Alumni denoted by an asterisk (*) are members of the North Texas Exes

'90

DeAnna Presnal Cochran, Plano, owns DeAnna Cochran Jewelry. She launched a web site in 2004, offering “Mom Bracelets” inspired by the loss of her infant son. She then began designing one-of-a-kind and limited-edition pieces, with sales benefiting local and national children’s organizations. She has been featured on news broadcasts on NBC and in publications, including Lucky Magazine.

Mike Marquett, Frisco, has been working on the Fox TV series Prison Break as a staff lighting technician since June 2006. He also worked on Walker, Texas Ranger from 1993 to 2001 in the lighting department. He says he loves the challenge of the business.

Todd Samuels, Allen, is a business systems analyst for Brinker International. He achieved the project management professional designation in April and also is a certified information systems auditor and certified information systems security professional. He and his wife, Tanya, celebrated the birth of their third child, Tatum, in March.

'91

Christine Martin-Beutner (M.M.), Denton, was named the 2007 Metroplex Children’s Choir Teacher of the Year in February. She is the choir director at Sam Houston Elementary School in Denton.

'92

Lori Donnell Massey, Dallas, and her husband, Clay, welcomed their first child, a daughter, last year. Lori is creative director for Fossil in Richardson.

Keith McBurnett (‘93 M.Ed.), Austin, is the new assistant superintendent of curriculum, assessment and accountability for the Pflugerville ISD. He was formerly the executive director of elementary administration for the Keller ISD.

Gary Waller (Ph.D.), Arlington, retired in 2006 from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary after 22 years as professor of administration, including five years as dean of distance learning. He is vice president of learning management and academic services for Rockbridge Seminary, an online school offering diploma and master-level degree programs.

Martha Werner, Frisco, was named principal of Oak Point Elementary in Little Elm ISD. She was TEPSA’s 2006-07 Assistant Principal of the Year for Region XI as assistant principal of Hackberry Elementary.

'93

Greg Hancock, Frisco, is co-owner of Rockin’ Ivories Dueling Piano Bar in Lewisville. He has spent the majority of his career in the home building and mortgage business. This is his first entertainment venue venture.

'94

Ruben Castilla Jr., Weston, Fla., will lead the new office of RGL-Forensic Accountants & Consultants in Dallas. He has more than 10 years of forensic accounting experience and was previously manager in the Fort Lauderdale office of Hagen, Streiff, Newton & Oshiro.

Douglas E. Gray (M.F.A.), Florence, S.C., was presented the Award for Excellence in Service at Francis Marion University in April. He is an associate professor of art-ceramics and has been a member of the faculty at FMU since 1997.

*Greg Hirsch (’96 M.S.), Addison, has joined the board of the North Texas Exes. He is a sales manager with SYSCO Food Services and the mayor pro tem for the town of Addison. He was a member of UNT’s 1994 Southland Conference championship football team and is a member of the President’s Council. He is a regular guest speaker in the School of Merchandising and Hospitality Management.

Marie Varney Kisner and her husband, Thomas Kisner (’06), Hurst, are proud to announce the March birth of their son, William Thomas.

Aaron Solganick, Manhattan Beach, Calif., has been hired as a senior vice president of technology and media investment banking for B. Riley & Co., a Los Angeles-based investment banking firm.

'95

Matthew Mailman (D.M.A.), Oklahoma City, Okla., professor of conducting at Oklahoma City University, conducted Andre Previn’s opera A Streetcar Named Desire at OCU this spring and Carlylse Floyd’s opera Susannah at Opera of the Ozarks at Eureka Springs, Ark., this summer.

'96

Rosella Reyes Ogrodski (M.Ed.), Anaheim, Calif., and her husband, Al, celebrated the birth of their second child, Allison Rose, in March.

Lisa L. Rollins, La Vergne, Tenn., won an Award of Special Merit from the Council for the Support and Advancement of Education Region III in February for her public relations work on behalf of Middle Tennessee State University. She also won the Bronze Award in the “Media Success Story” category of the 2007 Tennessee College Public Relations Association Communications Contest.

'97

Michelle Webb Fandrich, Santa Monica, Calif., was interviewed by fashion personality Jeanne Beker for a Fashion Television episode after her presentation at the International Foundation of Fashion and Technical Institutes conference in Toronto. An appraiser of fine and historic costume and textiles, she launched MW Fandrich Consulting last fall.

Sheryl Floyd (M.J.), Pflugerville, is president-elect of the Texas Association of Journalism Educators. She also received the Edith Fox King award from the Interscholastic League Press Conference for her contribution to scholastic journalism. For five years, she has worked at Pflugerville High School, which won the state 5A UIL journalism academic contest in 2003 and where she has instituted a broadcast journalism program.

'98

Amber Heinz Hohman, Temecula, Calif., and her husband, Kurt, announce the birth of their second daughter, Kirra Marie Heinz Hohman. Kirra joined her big sister, Charlotte, in November 2006. Kurt is a pilot for United Airlines and Amber is a stay-at-home mom.

*Alejandro Paiuk (TAMS), Boston, Mass., graduated from Harvard Business School with an M.B.A. in June.

Marcie Podesta, Dallas, joined SolomonEdwards Group LLC as resource manager for the business consultants and accountants team in the Dallas-Fort Worth office. She began her career as a leasing consultant for Post Properties Inc., where she was third in the nation for most leases.

Mary Spencer-Michaud (M.Ed.) and Dale Lewis Michaud (’96), Denton, announce the home birth of their second son, Brian Patrick, in February. He joins his older brother, Grayson Alexander, 6. Mary works part-time as a preschool special needs teacher for Cooke County, and Dale is a law enforcement officer with The Colony Police Department.

'99

Todd Chiles, Lewisville, and his father, Larry, who work together as realtors in the Chiles Group, joined RE/MAX DFW Associates in its Flower Mound office.