Iona University Magazine Welcomes Class Notes Submissions From Alumni! Email [email protected] or send to:
Iona University Magazine
715 North Avenue
New Rochelle, N.Y. 10801
From September 1, 2022 – September 1, 2023
1960s
1961
Rev. Msgr. James R. Moore ’61 is presently retired from full-time Ministry in the Archdiocese of New York and helps out on a part-time basis at St. Andrew’s in Stuart.
John F. McMullen ’61 is the Poet Laureate of the Town of Yorktown with 10 books and/or chapbooks published.
1963
Richard W Lo Pinto, Ph.D., ’63 is a professor of biological studies at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Lo Pinto’s prior research on water pollution led to his appointment of assistant to the director of the EPA’s “Office of Analysis and Evaluation.” His research and findings have also been presented at scientific meetings in the United States, Japan and Canada.
1964
Harold E. Alpiar Jr. ’64, a business and business team coach, is finishing two novels, one a sequel to an already published health care book, and is working to produce the first sci-fi musical.
Joseph A. Sierra ’64 welcomes his new grandchild, Alexander James.
1965
Dr. Paul J. O’Brien ’65 published a new book of poetry, “Knowing the Place.”
Robert A. Koppes, CFC, ’65 honored for 60 years of consecrated life.
Valentine J. Taubner, Jr. ’65, William F. Taubner ’92 and Valentine J. Taubner III ’94MBA celebrated 85 years of their family business, Ball Chain Manufacturing Co., Inc.
1966
John J. Dahill ’66 retired as chief of the St. James Fire Department in January 2023 after 13 years.
1968
Daniel F. Gill ’68 retired in June after 53 years of teaching in Montclair, N.J. His children’s book, “No More Chairs,” will be released in 2025.
1969
William R. Nevins ’69 was featured in the 2022 in Review Flipbook by Irish American Writers and Artists Inc. in an article and conducted a featured interview.
1970s
1971
Charles J. Casamento ’71MBA was named to the Board of Directors for both GT Biopharma and PaxMedica.
William J. Keech, OSF, ’71MA was celebrated for his milestone of service in the Diocese of Wilmington.
1972
A. Robert Shott, Esq., ’72 retired as senior scientist from American Glass Research, a unit of AGR International, Inc., of Butler, Pa.
Joseph M. Gugliemella ’72 recently retired after working in the field of special education for close to 50 years both as a school psychologist and administrator.
Angelo N. Basso ’72, ’75MBA honors his late mother Eleanor (Miceli) Basso, who was an avid supporter of Angelo’s football career and “Team Mom” for the 1968-1971 Iona football teams. Eleanor is survived by her 5 children, 18 grandchildren, and 24 great grandchildren.
1973
Bernard A. Lopez ’73, ’77MSEd was reelected president of the Metropolitan NY Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese and is a trustee of New World Prep Charter School in Staten Island.
Larry J. Lynch ’73 has published children’s stories on Amazon including “At The
Speed of Light with the Cousins,” “Our Turn,” and “The Cousins Save Christmas” since retirement.
1975
Lt Col., USAF (retired) Thomas P. Coyne, Jr. ’75 retired from the faculty at the National Intelligence University after a 25 year career in the intelligence community.
1977
Donna E. Papacosta ’77, a mostly retired writer and editor, recently edited a family memoir, “Pepo: Tales of Growing Up, Addiction and Prison.”
1978
Sharon L. Preston-Folta ’78 was welcomed as the new program manager for Suncoast Black Arts Collaborative’s Arts and Racial Justice Discovery Series.
1979
Brian J. Smith ’79 was re-elected for a third term as Registrar of Voters in Norwalk, Conn.
Robert Greifeld ’79, ’16H will focus on the launch of Cornerstone FTM, a financial technology-focused investment fund, as well as board and leadership roles with other financial and philanthropic organizations.
Timothy J. Brown ’79 was promoted to chief of staff at MPS Egg Farms.
