Cl ass N otes
Theresa Silveira has it all wrapped up Like most business owners, Theresa “Terri” Silveira ’92 started small but had an ambitious goal—to operate the largest and most recognized gift basket company in the country. Of course, the first year was less than glamorous as she and her business partner packaged and boxed all of their gift baskets in the basement of her home in North Attleboro. Today, GreatArrivals.com is still located in North Attleboro, but in a 12,000 square foot warehouse that employs eight full time year-round employees and 50 additional employees during the holidays.
Rebecca Hope Woods ’99, visual design, Winter Harbor, works at the College of Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine as the Director of Creative Services.
’00s
Rebecca Stanley Cardillo ’00, political science, Johnston, RI, married Anthony Cardillo on May 28, 2010 in Siesta Key, FL. She works as a Claims Management Consultant for Starkweather & Shepley in Providence. Christopher Delmonte ’00 JD, Bridgewater, was promoted to Chief of Police of the Bridgewater Police Department. Meloney Irwin ’00, management, Kennesaw, GA, moved to Atlanta, where she works as the human resources generalist for the southern territorial headquarters of the Salvation Army. Melanie Ducharme ’01, visual design/graphic design/letterform,
“I realized after I received my MBA that I wanted to build my own business,” says Silveira. “At the same time I tried to order a gift basket from an online company and found that there were only a few companies who offered a limited selection. The commerce side of the Internet was just starting to take off and I thought this was a great opportunity.” A 1992 UMass Dartmouth graduate and one of the first Commonwealth Scholars, Silveira began working as an economic forecaster for Data Resources Incorporated soon after graduating. After studying the energy industry as a forecaster, she was promoted to sales and later Profit Marketing Manager in the company. This collection of positions and other experiences has helped her navigate the challenging aspects of running a small business. “When we first looked at models, my business partner and I had two choices. We could network with pre-made gift basket companies and focus on the marketing side or we could hold the inventory and make our own gift baskets. We chose the latter and now we drop-ship for many other companies,” says Silveira. “We are the primary provider of gift baskets for Honey
Coventry, creates work that expresses memory, emotion, and identity. Currently studying for her Master’s in art education at Rhode Island College, she is an artist member of Gallery X in New Bedford, and is a contributing member of the of the Pop Icon and Cocktail Club podcast. Lourenco (Larry) Lopes, Jr. ‘01 JD, New Bedford, was promoted to Chief Probation Officer of the Massachusetts Trial Court Probation Department for the New Bedford District Court.
Baked Hams and service numerous other companies. It was more work to start but the end product has been rewarding.” For 10 years, Silveira has been relentless in her pursuit of success, a trait she learned at UMass Dartmouth. “UMass Dartmouth was the most fulfilling experience I could imagine. There wasn’t a facet of the school in which I wasn’t involved—honors program, student government, department activities, etc. I really dug in and took advantage of everything I could. Now I seize every opportunity I see. I honestly believe that things happen for a reason and so I try to learn from both success and failure,” said Silveira. The responsibility of running a successful gift basket company can be enjoyable but the downside is that Silveira is away from her 9-year old son for the two busiest months of the year. Interestingly, this drawback provided a unique opportunity to help another UMass Dartmouth graduate. “My husband and I are slammed during the holiday season and we decided to hire a nanny this year to help out for two months. One of the applicants was a recent graduate of the College of Nursing. As you might expect, I hired her and it is a great comfort knowing she is a fellow alum.”
Kathy Lee Dombrowski ’03, visual design, Walnut Creek, CA, works in Development as the Prospect Researcher for the Asian Art Museum. Dagmar Dockery ’04, nursing, Vineyard Haven reports she is 70 years young and still working as a nurse practitioner. She sends thanks to faculty and friends.
William A. Flanagan ’02, sociology /criminal justice, Fall River, was elected Mayor of Fall River and is the youngest mayor to serve in the city of about 90,000 people. His priorities are public safety, education and job creation.
Tyler Groth Drake ’04, accounting, ’06 MBA, Canton, an employee at Waldron H. Rand & Company, P.C., CPAs, passed her CPA exam in 2010. Drake began her career in public accounting five years ago. She provides accounting, auditing and tax services to a diverse client base. Prior to joining Waldron Rand, Drake was a senior accountant at McGladery & Pullen, LLP.
Jamie Lynn Despres ’03, visual design, Seattle, WA, works as the Senior Art Director of digital branding for Razorfish, Inc.
Hillary Harris ’04, management, New Bedford, works as the administrative assistant for the Town of Westport police
U M a s s
department. Prior to her appointment she was employed as the office manager for AdCare Hospital, supervising a staff of 10. Athena Mota ’04, English, New Bedford, and Gregory Westwater were married on February 16, 2010 at the Seamen’s Bethel Chapel in New Bedford. They live with their young son, Dominic James. Mota is the Director of Advocacy and Communications at the Southeastern Massachusetts YMCA; serves on the UMD Alumni Association Board of Directors; and will receive her masters degree in Public Administration at Bridgewater State University in June 2011. Taylor Courtney Stevenson ’04, textile design, Hermosa Beach, CA works for Ado Group and recently relocated to Montreal, Quebec in August. Aldo Co. is the manufacturer of footwear worldwide with 1500 stores.
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