SMAD Alumni Messages - 2003

Message Posted 12-8-2003
Jennifer Simmons
Year Graduated: 1999
Current Address: Washington, D.C.
Email Address: jen.simmons@earthlink.net
Employer: Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Hi all! Glad to see happy SMAD-grads out there. Drop me a line if you're ever in D.C. I'm working as managing editor for a nonprofit with a great mission, which makes even the scant bad days around here worthwhile.
Cheers!

Message Posted 11-15-2003
Alison Manser
Year Graduated: 2001
Current Address: Tallahassee, FL
Email Address: amanser@capitol-preferred.com
Employer: Capitol Preferred Insurance Company
Glad to see so many SMADdies finding excellent jobs! I am living in North Florida with my boyfriend and working at a homeowners insurance company. Not a whole lot of SMAD knowledge being applied here, but I am learning a whole lot about running a company! I am planning to relocate in a year or so and will be looking for a job in the field, preferrably a daily newspaper. If anyone has any job leads, please let me know. I have lots of practical experience under my belt at the Breeze and other publications.

Message Posted 11-15-2003
Christie (Messina) Petrone
Year Graduated: 2000
Current Address: Atlanta, GA
Email Address: c_messina@hotmail.com
Employer: AHC
Hey guys! Hi, Smadies! Since Rob only mentioned me as an afterthought in his post (thanks, honey), I thought I'd say hello myself. Yup, we finally got married last month, 5 years after Smadie Shannon Radford introduced us in the halls of Anthony-Seeger. We moved down to Hotlanta after graduation and I've been working for a publishing company ever since. The newsletters are all health-care related (very, very boring), but it pays a lot more than other media outlets and I get great benefits. If anyone wants a good editing job or at least an internship, I could probably hook you up. Drop me a line.

Message Posted 11-8-2003
Shannon Radford
Year Graduated: 2000
Current Address: Parkersburg, WV
Email Address: radfords@wtap.com
Employer: WTAP-TV
Hey guys! Wow, you guys have some impressive jobs. Just thought I would let you know what I've been up to since I left JMU. I spent three years working at WSET in Lynchburg, VA. I started as a photographer... quickly started one-man banding and worked my way up to reporter/producer. I decided it was time for a change and I wanted to try my hand at anchoring. I got hired as a morning/noon co-anchor in Parkersburg, WV. E-mail me... I would love to hear from you!

Message Posted 11-8-2003
Rob Petrone
Year Graduated: 2000
Current Address: Atlanta, GA
Email Address: r_petrone@hotmail.com
Employer: Batten Communications
Hey all! I've been in Atlanta for over three years now working for a sports production company. I'm definitely keeping busy ...
Our main project is "The Fox 5 High School Sports Show". For this show, I work as a reporter and producer (we were nominated for a regional Emmy this spring). I'm also hosting a high school sports show, "Gwinnett Prep Rally", which airs on Comcast and Charter cable (feel free to check out the website - (www.gwinnettpreprally.com). Our company also produces programs covering everything from professional tennis to college hoops. It's been fun, but I'd ultimately like to land a reporting gig with a TV station. (Any news directors out there???) Oh, I just got married in October to fellow SMAD grad Christie Messina ... uh, I meant Petrone ;-) It's cool to see so many people doing cool things ... Hope everyone's doing well ... later ...

Message Posted 11-3-2003
Sarah Stahler
Year Graduated: 2003
Email Address: stahlesl@yahoo.com
Hello SMADies! I am currently living in Boston working on my MA in Media Arts at Emerson College. I will be going out to LA next fall for a semester to get some real "Hollywood Experience." If you are ever in Boston or have some questions about Emerson's graduate program, feel free to drop me a line.

