Class Notes

Bill Munsell ’68, Sault Ste. Marie, was recognized by the I-500 Snowmobile Race for having volunteered in some capacity for every single race since the inaugural event in 1969. As an LSSU employee for 31 years, Munsell came to the track in 1969 at the urging of then President Dr. Kenneth Shouldice, who encouraged staff to get involved in community activities. In the early races Bill served as a lap counter and flagman; later he got involved with buttons sales through the Sault Ste. Marie Lions Club.

Gary McDowell ’70, Rudyard, was named director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development by Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer. Gary owns and operates McDowell Brothers Farm and McDowell Hay, Inc., along with his brothers Bob and Ron. He served for 22 years on the Chippewa County board of commissioners and for six years as Michigan’s 107th district state representative. He is a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician with the Rudyard Fire and Ambulance Corps and has served on the War Memorial Hospital board of directors for 27 years.

Patti Ann (Gapshes) Moskwa ’77, Mackinac Island, was awarded the Distinguished Service Award – the highest honor awarded by the association – in Midland at the annual winter board dinner of the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association.  Moskwa owns and manages Horn’s Gaslight Bar & Restaurant and also the Yankee Tavern with her husband Steve ‘77. Patti Ann is the third-generation owner of Horn’s, and has dedicated herself to her business and the Island. She has been a strong voice for the restaurant industry, advocating in Lansing and Washington, DC. Moskwa has been a member of the MRLA Board of Directors since 2002. She is a member of the Mackinac Island Tourist Bureau and has served on the Mackinac Island School Board and the Planning Commission. She is also a past co-chair of the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival.

Richard Jennings ’82, Fort Wayne, IN, along with his work partner K9 Ado, were selected to be in the November 2018 calendar for Vested Interest in K9’s. It is a national fund raising calendar to raise money to supply bullet and stab resistant vests for Law Enforcement K9’s nation wide.

Allen McClatchey ’89, Detroit, is an engineer at International Automotive Components Group (IAC). He received his master’s degree in technology management at the University of Phoenix.

Claudio Nicoletta ’90, formerly of Toronto, has been named chief financial officer of Keweenaw Land Association, Limited. Nicoletta comes to Keweenaw from Boston Scientific Corporation, where he had been finance director for the last six years. Prior that he worked for United Health Group, Medtronic, Tennant Company and Steelcase, Inc.

Anita Saluja ‘93, Melbourne, Fla., is a board-certified dermatologist. Two years ago she opened a practice in Melbourne with her lifelong friend Rebecca Johnson Novo ‘04, who is a plastic surgeon. Their joint practice is a one-stop shop for dermatology and plastic surgery procedures, bringing together years of expertise in their respective fields of medicine. Brevard Business News recently published a feature story about their practice. Anita was one of the youngest students ever to earn a bachelor’s degree at LSSU, completing hers at the age of 17.

Matthew Saxton ’94, Battle Creek, was appointed to serve on the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards. Saxton is the Calhoun County Sheriff and has been with the Sheriff’s office for nearly 25 years. He will serve as a nominee of the Michigan Sheriff’s Association.

Julie Jozwiak Sidelinger ’99, Ypsilanti, accepted a position at Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital in Howell, working in orthopedic and general surgery. She is the first assist on orthopedic surgery cases including joint arthroscopies and total joint replacements and general surgery cases including hernia repairs, cholecystectomies, bowel resections, and bariatric surgeries. After graduating from LSSU with a bachelors in biology and earning her paramedic certificate the following year, Julie went on to graduate from physician assistant school at Western Michigan University with her masters in medicine in 2005. Julie’s husband Craig Sidelinger ’99, received his master’s in technology studies from Eastern Michigan University in 2016. Since 2010 Craig has been the training chief for the Ann Arbor Fire Department. Craig and Julie have two children, Paulina (3), and Daniel (9 months).

Paul “PJ” Stoll ’96, Manistique, is the third chairperson for the 2019 CBC Fund Drive, which raises funds via the American Cancer Society for Bay Cliff Health Camp. Paul started working in the mining industry at Oglebay Norton’s Point Inland Plant in Manistique in 1999, and then in 2007 began his career with Western Lime (now Graymont) as the plant manager of the Port Inland Plant – a position he still holds today. Paul and his wife Amy ’95 have four daughters: Samantha, Ally, Lilly and Paige.

Denise (Neahusan) Dawson ’06, Grayling, accepted a position as unit supervisor for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources at Hartwick Pines State Park in December 2018.

Paul Derby ’04, Saginaw, is a supplier for Schmidt Outfitters, and an independent contractor and supplier for Old Ausable Fly Shop. As a student at LSSU, he was a part of SAILS (Student Alumni Involved for Lake State).

Yevgeniy (Eugene) Dubravin ’02, Schaumburg, Ill., was promoted to District Sales Manager for AstraZeneca. He has been working for the company for 5 years. As a student at LSSU, he was a member of the Laker hockey team and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics.

