Profiles

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1961 | Jan Mitchell Bentley (BS ’61; Bud; Oceanside, Calif.), inspired by birds she observed in her backyard, wrote the children’s book Where Is the Hummingbird?

1967 | Larry E. Nelson (BA ’67, MA University of Utah ’70, PhD Duke University ’75; Jalene Henry [’69]; Florence, S.C.) was selected as the 2008–09 J. Lorin Mason Distinguished Professor, Francis Marion University’s highest honor for faculty members.

1968 | Catherine Hunt Ellis (BS ’68; David [BS ’69]; Oracle, Ariz.) coauthored the book Latter-day Saints in Mesa through Arcadia Publishing.

1970 | Franklin O. Sorenson (BS ’70, MBA Illinois Institute of Technology ’80; Ellen Benac [BA ’71]; Naperville, Ill.) was called as a sealer in the Chicago Illinois Temple.

1971 | Janet Hessel Ewell (BA ’71, MA California State University, Long Beach ’91; David [BA ’71]; Huntington Beach, Calif.), newspaper advisor for Rancho Alamitos High School in Garden Grove, Calif., received a Gold Key Award from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association for advancing scholastic journalism and protecting student First Amendment rights. Margie Westover Russell (BS ’71; Gary; Mesa, Ariz.) retired as clerical leader in the records office of the Mesa Arizona Temple after working for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for more than 20 years. Ellen Benac Sorenson (BA ’71; Franklin [BS ’70]; Naperville, Ill.) earned a PhD in Middle English literature from Northern Illinois University in December 2008 and received an award for best dissertation of the year.

1977 | Karl W. Nehring (BA ’77, MA Ohio State University ’81; Marilyn Rieske [’74]; Ostrander, Ohio) wrote the book, Pearls from the Plates: Reading and Responding to the Book of Mormon, published by Cedar Fort.

1978 | Perry Bohn (BS ’78; Kay Lilly [BS ’78]; Lincolnton, N.C.) was elected vice chairman for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Seed Schemes. Robert E. Davis (BA ’78; Ann Paxman [BS ’79]; Los Angeles, Calif.) earned his master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from the Phillips Graduate Institute.

1979 | Ann Paxman Davis (BS ’79, MS California State University ’01; Robert [BA ’78]; Los Angeles, Calif.) graduated with an educational doctorate degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, in its Educational Leadership Program. Denise Anne Tucker (BS ’79, MCD ’81, PhD University of Virginia ’93; Greensboro, N.C.), an associate professor at the University of North Carolina, wrote the mystery novel Keeping House: A Madame President Mystery, published by Bluewater Press.

1980 | Philip K. Bussey (BA ’80; Cathy Hafen [’81]; Issaquah, Wash.) became president and CEO of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce. CindiLee Turpin-Thomas (BA ’80; Woodbridge, Va.) received an associate of applied science degree from the paralegal studies program at Northern Virginia Community College.

1981 | Daniel M. Steflik (BS ’81, MBA Idaho State University ’84; Laurie Biegler [BA ’81]; Elko, Nev.) qualified as a “championship” agent by Farmers Insurance for overall outstanding performance. He has earned this distinction annually for the past 15 years. Keith L. Thurgood (BA ’81, MS Boston University ’87, MSS Army War College ’00, PhD Capella University ’08; Carol Jensen [’77]; Dallas, Texas) is the commanding general and CEO of the Army and Air Force Exchange Service.

1982 | Tim C. Cox (BA ’82; Karla Bench [’80]; Bismarck, N.D.) was selected as the first national recipient of the National Cooperative of Health Networks’ Outstanding Health Network Leader Award for 2009. Cox is the president of the Northland Healthcare Alliance in Bismarck. Clifford E. Cummings (BS ’82; Gail; Beaverton, Ore.) won first place in the Best Paper Awards at the Synopsys Users Group conference for his paper “SystemVerilog Assertions—Design Tricks and SVA Bind Files.”