1980s
1980
Don N. Bucci ’80 received The March of Dimes Real Estate Award at the 35th Annual Westchester Real Estate Awards Breakfast.
Carl J. Pernicone, Esq., ’80 was named Westchester County Best Lawyer in Litigation—Insurance by Westchester Magazine in 2022.
1981
Jeanne Claire Cotnoir ’81, ’06MA was appointed as coordinator of Student Programming at the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center (HHREC) of White Plains, N.Y.
Nancy E. (Curtis) Patota ’81, ’06MBA received the 2022 Outstanding Fundraising Professional Award from The Association of Fundraising Professionals of the Greater Hudson Valley Chapter and was named chief development and marketing officer at Burke Rehabilitation in Rye, N.Y.
Thomas O’Brien ’81MBA was featured in the American Banker July/August 2023 edition notably for his experiences of over four decades of working in banking and turning around troubled community banks.
1982
Deborah L. Galle ’82 is pursuing a masters in Wildlife Forensics at the University of Florida.
Steven G. Angelo ’82 was recognized for his expertise as a senior accountant with Deephaven Mortgage and was inducted into Marquis Who’s Who biographical registry.
1983
Peter G. Riguardi ’83, ’16H was honored at the 2023 Dominion City Church Golf Outing.
Steve J. Iaco ’83 has been promoted to chief communications officer at CBRE.
Mark J. Mallardi ’83 published his book, “I Love You More… to Suzanne, From Mark”, as a tribute to the memory of his late wife, Suzanne Mallardi.
1984
Marigrace Amato, CPA, ’84 joined the Westchester County Association Board.
1985
James M. Miller ’85MBA was promoted to chief executive officer of TowneBank Mortgage.
Joseph J. Kelly ’85, CEO of Uranium Markets and president of Forestland Development, was elected chairman of the Greenwich Board of Education.
Anthony Hargraves ’85 was inducted into the Riverside Hawks Hall of Fame.
Thomas K. Rudzewick ’85 was acknowledged as one of Long Island’s best in banking and finance in the Long Island Business News.
1986
Michael J. McPartland ’86 appointed as trustee to oversee the new Union Vale library.
Karen C. (Kerrane) Riccobono ’86 retired from her career as an educator.
1988
Matthew D. McSpedon ’88 was elected new chairman of the board of The Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA).
Christine (Tucci) Spana ’88 is excited to be back on Iona’s campus as an adjunct teaching Computer Science.
1989
Anthony E. Apuzzi ’89 is a lead teacher in Principal’s Promise Academy at Port Chester High School.
Margaret C. Timoney ’89, ’92MBA, ’23H will lead the 2024 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York as Grand Marshal. Timoney, who delivered the keynote address at Iona’s 79th annual commencement ceremony in May, was also named in the “Top 25 C-Suite Executives of New York for 2022” by C-Suite Spotlight. Timoney is CEO of HEINEKEN USA, having worked for the company since 1998. She is also an Iona Goal Club Hall of Fame inductee—recognized as one of the greatest women’s basketball players in Iona history.
William P. Larkin ’89, ’91MBA was welcomed as a school security officer in Darien Public schools.
Joseph J. Guarracino ’89, executive vice president, chief administrative officer and chief financial officer of White Plains Hospital, was named to the Becker’s Hospital Review Health and System and Hospital CFO’s to Know.
1990s
1990
Mary C. Fox-Alter ’90MSEd appointed as interim superintendent of Ossining schools by the Ossining Board of Education.
Ugo Chiulli ’90 and Robert P. Cioffi ’90, co-founders of Progressive Computing, celebrate the company’s 30th anniversary.
Anthony T. Viceroy ’90 was honored for his impactful, influential and visionary leadership at the 72nd Annual Westchester County Association Fall Leadership event.
