The Alumni Magazine for Worcester Polytechnic Institute. (WPI)
Issue link: http://wpialumnimag.epubxp.com/i/456562
64 Winter 2015 class notes 1975 Jon Anderson, a partner of Burak Anderson & Melloni PLC, was recently selected by his peers for inclusion in the 21st Edition of Best Lawyers in America in the areas of Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Environmental Litigation, and Land Use and Zoning Litigation. Anderson has also been named Best Lawyers' 2014–2015 Burlington Environmental Law "Lawyer of the Year." His practice includes permitting, valuation of complex property, litigation over issues such as contaminated sites liability and clean-up, defense of environmental enforcement actions, utility regulation, and land use. He frequently assists in the improvement of environmental law in Vermont, lectures at seminars on real estate, environmental, and land use law issues, and publishes widely in this feld. Bill DiBenedetto continues as president of Lampin Corp. in Uxbridge, Mass. He writes, "Lampin is an engineering and manufacturing company that specializes in producing the fnest custom Swiss-machined components (metals and plastics) used in robotics, medical devices, test and measurement equipment, and automation equipment. We also produce and distribute MITRPAK, a full product line of top-quality spiral bevel gear power transmissions across the U.S. Molly and I live in Shrewsbury, and we have three adult children." Judy Nitsch, president of the Commerical Real Estate Women (CREW) Network, moderated the 2014 national conference and conducted a Q&A; discussion with Hillary Clinton. Nitsch, who has been a role model and supporter of women in positions of leadership, had a chance to ask new grandmother Clinton what advice she would impart to her own granddaughter. Paul Stein is director of research and new product development at Onciomed Inc., a startup obesity medical device company in Irvine, Calif. He recently received the most recent of his 12 U.S. patents, all of which are for a variety of implantable and interventional medical devices. He also serves as the Southwest Regional Director of Sigma Xi, the scientifc research society. 1976 Jon Rourke writes, "I'm on my fourth venture-backed medical device startup, all in the cardiology feld. Currently running an early clinical trial in Cali, Colombia. We do a lot of work at DaVinci Biomedical, a research laboratory run by Joe Villani '87, where Leo Cappabianca '77 also works. I am writing a long research article to coincide with WPI's 150th on Harry Worcester Smith, Class of 1887, the great sportsman of a century ago who donated the gates to Alumni Field. As a freshman, he was the ring leader of the famous "Buckskin" incident, having coaxed a horse belonging to Milton Higgins up the circular stairway of the famous Boynton Hall into what was then the Chapel. The Gordon Library Archives has been very helpful with old correspondence." In January, Robert Schildt moved to Williamsport, Pa., where he bought a house. He writes, "I am retired from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board as a state liquor store manager, after 36 and a half years total with the Commonwealth." Bob Sengstaken, a varsity rower at WPI, has rowed the Head of the Charles regatta every year since his time as an undergrad. He now competes at a national caliber level in the Veteran Singles category, this year accomplishing the amazing feat of defeating the great Jim Dietz, the U.S. Olympic Single Sculler of 1976. Bob fnished in 9th place, one ahead of Dietz. The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) elected Neal Wright as its director, membership-at-large, at the organization's annual meeting in Washington, D.C. He currently serves as a vice president in Dewberry's Virginia Beach offce, where he delivers consulting services to the Department of Defense market segment. In his new role with the NSPE, Wright will help represent NSPE and the engineering profession to the public, and help shape the future direction of NSPE. "As with each organization where I've held a leadership position, I plan on making signifcant, measureable, and enduring contributions to the NSPE and the profession of engineering as a whole," he says. He is also an active member of the Society of American Military Engineers and the American Society of Civil Engineers. 1977 Thomas Killeen writes from York Beach, Maine, "It's been 37 years since professor Fitzgerald ("Friz") got me involved in Fire Protection Engineering. What a trip!" He recalls the frst master's-level classes ("binders and photocopies, what books?"), and has witnessed 11 shut sprinkler valves in 34 years ("Will I hit an even dozen?"). He adds, "That's scary, as it goes to show that people can undo the best engineering. I got that ingrained doing my IQP, and it's proven true time and time again, thanks to the Plan. A great idea that worked and still works, and is even better today. Strive to be the best, but remember people ." 1978 John Bourassa celebrated his 30-year anniversary with Lockheed Martin. John is an integration and test engineer and serves as the test lead supporting the U.S. Army's Joint Tactical Terminal at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. John Johnson was named Outstanding Faculty Member in Computer Engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara, for the second consecutive year. His primary responsibility is in the teaching and advising of the senior capstone project class at UCSB, "a course requirement very similar to WPI's MQP," he notes. 1979 Shane Chalke writes, "After a career as an entrepreneur in fnancial mathematics (I started three successful compa- nies), I've been working as a full-time musician for the past fve years. I play in the mountains of North Carolina in the summer months, and Sarasota in the winters. I still lecture in mathematical fnance at WPI and other schools from time to time, but am quite busy playing 150–200 nights a year!" Sigifredo "Fred" Gonzalez writes, "I'm retired and living in Rock Hill, S.C., with my daughter and her husband and two kids. Looking for a job here, but pickings are slim." Mary Farren McDonald continues as CEO/CTO, McDonald Consulting Group. She and her daughter, Karen McDonald '14, live in Austin, Texas. Stephen Rusckowski is president and chief executive of Quest Diagnostics, based in Madison, N.J. The frm's recently added a 50,000-square-foot laboratory facility in Marlboro, Mass. 1980 Mike Gardella writes, "I am currently the vice president of engineering and manufacturing for Sorensen Systems in Northborough, Mass. I have a very supportive and loving wife of 34 years, two children, and two grandchildren that are a continuous source of delight. I enjoy camping and can be found on the water most weekends, fshing." 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