Santa Clara Magazine

Lauren (Sexton) Formo '02 and Jason Formo '02 welcomed daughter Dylan Makenzie Formo on April 17, 2012.  The family resides in Seattle, Wash. Mike Sexton, SCU's VP for Enrollment Management, is a proud grandfather and already recruiting Dylan for the Class of '33.

Mariah (Dyen) Flanagan '02 writes that she and her husband, Patrick Flanagan, are proud to announce that on December 4, 2012, they opened the doors of their wood-fired pizzeria, Wood Fire Woodie (www.woodfirewoodie.com), in Scotts Valley, CA. Wood Fire Woodie was established in 2007 as a mobile wood-fired pizza catering company. Wood Fire Woodie specializes in thin-crust Italian style pizza cooked in a tuscan oven. The Flanagans own and operate their pizzeria and mobile unit with the direction of their two daughters, Sofia, 6, and Kirra, 4.

Marisol Escalera '02 was a 2008 semi-finalist for the Harvard University Administrative Fellowship Program.

Brian '02 and Mandy (Redkey) Demmert '02 welcome a daughter, Abigail Susan, born on May 17, 2009. The family lives in San Jose. Brian works for Oxford Finance and Mandy teaches 5th grade.

Brian Demmert '02 and Mandy (Redkey) Demmert '02 -- their second daughter, Cailin Lucille, on May 3, 2011. She joins big sister Abigail, 2.

Elia DeLuca '02, J.D. '06 has been appointed to Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton's LLP Labor and Employment practice group. The practice focuses on traditional labor and employment issues in a variety of industries, including trucking, airlines transportation, technology, entertainment, environmental, recycling and solid waste services. The firm also specializes in representing clients in union negotiations, organizing campaigns and unfair labor practice proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board.

Jeff Cymerys '02 and wife Lauren welcomed their first child, son Owen Joseph on July 1, 2011. The family lives in San Jose, CA.

Cameron J. Collins '02 is co-founder of Saku Collins Entertainment & Media Law Group. He has recently become an Adjunct Professor at Seattle University School of Law & co-founded The ProEquality Project (a nonprofit dedicated to acting as a bridge for those seeking to participate in the Arts in order to aid in diversifying the Arts Communities).

Megan Young '02 married Neil Chatterji '02 on May 24th, 2009, in Monterey, California. Katy Dormer '02 was the maid of honor and wedding guests included Tim Beach '02, Katie Butler Boggs '02, Jonathan Cesena '03, Marlon Flores '02, Katie Harding Helin '02, Chris Helin '01, Jen Hernandez '03, Mitch Herschbach '02, Ian Johnston '02, Jen McGrath '02, Chris Muldoon '02, Chris Paetsch '03, Anna Portales '06, Leslie Rice '05, Mateusz Sawka '02, Erin Tackney '02, Katie Toliao '05, John Wong '02, and Jen Young '02. The couple will also have a Hindu ceremony on June 27th, 2009 in Belmont, California. The couple lives in San Jose.

Courtney Chatalas '02 and Ira Gerlich were married on August 20, 2011, at Beaulieu Garden in Rutherford, Calif. In attendance were fellow SCU alums Bridget (Anderson) Connell '02, Gina (Morrison) McDevitt '02, Elia (DeLuca) Robinson '02, J.D. '06, Kyla (McKelvey) Mowrer '02, Nicole (Volpe) Koss '02, Caroline (Stonesifer) Searle '02, Jessica (Canada) Sokoloff '02, J.D. '05, Tiffany (Leinassar) Vetere '02, Samantha Cherot '02, Cristin (Jensen) Lasser '02, Leah Clyman '02, Kimberly (Downie) Threefoot '02, Nathan Nishiguchi '02, Grant Feichtmeir '02, Ian and Bethany Kelly '02, DeeDee (Raven) Buchanan '02, Hollis (Bathen) Barr '01, David Forsythe '01, and Lacey Morris '04. The couple lives in Seattle.

Freshman Dorm: Swig

Mariel Caballero '02 received her Master's degree in Public Administration from Golden Gate University in May 2010. Mariel was recently promoted to a Senior Management Analyst for the Office of the Public Defender in Santa Clara County.

Matt Byrne ’02 and other ranching partners started SunFed Organic Beef (www.SunFedOrganic.com) to make available organic, grass-fed, locally raised beef from his family's ranch and other California family ranches. Delicious and healthy SunFed organic beef is available at upscale restaurants and retailers in the Bay Area, Sacramento region, and Southern California. Also available to individuals who contact SunFed through the website.

