Building on a theme
Building construction management alumni Jeff Friedrich ’82 and Brad Watkins ’84 have made a splash. Literally.
Their company, which specializes in entertainment-related construction projects, was responsible for completely reconstructing the Blue Horizons dolphin show arena at Florida’s SeaWorld. From designing a specialized water system complete with waterfalls to rigging an array of cables and trusses to support airborne performers, the Friedrich Watkins Company developed a one-of-a-kind venue to showcase one of SeaWorld’s beloved attractions.
Friedrich and Watkins are proof that building construction management encompasses more than just buildings. Their company has done everything from remodeling the exterior of LEGO’s popular Imagination Center in Orlando’s Downtown Disney to tackling a historic renovation of the train station at Walt Disney World’s main entrance.
Friedrich and Watkins met while working for another company that specialized in theme park projects. After climbing the corporate ladder, the two realized they had enough skills to go into business for themselves, and the Friedrich Watkins Company was born.
A decade later, business is thriving despite a challenging real estate market. The company operates offices in Tampa and Orlando, with 40 employees who log about 60 projects per year. The company has won numerous awards, including being named among the top 100 privately held companies in central Florida and the 17th largest commercial general contractor in central Florida in 2006.
Friedrich and Watkins say one of the most satisfying aspects of their work is seeing people appreciate the finished project.
“It’s rewarding when you see kids smiling and parents laughing and everybody enjoying what you’ve built and knowing you’ve had a part in making someone else’s life better,” Friedrich says.
They believe they’re able to do that partly because of their Purdue education, which they say helped lay the foundation for their business success.
“We’re both proud of our Purdue degrees and heritage. We’re proud to be Midwestern boys that could use that heritage to do what we do down here,” Watkins says..
— By Christy Pitney
Purdue propels alumna
Not many people can say their company car is an airplane. Keri Wiznerowicz can.
At 23, Wiznerowicz (BS ’04, MS ’06) was hired out of the Department of Aviation Technology and quickly promoted, reporting directly to the CEO within nine short months. Now 25, Wiznerowicz is vice president of asset management for Universal Asset Management Inc., a company that purchases, leases, and sells a variety of commercial aviation assets. She provides strategic guidance in the global aviation community.
“My success to date has everything to do with the fact that I attended Purdue University and was prepared for what was to come,” she says.
Wiznerowicz, a native of Richmond, Illinois, decided to attend Purdue because of its nationally respected flight program.
“I wanted to be successful in the aviation industry. I knew that the odds of being successful when I graduated from the aviation technology program at Purdue were in my favor,” she says.
Her passion for the aviation industry began in her early teens. She saw a woman flying an F-18 airplane at an air show and realized that girls could be pilots too. After entering the Air Force ROTC at Purdue, Wiznerowicz found that her eyesight would limit her ability to be a military pilot, so she directed her attention to commercial flight. Wiznerowicz worked to achieve results in the aviation industry with a newfound drive.
As a student, Wiznerowicz was selected to fly Purdue’s Beechjet, becoming a crew member for the University’s official business flights. She also spent several years as a flight instructor. In 2005, she coordinated the Air Race Classic, hosted by Purdue University.
Wiznerowicz values not only the technical skills she acquired, but also the real-world experience she gained at Purdue. “I was involved in research projects with industry partners such as IBM, Sage-Popovich Inc., and the United States Navy. Each project offered industry experience that required exacting and revenue generating results,” she says..
— By Jessica Moman
Knoy Hall
401 N. Grant Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2021
Phone: (765) 494-7967
(888) 428-1489
Fax: (765) 494-0486
technews@purdue.edu
www.purdue.edu/technology
Aviation Technology
Scott Niswonger (BS ’68), Greeneville, TN, announced a donation of $10 million to build a new home for the Children’s Hospital at Johnson City Medical Center.
Richard Anderson (AS ’71, BS IS ’72, MS IE ’72) and his wife Wendy (’70 Purdue grad) moved to Memphis, TN, in June 2007. He joined EmpowerMX in December 2006 as senior director of consulting.
David Vandenbroeck (BS ’80), Victorville, CA, is an aircraft maintenance manager for Victorville Aerospace.
Frank Schreiber (BS ’85) is vice president for maintenance engineering services for Airbus in France.
James Kirk (BS ’90) and his wife, Keely, had a daughter December 15, 2006.
James P. Davis (BS ’94), Gilbert, IL, celebrated the third year of his business, Express Air Coach, a scheduled ground shuttle business between Purdue University Airport and Chicago’s O’Hare Airport.