Message Posted 10-29-2003
Kona Gallagher
Year Graduated: 2003
Current Address: Staunton, VA
Email Address: kona.gallagher@adelphia.com
Employer: Adelphia Media Services
Hello everyone, After my SMADeriffic summer in Ireland with Turner and Neckowitz (Necko-wha?). I was hired as a Production Coordinator at Adelphia in Staunton. I mainly write commercials and deal with production vendors and account executives all day. I started at the beginning of October, and so far so good. I was a DMDVer, but Dr. Wead's scriptwriting class is directly responsible for my getting this job. I've also been using a lot of Dona's Multimedia Law class, so go figure. I'm only 25 minutes away from Harrisonburg, so feel free to drop me a line!

Message Posted 10-20-2003
Jim Blackburn
Year Graduated: 2002
Current Address: Harrisonburg, VA
Email Address: jblackburn@myrealbox.com
Employer: Gannett Co., Inc.
My concentration in SMAD was Telecom Production. Lights, camera, action...remember all that stuff? Although I had NTSC wishes and digital video dreams, I'm currently one-half of the IT department at The News Leader in Staunton, a Gannett Co., Inc. newspaper. Although my current position deals much more with motherboards than with storyboards, I still have creative ambitions that I hope to run with as soon as I can.

Message Posted 10-20-2003
Brycen Davis
Year Graduated: 2001
Current Address: Sydney, Australia
Email Address: brycen5@hotmail.com
Employer: Yellow Pages / PMP Digital
G'Day to all you jameSMADison kids...just checkin' in on ya's to see if anyone is interested in visiting the land down under! I've met a few people from JMU out here randomly but no SMADies...so if you want to find out how to get outta the States and move to Oz, feel free to drop me a line. I just got my 4-year visa so I'm pretty much a guru on how to get around the immigration gauntlet. Anyhoo, say hi to all the profs for me and remember...SMAD does NOT stand for "the school of misguided artists and designers"...just cuz we can't draw so good doesn't mean we can't make stuff pretty =) Hope all is well in the land up over
~ brycen
http://www.anti-cubicle.com/oz.html

Message Posted 10-11-2003
Justin Tolley
Year Graduated: 2002
Current Address: New York City
Email Address: tolleyjb@yahoo.com
Employer: TBA
Hey fellow SMADies, I'm moving to NYC and looking to get some "real world" experience...trying to build up the post-JMU resume. I'm freelance writing and acting wherever I can. If you're in town, let me know.

Message Posted 10-1-2003
Sarah Bingham
Year Graduated: 20023
Email Address: binghasm@yahoo.com
Employer: AOL
Hello fellow Smadies, I'm working over at AOL now and lovin' it. Hopefully, we'll keep our head above water.

Message Posted 9-29-2003
Rachael P. & Ashley W.
Year Graduated: May 2003
Current Address: PHOENIX BABY!
Email Address: (See Below)
Employer: Sarkissian Mason & E.B. Lane
Hellooo SMAD! Just a little hello from the beautiful West Coast. After tough times on the East Coast, we picked up and drove across the country and somehow landed and stayed in Phoenix. We have been here a little over 25 days and both have full-time jobs with stable companies and great potential. We would like to let everyone know that anything's possible with a SMAD degree and it's gorgeous out here so come on out. The jobs are everywhere and it's a fast-growing city. By the way, what's up AWC girls!!!! We hear the best things about you!

Message Posted 9-29-2003
Ashley Walkley
Year Graduated: May 2003
Current Address: Phoenix, AZ 85013
Email Address: awalkley@eblane.com
Employer: E.B. Lane Marketing Communications
Account Coordinator
-Arizona Cardinals
-Arizona Lottery
-Phoenix Coyotes
-Phoenix Suns
-Arizona Diamondbacks
-All Saints' Epispocal School

Message Posted 9-29-2003
Rachael Pierson
Year Graduated: May 2003
Current Address: Phoenix, AZ 85013
Email Address: rachaelpierson@hotmail.com
Employer: Sarkissian Mason
Project Manager for
-Mazda (LA)
-Pelle Pelle (NY)
-Arizona Dept. of Tourism

