Portal
1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s
’60s
’70s
Ronald E. Klingle, bachelor in Chemical Engineering, was among a dozen graduates honored this year by the YSU Bitonte College of Health and Human Services. Klingle was an environmental engineer for Sawhill Tubular Division of Cyclops Corp, then became regional head of Industrial Treatment and Disposal Operations for Browning Ferris Industries and later he founded American Waste Services Inc. He eventually purchased Avalon Lakes Golf Course, consolidating his interests into Avalon Holdings Corp., which in established the First Annual “Freedom Warrior Golf Outing” to support the local veterans, raising nearly $1 million dollars. Klingle also hosts the YSU ROTC Golf Outing at the Avalon Golf Course, raising tens of thousands of dollars every year for the YSU ROTC Program.
Sean Ennis, bachelor of Business Administration, 1973, a member of the Ohio Veteran’s Hall of Fame, was the featured speaker at the Lakewood, Ohio, Veterans Day Ceremony. Ennis enlisted in the Army in 1965 and worked with the Army Security Agency until April 1969, where he served in Vietnam, Korea and Thailand. He worked for the IRS and the Department of Veterans Affairs, retiring from government service in 2006. Before retirement, Ennis was a commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars District 7 and Post 2533 in Cleveland. He is still involved with the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 15, the Joint Veterans Honor Guard, Honor Flight Cleveland and the Airport Ambassador program at Cleveland Hopkins Airport.
’80s
Diane Bargiel, bachelor of Music, 1985, recently retired as associate professor and chair of the Humanities Division at SUNY Adirondack. Bargiel continues as the principal clarinetist of the Sage City Symphony.
Andrea Felesky, bachelor in Accounting, 1989, joined Lafayette Square, an impact investment platform, as managing director and head of Client Audit across the firm's portfolio companies. Felesky has more than two decades of experience in financial accounting, transactions and public offerings. She previously was senior director at RSM US within the technical accounting consulting group. She has also served as a director at KPMG, LLP. Read More.
R. Tad Greig, master of Music, 1989, is the director of the Westminster College Wind Ensemble, recognized as a showcase ensemble by the Collegiate Band Directors National Association at the Eastern Region Conference in Baltimore. Greig also serves as professor of Music and director of instrumental activities at Westminster. The ensemble, developed by Greig more than 20 years ago, has earned multiple honors, including first place in the national “American Prize” competition for top wind ensemble, and made several guest appearances, including Pennsylvania Music Educators State Conference on three occasions and the Scottish Rite Cathedral in New Castle, Pa.
’90s
Kim Testa-Lazarus, bachelor of Business Administration, 1990, is the new chief human resources officer in the Lee County Clerk of Court in Florida. Testa-Lazarus also holds a master in Business Administration from Malone University. She previously was senior director of human resources for Signet Jewelers. Read More.
Michael Prelee of Hubbard, bachelor of History and Political Science, 1995, and the author of four novels, can add “award-winning” next to his name. Prelee won the 2021 Midwest Book Award in the Fiction: Mystery/Thriller category for his latest book, Lost Little Sister. The award comes from the Midwest Independent Publisher’s Association and is one of the longest literary recognition programs in the nation. The book was selected for the 2021 Ohioana Book Festival. Prelee’s other novels are “Murder in the Heart of It All,” “Milky Way Repo” and “Bad Rock Beat Down.”
Chief Master Sgt. Brett Miller, bachelor’s of Music Performance, French Horn, 1999, now principal French Horn in the U.S. Air Force Concert Band, was recently selected for promotion to the rank of chief master sergeant, the highest enlisted rank in the Air Force. In addition to performing with the band, Miller is the section chief of unit travel and ceremonial action officer. Highlights of his Air Force career include participating in the state funerals for Presidents Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford and inaugurals for Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump. He also was the Air Force District Washington ceremonial action officer for the 2021 Inauguration of President Joseph R. Biden.
’00s
Kevin Carpenter, master’s in Industrial Engineering Management, 2000, was named vice president, Global Operations and Integrated Supply Chain, for the Toro Co. Carpenter previously worked for Carrier Global Corp. as vice president of Operations, Residential and Light Commercial Systems. He previously was vice president of Manufacturing Services at Rockwell Automation. He also holds a master of Business Administration from Case Western Reserve University, a bachelor of Electrical Engineering from the George Institute of Technology, a bachelor in general Engineering from Morehouse College and a master of Biblical Studies from Ashland University.
Malinda Ferko, Business Administration, 2003, recently joined the Sherman Creative team as customer success specialist. Ferko previously worked with a large real estate financial and investment group in Cleveland, followed by similar roles with two local companies.