Christopher Gerard ’01, Sparta, earned a master’s degree in criminal justice management from Northern Michigan University in 2014. As a student at LSSU, Chris served as student assistant basketball coach for the men’s basketball team. Chris enlisted with the Michigan State Police in 2010 as a member of the 122nd Trooper Recruit School. He served as a road patrol trooper at the Wayland, Wakefield, Calumet, Neguanee and Rockford Posts. Chris was recently selected as a legislative liaison in the department’s government relations unit. As a legislative liaison, Chris examines policy issues and assists in developing the department’s official position. In addition, Chris represents the department before legislative committees when the legislature is considering a bill. In that capacity, Chris regularly testifies regarding the merits or defects of proposed legislation. Chris and his wife, Steffani, have two children, Tenley (5) and Tyson (3).

Jordan Law ’06, Ont., is earning his doctor of medicine at Laurentian University. Jordan has been working as a staff pharmacist at Deltorano Ltd. For the last 13 years.

Rebecca Mills ’02, Sault Ste. Marie, was promoted to director of human resources at Cloverland Electric Cooperative. She earned a master’s degree in Organizational Management and Health Care Administration at Ashford University.

Charles “Chuck” Myers ’08, Hesperia, has been awarded Newaygo County Deputy of the Year Awarded 2018.

Rebecca (Johnson) Novo ’04, Indialantic, Fla., is a double board-certified reconstructive and plastic surgeon. Two years ago she opened a practice in Melbourne with her lifelong friend Anita Saluja ’93, who is a dermatologist. Their joint practice is a one-stop shop for dermatology and plastic surgery procedures, bringing together years of expertise in their respective fields of medicine. Brevard Business News recently published a feature story about their practice. Becca played varsity basketball for LSSU from 1999-2001 and 2002-2004.

Ben Skupien ’04, Arlington, Va., was promoted to engineer program manager ll for SPAWAR. He builds and leads multi-disciplinary teams to provide engineering and IT solutions for defense needs. He is responsible for the success of engineering and IT programs, including execution, solution engineering, managing governmental and contractor teams, and liaising for various engagements.

Frank Suszynski ’03, Wash., was promoted to the Stamping Division senior manager for material logistics management at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Frank now is responsible for all production control activities across 6 stamping locations in the US, Canada and Mexico which support 9 assembly facilities.

Kelsey Ance ’17, Washington, DC, is the senior account manager for WeddingWire, headquartered in Washington. Kelsey handles all new business opportunities. She works in a highly consultative sales environment to promote the company and its services. Her markets are Chicago and Santa Barbara, Cal. WeddingWire is the largest online wedding network in the US and globally.

Prudence Anguilm ’13 , Sault Ste. Marie, is the head of the Housing Department for CLMCAA, a local non-profit that serves the tri-county area. She oversees 3 housing complexes, senior and permanent supportive housing, and multiple grants that assist those in our community who are homeless or at the risk of becoming homeless. She was appointed to a two year term as a Region 1 (UP) representative for the State of Michigan’s Emergency Housing council,  where she will address homelessness in the state by seeking solutions and spreading awareness.

Cody Carena ’15, Temperance, has been awarded Monroe County Officer of the Year Award for 2018.

Sam Eckola ’17, St. Ignace, received the Michigan State Police award for excellence in criminal patrol and investigations looking beyond the stop.

Jeremy Eitrem ’17, Sault Ste. Marie, is a technical services representative for Clinical Computer Systems, Inc. In this role, he installs, upgrades and services customer systems, provides scheduled and immediate customer assistance in installing, and services CCSI products and systems. CCSI is located in Chicago. Jeremy does some work out of his home and also travels to hospitals across the United States as needed.

Jay Hills ’13, Sault Ste. Marie, received the Michigan State Police award for excellence in criminal patrol and investigations looking beyond the stop.

Cole Hodge ’16, Kingsford, received the Michigan State Police award for excellence in criminal patrol and investigations looking beyond the stop.

Kevin Kluck ’10,  Norton Shores, is a Laue Technician at Arconic.

Benjamin Kurth ’11, Clarkston, is the owner and founder of K&B Robotic Technologies LLC, where he works as a robotics consultant and controls programmer. Kurth started his own business in Jan 2019, Kurth Robotics, Inc. Currently he is working with multiple clients throughout the US that are integrating robotic systems that need additional programming support. He also offers project management support as well as system build opportunities.

Crystal Niewiadomski ’17, Thompsonville, was sworn in as an officer of the Huron Township Police Department January 30. Crystal is a graduate of LSSU’s 50^th police academy class, and she earned three bachelor’s degrees from Lake State. She is the second full time female officer to be hired by Huron Township.

Samantha Peterson ’18, Martin, Mich., is a conservation program developer serving at the Department of Natural Resources Pigeon River Country headquarters.

Jamie Weaver ’10, Mancelona, is a counselor and advocate at the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan for survivors of domestic violence including safety planning, providing support and advocacy services.

Matthew Weber ’17, Ironwood, works at Edward Jones, serving the greater Grand Rapids, Michigan Area.