1983 | Jeffrey D. Lindsay (BS ’83, PhD ’96; Kendra Larson [BS ’83, MS ’85]; Appleton, Wis.) coauthored Conquering Innovation Fatigue, a book about innovation, business strategy, and creative intellectual assets. Blake M. Roney (BS ’83; Nancy Watson [AS ’83]; Provo), founder and chairman of the board of Nu Skin Enterprises, was honored with the International Stevie Award as the top chairman of the board by the 2009 International Business Awards.

1984 | Rulon F. Stacey (BS ’84, MHA ’86, PhD University of Colorado ’97; Linda Smoot [BS ’83]; Fort Collins, Colo.) is the president and CEO of the Poudre Valley Health System, which won the 2008 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.

1985 | Donald R. Mills (BS ’85; Geri Bench [BS ’83]; Chandler, Ariz.) won third place in the Best Paper Awards at the Synopsys Users Group conference for his paper “If Chained Implications in Properties Weren’t So Hard, They’d Be Easy.”

1986 | Dallin A. Larsen (BS ’86; Karree; Largo, Fla.) received the 2009 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the Utah region for his company, MonaVie.

1987 | Todd H. Landeen (BA ’87; Andrea; Sandy, Utah) received a 2009 James Madison Fellowship, which supports graduate study of the history and principles of the U.S. Constitution.Gregory W. Moeller (BA ’87, JD ’90; Kathy Keck [’89]; Rexburg, Idaho) was appointed as a district judge for the seventh judicial district of Idaho. Prior to his appointment, he was a partner in the Rigby, Andrus, & Moeller law firm for 19 years.

1988 | Kelly D. Larson (BS ’88; Kelly Thompson [’90]; Austin, Texas) won second place in the Best Paper Awards at the Synopsys Users Group conference for his paper “Advanced VMM Transactor Development: Tips for Designing VIP You Wouldn’t Mind Reusing.”

1989 | Richard J. Christiansen (BS ’89, MBA ’91; Alice Matheson [BS ’90]; Spanish Fork, Utah) coauthored the book Bootstrap Business: A Step-by-Step Business Survival Guide.

1990 | Charles E. Freedman (BA ’90, JD ’93; Shannon DeNatly [BA ’93]; Salt Lake City) received an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the Utah region along with his brothers and fellow cofounders of DownEast Outfitters. Mark A. Fuller (BS ’90; Heidi Koster [BS ’87]; Orem, Utah) lobbied the U.S. Congress for two bills—the Workforce Health Improvement Program (WHIP) and the Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) in hopes of changing the tax regulations on employees who utilize his company’s corporate fitness center subsidies.

1991 | David A. McEntire (BA ’91, BA ’91, MA University of Denver ’95, PhD University of Denver ’00; Kimberly McKee [BS ’91]; Corinth, Texas) gave up his position as PhD coordinator in the Public Administration Department at the University of North Texas to become the university’s associate dean in the College of Public Affairs and Community Service.

1993 | D. John Donovan (BS ’93, MAcc ’93; Heather Bowers [BS ’89]; La Verne, Calif.) was promoted to senior vice president and chief financial officer of Emrise Corporation.

1994 | William A. Freedman (BA ’94; Alyson Seeley [BA ’94]; Provo) received an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the Utah region along with his brothers and fellow cofounders of DownEast Outfitters. Matthew L. Harris (BA ’94, MA ’97, PhD Syracuse University ’04; Courtney Ricketts [BA ’96]; Pueblo West, Colo.), an associate professor of history at Colorado State University, earned the university’s 2009 Faculty Excellence Award in Teaching. M. Todd Queen (BM ’94, MM Eastman School of Music ’97, DMA Eastman School of Music ’00; Kelin Shirk [’94]; Fort Collins, Colo.), an associate professor of voice and director of opera at Colorado State University, has been named chair of the Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance. Robert W. Wagner (BS ’94, MPA University of Utah ’03, PhD State University of New York ’07; Tracy; Nibley, Utah) was named associate vice provost and executive director of distance education at Utah State University.

1995 | Thad K. Jenks (BS ’95, JD Duke University ’98; Cathy Cotton [BA ’95]; Houston, Texas) has been elected a partner with Harrison, Bettis, Staff, McFarland, & Weems. Also, for the fourth straight year, he has been named a Texas Rising Star by the Texas Lawyer newspaper.

