autumn 2014 intros
DESCRIPTION
Introductions from the Autumn 2014 Purple CohortTRANSCRIPT
AUTUMN 2014 INCOMING CLASS
JACOB BAKER
BA Education, Washington State University Sales Representative, UniFirst Corporation
I have recently made a dramatic career change in my life. I work as a sales representative for UniFirst Corporation. Prior to this, I was a STEM Science and Robotics Teacher and bas-ketball coach for 7 years. Six years ago, I married my wonderful wife Lupe. Lupe and I are very active people. Any free time we get is usually spent in the mountains or a body of water. Some of my hobbies include climbing (rock and alpine), surfing, mt. biking, skiing, hiking, kayaking, and running. We recently climbed Mt. St. Helens and are planning to summit Mt. Stewart and Mt. Adams next July. The best job I have ever had was the 11 years I spent as a whitewater rafting guide. I am passionate about meeting and working with new people while learning as much as possible throughout my UWT MBA program.
TROY BASS
BS in Biblical Studies/Theology Multnomah University Quality Control (Loan Operations), Columbia Bank
I have been in the finance industry (retail banking, compliance, mortgages, insurance and now operations) the majority of my career and am SO excited to dig in to the MBA pro-gram.
I am married with 2 children (2 and under!). My daughter is the smartest girl I know and my son is, well, the loudest anyone I know. We spend much of our free time going on walks, checking out new/different parks, playing Legos and being altogether silly.
When I have a moment to myself you will most likely find me playing guitar, watching sports, reading non-fiction or researching some aspect of the stock market (and often some combination of those 4 at once; I have 2 kids you know!)
CALEB BEHRMANN
BS Aviation Technology, Central Missouri University MS Aviation Safety, Central Missouri University Manufacturing Manager, Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, I have spent the last three years working for Boeing Com-mercial Airplanes as a Manufacturing Manager in Auburn, Washington. Recently, I bought a home, moved to Tacoma, and now I am excited to start my MBA journey with UWT. I enjoy listening to music and playing the guitar. My many interests include outdoor activities such as skiing, sailing, kayaking, hiking, and snow shoeing. As a commercially rated pilot, I look forward to resuming my passion for flying when opportunities arise.
AUTUMN 2014 INCOMING CLASS
ERWIN BROSAS
BA in Business Administration, University of Washington Tacoma Senior Accountant, Russell Investments
I have been working as an accountant at Russell Investments since December 2007. I am responsible for Information Technology and Commission accounting. I really enjoy work-ing at Russell being surrounded with smart, talented, and supportive people.
Originally from Manila, Philippines, I spent 10 years in Los Angeles before relocating to Tacoma Washington in 2000. I love the simple and quiet life that the Pacific Northwest offers. My family is my number one priority. I have 2 daughters: Faith (age 9) and Hope (age 7). We
also have a cocker spaniel named Cadence. I enjoy talking and playing with my kids and at those ages, I have to cherish eve-ry priceless moments with them. In my spare time, I like to tinker with my car and play video games. My wife and I also love watching movies and TV series like Game of Thrones and House of Cards.
I am looking forward to starting the MBA program and apply my learning on a daily basis at the office.
BLAIR BUMGARNER
BA in Business Administration, University of Washington Program Manager, Microsoft
I was born and raised in Wenatchee, WA and moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington. After spending several years in Santa Cruz, CA and a year volunteering in Costa Rica, I accepted a job at Microsoft and came back to Seattle to be closer to family. My wife, Rebecca, and I moved to Tacoma a little over a year ago for her residency training at Tacoma Family Medicine and have grown to love the South Sound area.
In my free time I like to participate in many types of outdoor sports and activities. Mt. bik-ing, road biking, hiking, kayaking, surfing and skiing/snowboarding tend to be my favorites but I’ll try my hand at anything. I’m also into traveling, home-brewing and spending time with our rescue mutt Ginger.
MOISES "MO" COLÓN
BBA - Marketing & PR. Minor in graphic design, Mercer University
Marketing & Communications Consultant - Goodwill Industries
Transitioning from Georgia, I am bringing a bit of Southern Charm to the Pacific Northwest. I have actually never been to Washington before, so it will all be new to me. I am a foodie who looks forward to exploring the culinary landscape that the SeaTac area has to offer. I enjoy snowboarding, biking and hiking.
AUTUMN 2014 INCOMING CLASS
TUONG DANG [email protected]
BS Electrical Engineering, University of Washington Seattle
Customer Engineering, Option Manager – Avionics, The Boeing Company
My favorite thing to do is to spend time with my family and friends. I enjoy taking my little kids out to pike place or the beaches on a sunny day. I also enjoy taking them camping dur-ing the summer time. During the fall, I usually go mushrooms hunting and just enjoy the hike while doing it. I am looking forward to starting the MBA program and seeing where it takes me in life.