Message Posted 9-22-2003
Maria Stylianou
Year Graduated: 1999
Current Address: New York City
Email Address: mariastylianou@msn.com
Employer: Polar Marketing/ Volorum Studios

Message Posted 9-15-2003
Carl Hamm
Year Graduated: 1998
Current Address: Richmond, VA
Email Address: carlmhamm@hotmail.com
Employer: Venturi Staffing Partners
Hello, I've been at it for a good 6-7 years now??- used my skills sporadically as many of us do as post-graduates-- I gave NYC a 5 year shot but 9-11 shook me up and i was always broke- would like to try it again- next time I'll have those job interviews lined up for weeks until i get a good offer. My goal now is to get some sort of new/improved portfolio together of completed projects etc. This is a tough field to get into without alot of connections. I'd welcome any suggestions for possible employers/placement but I'm not so fresh material anymore- gotta keep plugging away-- it'll turn into something as soon as I start really applying my talents in the "real world"
regards,
Carl

Message Posted 9-12-2003
T.J. Imbrigiotta
Year Graduated: 2003
Current Address: Falls Church, VA
Email Address: tj@interfacevideo.com
Employer: Interface Media Group
Thanks to Professor Woody I just started a job as a Junior Editor at Interface Media Group in D.C. I'm really excited about all the projects going on here. We are editing "K Street" for HBO (producers Steven Soderbergh and George Clooney), a bunch of PBS shows, and a ton of political commercials. Every once in a while you run into some well known politicians. The hours are very long but the final products are amazing. We are editing on Final Cut Pro 4, AVID, SMOKE, and FIRE platforms. There are presently six JMU alumni working in various arms of the company. Hopefully when I'm a bit more established I can help get some more SMAD kids in here. Drop me a line at tj@interfacevideo.com and let me know what's happening.

Message Posted 9-12-2003
Tim Libeau
Year Graduated: 2000
Current Address: Oakton VA
Email Address: tlibeau@baseproductions.com
Employer: BASE Productions
Hey folks! I'm still doing the sports editing thing here in VA, just like last time I hit up the message board so long ago. The company I work for is a little on the small side but we currently employ 6 JMU alumni full time (we're taking over). We're always on the lookout for some talented peeps to help us out and this seems to be a good place to find them. We actually hired a couple of recent SMAD allstars several months ago thanks to connections made on this post board. We're not hiring right now, but it never hurts to have a stack of your friends' resumes when you are. And for those of you lucky enough to still be in college, internships are ALWAYS available. Check out www.baseproductions.com to see what we're doing and if you're interested after that, feel free to contact BASE's office or shoot us an email. Keep up the great work out there and we'll be running this media game in no time.

Message Posted 9-10-2003
Patrick Shipp
Year Graduated: 2001
Current Address: Baghdad, Iraq
Email Address: j_k_411@hotmail.com
Employer: US Army
It's a long way from digital video, but I'm in Iraq, doing my part for Operation Iraqi Freedom. It should be called Operation Enduring Baghadad. My unit came across the berm with the 3rd ID in March and didn't stop till we reached Baghdad. Support the soldiers, we need all the prayers you can give. We'll be in country till February 21, that's 365 days. Can't wait to get back to Wilmington, NC for some "real" fun in the sun. PEACE and say hi to Dylan B. for me.

Message Posted 9-3-2003
Brycen Davis
Year Graduated: 2001
Current Address: Sydney, Australia
Email Address: brycen@anti-cubicle.com
Employer: Yellow Pages Australia
Hey all you SMADies!!! I've finally got a bit of success to report on the job front. Right now I'm working as a graphic designer for the Yellow Pages in Sydney, Australia. It's not the most challenging job in the world...but it pays well enough for me to apply for a year VISA. Plus, I can do freelance design during the days since my shift runs from 4 - midnight!!! Woohoo! I live about 5 blocks away from the Opera House in the heart of the city with 4 other backpackers...in a small 1 bedroom apartment =) It's a bit cozy, but we manage. Anyways, if anyone is interested in information on visa's or the job market in Oz, feel free to drop me a line...take care!
~ Brycen
p.s. check out some pix if you'd like ~
www.anti-cubicle.com/oz.html