1996 | Elda Cruz Benson (BS ’96; James; Provo) has worked for 18 years as a FedEx business sales executive, and her picture and testimonial are featured on the FedEx Web site. Clay M. Dover (BA ’96; Rebecca Struempler [BS ’96]; Plano, Texas) is president and chief marketing officer of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers and was featured in the Dallas Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” list of leading executives. Derek J. O’Malley (BA ’96; Samantha; Monterey, Calif.) received the Lt. Col. Anthony C. Shine Award, which recognizes an outstanding U.S. Air Force fighter pilot for proficiency and professionalism in flying a fighter aircraft as well as for community involvement.

1998 | Andrea Loflin Anaya (BA ’98; Gene; Salem, Utah), the founder of Career Step, an online healthcare-education company, received an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the Utah region. Jonathan Freedman (BA ’98; Leanne; Salt Lake City) received an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the Utah region along with his brothers and fellow cofounders of DownEast Outfitters.

1999 | Jared G. Jones (BA ’99; MBA Boston College ’06; Cathie; San Antonio, Texas) is the assistant director of marketing and communications for the University Center at University of Texas.

2000 | Daniel R. Smith (BA ’00, BA ’00, MA Columbia University ’01, EdM Columbia University ’09; Nadia Lowman [’99]; Provo) has been named head of school at the Meridian School, a pre-K through 12 independent school in Orem, Utah.

2001 | Brian D. Judd (BA ’01; Hannah Jones [BA ’01]; Burbank, Calif.), known as “Phontaine” in the film industry, was a recipient of the 2009 ACE Eddie Award for the best edited reality series for his work on the first season of Greensburg: The Tornado. John J. Cherry (BS ’01; DC Palmer College ’08, MS Emory University ’04; Christy Ellyson [BS ’01]; Yuba City, Calif.), is a board member for Journey to Solidarity, an organization dedicated to providing chiropractic care to impoverished countries.

2002 | Ryan J. Waite (BA ’02; Amanda Bunn [BA ’01]; Alexandria, Va.) was named a 2009 Rising Star by Campaigns & Elections’ Politics magazine. He is president of NextDoor Politics and executive vice president of the online advertising and marketing firm Connell Donatelli. Waite handled the online advertising for John McCain’s presidential campaign.

2003 | Aaron N. Call (BS ’03; Katie; South Jordan, Utah) was named the regional executive in Utah for G&A Partners, a human resource outsourcing firm, after it acquired Core Innovative Solutions, the business Call owned and operated. David S. Porcaro (BA ’03; Dawnell Jungert [BS ’01, MS ’03]; Winterville, Ga.) was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to Oman for the 2009–10 school year. He is a PhD student at the University of Georgia. Eric R. Veenstra (BA ’03, BA ’03, JD University of Michigan ’06; Emily Bennett [BS ’02]; Naples, Fla.), a partner with Quarles & Brady, was selected as a 2009 Florida Rising Star by Law & Politics magazine.

2005 | Vanessa Barton Davis (BS ’05; Keith [BS ’05]; Albany, Ore.) earned a doctorate degree in veterinary medicine from Oregon State University in June 2009 and joined the Linn Veterinary Hospital in Albany, Ore., as an associate veterinarian. David W. Mayne (BA ’05; Danica Gardner [BS ’03]; Weatherby, Mo.) received the 2009 James Madison Fellowship, which is directed to current and prospective teachers of American history and social studies and is provided by the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation.

2006 | Daniel M. Woods (BA ’06; Provo) graduated from Texas Tech University’s School of Law and secured a clerkship with the Honorable Judge Dale A. Kimball of the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah.

2008 | Jeffrey C. Swift (BA ’08; Sheri Johnson [BS ’09]; Provo), a BYU graduate student in English, was awarded a 2009 Literacy Grant by The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. Rachel Willis-Sørensen (BM ’08; Rasmus; Provo), a BYU graduate student in music, received first place in the Houston Grand Opera’s Eleanor McCollum Competition for Young Singers. She has been hired by the opera as a singer.