ClassNotes

Ron Hansen M.A. ’95, M.Div. ’04 is this year’s recipient of the Evil Companions Award, which honors a writer who hails from the West or writes about it. Hansen is an Omaha native who teaches literature at Santa Clara University. He has earned numerous honors in his four decades as a novelist, essayist and short-story writer, including the status of creating one of the longer and more intriguing titles in contemporary fiction: The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.

Erin (McCarthy) Reasoner ’96 completed Ironman Arizona on November 18, 2012. It took her 13 hours, 58 minutes to finish the 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26.2 mile run. Fellow Bronco Karen (McCormick) Ekizian ’96 was part of the amazing cheering crew. Erin has completed two half Ironman distance triathlons; this was her first full distance. Erin and husband Scott have three girls: Olivia, 8, Bridget, 5 and Audrey, 2. The family lives in Mission Viejo, Calif.

Mike Betz '96 and Alisa (Harmon) Betz '97 are pleased to announce the birth of their third (and final) future Bronco, Charles Donald Betz on Oct. 14, 2012. Charlie joins his siblings Alice and Henry and has the distinct privilege of being the proud owner of numerous articles of hand-me-down SCU gear! Here's to hoping they all get in to SCU! Third one's free, right?

Chantel Waterbury ’97, founder and CEO of chloe + isabel, was listed in "More 40 under 40" by Fortune magazine. Although the 37-year-old didn't make the main list of business' hottest rising stars, she was nevertheless recognized as being among the latest players on the direct-sales jewelry scene, helping sellers set up virtual store fronts and offering them a range of jewelry to hawk using their social networking savvy. Waterbury has more than 14 years of experience developing jewelry for retailers like Macys, Old Navy, and LVMH's DFS Galleria.

Laura Lee Norris J.D. ’97 has been named founding director of the new Entrepreneur’s Law Clinic at Santa Clara's School of Law. 

Yan Yuen Brenda Lao MBA ’97 writes, "I am working at Hong Kong Baptist University now."

Russell Dahl ’97 is an associate professor of medicinal chemistry in the Departments of Neuroscience and Pharmaceutical Science at The Chicago Medical School of Rosalind Franklin University, in North Chicago. Dr. Dahl is the author of more than 60 peer-reviewed publications and an inventor on over 20 patents in small molecule therapeutics. He also directs the Laboratory for Molecular Design and Drug Discovery.

Colleen Blake ’97 was named one of Silicon Valley Business Journal’s “100 Women of Influence.” As sr. director, Global People Operations, Brocade Communications Systems Inc., Blake is a key partner in driving the company’s involvement in community initiatives for young girls and women, and is responsible for the company’s diversity and inclusion strategy, including the expansion of Brocade’s Women In Networking (WIN) initiative across the globe. Blake was named to the Silicon Valley Business Journal’s 2012 "40 Under 40" list, and she is active in youth and women's organizations.

Meredith McKenzie J.D. ’98 was appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown ’59 to the Dental Board of California. McKenzie has been vice president and deputy general counsel at Juniper Networks since 2012. She was senior director of intellectual property at Symantec Corporation from 2006 to 2012, director of litigation, licensing and IP for Cypress Semiconductor from 2001 to 2006 and corporate counsel and director of IP at Enuvis Inc. from 2000 to 2001. McKenzie was an associate for Howrey LLP from 1998 to 2000 and patent agent and design engineer at Intel Corporation from 1993 to 1998.

Cathy (Miller) Justl '98, M.A. '01  and David Justl '99 live in Wisconsin and are pleased to announce the arrival of Katherine Yeon Emma Justl, born March 17, 2011, in Osan, South Korea, home forever on August 30, 2012. She joins big sister, Kiya, age 4.

Olga Diaz ’98 was named Civic Leader of the Year at U-T San Diego’s second annual San Diego Latino Champions Awards ceremony.

Jason M. Caskey ’98 is an attorney in the Intellectual Property and Information Technology group at Kutak Rock LLP, specializing in technology licensing, copyright, trademarks, and commercial transactions. His wife, Kirsten, and he welcomed their son Daniel Patrick on December 26, 2011, joining big sisters Grace (6) and Claire (4). The family lives in Omaha, Nebraska, but Jason makes it back to the Bay Area to visit with clients and friends as often as possible.

Pallie Zambrano J.D. ’99 has been honored by the YWCA of Silicon Valley with a 2013 Tribute to Women and Industry (TWIN) Award, one of the most prestigious awards given by local and regional YWCAs nationwide. Zambrano is a partner at McManis Faulkner, a leading Northern California trial firm.

The TWIN Award program was established in 1984 to honor the outstanding achievements of female executives who have demonstrated excellence in business leadership positions and to pay tribute to the companies in which they work. Zambrano joins a group of honorees selected from Silicon Valley technology, legal, communications, nonprofit, and healthcare organizations that have acted as successful role models for other women in business, exhibited top-level responsibility in a major functional role, and who have had a substantial impact on the organization’s growth, profitability and innovation.

Jaysson A. Reno '99 was recently named general sales manager of KSAN - 107.7 The Bone, flagship of the SF 49ers, and is also taking on the newly created role director of strategic partnerships, for Cumulus Media in San Francisco. Jaysson and his wife of 8 years have 3 children and reside in San Jose.

Richard Lucero J.D. ’99 was appointed Fremont's chief of police.

Lucero, a 26-year veteran of Fremont police, has spent his entire law enforcement career in Fremont, where he has worked with several units, including SWAT, narcotics, street crimes and internal affairs.

He has served as commander of Fremont police's two major departments: the Patrol Division and the Special Operations and Investigations Division.

Lucero is a graduate of San Jose State University and Santa Clara University School of Law, and is a member of the State Bar of California. He is a volunteer with Officers Give Hope, a nonprofit organization that encourages officers to join the National Marrow Donor Registry. He also is first vice president of the California Peace Officers' Association.

Read the full story in the San Jose Mercury News.

Jeremy Johnston '99 is the bass player and assistant band director for Cirque du Soleil's Alegria. Alegria was the 22nd highest grossing worldwide touring act in 2011, and is the 10th highest grossing worldwide touring act so far in 2012. When not on tour, he lives with his wife and two boys in Hudson, Ohio.

Steve Braccini '99, J.D. '03 and his wife, Teresa, welcomed their first child into the world on March 20, 2012, a son—Angelo Antonio Braccini. The family resides in the Willow Glen area of San Jose. Steve is a trust and estate litigator with Hopkins & Carley, APLC in the firm's San Jose and Palo Alto offices.

Renu Bhatia MBA ’99 was named one of Silicon Valley Business Journal’s “100 Women of Influence.” As VP of Sales and Business Development, Marvell Semiconductor Inc., Bhatia is responsible for developing the  company’s data communications sales strategy. Bhatia is board director of the San Jose Children’s Discovery Museum; active member of the San Jose Chamber of Commerce, the Anita Borg Institute for Women in Technology and The Indus Entrepreneurs. She teaches at local temple and was selected to guide and develop Stanford University’s international student graduate program. Bhatia appeared as a panelist at the 2011 WIE Symposium, speaking on philanthropy, social enterprise and corporate social responsibility. She was awarded the YWCA Tribute to Women in Industry in 2011.

Tony Perachiotti '00 and Colette (Meyer) Perachiotti '00 welcomed their second son, Tyler, on November 20. Their first son Dominic is three years old, and the family lives in Marin County, in Novato.

Ryan Joy '00 and Heather Joy—a girl, Kennedy Brooklyn Joy, on Dec. 8, 2012. The family resides in Novato, Calif.