Santa Clara Magazine

Matt Byrne ’02 and other ranching partners started SunFed Organic Beef (www.SunFedOrganic.com) to make available organic, grass-fed, locally raised beef from his family's ranch and other California family ranches. Delicious and healthy SunFed organic beef is available at upscale restaurants and retailers in the Bay Area, Sacramento region, and Southern California. Also available to individuals who contact SunFed through the website.

David Bonacci MBA '02 brought the first FirstLight HomeCare location to California in June. Located at 2910 Camino Diablo, Suite 140 in Walnut Creek, the company provides professional, non-medical, in-home care services to seniors and others in need of assistance with daily activities in Walnut Creek, Orinda, Moraga, Lafayette, Alamo, Danville and Canyon areas. "I'm eager to bring FirstLight HomeCare to my community in Walnut Creek and the surrounding areas," says Bonacci. "As our nation's demographic shifts, there is an extreme need for our services. These days, seniors want to remain independent and in their own homes for as long as possible." Bonacci's career in the rapidly expanding home care industry came as a result of various life experiences. For many people, flying jets in the military is a dream but for Bonacci, it became a reality in 1991 when he was commissioned as an officer for the U.S. Navy. Due to deep cuts in defense spending, Bonacci was able to leave the military early but quickly discovered his skills gave him the background to enter the flight simulations industry. Over time, this market died down but Bonacci continued working as a marketing manager in the video game industry while earning his MBA from Santa Clara University. As the gaming industry continued to evolve, Bonacci realized the types of games he was required to manage weren't in line with his moral stance and he knew he needed a career change. Wanting to make a positive difference in his community, Bonacci turned to FirstLight HomeCare. Coming from the video game industry, Bonacci witnessed first-hand the degree to which we live in a youth-based culture. The importance placed on looks and youth in many industries was unsettling to him and he found that the elderly and their needs are often overlooked and brushed aside. This is what ultimately prompted his decision to enter the rapidly growing home care industry. "As my own parents age, I've realized what a challenge it is to find quality and professional help. I also wanted to find an opportunity that would allow me to serve others in our community in a meaningful way," says Bonacci. "Not everyone has a friend or family member locally to assist them. This business gives us the chance to really make a difference in someone's life." Founded in March 2010, Midwest-based FirstLight HomeCare creates a new standard in non-medical home care by combining best practices gained by a dynamic senior leadership team with innovative approaches to make this franchise an emerging market leader in a fast-growing industry. Services can be provided at a private residence, assisted-living facility, retirement community, nursing home, skilled-nursing facility, adult family home or group home. Clients might also include new mothers, individuals recovering from surgeries and others. For more information, please visit www.firstlighthomecare.com.

Erik Bergstrom '00 and Leslie-Ann (Holt) Bergstrom '02 welcomed their first child, daughter Stella Grace, on January 28, 2012.

Nikki Osborne '02 married Jason Benedict on November 7, 2008 at the Church of the Good Shepherd in San Diego, Calif. Nikki is a senior manager (SEC Reporting and Financial Planning & Analysis) at Digirad in San Diego.

Gilbert Aviles '00 and Nyrene Badal Aviles '02 announce the birth of their daughter Layla Grace Aviles on August 28, 2009 in Santa Clara, Calif.

Gilbert Aviles '00 and Nyrene Badal Aviles '02 welcomed Evan Edward Aviles on May 27, 2011. Evan was born in Santa Clara, CA and weighed 8 pounds 6 ounces. He joins his big sister Layla.

Vivian Roldan '02 and Timothy Arnold were wed on Sep. 5, 2009 in Santa Cruz County. Wedding guests included Jose Ramirez '98, Margo Gaitan '00, Will Arroyo '07, and Lianne Chun MBA '09. The couple currently resides in Santa Clara. Vivian works as a Systems Analyst in Information Technology at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford.

