SMAD Alumni Messages - 2002

Message Posted 12-2-2002
Jody Worthington
Year Graduated: 2002
Current Address: New Orleans, LA
Email Address: planetnebali@yahoo.com
Employer: Gambit Communications
After taking all sorts of multimedia classes with McHardy, Maune, and Woody, I've somehow found myself working in print design. Not quite sure how that happened! Up until last week I was the production director for a New Orleans-based monthly, The Jewish Civic Press. Because of the paper's lack of funding, I sought a more stable gig...so now I am a graphic designer for Gambit Weekly (www.bestofneworleans.com). I'm also dabbling in some freelance web design and multimedia programming. If any old SMADers have made it down here to N.O., get in touch. Networking is fun!

Message Posted 12-2-2002
Jackie Lasek
Year Graduated: 2000
Current Address: Arlington, VA 22201
Email Address: jaxlasek@yahoo.com
Employer: System Planning Corporation
Well I'm sitting at my new job and waiting for something to render so I thought I'd check this out. After graduation, I moved to Arlington and worked for the last 2 years for a publisher. I was doing design and layout of some broadcasting trade pulications. While it was a good experience, it got to be pretty repetitive, but I now know Quark like the back of my hand. And somehow this new job landed in my lap in sept. I'm now a "computer graphics specialist" and it's great.... doing all kinds of design, playing around with 3D and video stuff too. It's great to be doing something I went to school for.

Message Posted 11-17-2002
Michael Mafodda
Year Graduated: 1998
Current Address: Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Email Address: michael@mafodda.com
Employer: LiquidHub, Inc.
Hey, all! Hope you're doing well in the real world. All's fine in the City of Brotherly love. Drop me a line if you'll be in the area.

Message Posted 11-6-2002
Brandon Montijo
Year Graduated: 2002
Email Address: tijovideoproductions@yahoo.com
Employer: New Millennium Studios
As much as I read these I figuired it was time to put my mark on the SMAD alumni map. Currently I am working at New Millennium Studios as the in-house editor, filling the large shoes of a former Smad Student Peter Holmes, who is seeking fame and fortune in NYC. I basically do Final Cut Pro editing, graphics, web stuff, IT junk, Network fixing the usual stuff the "new guy" that just graduated knows how to do I guess. All in all it's cool. I am still plugging away with Tijo Video Productions, doing some promos for Lexus of Richmond and various companies around the area. A big thanks to the three Johns (gruver,hodges,woody) for all of their help{if you are a current student reading the alumni pages become friends with the aforementioned names} I hope everyone is doing well and hit me up with an email if you are in the Richmond area and want to talk shop or hang out.

Message Posted 11-3-2002
Melissa Marks
Year Graduated: 1999
Current Address: Vienna, VA
Email Address: mmarks77@hotmail.com
Employer: Discovery Communications, Inc.
Hi Everyone - Back in DC! I'm now at Discovery, working in Promotions and Advertising for Discovery's Digital Networks.

Message Posted 10-31-2002
Mike Monroe
Year Graduated: 2001
Current Address: DC / NY
Email Address: mm@mikemoninternational.com
I left CBS for a smaller production company in NY and was an associate producer on VH1 25 Sexiest in Music. After that I moved back to DC and started my own production company. I'm building capital and hopefully by next year will be able to grow. Check out the site if you get a chance. www.mikemoninternational.com I've got a lot of deals in the works, and am purchasing equipment now, so that down the road I can hopefully hire people to help produce documentaries, music videos, etc. The benefits of Final Cut Pro knowledge are endless. It's industry standard.

Message Posted 10-31-2002
Christine Dahlquist
Year Graduated: 1999
Current Address: Richmond, VA
Email Address: cdahlquist77@hotmail.com
Employer: Virginia House of Delegates
I am currently the Web Designer for the Virginia General Assembly website. The site features bill tracking, information on the legislative process, and a Capitol Classroom resource for teachers and students. http://legis.state.va.us

Message Posted 10-24-2002
Randi Clarke
Year Graduated: 2001
Current Address: New York, NY
Email Address: Randi.Clarke@nbc.com
Employer: NBC News
Hi Everyone! So nice to be able to check on fellow SMAD majors and see how well everyone is doing. I am currently working for Dateline NBC as a Production Associate. I have been here since I graduated and have had some amazing experiences and have worked with some of the most talented people in news. The hours are long and sometimes extremely stressful, but I couldn't see myself doing anything else! I would love to hear from anyone living in or visiting NYC!