Message Posted 9-1-2003
Incia Pleytez
Year Graduated: 2001
Current Address: New York
Email Address: incplay@hotmail.com
Employer: CBS News

Message Posted 8-12-2003
Jeffrey Cretz
Year Graduated: 2003
Email Address: aftite@hotmail.com
Employer: United States Air Force
I was selected for an officer spot with the U.S. Air Force in February, 2003. I will be at Officer Training School in Montgomery, Alabama from August to October, 2003 and then begin navigator flight training either in San Antonio, Texas or Pensacola, Florida. I plan to use my SMAD IM/DV skills in some freelance capacity while in the Air Force.

Message Posted 7-30-2003
Lindsay Marti
Year Graduated: 2002
Email Address: lindsersnuff@yahoo.com
Employer: American Red Cross
Hello there SMAD pals, I'm currently employed as a writer/editor for American Red Cross Biomedical Services. It's a technical communication position rather than journalism, but I have my days editing at The Breeze to thank for preparing me! I hope all are doing well.

Message Posted 7-29-2003
Matt Hand
Year Graduated: 2002
Current Address: NY, NY
Email Address: matthew.hand@nick.com
Employer: Nick @ Nite, TV Land
Hello JMU and welcome to your Campus Update for the week of July 21.....oops, sorry just had a flashback. Oooh the days of Emanon and JMtv...wasn't life so simple then? After 4+ tough years of the SMAD curriculum, I have landed a job that has absolutely nothing to do with what I studied......go figure. I am currently working in the world of Advertising Sales for Nick @ Nite and TV Land; home to all of our favorite shows like Cheers, Cosby and coming soon....Roseanne and Fresh Price! So instead of making the shows, I get to help raise the revenue to keep them on the air. In all seriousness, it's a great job with unbelievable potential and if nothing else it's a great ‘foot in the’ door with one of the nation's largest media conglomerates in Viacom. Hopefully in a few years I will have raked in enough money to help fund an all SMADie production company, where we can all finally create and produce exactly what WE want to see on TV. Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying all of life's little twists and turns. Whenever in the Big Apple…..feel free to hit me up!

Message Posted 7-29-2003
Michelle Zinski
Year Graduated: 2001
Current Address: New York City
Email Address: mzinski@cbs.com
Employer: CBS Sports
Hi Smadies! It's so good to hear how well all of you are doing! I finally made it to NYC and somehow snagged a job as production coordinator for the NFL and NCAA basketball on CBS. This year we have the Super Bowl in Houston! If you're ever in the big apple, please give me a call!

Message Posted 7-29-2003
Joey Groah
Year Graduated: 1999
Current Address: Harrisonburg, VA
Email Address: joey@digicovideo.com
Employer: Gray Communications
Heya. I got all of about three blocks away from the JMU campus. I'm Creative Services Director at WHSV TV in downtown Harrisonburg. In addition to the day job, I'm co-owner of a multimedia company Digico Video (http://www.digicovideo.com. Stop by and argue with our web guy over the design and color choice). We've done a few fun long form bits (30 minutes or so) here and there and I was able to do a little shooting for "One Day, One Community." Feel free to drop a line.

Message Posted 7-11-2003
Brian Higgins
Year Graduated: 1999
Current Address: Chicago, IL
Email Address: higginba42@hotmail.com
Employer: WKYT
Hi all! I packed up and left DC for Chicago, where I'm now a FX/Finish Assistant at SOL designfx. I'm actually working in the fire suite with another JMU alum, Chris Kreynus. Look me up if you want to hang out, because I don't know a soul here!