Darrin D. Dick (BS ’95) and Angela Glotzbach (’94 Purdue grad) had twin daughters May 22, 2007.
Lewis O. Thomasino (BS ’97) and his wife, Tiffany, Fairview Heights, IL, had a daughter, Gemma Baldwin, October 15, 2006. She joins an older brother at home. Lewis has worked for Boeing in St. Louis, MO, for eight years.
Jennifer (Gschwind) Aton (BS ’98) married Ben Aton in May 2004. They have two sons (Jackson, 2, and Patrick, 1). Jennifer is a stay-at-home mom.
Nathan Montgomery (BS ’99) and Paula Libertowski had a son May 3, 2007.
Heather Lopp (BS ’01) and David Cleveland had a son May 16, 2007.
Craig A. Schurr (BS ’03) and Melissa Saulmon (’02 Purdue grad) had a daughter March 16, 2007.
Paul P. Reiber (BS ’04) and Emily McKenzie had twin daughters March 20, 2007.
Brian E. Miller (BS ’05), Pensacola, FL, is training as a naval flight officer in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Nicholas A. Brown (BS ’06), Cincinnati, OH, is an analyst for Landrum & Brown.
Ryan A. Wilcox (BS ’06) and Katherine Brown had a son May 19, 2007.
Tanya Lannen (BS ’07) married Daniel Swart (’06 Purdue grad) June 23, 2007.
Building Construction Management
Raymond L. Norton (BS ’73, MSCE ’82) retired in 2004 as senior manager of engineering at Quaker Oats. He lives in Siesta Key, FL, and Indianapolis. He works part-time as an engineering consultant in the food/beverage industry as well as international business development.
Brent L. Bartholomew (BS ’78) is a project manager for the architecture group at BSA LifeStructures in Indianapolis.
Andy Simerman (BS’89), Fort Wayne, IN, and his wife, Danielle, welcomed their second child, daughter Mia, January 25, 2007.
Diane C. (Boyd) Utz (BS ’89), Renton, WA, graduated from Seattle University School of Law in May and will begin working for a construction litigation law firm.
Adam J. Acton (BS ’98) and Alison M. Deel (BS OLS ’03) had a son April 11, 2007.
Brandi Pold (BS ’98) and her husband, Scott, had a son December 19, 2006.
James B. Wallace (BS ’99) and Tiffany R. Wallace (’00 Purdue grad) welcomed their second child, Kelsie Renee, October 29, 2007.
Matthew L. Rausch (BS ’99) and Tricia Martin (’99 Purdue grad) had a child, June 21, 2007.
Matthew J. O’Connor (BS ’00) and Gail Grundman (’00 Purdue grad) were married July 8, 2007.
Charles D. Smith III (BS ’00), Stuart, FL, joined Bayview Construction Corporation as an estimator and a project manager.
Jeremy D. Long (BS ’02) and his wife, Priscillla, had a daughter, July 19, 2007.
Brock D. Rhodes (BS ’03) and Sara Hicks (’03 Purdue grad) were married January 6, 2007.
Steve Scroggins (BS ’04), Cincinnati, OH, is a partner with Riverstone Development Group.
Brian A. Strebin (BS ’05) and his wife, Marcella, had a son March 23, 2007.
Brian J. Lewis (BS ’06), Carmel, IN, is a project coordinator for Shiel Sexton in Indianapolis.
Michael S. Walpole (BS ’06), Delanson, NY, is an assistant project manager for U.W. Marx Construction in Troy, NY.
Karl L. Swedlund (BS ’07), Woodbridge, IL, works for BMW Contractors.
Kyle A. Lauderdale (BS ’07), Elgin, IL, is a project engineer at Weis Builders.
Computer and Information Technology
Kenneth Carrell (BS ’86) and Deborah (Ritter) Carell (’81, ’86 Purdue grad) moved to Noblesville, IN, where Ken works for Sallie Mae.
James M. Siemers (BS ’88), Lafayette, is the executive director for St. Clare Medical Center in Crawfordsville.
G. Scott Needham (BS ’90, MSM ’92), Paris, France, has started a new company, Stat Press, with Kurt McClung (’90 Purdue grad). The company specializes in trade magazines and associated professional services. The first title celebrated its second anniversary last year.
Robert A. Koontz (BS ’92), Evansville, IN, is head golf professional for Oak Meadow Golf Club.
Michael J. Courtney (BS ’98) and Kristy Parnell were married March 24, 2007.
Nathan Crider (BS ’99), Bollingbrook, IL, is a territory sales manager for F5 Networks.