Message Posted 10-24-2002
Laura M. Adams
Year Graduated: 2000
Current Address: McLean VA 22101
Email Address: lmadams13@yahoo.co.uk

Message Posted 7-15-2002
Ray Mullins
Year Graduated: 1984
Current Address: Mechanicsville, VA 23116
Email Address: ray.mullins@capitalone.com
Employer: Capital One
I'm a manger in the Events and Media Production Dept. of Capital One in Richmond. I was part of the old Comm Arts Dept there in 1983-84. I worked on the original JMU Today Show during the Summer of 1983. I have a recent graduate from SMAD working for me here, George Louden III. We have a nice department here with a studio, 2 Avids and some graphics stations. Good luck next semester and keep churning out the outstanding alums from your department!

Message Posted 7-14-2002
Ken Horinko
Year Graduated: 2001
Current Address: Chicago, IL 60613
Email Address: kenhorinko@hotmail.com
Employer: Manning, Selvage & Lee
Packed up, moved to Chicago in the summer of 2001, now working at MS&L public relations on some top-notch accounts. It has been great bringing JMU and SMAD pride to the Midwest!

Message Posted 6-13-2002
Shannon Burke
Year Graduated: 1999
Current Address: Arlington, VA 22205
Email Address: sburke@nvtc.org
Employer: Northern Virginia Technology Council

Message Posted 6-13-2002
John J. Lombardi, Ph.D.
Year Graduated: 1991
Current Address: Cumberland, MD
Email Address: jlombardi@frostburg.edu
Employer: Frostburg State University
It's been over 10 years since I left JMU and the memories are as positive as ever. I enjoyed my time at JMU so much I stayed in school for another 6 years. I went to Jonesboro, AR where I earned my masters at Arkansas State University. I worked for a few years after that, but missed school too much. So I entered the Ph.D. program at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville. I taught at Western Carolina University for two years before moving to Frostburg State University. Here I teach video production, audio production, media writing, announcing and performance, and current issues and new technology in mass communication. I got married last August. Me and my wife...and three cats live in Cumberland, MD.

Message Posted 5-3-2002
Eric Dotson
Year Graduated: 1998
Current Address: Charlottesville, VA
Email Address: ericdotson@clearchannel.com
Employer: Clear Channel Radio
I have no idea who will see this, but I just wanted to say what's up to all my fellow MCOM peeps. I'm in Charlottesville, doing the the radio d.j. thing, working for Hot 101.9, if you ever pass through the area. If ya know me, e-mail me, let me know your still around!! Take it easy in the meantime.

Message Posted 4-10-2002
Jeff Wade
Year Graduated: 2000
Current Address: Fairfax, VA
Email Address: wadejs17@hotmail.com
Employer:
Hey all. I was on the West Coast for awhile trainiing on Avid and editing a film called "Blasphemy", look for it on video. I'm currently in NOVA, mainly doing freelance video and editing work for various companies in the area. Hope things are well with everyone!

Message Posted 4-10-2002
Elizabeth Veltri
Year Graduated: 2000
Current Address: Oakton, VA
Email Address: veltriea@hotmail.com
Employer: Lock Media Services, Inc.
I'm a Media Specialist in Manassas Park, VA. I edit, create interactive interfaces, motion graphics and still graphics. I also do a lot of Flash work. I work with fellow SMAD/SCOMer Marty Zager!

Message Posted 4-10-2002
Kathleen Reuschle
Year Graduated: 2001
Current Address: New York, NY
Email Address: reusch210@hotmail.com
Employer: Fox News Channel
www.foxnews.com. Become a FOX Fan! Smaddies forever...thanks all.

Message Posted 4-2-2002
Julia Filz
Year Graduated: 2000
Current Address: Atlanta, GA
Email Address: jfilz@feldinc.com
Employer: Feld Entertainment
Since my last message in January, I've moved from the DC area to Atlanta where I am now managing the Public Relations efforts for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey and Disney On Ice here in the Southeast. I'm still traveling up a storm, but I'm quickly falling in love with the new city- warm, sunny and MUCH better drivers than on the beltway!! Of course, this does mean my DC office is trying to find a replacement for my old position (Public Relations Coordinator for Disney On Ice). They're already interviewing, but if you'd like more information, please feel free to email me. If you're a SMAD major and living in Atlanta, please let me know. I have a million questions about living here!!

