Darrell Meaders, ’49, retired in December 2005 after 54 years as an educator in both high school and community colleges in Bakersfield, Calif. He also served on the school board there. Meaders now volunteers with the Military Honor Guard for Veterans Memorial Services.

1950s

Michito “Frank” Fukuzawa, ’50, was the honoree of the Santa Barbara High School graduating class of 2008 and finally got to attend commencement after being unable to do so 66 years ago due to the Pearl Harbor attack. Fukuzawa was taken to a Japanese internment camp in Arizona in 1942, and never got to walk during his high school graduation ceremony. 

1960s

Robert D. Lane, ’61, M.A. ’66, will receive the Outstanding Service Award for 40 years of service to Vancouver Island University (formerly Malaspina University-College) in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada. Lane was one of the first faculty members hired in 1969, and founded the Philosophy Department at the college.

Roger Horton, ’62, was invited to make a presentation at the International “Making Cities Livable Conference” in Santa Fe, N.M. His presentation was titled “Santa Barbara’s Child-Friendly Infrastructure Improvements.”

John Clay, ’63, was appointed vice president of Wells Fargo Investments in February in the Santa Barbara region.

Bernard Kamins, ’65, retired from Los Angeles Superior Court after serving 23 years on the bench. Kamins is sitting as an assigned judge in Sonoma County and San Francisco, and plans on spending more time with his family.

Linda K. Wilson, ’66, has been appointed as assistant vice president and trust officer, at Rabobank. Wilson is a member of the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara and volunteers for Meals on Wheels and Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic.

Fred Lang, ’67, is the chief learning officer for the U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C. He has been teaching in the University of Phoenix online doctoral program for more than 20 years. His first book, “How to Teach in the Virtual Classroom,” was published in 2006. He received a master’s in 1975 from California State University San Francisco and a doctorate in 2000 from the California Institute of Integral Studies.

Martha Nichols, ’67, was chosen as one of the “Best People in NYC” for 2008 due to her extensive volunteer work at Riverside Language Program Inc.  Nichols was featured as one of Snapple’s “Best People in NYC” on the volunteer Web site nyc.gov/volunteer in June.

Wayne Burton, ’69, was presented with the Excellence in Prevention of Disease Award by the Institute of Medicine of Chicago. Burton is the senior vice president and corporate medical director at JP Morgan Chase.

1970s

Yolanda Garcia, ’70, M.Ed. ’72, Ph.D. ’98, retired from UCSB after 38 years of work on the UCSB campus. Her ul- timate position was as assistant vice chancellor of Student Academic Support Services.

Ernie Bumatay, BSME ’71, and his wife, Rebecca, have just completed their term as co-chairs of the UCSB Parents’ Fund. Ernie says their service allowed them to meet a number of parents and form relationships with a talented team of UCSB development, administrative and academic staff. Ernie is president of Summit Group Ltd., a corporate development and financial advisory firm based in Los Angeles. He earned an MBA from the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley in 1973. This year the Bumatay family gave another Emilio F. Bumatay Scholarship to the UCSB College of Engineering in memory of Ernie’s father. They also gave the first Craig M. Bumatay Accounting Scholarship in honor of their son who graduated in 2008.

Harley F. Pinson, ’73, has become partner at the law firm of Klein, Denatale & Golder in Bakersfield, Calif., practicing in domestic and international business transactions.

Jon Whitmore, Ph.D. ’74, has been named president of San Jose State University in California. Whitmore previously was the president of Texas Tech University. He received a master’s and bachelor’s degree in speech from Washington State University.

Karen R. Goodfriend, ’76, has been elected president of the Peninsula Silicon Valley Chapter of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA) for 2008-09. She is a principal with KK Wealth Advisors in Los Altos, Calif.

Jeffrey Pommerville, Ph.D. ’76, has been awarded the Carski Foundation Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching Award, one of the American Society for Microbiology’s Scientific Achievement Awards. He is a biology professor at Glendale Community College.

1980s

John Gould, ’86, received his Certified Investment Management Analyst certification from the Investment Management Consultants Association, and is employed at Thornburg Investment Management as a regional sales manager.