Jeremy M. Douglas (BS ’99) and his wife, Karisa Coblentz, had twins, a boy and a girl, May 29, 2007.
Cory S. Shively (BS ’99) and Shylo D. Diskey (BS ’99) had a daughter May 23, 2007.
David B. DeWitt II (BS ’00) and Alicia M. Dexter (OLS BS ’01) had a daughter April 25, 2007.
Kathryn A. (Puch) Grund (BS’00), Chicago, is a project manager for Allstate Insurance in Northbrook, IL. She married Jeff Grund November 18, 2006, and earned her MBA from DePaul University in June 2006.
Brian A. Rice (BS ’00, MS IAE ’03) and Rebecca McNicholas had a son April 11, 2007.
David Ervin (BS ’01) and Vanessa (Benanti) Ervin (’01 Purdue grad), Springfield, IL, had a daughter, Alaina Whitney, April 2, 2007.
Elizabeth V. Fenger (BS ’02, MS IAT ’04) and Eric Kurt (’02 Purdue grad) were married May 27, 2007.
Andrew G. Kellogg (BS ’02) and Amy Turner (’01 Purdue grad) had a daughter April 22, 2007.
Mitch Epstein (AAS ’02) is a flight instructor for Lufthansa’s Flight School in Goodyear, AZ.
Amy L. Drew (BS ’03) and Joshua Harley (’97 Purdue grad) had a daughter May 8, 2007.
Matthew S. Hodson (BS ’04) and his wife, Sheryl (’03 Purdue grad), Oxford, IL, had a daughter, Anna Grace, February 21, 2007.
Raymond A. Hansen (BS ’04, MS IAE ’06) had a son May 31, 2007.
Stephen Brown (BS ’05) married Jessica Hughes (’06 Purdue grad) August 4, 2007.
Kathryn E. Wilson (BS ’05), Indianapolis, is a network engineer with Infotex. Prior to her current position, she was a programmer for Haulmark in Elkhart, IN.
Chris E. Bennett (IUPUI BS ’07) is a software/application developer for Joint Force Headquarters in Indianapolis.
Computer Graphics Technology
Dianna L. Taylor (BS ’91, MS ’93), Elkton, MD, is a technology education teacher in Cecil County Public Schools and North East High School.
Scott C. Novinger (BS ’95) and his wife, Michelle (’97 Purdue grad), Wilmington, OH, celebrated the first anniversary of their business, Novinger’s Daylight Donuts, April 18, 2007.
Christine Stephens (BS ’99) and her husband, Matthew, had a son April 9, 2007.
Nicholas E. Wainscott (BS ’99) and Lauri Grimes (’98 Purdue grad) had a son August 22, 2007.
Matthew Putman (BS ’01) and Lindsey Meyer (’02 Purdue grad) had a daughter March 22, 2007.
Robert Theodorow (BS ’01) opened a new office in Lafayette for his online media and Internet strategy company, Stormfront Productions Inc. All employees of the company are Purdue alumni or students.
Heather (Kinney) Turner (BS ’02), Arlington, Texas, married Richard Turner November 3, 2007, in Indianapolis.
Margaret U. De Dios (BS ’06) and Richard Grigson were married May 6, 2007.
Katarzyna Olewicz (BS ’06) relocated to Raleigh, NC, to start a career in graphic design.
Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology
Gary F. Willett (BS ’72), Irving, TX, retired from Verizon June 30, 2006, after 37 years of service. He still works as a manager of network operations at the Dallas-Forth Worth airport.
Robert F. Johnson (BS ’74) received his master of science degree from Touro University International (now TUIUniversity). He was a summa cum laude graduate with his degree in health science – emergency and disaster management.
Robert L. Maupin (BS ’86), Avon Lake, OH, became the chief engineer for Raycom Media at its CBS affiliate in Cleveland, OH, in May 2007.
Joseph D. Clark (BS ’88) and Robin Helms (’94 Purdue grad) had a daughter February 9, 2007.
Gary W. Kukulies (AAS ’88), West Lafayette, completed the Indiana Pesticide Applicators Category 3B.
David D. Went (BS ’90) and his wife, Ellisha, had a daughter March 21, 2007.
Robert L. Cartwright (BS ’96), Crystal Lake, IL, started his own Internet, communications, and technology company, IntegrityOne, in January 2007.
Justin R. Heap (BS ’96) and Jennifer A. Stone (’98 Purdue grad) had a son May 9, 2007.
Chad Blueher (AS ’99), Cicero, IN, earned a master of science degree from Drexel University in June 2007.