Reggie A. Marra ’90MA published his fourth book of nonfiction, “Healing America’s Narratives: The Feminine, the Masculine, & Our Collective National Shadow.”
1991
Deiredra N. Oliver ’91 runs a non-profit organization, The Empowerment Zone, designed to assist teens aging out of foster care.
Jeffrey G. Ruland ’91 was inducted into the Basketball Old-Timers of America Hall of Fame.
Robin M. Allen ’91 is the senior director of global talent acquisition, people and culture at Vertex, Inc.
1992
Cosmo J. Costa ’92 retired as deputy police commissioner of the New Rochelle Police Department.
Christopher Caulfield ’92, a travel advisor who specializes in cruise vacations, celebrated his 10th year as owner/operator of Chris Caulfield-CruiseOne.
1993
Camille (Sacco) Dumont ’93, ’96MS was named director of the Center for Career and Professional Development at Post University.
Celeste (Lawler) Hughes ’93 was presented with a “Women of Distinction” Award in honor of Women’s History Month, alongside other Yonkers residents, for her community accomplishments.
1994
Olivia Stennett ’94 was promoted to chief administrative officer at Cipher Mining, Inc.
1995
Patti A. Varol ’95 is the executive editor at PuzzleNation, managing and overseeing puzzle content for Daily POP and other PuzzleNation mobile apps and was named editor of the Los Angeles Times Crossword in April 2022.
Ingrid N. Thompson-Sellers, Ph.D. ’95MS was named president of Atlanta Metropolitan State College.
1996
Kathleen J. Ulrich ’98MS named to the Tampa General Hospital’s leadership team as senior vice president of Surgical Services.
Dominick J. Impemba ’96 named as new chief operating and finance officer of New York Community Trust.
1997
Neil K. Reynolds ’97 named Deputy Police Commissioner of the New Rochelle Police Department.
Suzanne A. (Guinee) Oommen ’97 was appointed vice chair of the New York Self-Insurers Association (NYSIA).
Sean P. O’Donnell ’97 retired from Greenwich Police Department after nearly 30 years of service.
William J. Garvey ’97 was named as Brook County Schools new athletic director.
Carol E. Harblin ’97 recently published her first children’s book titled “Grandpa, Why Do We Pray?” Her other work includes “Live Life Now, Not Later.”
1998
Alison B. (Flynn) Gaffney ’98, ’02MS started a new role with JLL as president, Healthcare Division–Work Dynamics and was previously chief operating officer at University of Utah Health.
Margaret E. Kowalski ’98 works in the Sports Licensed and Pop Culture fashion space—developing, marketing, and selling apparel and accessories.
Laura (Koch) Davis ’98 and her husband own a 300+ member swim team and are building an aquatics facility in Houston.
Michael J. Wilson ’98MST is the new superintendent of Torrington Public Schools.
Adam D. Fried ’98MSEd was appointed assistant dean of Teacher Education at Ramapo College of New Jersey.
1999
Michael A. Cronin ’99 was named head coach of Suffern Baseball, making him the 5th head coach in the programs storied history.
Christina Waszczenko ’99 is pursuing a masters in business administration at
Iona University.
Matt Patella ’99MBA was hired to lead employer account sales and account management at Prime Therapeutics.
Mark M. Pepe ’99 was promoted to senior vice president for FirstService Residential’s Manhattan Condo/Co-op Property
Management Division.
2000s
2001
Francis J. Dwyer ’01 appointed as deputy commissioner for Public Information for the New York City Department of Correction.
Shantel G. Hansen ’01 is producing a spin-off docuseries to her award winning short doc “Her Turf.”
Jennifer A. (Libretta) Lanser ’01MBA serves as the executive director of Songcatchers in New Rochelle, N.Y.
2002
Jillian Matthews, Esq., ’02 was named new coroner of Luzerne County, Pa.
David Jerome, MD, ’02 was named medical director at Family Health Center in Yonkers.
Jason Collins ’02 was inducted into the Section V Football Hall of Fame in 2022.