RAJBIR (RAJ) DEOL
Bachelors in Environmental Engineering, University of British Columbia
IT Manager, WA Dept. of Ecology
I am a husband, a father of a 7 and 5 year old, and now a part of the Milgard MBA pro-gram. For the past 16 years, I've been working in both the public and private sectors of Engineering and Information Technology. I am now very excited about my MBA and look forward to learning from my peers and professors in the Milgard program.
I love playing sports, such as golf, soccer, and volleyball. My favorite foods are Indian and Italian. I grew up in British Columbia, spent a few years in California, and have resided in Olympia, Washington for the last ten years. Although I'm not a fan of rain, I’ve convinced myself it is good for me.
MELISSA DINIUS
[email protected] BS Clinical Laboratory Science, OHSU
Lead Hematologist, St Joseph’s Hospital
I am currently the Lead Hematologist in the laboratory at St Joseph's here in Tacoma. I gradu-ated from OHSU in Portland in 2007 with a degree in Clinical Laboratory Science after transfer-ring from Oregon State (go Beavs!) in 2006. I went back to Corvallis to work at Good Samaritan Medical Center for a few years before moving to Tacoma in 2010. I met my husband earlier that year on a medical mission trip to Sierra Leone. My husband, Eric, and I live in Gig Harbor, with my 8 year old step daughter Haley when she can be here. We enjoy kayaking, hiking, camping, movies, the beach, and visiting Northwest wineries and breweries. I also like run-ning, reading, watching football (Denver, Seattle, and OSU) and baseball (Mariners and OSU) and everything sunshine and summer!
AUTUMN 2014 INCOMING CLASS
LAURA BELLE DOUGLAS
BA, Chinese Languages and Comparative Literature, University of Georgia '06
International Student Advisor, UW Tacoma
I'm from Atlanta, Georgia originally, but after moving to Seattle in 2008 to work with Chinese,
Japanese, and Korean high school exchange students at The Laurasian Institution (TLI), I
met my husband (Everett, born and raised) and fell in love with the PNW. In 2010, we got
married, and after enjoying being newlyweds for a year, my husband and I decided to quit our
jobs and backpack around Latin America for eight months. It was certainly an adventure, but
we are still happy to be back in Washington now! In November 2013, I started working at
UWT, and we moved to Steilacoom. I love to travel, hike and camp, learn new languages,
play with my yellow lab Jimbo Bearclaw, cheer on the UW husky dawgs and the UGA bulldog
dawgs, and work with international students!
LUKE DUNIVAN [email protected] BA Advertising, Pepperdine University Direct Marketing Program Manager - Email, REI
I am a husband, brother, homeowner, dog lover, and outdoor marketer. I have been in marketing and advertising my entire career and have recently landed in the outdoor indus-try after several years with the YMCA. This has been an exciting move for me because it aligns my personal passions of outdoor recreation with my professional work. After a year in Bellevue working for Eddie Bauer, my wife and I recently moved back to Tacoma and purchased our first home! We love getting outside surfing, skiing, hiking, paddleboarding, camping, biking, crabbing, and just about anything else outdoors. I look forward meeting everyone in the program and future adventures to come.
DAVID HOEVLER [email protected]
BA Political Science, Saint Martin's University
Military Technician, Aviation Support Facility - Lewis
I have been working for the Department of Defense at Joint Base Lewis-McChord since 2008. I directly support the Army Reserve's aviation assets by ensuring all assigned aircraft are mission capable and ready to perform everything from troop and equipment movement to rescuing stranded climbers off of Mt. Rainier. My responsibilities include the tracking and reporting of all maintenance and operations records, as well as the performance of specialized maintenance tasks. In addition to my civilian job I am enlisted in the Army Reserve and have deployed to Iraq as well as to relief efforts for Hurricane's Rita and Katrina. When not at work, I choose to spend time with my wife and two children. My son is 12 years old and we enjoy all things Scouting related. My daughter is 8 and she likes to do just about everything, as long as it is outside. I recently cele-brated my 16th anniversary with my lovely bride, which also marks our 16th year in the great Northwest! I have either driven through or visited almost all of the lower 48 states, and have crossed both our Northern and Southern boarders. There is so much to see and do, that I feel like too much time spent in one place is time that's being wasted!
AUTUMN 2014 INCOMING CLASS
ALYSSA JORGENSEN
BA in Business Administration with a focus in Marketing
Unemployed
I recently took the 40 + hour drive from my home state of New Jersey to Tacoma. My hus-band and I relocated here for his job. We were recently married on July 26 and traveled to Madagascar for our honeymoon. Prior to this we lived in southern Germany for about a year. I studied the German language while I was there at schools in Beirut and Nuremberg and absolutely loved living in Europe. I have a beagle that I probably treat too much like a human. You may see me walking him around campus or rather him walking me. I played tennis while obtaining my undergraduate degree and love rock climbing.
ANDERSON KIM
MATTHEW MEACHAM
BA, Politics and Values, UW Tacoma
Performance and Talent Management Manager, Department of Social and Health Services
I am originally from Alaska but have lived most of my life in Western Washington. I am passion-ate about our community and helping others, particularly kids.