Message Posted 7-11-2003
Kristen Gubala
Year Graduated: 2001
Current Address: Lexington, KY
Email Address: kristengubala@yahoo.com
Employer: WKYT
This is a great way to network! I wonder why this took me 2 years to find! I am currently a producer here in the Bluegrass State. I paid my dues working as an AP in Roanoke for a year and worked my way up and moved on. If anyone is in this remote area I would love to be in touch.

Message Posted 7-3-2003
Mike Monroe
Year Graduated: 2001
Current Address: Washington DC 20016
Email Address: mm@mikemoninternational.com
Employer: Beyond Productions International
Doing AP work for Beyond Productions USA branch based in Bethesda. (www.beyond.com.au) Australia's largest tv/film company. Working for them on new series called Double Agent airing this fall on Discovery. Also Director of Marketing for restaurant group in DC (one downtown, one near American U). Regulars include Andrea Mitchell, Greenspan, Chris Matthews, Congressman & Senators, Norah O'Donnell. Elizabeth Shue even comes to the bar sometimes. Working a lot! but enjoying it. Anyone in DC want to network at a great restaurant, call me. (202) 277 5003. It's all about networking!

Message Posted 7-3-2003
Jeanine Gajewski
Year Graduated: 2003
Current Address: Baltimore, MD
Email Address: jeanineleanne@hotmail.com
Employer: Carroll County Times
I just landed my first "real" job as a copy editor at the Carroll County Times, a daily in Westminster, Md., because of the great experience I got with The Breeze and Curio. Keep up the good work!

Message Posted 6-17-2003
Julia Filz
Year Graduated: 2000
Current Address: Atlanta, GA
Email Address: jfilz@feldinc.com
Employer: Feld Entertainment
Hey SMADies, I'm still out on the road with The Greatest Show On Earth (check out our Human Cannonball Jon Weiss as he competes on CBS's Amazing Race) and Disney On Ice, doing all of their PR for the Southeast. Thought I'd throw out networking pitch, just to see what I come up with. I'm looking for fellow SMADies who might be producers, editors and reporters at stations from Richmond to Pensacola and across to Mississippi and Louisiana. Anyone looking for an entertainment story?

Message Posted 6-12-2003
Laura Creecy
Year Graduated: 2002
Current Address: Tyson's Corner, VA
Email Address: creecyle@hotmail.com
After graduating with my degree in multimedia, I thought to myself, hey lets try film and video now. I am getting my MFA at American University, where I have worked on several projects with fellow smady Elizabeth Veltri ('00). I have a scholarship now so i'll be riding that out for awhile and should complete my degree in May 2005. Any other smaddies looking for a graduate degree at AU look me up!

Message Posted 6-10-2003
Megan Pilla (Clarke)
Year Graduated: 2000
Current Address: Herndon, Virginia
Email Address: megpclarke@yahoo.com
Employer: Widmeyer Communications
Hi All!! I am working as an Art Director at a PR firm in the Dupont Circle area of DC. I do equal amounts of web design and print design, mostly for issue and advocacy groups. Drop me a line if you are in the area, I would love to meet up for a chat and a drink!

Message Posted 6-10-2003
Rafael Lemaitre
Year Graduated: 2000
Current Address: Washington, DC
Email Address: rlemaitre@cox.net
Employer: The White House
SMADIES!! I've sold out to the man. I'm currently the Deputy Press Secretary to President Bush's "Drug Czar." I spend most of my time locking up non-violent drug offenders and denying sick people their marijuana. I made a recent appearance in a PBS Frontline documentary entitled "Drug Wars." My mom was so proud. This was pretty much my first job after graduating in 2000. Maybe I'll be invited to speak at SMAD career day sometime. It'll be hard to follow the SMAD alumnus who drove the Oscar Meyer weiner-mobile though. He spoke in 1996. A tear came to my eye as he encouraged us to never abandon our dream of making it big.