Message Posted 3-28-2002
John Cacchiani
Year Graduated: 1998
Current Address: Harrisburg, PA
Email Address: john.cacchiani@verizon.net
Employer: Electronic Data Systems
Currently working as a Systems Engineer for E.D.S in Pennsylvania. My group focuses mostly on web development and eBusiness projects for local and state government.

Message Posted 3-25-2002
Katie Riley
Year Graduated: 2000
Current Address: Arlington, VA
Email Address: rileyka@saic.com
Employer: SAIC
I'm working as a web developer in the Corporate New Media Solutions Department at SAIC. It's kind of dull-I'm making sites compliant for visually impaired users. I never knew adding alt tags and re-formatting could land me a job! Still keeping my eyes open for something a bit more creative.

Message Posted 3-20-2002
Michelle Zinski
Year Graduated: 2001
Current Address: Reston VA 20194
Email Address: mzinski2@hotmail.com
Employer: United States Customs Office of Television Operations
Hi everyone. I'm currently freelancing for US Customs (who thought??) but still looking for that dream job. Let me know if anyone's hiring any JMU-ers!

Message Posted 3-13-2002
Piper Furbush
Year Graduated: 2000
Current Address: Catonsville, MD 21228
Email Address: furbuspe@hotmail.com
Employer: Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group
I am now working as an in-house designer for Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, a book publisher of both academic and trade books. The idea behind the company is to have many publishers under one umbrella, allowing each to keeps its own identity. I design book covers for both genres, both paperbacks and dusjackets. It's fun because there is such a wide variety of books to design for. I also get to do some web design and corporate identity (as we are constantly buying smaller publishers).

Message Posted 3-9-2002
Cory Jurentkuff
Year Graduated: 1998
Current Address:
Email Address: cjurentkuf@aol.com
Employer: PBS

Message Posted 3-9-2002
Mailoan MacDonald
Year Graduated: 2000
Current Address: Richmond, VA 23220
Email Address: mmacdonald@doxinc.com
Employer: DOX, Inc.

Message Posted 2-9-2002
John R. Craig
Year Graduated: 1991
Current Address: Latham, NY 12110
Email Address: jrcraig2002@yahoo.com
Employer: Williams Communications Group
Currently, I work as a general assignment reporter at the ABC affiliate in Albany, NY. I cover general news, and fill-in anchor news and sports. It's the latest stop in a crazy career track that's covered print and broadcast.

Message Posted 2-7-2002
Ed M Dyer II
Year Graduated: 1998
Current Address: Fairfax Station, VA
Email Address: eddyer@mac.com
Employer: Williams Communications Group
Hey JMUers. I was hired immediately out of school by Avant Digital Productions, which became Webcasts.com in 1999, which was acquired by iBeam Broadcasting in 2000, who went bankrupt in 2001 and whose assets were bought by Williams Communications Group in December of 2001. I'm a Field Producer for webcasting ("Activecasts") in Williams (ever since Webcasts.com I've had the same job). It's not working for Apple, but it's a living. I married my soulmate, Jean Phillipson, in September of 1999 and at present we are building a house in Northern Virginia. JMU's SMAD department and the experiences I had there have shaped who I am today and John Woody's visionary teaching style, along with the rest of the SMAD faculty have made my career and made me a geek. I enjoy that. See you 'round.
http://www.hearthwoodcottage.com
(our house)
http://homepage.mac.com/ closetmacuser
(a fun Mac newbie or wannabe site)

Message Posted 2-7-2002
Ivey Lian
Year Graduated: 2001
Current Address: San Francisco
Email Address: ivey@iveylian.com
Employer: Vitesse Learning
In August, fellow SMAD graduate, Katie Youell, and I drove cross-country to San Francisco.. just in time to join the hoards of laid-off designers. yippee. In September, I was able to land a design internship with Papermedia doing various webpages for companies such as K2 Sports and San Jose Museum of Art. All the while, trying to stay financially afloat with the wierdest temp jobs. ever. oh, the stories. Now, I am a flash designer for a company called Vitesse Learning designing e-learning programs. And being very thankful to be an employed designer in SF. My advice to anyone who wants to move somewhere but doesn't know if they can get a job there.. GO! the only way to find a job in a new city is by going there and making connections. Monster and Hotjobs are jokes. So GO! and network, network, network. If anyone has any questions about the market here in SF, feel free to drop