I have a background in coaching, project management, and staff development. One of the most rewarding aspects of work, for me, is watching others grow as we solve difficult problems.
My wife and I have a little guy (Ellis) who is pretty much the best thing ever, especially his ridicu-lously amazing laugh. He dominates our free time, but when I have time, I enjoy: swimming, triathlons, reading, binge-watching TV shows (thank you, Internet!), and following the Seahawks and Sounders.
I’m really excited to meet my classmates and start on this challenge together!
AUTUMN 2014 INCOMING CLASS
BRIAN MILLER
BA Accounting, Western Washington University
MS Taxation, Golden Gate University
Senior Tax Accountant, McGladrey LLP
Born and raised in Washington, I don't think I could live anywhere else. I enjoy hiking, fishing and surfing in the summer. During the winter snowboarding and taxes take up most of my time. I currently live in Tacoma with my beagle Dexter and my cat Leila.
BYRNISE MONTECLARO
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science/Asian Studies, Philippine Christian University, Manila, Philippines
Master of Divinity, International Missions, Southern Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky
Before moving to Tacoma in 2011, I had worked in Chicago for many years as a Tax Ac-countant. I also have spent most of my vacation time in Asia as a volunteer development worker, helping indigenous nonprofit organizations in their job creation programs and en-terprise development projects. With an MBA, I hope to continue doing my interest in free-market environmentalism - 'doing good while doing well.' I enjoy teaching Bible study and volunteering at a local food bank during the weekends.
NICK POSTIGLIONE
B.S. Criminal Justice, Drexel University
Executive Assistant at UW Medicine
Hello! I am a transplant by way of Philadelphia. After leaving the Army and being stationed at Joint-Base Lewis McChord I decided to call the Pacific Northwest Home. I recently acquired a house, Subaru, and several flannel shirts to assimilate to life here. I currently work as the Exec-utive Assistant to the Chief Advancement Officer and Associate Vice President of UW Medi-cine. My free time includes home remodeling, hiking, cycling, and long weekend trips with my awesome girlfriend.
AUTUMN 2014 INCOMING CLASS
JON SKIDMORE
B.S. English / Minor Military Science, Weber State University
M.B.A Strategic Leadership, Trident University International
United States Army (Major) Student
I am a 14 year veteran of the United States Army; I love my job and ultimately, I love my country. I have attained the rank of Major and have specialized in Medical Logistics. I have deployed three times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
I am married to my beautiful wife Jenn and we have three children: Austin (13), Ammon (10), and her Highness Maya (8). They are a handful, but we enjoy every minute. I am an avid outdoorsman and love the mountains of my home state of Utah and the salt waters of my current home in Washington. If I am not working, studying, or completing "Honey-Do's," I can be found on the nearest mountain or fishing in my boat on the Puget Sound.
ASHLEY THATCHER
B.S. Exercise and Wellness
Delta ACS Agent I am the youngest of four children. I grew up traveling the world with my mother working for the
airlines. I could not stop traveling, so I began working as a Delta Airport Customer Service agent
working the gates at SeaTac airport this summer. So far I have traveled to Italy, France, Thailand,
Peru, Aruba, Hong Kong, England, Spain, Mexico, and all over the U.S. I plan to continue traveling and
exploring the world because it is a strong part of me and a passion I have.
Another passion I have is fitness. I received my exercise and wellness degree and plan on my future
career to be in this area. I believe in proper health and wellness lifestyle choices and try to exemplify
this in my daily life. Outside of school and work you can find me in the gym. I train clients as an en-
joyable side-job and find joy in impacting others to work towards their fitness goals.
CANDACE WOOD
[email protected] BA Business Administration, UWT (Accounting concentration with a Non-profit management minor) Director of Finance, Community Youth Services
After completing my degree in 2012 I worked with the State Auditors office before being offered my current position in June 2013. Non-profit accounting is complex and at times challenging which is exactly why I chose this career. I consid-er myself a life long learner and felt the UWT MBA program would give me skills to enhance my current position as well as establishing a platform for future growth. Even when not formally studying I enjoy learning. I have recently learned to knit and my bookshelves are filled with books about hiking, gardening and chickens. My desire for learning has also led me to a position on the board for Arbutus Folk School in Olympia.
I have two wonderful daughters, age 19 and 15, who have blessed my life with their kindness, generosity, humor and grace. Callie spent the last summer working in Yellowstone and will return to Western Washington University to con-
tinue her study of Spanish, French and Russian. Camryn is enjoying life as a high school sophomore and loves welding and FFA. My boyfriend Patrick, his dog Bundy, and his cat Grey, A. Kitty round out our family. We live in the quaint Northeastside neighborhood located within walk-ing distance to downtown Olympia and can frequently been spotted walking along the bay to the farmer's market. We consider ourselves food loving people and try to find little hole in the wall places to eat wherever we are. Travelling the world and backpacking are our favorite items on our "to do" list. The most memorable trips, in recent history, include backpacking across the Tetons, and training around Spain.