Class Notes
Robert Cicchillo of Indianapolis, Ind., ’98 BS in biology, ’00 MS in organic chemistry, was honored as this year’s Outstanding Young Alumnus by YSU’s College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. A biochemist and research and development manager at Dow AgroSciences, he Robert Cicchillo also has a PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology from Penn State. He has authored many research publications, most recently in the journals Science and Nature. Robert J. Hamer of Macedonia, Ohio, ’98 BSBA, has been promoted to district human resources manager for The Home Depot, responsible for HR and associate relations functions for 10 stores and 1,500 employees in Northeast Ohio.
’00s Kendra Huff of Huntington, W.Va., ’00 MSEd, has joined the law firm of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP as an associate practicing in the areas of commercial litigation, consumer financial services, insurance coverage and bad faith, and employment litigation. Previously, she worked as an attorney for a Michigan law firm. She earned her law degree from Michigan State University College of Law and holds a BA in psychology from Marshall University. Ginny Pasha of Kinsman, Ohio, ’00 BSAS, has been named president of United Way of Trumbull County. In her first year in the position, she led UWTC to surpass its 2013 campaign goal and implemented a new literacy initiative in Trumbull County dedicated to Ginny Pasha helping students pass the Third Grade Reading Guarantee. Previously Pasha was president of Junior Achievement of the Mahoning Valley and Youth Employability Solutions. Angela M. Guzman of Columbus, Ohio, ’02 AB in Spanish, has been promoted to director of operations at Apprisen, a nonprofit credit-counseling agency. She joined the agency six years ago.
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Jim White of Virginia Beach, Va., ’02 BSAS in food and nutrition, is a registered dietician and is self-employed as owner of Jim White Fitness & Nutrition Studios. He also serves as spokesman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and as sports dietitian for Old Dominion University. White is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine as a health fitness specialist and is on the nutrition & fitness advisory board for Men’s Fitness, Oxygen and STACK magazines. Steven Mowry of Aurora, Ohio, ’03 BSBA in finance, recently celebrated his 10-year anniversary with Merrill Lynch and achieved the titles of first vice president and senior resident director. He and his wife, Natalie, lead an Ohio-based wealth management practice serving individuals, families and businesses. Kevin Owens of Youngstown, ’04 BSBA, was recognized as an Outstanding Recent Alumnus by YSU’s Williamson College of Business Administration. He is a sales management and business development consultant for Public Insight in Hudson, Ohio. Ryan Pastore of New Castle, Pa., ’04 MBA, was named an Outstanding Recent Alumnus by YSU’s Williamson College of Business Administration. He is director of client and community relations and a vice president with the PNC Financial Services Co. Previously, he was employed at RMI Titanium in Niles. Brian Stevens of Pittsburgh, ’05 MSEd in school administration, has earned a PhD from Northcentral University in education specializing in e-learning and educational technology. He is employed by the Plum Borough School District.
Alumni Couple Founds Nonprofit for Children Team Sanders Inc. is a nonprofit that William Sanders Sr., ’05 AB, and Kiisha Warfield Sanders, ’06 AB in communication studies, have founded to provide coaching, mentoring and tutoring for children. William serves as president of the Warren, Ohio-based agency and is employed as an intervention specialist for the Warren City Schools. He is pursuing a master’s degree in educational administration at YSU. Kiisha is the full-time executive director for Team Sanders. They were student-athletes while attending YSU; William played football and Kiisha played softball.
Amanda Gerstnecker of Freedom, Pa., ‘06 BSBA, a corporate attorney with Meyer, Unkovic & Scott LLP in Pittsburgh, has been elected to the board of directors for the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Amanda Gerstnecker Education Network of Pittsburgh. The nonprofit network promotes safe educational environments free of harassment and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. Gerstnecker earned her law degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Andrea Arnio of Girard, Ohio, ’07 BE in mechanical engineering, was honored as this year’s Outstanding Young Alumna by YSU’s College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Arnio is employed by Novelis Corp. in Warren where she manages a team of 22 employees based at seven locations across North America. Joseph B. Kendrew of Salem, Ohio, ’07 BSBA in finance, recently earned the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation awarded by the Investment Management Consultants Association. Kendrew is a vice president, wealth management advisor and retirement benefit consultant for Merrill Lynch, based in the company’s Canfield office. Mary (Armstrong) Louk of Youngstown, ’07 BSBA in Management, ’09 MBA, is employed as a credit underwriter for small businesses at First Place Bank. She