Message Posted 2-7-2002
Jim McGivney
Year Graduated: 2000
Current Address: Hoodbridge
Email Address: mcgivney@morethananotch.com
Employer: Fairfax County Public Schools
Well isn't this a fantastic little idea? As for my life story thus far, we left our hero as he left JMU, diploma in hand, a fresh-faced idealist looking to find himself. (More specifically looking to find himself with Jennifer Love Hewitt in a Ferrari.) Once the harsh light of reality set in, he went to work in corporate video. Realizing that the money was nice, but projects entitled "Mission: POSSIBLE" really sucked, Jim has since moved on to directing an independent short film with the help of a number of past and present Madisonians. Many of you may even remember the script as it was supposed to be a JMU practicum project...ahem. For more info on my endeavors go to http://www.morethananotch.com. In the meantime, best of luck to you all. (And if you know how I can get my hands on JLH or that Ferrari, by all means, drop me a line.)

Message Posted 1-31-2002
Kyle Ritchie
Year Graduated: 1988
Current Address:
Email Address: ritchiek@panthers.nfl.com
Employer: Carolina Panthers
Scoreboard Operations Manager for the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, NC
(1996-present)

Message Posted 1-14-2002
Julia Filz
Year Graduated: 2000
Current Address: Fairfax. VA
Email Address: jfilz@feldinc.com
Employer: Feld Entertainment
A big hello to all you SMADies, especially those of you who toiled with me in the Breeze office and the Harrison lab! Glad to hear everyone is happy and successful! I'm in NoVA, working in the Public Relations Department (YIKES, I've become an SCOM convert) of Feld Entertainment, producers of Disney On Ice and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. I work with reporters all over the country and they're always impressed when I tell them I went to JMU. Thanks to all of my friends and professors who got me through in one piece! :)

Message Posted 1-4-2002
Lisa Cadigan (Cordiano)
Year Graduated: 1994
Current Address: Maryland
Email Address: LCCadigan@aol.com
Employer: American Zoo & Aquarium Association
Got my master's degree in Theater in Indiana after graduation, but I have happily landed back in the world of visual communication. I am currently editing and designing the AZA's monthly magazine(called "CommuniquÈ"). I also do some free-lance graphic design/web site management. The SMAD department seems to have certainly evolved quite a bit since I graduated--very exciting stuff!

Message Posted 1-3-2002
Mike Monroe
Year Graduated: 2001
Current Address: New York, NY
Email Address: mikemonroe21@hotmail.com
Employer: CBS News Productions
Photographed Europe and Hawaii after graduation then got a gig with Survivor Specials and a Tony Blair bio for A&E here at CBS in NY. Have a handshake deal with Lifetime to produce a documentary in a few months, waiting for a contract. Doing some independent work after Jan 17 before Lifetime gets underway. Send me an email if you want to do business or go out for a drink. Thanks for submitting the SMAD Alumni information.

Message Posted 1-3-2002 Ed Patterson
Year Graduated: 1988
Current Address: Virginia Beach, VA 23464
Email Address: esp@whro.net
Employer: Norfolk Academy
It's great to see some familiar faces on the web pages here at SMAD.

Message Posted 1-3-2002
Brycen Davis
Year Graduated: 2001
Current Address: Darn...still in NOVA
Email Address: spydah5grfx@hotmail.com
Employer: i dunno yet
Hi all, I just graduated a bit ago and now I'm out in the "real world." I never pictured it being this boring outside of the JMU bubble, but I'm about to head over to San Francisco to look for a new adventure...and hopefully a job! So, if any of your ex-SMADies feel like contacting me with any helpful hints for the job market out there I'd appreciate it. Hope everyone's doin' just fine :)

Message Posted 1-3-2002
Amos Guinan
Year Graduated: 2000
Current Address: Oakton, VA 22124
Email Address: amoszach@aol.com
Employer: Roman & Littlefield Publishing Group
Just wanted to drop a quick message of hope...in getting a job. If I can do it, anyone can. (those who knew me in the days of class and study can vouch!). Good luck and go Dukes!