Brian J. Baltz, Esq., ’02, ’04MBA appointed as a partner at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP.
2003
Lt. Thomas J. Lagomarsino ’03 was promoted to the rank of lieutenant for Princeton, N.J. Police Department.
Deborah L. Circelli ’03 was named as partner at Reynolds + Rowella Accounting and Consulting firm in 2023. Circelli is licensed as a certified public accountant in Connecticut and New York State, also serving as a current member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants.
2004
Unal I. Karakas ’04, ’14MSEd became the superintendent of Valley Stream Union Free School District 24 on July 31, 2023. Karakas currently attends Vanderbilt University in pursuit of a doctorate in leadership and learning.
Joseph Benefico ’04MS was named and recognized as a Pelham Civic Association “Person of the Year” in 2023. Prior to his retirement in 2018, Benefico served as the president and board of directors of the Westchester County Chiefs of Police Association, as well as the president of the Pelham Police Benevolent Association.
2005
Brendan T. Droge ’05 recently welcomed his second daughter, Isla Rhyan.
Scott Reinert ’05 received the New Jersey State ACE (Accredited Chief/Command Executive) certification from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs Police.
Emily M. Mansur ’05 was featured in the Hofstra Chronicle for Women’s History Month to share her experience as head volleyball coach at Hofstra University.
2006
Cheryl De Mesa Graziano ’06MS was appointed vice president and chief accounting officer at ITT Inc.
Ashley E. Napoli ’06 will serve as a leave replacement teacher for the 2023-2024 school year at Rye High School.
2007
Kathryn A. Izzo ’07, ’09MA was honored during Irish Heritage Month from the 40th Senate District for her contributions to local, state and national organizations while highlighting Irish cultural traditions.
Jennifer Flynn ’07, ’10MS was promoted to director of Ethics and Compliance at Orange and Rockland Utilities (subsidiary of ConEdison).
Scott A. Edelman ’07MBA joined the Westchester County Association Board.
2008
Casey J. Stanley ’08 was announced as the new head coach of Layton Christian Academy’s boy’s basketball team.
Kristin O. (Heller) Marbrouk ’08 started a new job as executive director at the Hope Floats Foundation, a national drowning prevention non-profit.
Shawn P. Walsh ’08 was inducted into the Warwick Baseball Hall of Fame in New York State.
2009
Cara M. (McCormick) Marasco ’09 joined Osborn Elementary as a special education teacher.
2010s
2010
Kenneth K. Baldwin ’10 joined Hearst Media Production Group as research director.
2011
Diane E. Hare ’11 appointed as an independent director on the Board of Directors of NANO Nuclear Energy.
Jesse A. Oullette ’11 serves as assistant general counsel within the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and an attorney to the National Security & Cyber Law Branch. Ouelette is also assigned as a deputy staff judge advocate within the Marine Corps’ Training and Education Command. His service in the United States Marine Corps began in 2012.
2012
Vincent J. Zucchetto ’12MA was presented with the 2022 Employee of Distinction Award from LeadingAge New York.
2014
Christopher R. Correale ’14 was promoted to general manager of the Rye Golf Club.
Joanna H. Ziegelbauer ’14, ’15MBA was recognized at Westchester & Fairfield County Business Journals Millennial & Gen Z Awards.
Gabriel A. Robles ’14 named assistant principal at Ridgeway School.
2015
Kyle Byrne ’15, ’20MBA was named to 2023 Business Council of Westchester’s 40 Under 40 Rising Stars.
Margaret D. (Matamoros) Stelnicki ’15 and Matthew Stelnicki ’14 welcomed the birth of their first child.
C.J. Funaro ’15 started a new role with BrightView Enterprise Solutions as their director of Finance & Operations, based in Columbus, OH.
Kaitlin Grogan Barry ’15MA passed the California bar exam in February 2023.