Christopher Tennant, bachelor of Social Work, 2004, joined the Ohio Environmental Council as Northeast Ohio regional director. Tennant will work alongside residents, community groups and OEC partners to build an environmental movement in Northeast Ohio, focusing primarily on the Mahoning Valley. After working many years as a social worker and completing a master degree in Public Health from Walden University, Tennant began the nonprofit Thrive Mahoning Valley, whose mission is to create a more welcoming and equitable community while striving to connect new and current residents to economic, social and educational opportunities. In addition, Tennant served on the Youngstown Food Policy Committee, the Healthy Community Partnership’s Parks and Green Spaces Action Team, the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley’s Development and Marketing Committee, and Friends of the Mahoning River. He formerly served on the board of Inspiring Minds and on the steering committee of the Mahoning Valley Healthy Community Partnership.
Robert Bole, bachelor of Business Administration, 2008, joined Pagaya Investments as vice president of Innovation where he will be tasked with discovering, exploring and creating new investment and commercial opportunities for the new Artificial Intelligence based Asset Manager.
Raechel Vega, bachelor of Business Administration, 2009, was named controller at Bodine Perry Certified Public Accountants and Advisors. Vega is based out of the Canfield, Ohio, office and is responsible for oversight of all firm-related financial matters. Her prior experience includes more than eight years in public accounting and three years of corporate auditing. Most recently she was senior accountant at Packer Thomas.
Michael McGiffin, bachelor of Business Administration, 2009, master of Education, 2011, is the new director of the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber Foundation. McGiffin previously was chief strategy officer at Stambaugh Auditorium and director of events and special projects for the city of Youngstown.
’10s
Atty. Justin Markota of Girard, bachelor’s in Accounting, 2010, has become an equity partner in Betras, Kopp and Harshman. The firm will now operate as Betras, Kopp and Markota. Markota earned a law degree from Capital Law School in Columbus.
Jessica Valsi, bachelor of Political Science, 2012, was named Admissions Recruiter for Eastern Gateway Community College, Youngstown campus. Valsi was previously academic program coordinator for Ohio State University’s Department of Political Science. She also holds a master in Public Policy and Management from OSU.
Lamar Salter, bachelor of Arts, 2011, and master of Arts, 2013, was named Outstanding Recent Alumnus at the Williamson College of Business Administration’s 25th Annual Alumni Banquet. Salter is a producer at CNN for the digital productions team and previously worked as a senior producer at the nonprofit advocacy organization, Global Citizen, and the digital business news site, Business Insider. He also worked as an associate producer at CBS News, NBC News, and WFMJ.
Jessica Williams, bachelor of Social Work, 2015, and master of Social Work, 2019, was honored by the Dr. Dominic A. and Helen M. Bitonte College of Health and Human Services. Williams is an assessment supervisor at Trumbull County Children Services. She mentors University Partnership Interns from YSU and is a member of the Trauma Informed Committee of Trumbull County and the board for COMPASS Family and Community Services.
Jenette Morell, J.D., bachelor of Political Science and Government, Pre-Law, with minors in Criminal Justice and Religious Studies, 2016, is director of Government Relations at Vita Inclinata Technologies. She also earned a Juris Doctorate from University of Akron School of Law.
John L. Malcolm IV, bachelor of Computer Science and Information Systems, 2016, is the new chief innovation and technology officer for the Cleveland Public Library. Malcolm previously was chief technology officer of the Cleveland Institute of Music and served as the director of Information Technology for the Positive Education Program. He also has a professional certification in digital transformation from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Shelly Feiwell, bachelor of Allied Health, 2017, was among a dozen graduates honored this past Fall by the YSU Bitonte College of Health and Human Services. Feiwell, who also holds a master in Adult Learning and Development from Cleveland State University, worked as director of the Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary Program at Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine.
Musician Seaman Michael Barkett, bachelor of Music Performance, Trumpet, 2017, recently joined the U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa Band after graduating from the Naval School of Music. Barkett is stationed in Naples, Italy.
Michael Navratil, bachelor in Exercise Science, 2017, is the new director of strength and conditioning and assistant director of the Lowry Center at Kenyon College in Ohio. Navratil worked in the YSU athletics department, then took positions as strength and condition coach at the University of Wyoming, Robert Morris University (Pa.) and the University of Akron, where he earned a master’s degree.
’20s
Carson Markley, bachelor in Economics and Political Science , 2020, who is pursuing a graduate degree at Richmond University, participated in a summer internship with the Centre for Analysis of the Radical Right, where he worked on projects analyzing the relationship between the Alt-right and democracy. His most recent article, “The GOP Effort To Install ‘Big Lie’ Election Officials Raises Alarms,” appeared in RANTT Media.
Hank Stull, master of Business Administration, 2020, human resources/safety specialist at Ellwood Aluminum in Hubbard, was featured in a Brain Gain Navigators video in the Business Journal. Stull also holds a bachelor in Business Administration from Pennsylvania State University. Read More.
Two YSU alumni have won promotions in Schroedel, Scullin & Bestic CPAs: Andrew G. Klapac (L), bachelor of Business Administration, 2021, was named senior team accountant, and Emilee R. Smrek (R), bachelor of Business Administration, 2021, joined the firm as a team accountant, after two years as an intern.