David Bonacci MBA '02 brought the first FirstLight HomeCare location to California in June. Located at 2910 Camino Diablo, Suite 140 in Walnut Creek, the company provides professional, non-medical, in-home care services to seniors and others in need of assistance with daily activities in Walnut Creek, Orinda, Moraga, Lafayette, Alamo, Danville and Canyon areas. "I'm eager to bring FirstLight HomeCare to my community in Walnut Creek and the surrounding areas," says Bonacci. "As our nation's demographic shifts, there is an extreme need for our services. These days, seniors want to remain independent and in their own homes for as long as possible." Bonacci's career in the rapidly expanding home care industry came as a result of various life experiences. For many people, flying jets in the military is a dream but for Bonacci, it became a reality in 1991 when he was commissioned as an officer for the U.S. Navy. Due to deep cuts in defense spending, Bonacci was able to leave the military early but quickly discovered his skills gave him the background to enter the flight simulations industry. Over time, this market died down but Bonacci continued working as a marketing manager in the video game industry while earning his MBA from Santa Clara University. As the gaming industry continued to evolve, Bonacci realized the types of games he was required to manage weren't in line with his moral stance and he knew he needed a career change. Wanting to make a positive difference in his community, Bonacci turned to FirstLight HomeCare. Coming from the video game industry, Bonacci witnessed first-hand the degree to which we live in a youth-based culture. The importance placed on looks and youth in many industries was unsettling to him and he found that the elderly and their needs are often overlooked and brushed aside. This is what ultimately prompted his decision to enter the rapidly growing home care industry. "As my own parents age, I've realized what a challenge it is to find quality and professional help. I also wanted to find an opportunity that would allow me to serve others in our community in a meaningful way," says Bonacci. "Not everyone has a friend or family member locally to assist them. This business gives us the chance to really make a difference in someone's life." Founded in March 2010, Midwest-based FirstLight HomeCare creates a new standard in non-medical home care by combining best practices gained by a dynamic senior leadership team with innovative approaches to make this franchise an emerging market leader in a fast-growing industry. Services can be provided at a private residence, assisted-living facility, retirement community, nursing home, skilled-nursing facility, adult family home or group home. Clients might also include new mothers, individuals recovering from surgeries and others. For more information, please visit www.firstlighthomecare.com.

Erik Bergstrom '00 and Leslie-Ann (Holt) Bergstrom '02 welcomed their first child, daughter Stella Grace, on January 28, 2012.

Nikki Osborne '02 married Jason Benedict on November 7, 2008 at the Church of the Good Shepherd in San Diego, Calif. Nikki is a senior manager (SEC Reporting and Financial Planning & Analysis) at Digirad in San Diego.

Gilbert Aviles '00 and Nyrene Badal Aviles '02 announce the birth of their daughter Layla Grace Aviles on August 28, 2009 in Santa Clara, Calif.

Gilbert Aviles '00 and Nyrene Badal Aviles '02 welcomed Evan Edward Aviles on May 27, 2011. Evan was born in Santa Clara, CA and weighed 8 pounds 6 ounces. He joins his big sister Layla.

Vivian Roldan '02 and Timothy Arnold were wed on Sep. 5, 2009 in Santa Cruz County. Wedding guests included Jose Ramirez '98, Margo Gaitan '00, Will Arroyo '07, and Lianne Chun MBA '09. The couple currently resides in Santa Clara. Vivian works as a Systems Analyst in Information Technology at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford.

Paulo Apolinario '02 and Maya (Vestal) Apolinario '02 are proud to announce the birth of their baby boy, Marco Cruz, on July 29, 2009. Marco is their first child.

Jose '02 and Gino Alvarez '08 have started JEA Specialties, specializing in purchasing material for self-performing General Contractors. A big advantage is that the brothers will show you what material will cost and only charge a 10% mark up above cost for Division 10, 11, 12 items, unlike traditional suppliers that can charge up to 40% mark up without disclosing actual cost. Business is based Sacramento, but servicing all of California.

Nate Aldworth '00 and Stephanie (Merlo) Aldworth '00 are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Samantha Claire. She was born on May 16, 2009. The three Aldworths live happily in San Diego, where Nate teaches history at Coronado High School, Stephanie works in finance at Qualcomm, and Samantha works hard at trying to roll over.