James Monaghan (BS ’01), Wooster, OH, completed his MBA from Ashland College in May 2007.
Kevin M. Brust (AAS ’04) and Tracia Rainforth had a daughter April 22, 2007.
Austin D. Metzger (BS ’04) and his wife, Stacy, had a son May 3, 2007.
Christopher T. Miskowiec (BS ’07) and his wife, Stephanie, Carmel, IN, were married September 1, 2007.
Industrial Technology
George Cipolletti (BS ’50) has published a children’s book titled Once Upon an Elephant.
Robert R. Leavitt (BS ’52, MS ’55), Lafayette, flew in a N2S “Yellow Peril,” a World War II-era biplane, for his 80th birthday.
Bill Burk (BS ’69), Midland, MI, retired from Dow Chemical Company.
John Bower (BS ’71) published After the Harvest: Indiana’s historic grain elevators and feed mills.
Steve A. Epner (BS ’71, MS ’07) works for St. Louis University helping to develop an Innovation Center to provide outreach services to local companies that require assistance. He writes “As the only grandfather in my Purdue cohort group, I can highly recommend that other non-traditional students consider returning to Purdue for additional education.”
Susan (Douthit) Walker (BS ’82), Fishers, IN, was promoted to executive director of the Indiana District of Kiwanis.
Tobias W. Busk (BS ’86) and his wife, Donna, Fallbrook, CA, made a $1 million financial commitment to Pheasants Forever.
Steven Lovejoy (BS ’88), Danville, CA, was promoted to vice president of internal product supply at the Clorox Company.
Donzel Leggett (BS ’90, MS ’92) was promoted to vice president of manufacturing temperature channel for General Mills. He will assume leadership responsibility for Pillsbury USA and Yoplait field manufacturing facilities.
Mark Bergren (BS ’98) and Dawn Carlson (’96 Purdue grad) had a daughter July 9, 2007.
Todd Canterbury (MS ’03) has made several cash and equipment gifts to Purdue for use in the Aviation Technology lab.
Nicholas L. McMahan (BS ’04), Terre Haute, IN, is an industrial engineer for Staples Inc. Midwest Distribution Center.
Nathan A. Pearson (BS ’04) is a manufacturing engineer at Subaru of Indiana Automotive in Lafayette.
Priyanka Garg (BS ’05) lives in Columbus, IN.
Amanda D. Williams (BS ’05) and Anthony McCammon (’00 Purdue grad) had twin daughters March 25, 2007.
Mechanical Engineering Technology
Dan Dimond (BS ’82) celebrated the 30th anniversary of this company, R.E. Dimond and Associates Inc., in 2007.
Hector L. Cervoni (BS ’82), San Juan, Puerto Rico, is a maintenance engineer section manager for Abbott Biotechnology Ltd.
Douglas P. LaLone (BS ’86), Bloomfield Hills, MI, joined the office of Radar, Fishman and Grauer PLLC as a member. His practice focuses on foreign and domestic prosecution and defense of patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, unfair competition, and domain names.
David Jones (AAS ’88, BS ’91) is assistant manager of the technical division production engineering department at Toyota Motor Kyusho in Fukuoka, Japan.
Todd A. Duncan (BS ’89) and Alicia Mitchell (’93 Purdue grad) had twin sons April 20, 2007.
Joel L. Moser (BS ’93) and his wife, Lori, had a daughter April 4, 2007.
Aaron Thrash (BS ’96) is a field applications engineer for Greene, Tweed, and Co. in California. The company focuses on the semiconductor industry. He is learning to drive on the road course, including Infineon Raceway in San Francisco.
Matthew Sauer (BS ’97) and his wife, Kelli, had a daughter, Emerson, September 4, 2005. Matthew has worked at the Boeing Company for seven years and has taken on a new assignment as an engineering lean consultant.
Kevin M. Eberle (BS ’00, MBA ’03) and Erin Bules had a daughter April 5, 2007.
Kevin Collins (BS ’01) and Sheryl Sondgeroth (’03 Purdue grad) had a son April 7, 2007.
Steve M. Thomas (BS ’04) married Lauren Davis (’07 Purdue grad) July 1, 2007.
Travis J. Martin (BS ’06) married Amanda Geary (’06 Purdue grad) June 16, 2007.
Clayton T. Runnebohm (BS ’06), Sandy, Utah, is an associate field service engineer for Rockwell Automation.
Scott A. Vanderwall (BS ’06) and Emily Kyles (’04 Purdue grad) had a son September 4, 2007.