Message Posted 6-10-2003
Kate Lewis
Year Graduated: 2002
Current Address: Harrisonburg
Email Address: klewis@dnronline.com
Employer: Daily News-Record
Hi everyone, I can't believe I've been out of school for a whole year now. Crazy how time flies. I have been a reporter with Harrisonburg's Daily News-Record for a year and am enjoying getting my journalistic feet wet. I cover three towns north of the Burg and other general assignment stories. I've learned so much and being here allows me to keep tabs on what goes on at JMU.

Message Posted 5-17-2003
Danielle Potuto
Year Graduated: 2002
Current Address: Arlington, VA
Email Address: Danielle@urac.org
Employer: URAC

Message Posted 5-17-2003
Robbie Carman
Year Graduated: 2001
Current Address: Alexandria, VA 22304
Email Address: robbie@dragonwell.net
Employer: CPLC/ Dragon Well
I wanted to write to all the SMAD folks out there...and offer them a 10% discount on any of the classes my company offers. I'm Chief Technical Officer of Creative Phase Learning Center (www.creativephase.net). We are a nationally known multimedia company offering courses in FCP, DVDSP, All of the Adobe programs, Quark, In Design, Maya, Shake and Pro Tools. Come take a class with us and take your knowledge for the next level!
Also I'm currently looking for Flash and Maya teachers. If you think you have what it takes send me a resume/reel robbie@dragonwell.net, or call me at 703-247-4043
Lastly, the other company that I work for Dragon Well Digital Media Group, is currently looking for 1/2hour and hour show scripts and ideas in the areas of home improvement, nature, history for release on nationally distributed DVDs I hope SMADville is doing well
Peace
Robbie Carman

Message Posted 5-17-2003
Jennie Soares
Year Graduated: 2000
Current Address: Providence, RI
Email Address: jjs600@hotmail.com
Employer: well....
well HELLO. it's been quite a while..and although rusty told me about this web site a while ago...i haven't gotten around to it until now...typical me. ANYWAY, i'm living in providence working during the year as an adolescent HIV/AIDS researcher and during the summers associate producing/directing "Ciao Italia," an italian cooking show- you can find it on your local public tv station- oh yes, we ARE national...i think we actually broadcast to guam! anyway, if you're in providence at any point give me a hollar! i miss SMAD.

Message Posted 5-17-2003
Helene Waligora
Year Graduated: 2000
Current Address: Johnstown, PA
Email Address: helenew@paris.com
Employer: FOX 8/ABC 23
Hi everyone! Shortly after finishing graduate school at Central Michigan University in 2002, I got a job as a reporter for the Fox 8 affiliate in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. I'm now also the 11 o'clock anchor for our sister station ABC 23. If any of you alums need anything, let me know!

Message Posted 5-17-2003
Elizabeth Veltri
Year Graduated: 2000
Current Address: Oakton, VA
Email Address: veltriea@hotmail.com
SMADIES! After 2 years of working as a video editor, I decided to pursue a Masters degree in Film and Video at American University in Washington, D.C., where I coincidentally met fellow JMU alum Laura Creecy ('02). Hopefully, I'll be getting that MA in Spring 2004.

Message Posted 4-18-2003
Bryce Bigger
Year Graduated: 2000
Current Address: Falls Church, VA 22041
Email Address: bbigger@usetwohands.com
Employer: VTSG Inc
New contact info for me since I moved and got a new job.

Message Posted 4-14-2003
Tobey Van Santvoord
Year Graduated: 2001
Current Address: San Diego, CA 92109
Email Address: tobeyv@firstmediaworks.com
Employer: First MediaWorks
I am a full-time employee for First MediaWorks in the Affiliate Relations Department. My office is located in San Clemente, California right on the Pacific Ocean. We are a web development company that builds web sites and develops loyalty listening marketing software for radio stations. I work in the Affiliate Relations Department and give tech support to clients, manage accounts, and train on software that we develop to meet the needs of radio stations worldwide. My position calls on my knowledge of media as well as my ability to be an effective communicator. I am finally using my degree!