Peter Karp, ’87, was named among Bay Area’s Top 25 Independent Wealth Advisers. The list was compiled by the Winner’s Circle and published in the May 23 edition of the San Francisco Business Times. He is the founder of Karp Capital.

Louis Chao, ’88, has joined the law firm of Archer Norris. Chao has extensive experience handling complex construction actions involving a broad range of issues. He received his law degree in 1995 from the University of San Diego School of Law.

Justine Sutton, ’88, has joined the Santa Barbara Independent as a dance, theater and film critic after nearly 17 years away. Sutton previously worked at the Santa Barbara News-Press.

Ralph Lewin, ’89, has been named associate executive director of the California Council for the Humanities after serving 15 years on the council. Lewin is active in several California nonprofit organizations and lives in San Francisco with his wife and two sons.

1990s

Lara Gilman, ’90, was named chair of the Family Wealth Practice by Farella Braun + Martel.

Stephen J. McCormack, M.A. ’90, Ph.D. ’94, has been appointed CEO of IMI Intelligent Medical Implants AG, based in Zug, Switzerland. He was previously chairman of the board of directors. He will remain as a board member.

Lynnette Coverly, ’91, has been awarded the Certified Financial Marketing Profession designation from the Institute of Certified Bankers, a nonprofit organization. Coverly is the vice president of marketing for Community West Bank.

Pamela Martens, Ph.D. ’91, currently superintendent of Cambria public schools, has been named superintendent of Sonoma public schools.

Michael Jacoby, ’92, has produced and directed the film “Ten More Good Years,” which documents the issues faced by aging members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. The film has been screened on the Sundance Channel and has appeared in several international film festivals. Jacoby is the cofounder of LookOut Films. Check www.logoonline.com for the screening schedule of the film on the Logo cable channel.

Aaron Levin, ’92, served as guest director for the Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Idiot’s Delight” in February at UCSB.

Joe Salcedo,’93, has been named a board member of the American Red Cross, Santa Barbara Chapter. Salcedo serves as a partner and investment adviser at Pivot Independent Financial, and serves on the Goleta Chamber of Commerce and the UCP advisory boards.

Marilyn Garza, M.Ed. ’95, was presented with a Milken Educator Award check for $25,000 as one of 75 outstanding educa- tors nationwide. Garza currently teaches at Santa Barbara Junior High School.

David Lombera, ’95, has been promoted to assistant vice president and assistant controller of Community West Bank after five years with the company. Lombera will be responsible for managing the bank’s finance department, the general ledger, and accounts payable and wire desk.

Amir Abo-Shaeer, ’96, M.S. ’98, M.Ed. ’01, won the Educator of the Year for grades 7-12 at Dos Pueblos High School, where he formed the Dos Pueblos Engineering Academy. He decided to become a teacher after starting a career as an engineer.

Jeremy Dillard, ’96, has joined the Los Angeles office of Moss Adams LLP as senior manager of the firm’s audit practice. He will be serving privately held manufacturing and distribution clients.

Jack Johnson, ’97, accepted the Environmental Hero Award at the annual Environmental Defense Center Honors in June in Santa Barbara for his environmentally friendly concert tours, and eco-friendly efforts in the community.

2000s

Jennifer Bailey, ’00, has taken a job as executive director of the Santa Barbara chapter of Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice and plans to enhance and develop educational opportunities for serving those in need within the community. Bailey will receive her master’s degree in clinical psychology from Antioch University this summer, and plans to continue in a doctoral program. Bailey also serves as counselor and group facilitator at New Beginnings Counseling Center.

Sara Pollack, ’00, has joined the Nature Conservancy as a major gift researcher.

Heidi Krolick, ’01, has joined the Stewardship Council Land Conservation team based in Auburn and Shingletown, Calif., and will help develop and implement the Land Conservation Plan to ensure the protection of 140,000 acres of California Watershed lands. Krolick will be responsible for coordinating the development and implementation of the plans for the Bucks Lake Pilot Project and other projects within the central watersheds.

Jill Sharkey, M.Ed. ’01, has joined the faculty at UCSB’s Gevirtz Graduate School of Education as the academic coordinator of the Department of Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology. Sharkey’s research focuses on preventing school violence by understanding response rates with at-risk youth.