Paulo Apolinario '02 and Maya (Vestal) Apolinario '02 are proud to announce the birth of their baby boy, Marco Cruz, on July 29, 2009. Marco is their first child.

Jose '02 and Gino Alvarez '08 have started JEA Specialties, specializing in purchasing material for self-performing General Contractors. A big advantage is that the brothers will show you what material will cost and only charge a 10% mark up above cost for Division 10, 11, 12 items, unlike traditional suppliers that can charge up to 40% mark up without disclosing actual cost. Business is based Sacramento, but servicing all of California.

Nate Aldworth '00 and Stephanie (Merlo) Aldworth '00 are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Samantha Claire. She was born on May 16, 2009. The three Aldworths live happily in San Diego, where Nate teaches history at Coronado High School, Stephanie works in finance at Qualcomm, and Samantha works hard at trying to roll over.

Jennifer (Magpayo) Alderete '02 and husband Chris welcomed a baby boy, Colin Joel 'CJ', on January 16, 2010. Jennifer works as a Software Engineer for a print-on-demand publishing service Blurb.com.

Jennifer (Magpayo) Alderete ’02, husband Chris, and big brother CJ (2) welcomed a baby girl, Kailee Aralina “Kaya,” on April 21, 2012. Kaya was born 7 pounds, 14 ounces.

Vivek Agrawal M.S. ’02 has been performing stand-up comedy, in addition to his day job in the Advanced Technology Group at Applied Materials. In January, he will be performing a solo show that he wrote called "Sounds of My Dreams" at the Historic Montgomery Theater in Downtown San Jose (www.SoundsofMyDreams.com).

Jose Alvarez '02 and wife Adreana, and big brother Adrian 4 years old, welcomed Aden Manuel, on April 19, 2010. 9lbs and 22inches long. The family lives in Sacramento.

Matthew Wood '03, a practicing engineering in accident reconstruction, and wife Jennifer Wood,  an HR business partner with the Bank of New York Mellon, welcomed twins on June 5, 2012 - a baby girl, Emma, and a baby boy, Bingham. The family lives in Atlanta.

Emily (Moody) Wilcox '03, MBA'09 and husband Lee had their first child, Abigail Wilcox, on August 18, 2011. Abby was born 9 pounds, 8 ounces and is a Bronco through and through. The family lives in San Jose.

Freshman Dorm: Swig

Emily (Moody) Wilcox ’03, MBA ’09 and husband Lee celebrated the birth of their first child, Abigail, on Aug. 18, 2011. The family lives in San Jose, Calif., where Emily works as the alumni and external relations director for the Leavey School of Business at SCU.

Christina Vigilia J.D. '03 and Michael Vigilia J.D. '03 welcomed a baby girl, Jamie Frances, on August 4, 2010. The family lives in Fresno.

Cyril Vidergar J.D. '03 has begun writing a column for the Longmont Times-Call newspaper (Colo). The column,"Pondering the Pint," addresses beer/brewing culture and tradition, and alcohol law.

Mario Urquilla '03 has completed his first year at the University of Miami School of Business. He has been elected Graduate Business Student Association class president and plans to graduate in May 2012.

Christine Travis ’03 recently opened a pilates studio in Bakersfield. Travis and her co-owner are also instructors at Poise Pilates and Barre.

Andrew Thompson '03 and Beth (Livingston) Thompson '02 welcome a baby boy, Timothy James Evon born July 15th 2010. He joins brother Henry 2, at home in Seattle, Wash.

Amanda '03 and Timothy Shim '02 welcomed their third child, Jonah Keahi on May 10, 2010. Jonah joins proud big sisters Isabelle (2) and Chloe (4). The Shims are raising their family on the beautiful island of Maui and loving every minute.

Colleen Rooney '03 and Ben White were wed in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, on Oct. 24, 2008. They live in Coppell, Texas, where Colleen is an elementary school teacher.

Chelsie Romjue '03 welcomed her first child, Addison Christine, on Feb. 5.