Message Posted 4-13-2003
Mandy Minichiello
Year Graduated: 1998
Current Address: Boston, MA
Email Address: az1and@yahoo.com
Employer: Pinball Productions, Inc.
I have been working as a staff editor for a small production company in Boston for the last 2 1/2 years. We specialize in documentary style shows that can been seen on The History Channel, The Discovery Channel, and Animal Planet. I am currently working on a series called "The Future is Wild" for Animal Planet.

Message Posted 4-13-2003
Dawn Brooks
Year Graduated: 1998
Current Address: N Hollywood, CA
Email Address: tekvixen@hotmail.com
Employer: Fox Studios

Message Posted 3-31-2003
Norm Burt
Year Graduated: 2000
Current Address: Rosslyn, VA
Email Address: burtnw@yahoo.com
Employer: i720 Media, Freelance
Hello SMAD alums! Is anyone else going to be in Vegas for NAB next week?

Message Posted 3-31-2003
Sean Harrington
Year Graduated: 1996
Current Address: Littleton, CO
Email Address: seantharrington@juno.com
Employer: Jefferson-Pilot Communications Company
Greetings, all! I've left the East Coast and moved to Colorado, where I sell advertising for Jefferson-Pilot Communications and our Denver radio stations. If you need a place to crash for a ski trip, or know of any SMAD/MCOM alums in Colo ... look me up! Best, Sean

Message Posted 3-12-2003
Julie Cook
Year Graduated: 2002
Current Address: Baltimore, MD
Email Address: juliebcook@hotmail.com
Employer: Discovery Communications
Hi Everyone! After graduating last May and freaking out about getting a job, I found that it wasn't so bad out there. I was hired by Henninger Media Services, where I worked for a couple of months until they closed our office and began laying people off... That's when I decided that is was time to look for a more stable job so came here to Discovery, where I work as a Library Services Rep. and am much happier. Both jobs I got as a result of going to the SMAD career fair my senior year. I went up and talked to the reps and they remembered me and set up interviews since I had kept in contact with them over the summer. So my advice is to definately go to the career fair and talk to the people afterwards. It makes a huge difference when you know someone! ~Julie Cook

Message Posted 3-12-2003
Amanda Kowaleski
Year Graduated: 2002
Current Address: Salisbury, MD
Email Address: Mandi0727@aol.com
Employer: WBOC
Hey guys...just thought I'd send an update. I'm working for a CBS affiliate, and I'm a news producer. I just launched an all-new newscast at 10pm on our new UPN station, and it's really exciting. I'm having fun, and the show is going well. If anyone is interested in news, email me and I can let you know what positions we have open...we're going through a lot of changes at the moment.

Message Posted 3-6-2003
Tony Taylor
Year Graduated: 2000
Current Address: Sandersville, GA
Email Address: doubletee@bellsouth.net
Employer: Middle Georgia Communications
Hey Dukes and Smaddies! Just wanted to chime in and let y'all know the 411. (I heard that somewhere!) I am still operations mananger at two radio stations in middle Georgia. And in very small market radio, that means I do everything from answering phones to remote broadcasts to writing commercials to getting the station van's oil changed. But all is well. My wife and I moved into a house right around Christmas. And I have heard that Nate Marsh has become an art critic besides morning jock. Oh I sit back and miss the days of sitting in Seeger's computer lab, "vending" and wasting endless hours in the gulag that is WXJM. Misty water colored memories of the way we were.

Message Posted 3-3-2003
Tara Lamberson
Year Graduated: 2001
Current Address: Orlando, FL
Email Address: taralamberson@hotmail.com
Employer: MindComet
Hi SMAD! After a more than temporary stint at bartending and promotional work, I've moved into the real media market! I'm working for a digital media company in Orlando. I'm loving the sunshine- come visit me!