Varun Soni, M.A. ’01, was named dean of Religious Life at USC. Soni is also an attorney who has taught in the Law and Society Program at USC and UCSB. He holds a bachelor’s degree in religion from Tufts University, a master’s in theological studies from Harvard University and a master’s degree in comparative religion from UCSB. He earned his law degree from UCLA and is working on a doctorate in religious studies from the University of Cape Town.

Nina Chang, ’02, has joined the Santa Barbara Independent as a member of the classified ads department.

Diahnna Nunez, ’03, has joined the Santa Barbara Foundation as one of two new program officers. Nunez is in charge of education and personal development, as well as working as the student aid program officer. She is a fellow of the Women’s Foundation of California and volunteers for the NonProfit Support Center of Santa Barbara County.

Tracy Gershwin Mueller, Ph.D. ’04, received the University of North Colorado’s Award for Teaching Excellence and published (with co-author, Robin Brewer) “Strategies at Hand: Quick Strategies for Students with Autism.”

Tiina Itkonen, Ph.D. ’04, assistant professor of education at California State University Channel Islands, won a CSUCI Women’s Leadership Faculty Award.

Brandi

Rivera, ’06, has joined the Santa Barbara Independent as a member of the human resources department.

Carlos Mosquera, ’07, has been selected to participate in the Talent Orientation Program at CEVA Logistics as a management trainee. The program is geared toward developing the company’s future worldwide leaders and executives.

Craig M. Bumatay, ’08, has joined Ernst & Young’s Los Angeles Office. He will also attend the University of Virginia for his master’s degree under a special program developed for and sponsored by Ernst & Young.

Michael Eglin, ’08, is one of two winners, chosen from more than 70 applicants, of the Pacific Chorale’s 2008 Young Composers Competition. His winning composition, “Barter,” premiered at Pacific Chorale’s American Treasures concert in March and reprised at American Masterpieces Choral Festival in April. The prize includes $1,500 prize and personal coaching with one of the festival’s composers-in-residence. Eglin is the artistic director of the Adelfos Ensemble, a 10-member men’s a cappella choir, and the director of music and organist at El Montecito Presbyterian Church.

Obituaries

Nellie (Rathjen) Butts, ’38, died Dec. 2, 2006, after battling valley fever for five months. Nellie and Leo Butts met at Santa Barbara State College and married. After living in Santa Paula, Calif., they moved to Ventura and raised three daughters and one son.

Irene (Minikin) Wilton, ’38, died May 29, 2008 after being struck by a car while crossing the street. She was 90. Wilton had a 32-year career as an educator in Santa Barbara County, teaching at Lompoc Union High School, Santa Barbara High School and Santa Barbara Junior High School. She also served as a guidance counselor at La Colina Junior High School.

Ron Heusser, ’59, M.A. ’59, died Feb. 9, 2008, of a heart attack. He was 73. Heusser begin teaching at Santiago High School in Garden Grove in 1961. Later, in 1989, he began coaching basketball. He and his family have lived in Fullerton for 45 years.

Jonathan C. Pevsner, ’79, died Nov. 20, 2007, after battling cancer. He was 51. He earned a medical degree at UC San Francisco and had a family practice for more than 20 years. He sang as cantor for Temple Beth Israel synagogue in Fresno, Calif. Go to caringbridge.org and type in jonathanpevsner for more.

Evalyn Sciacca Kerman, ’80, M.A. ’89, died May 31, 2008. She was 49. Kerman was involved in the Alpha Phi Fraternity while at UCSB. She also earned a CMA designation from the Institute of Management Accountants. She was the business manager for the Montecito Water District in California. She was also an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Santa Barbara, Calif.

Andrea Grace Soter-Simonson, ’82, died June 6, 2008, after battling ovarian cancer. She was 47. Soter-Simonson worked for Morgan-Stanley for 25 years, and served in a variety of positions, including senior vice president for investments. She was a founding member of the Morgan Stanley Women’s Business Exchange. She and her family lived in Ventura for the last 20 years.