01 of Lodi, Wis., married Chris Paskey, Aug. 30, 2008. Kristi teaches math and coaches Varsity girls’ basketball at Lodi High School. Heather Braund ’03 of Madison, Wis., is a study coordinator at a Madison pharmaceutical company. Gina Compitello ’03 of Tucson, Ariz., received a master’s degree in French in June 2006 from the University of Oregon. In June 2008, she received her master’s degree in arts and cultural management with honors from the Université Lumière Lyon 2 in Lyon, France. During her final semester there, she worked with the Arfi, a free-jazz collective, to set up a series of cinema concerts in six regional parks celebrating their unique heritage. The concerts were presented during the 2008 European Cultural Heritage Weekend. She is now an operations associate with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra. Michael S. Fitzgerald Jr. ’03 of Arlington, Va., recently took a job with the Department of State/Foreign Service.
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