Message Posted 3-3-2003
Vincent Rhodes
Year Graduated: 1993
Current Address: Norfolk, VA 23509
Email Address: vincentrhodes@cox.net
Employer: Norfolk Public Schools
Currently working as Communications Manager for the school district.

Message Posted 2-12-2003
John Reid
Year Graduated: 1982
Current Address: Broad Run VA 20137
Email Address: reidj@redskins.nfl.com
Employer: Washington Redskins
Currently Creative Director with the Washington Redskins, producing print media, broadcast media, and coordinating design standards.

Message Posted 2-9-2003
Brycen Davis
Year Graduated: 2001
Current Address: Herndon ::: NoVa ::: USA ::: Earth
Email Address: brycen@anti-cubicle.com
Employer: yours truly
Hey there SMADy's! Well, it's been a long year since graduation but I'm sad to say...I still don't have that dream multimedia job that I've been searching for. After traveling through Europe for a couple months alone I realized that I was just too young for a cubicle. So...now I'm off to Australia for 4 months on one of those work VISA thingys and will hopefully still have enough fundage to trek around New Zealand for a couple months as well. Then maybe I'll let reality sink in and settle for a job. Take care all =)

Message Posted 1-28-2003
Robbie Carman
Year Graduated: 2001
Current Address: Alexandria, VA 22304
Email Address: robbie@dragonwell.net
Employer: Dragon Well Digital Media Group
Well after John Woody came to my New Years party I thought I should probably drop a line! (its true he was in my house). Pete Smith and I ('01) parted ways early last year with our company Afire Media Collective. Soon after I merged with a company called Dragon Well Digital Media Group. I'm the senior editor working on a Final Cut Pro/Kona Uncompressed system and starting to do some work with Shake. Our clients include Discovery, USPS, Hanley Wood and many others. Recently we started two new companies Media quest which is a DVD distribution company and Creative Phase Learning center (www.creativephase.net) CPLC will be teaching everything from FCP and DVDSP to Shake, Maya and Protools. Its a very exciting time to be a boutique post shop and being able to use desktop tools. Look for us in DV, Videography and Icom Magazines or send us your reels we are always looking to work with cool creative people even better if you have clients!!!
Hope everyone is well!
Any one seen Dylan Boucherle???

Message Posted 1-28-2003
Donna Carter Morris
Year Graduated: 1990
Current Address: Staunton, VA 24401
Email Address: dcmorris@rica.net
Employer: JMU/self-employed

Message Posted 1-22-2003
Nate Marsh
Year Graduated: 2001
Current Address: Bridgewater, VA 22812
Email Address: nmproductions@hotmail.com
Employer: VerStandig Broadcasting
I've had an insane year full of remarkable experiences, too many to mention here- After a brief stint in news, I've somehow managed to wind up full-circle and back in the 'Burg. After many months of searching for video post work, radio beckoned with a great opportunity in locally-driven programming. I'm still freelancing with video, but am enjoying being back on the air in the Valley and getting my hands dirty with imaging and sound production. So if you're in town some morning, "the smell" is getting to you, XJM is powered down for some reason, and you're just dying to hear some old-skool Bruce Hornsby or Genesis, I'm your guy! The station? VerStandig's brand new "Lite Rock 105.1"- Destined to become the new D-Hall station, I suspect...

Message Posted 1-10-2003
Allison Browne
Year Graduated: 1998
Current Address: Washington, DC 20003
Email Address: allisonbrowne@onebox.com
Employer: Metro Networks/WTOP Radio

Message Posted 1-10-2003
Erika Shernoff
Year Graduated: 2002
Current Address: Arlington, VA
Email Address: shernoej@hotmail.com
Employer: PBS
Hey! I'm working over in Alexandria at the main PBS in children's programming (PBS Kids). Muppets, Barney, and Teletubbies all day! I also do a little bit of work with the Independant Lens film series that PBS funds. Drop me an email if anyone's in the area or interested in non-profit media work.