Anthony Carlo ’15 works as a reporter for ABC Eyewitness News. Carlo credits the opportunities given to him at Iona, which gave him the tools to pursue his dream job in media.
2017
Arlene Vivar ’17 started her own PR firm, Crystal Moon Public Relations, in October 2022.
Dr. Yuvraj Verma ’17 was awarded the Torchbearer Award at the 2023 “Man-Up” breakfast in Birmingham, AL for his positive contributions to his community.
Caitlyn M. Gibbons, Esq., ’17 joined Rivkin Radler LLP as an associate in the Employment and Labor practice group.
2018
Joseph P. Pawelski ’18 joined the Yorktown, N.Y. Police Department.
Céire A. Kealty ’18 won the Susan G. Perry Award for Best Graduate Student Essay at the College Theology Society convention in 2023. Kealty wrote the essay during her doctoral studies at Villanova University, and the award-winning paper is currently being considered for publication.
2019
Emily P. Solomos ’19 won the Food Network 2022 Halloween Cookie Challenge.
2020s
2020
Danielle L. DelTorto ’20 joined Sallop Insurance Inc. in Boston as account executive.
Watson Filikitonga ’20 plays for the American Raptors rugby team.
Kathleen M. Wiedmar ’20MBA was the recipient of the 2023 PGA of America Merchandiser of the Year—Private Category.
Meghan L. Wright ’20 is set to graduate from law school in 2024.
Jennifer A. Bastos ’20 is pursuing an accelerated second degree BSN program.
Jorge A. Torres ’20, playing goalie, led Puerto Rico’s national water polo team into history by winning its first-ever CAC Games title.
Erin O. Convey ’20 was recognized by Business Insider’s as one of the top 33 rising stars in influencer talent management.
2021
Kevin R. Ayers ’21 was spotlighted by the Levittown Chamber of Commerce for his role as a financial services professional with the Long Island General Office of New York Life.
Liam M. Geer ’21 named as one of the nation’s “Irish Top 40 Under 40” award winners by the Irish Echo in February 2023. Geer is the director of the Iona University pipe band while also serving as an instructor for the Pelham Regional pipe band.
Brendan Eckstein ’21 is pursuing a masters degree in Education at Iona University.
Nicole S. Genser ’21 is currently a research assistant at the National Deaf Center (NDC) and also attends Montclair State University, where she is pursuing their audiology doctoral program to become an audiologist. She recently presented at several conferences—notably presenting at the Educational Audiology Association
and the New Jersey Speech Language Hearing Association.
2022
Erin E. O’Donnell ’22 is pursuing a masters degree in social work.
Kyra D. Green ’22, ’23MBA started at PwC as a full-time Trust Solutions tax associate.
Mauro H. Pacsi ’22 named assistant coach of the Iona University Men and Women’s Swimming program.
Angela L. Ennis ’22 is pursuing a masters degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders.
Emily R. Recco ’22 recently launched her own jewelry company, “Recco Jewels.” While pursuing the launch of her company, Recco maintained a full-time position at “Friends for Life Homecare” in Massapequa Park, N.Y. where she takes care of senior needs by volunteering at senior centers and providing senior housing placements.
2023
Peter C. Schulten ’23 finished in first place at the Soul Ryeders Half Marathon in Rye, N.Y.
Alyssa Lewandowski ’23 was accepted to Western New England University’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy program Class of 2026.
Aidan J. Connolly ’23 received the 2023 Howard H. Baker Leadership Award on behalf of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity—Iota Omicron (Iona).
Andrew Van Cura ’23 conducted play-by-play broadcasts for the Boulders baseball team in the American Frontier League during summer 2023.
Laura Bauer ’23MA is set to embark on her next adventure at Michigan State University, where she will pursue her Ph.D. in organizational psychology and fulfill her dreams of working alongside astronauts. While pursuing her doctorate degree, she will be working closely on research projects funded by NASA and the Army Research Institute.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.