Organizational Leadership and Supervision
Elizabeth Owens Lape (BS ’83) retired from the U.S. Navy as a commander after serving for 23 years. She works for defense contractor Camber Corporation conducting training and education for the National Guard around the country on how to form a Joint Force Headquarters. She and her husband, John (’83 Purdue grad), have two children: JD, 21, and Katie, 16.
Trent B. Johnson (BS ’88), West Lafayette, finished 2006 as the #4 Indiana State Farm agent based on multi-line production.
Theodore W. Bumbleberg (BS ’90), Lafayette, has been elected vice chairman of the Indiana Regulated Amusement Device Safety Board.
David A. Dunk (BS ’91) and Shelly Metzger had a daughter May 24, 2007.
Doug Dieselberg (BS ’92), Columbia, MO, is plant manager for Honeywell International, Specialty Materials Division.
Erika (Hufford) Koepper (BS ’92) married David Koepper December 9, 2006. She is an HR learning consultant for Caterpillar HSD Southeast District Office.
Douglas Robinson (EET AS ’93, OLS BS ’85) and Shelly L. Robinson (’93, ’02 Purdue grad) had a daughter, Sarah Maigan-Rose, June 14, 2007.
Stacey Lovelace (BS ’96), Southfield, MI, was signed by the WNBA’s Washington Mystics.
Beverly J. Davis (BS ’96, MS IAE ’98), Lafayette, is a member of the National Visiting Committee for the National Center for Manufacturing Education.
William W. Bassett Jr (BS ’98) married Nicole Miller (’98 Purdue grad) June 2, 2007.
Derek J. Emmons (BS ’99), Warrenton, MO, and his wife, Krista (’02 Purdue grad), had a son February 21, 2007.
Detra L. Mills (BS ’99), Fishers, IN, earned the professional project manager credential in June 2007. She is marketing manager in the near patient testing group at Roche Diagnostics.
Curtis B. Taylor (BS ’99), Indianapolis, relocated from Washington, DC, to manage the sales effort for national associations at Adams Mark Hotel.
Kristina Creed (BS ’00), Chicago, is senior manager of college relations with Kaplan Higher Education.
Cindy Lunsford (BS ’01) moved to Austin, TX, in February 2007. She is a telephone sales representative for the Austin American Statesman.
Scott A. Mellon (BS’01) married Jill Kennedy April 21, 2007.
Ken Jansky (BS ’02) and Erin Swindle (BS ’02), Griffith, IN, were married June 11, 2005.
Matthew W. Broge (BS ’02) and Tangra Riggle had a son April 9, 2007.
Thomas J. Schwartzel (BS ’02) and Natalie Gray (’00 Purdue grad) had a daughter August 17, 2007.
Jayne A. Bates (BS ’03) moved to Orlando, FL, in April 2006 to assume duties of child/day care for her grandson. A retiree, she is enjoying her duties and seeing fellow Purdue alumni.
Julie (Wadycki) Belloli (BS ’03), Des Plaines, IL, married Brian Belloli (’03 Purdue grad) September 30, 2006. She is a general manager for the Steak n Shake Company in Downers Grove, IL.
Charlie J. Greer (BS ’03) and Melinda Wilkinson (’00 Purdue grad) had a daughter April 20, 2007.
Karl P. Ferger IV (BS ’04) married Jessica Kesler (’05 Purdue grad) July 7, 2007.
Jared M. Haupert (BS ’04) and Katherine Asay (’05 Purdue grad) had a son August 16, 2007.
Morgan M. Alsop (BS ’06), Lafayette, and her father, Mike, finished in first place on Spike TV’s Bullrun, a 4,000-mile race and reality television series.
Danielle J. Colon (BS ’06) and Germaul Northern had a daughter April 5, 2007.
David P. Ellerman (BS ’06), DeKalb, IL, is a broker associate for O’Donnell Commercial Real Estate in St. Charles, IL.
Brian S. Johnson (MS ’06) is engaged to Purdue PhD student Brittany Gasper, and they have set a wedding date in 2010. He was promoted in April 2007 to corporate trainer for the Steak n Shake Company.
Nicole A. (Rowe) Kiser (BS ’06) and R. Brandon Kiser (’06 Purdue grad) were married May 19, 2007, in Louisville, KY. On September 22, they had a son, R. Brian, who made his first trip to Purdue during Homecoming.
Claudine A. Laufman (BS ’06), West Lafayette, is the Columbian Park Zoo director.
Marissa D. Peyton (BS ’06) and Bobby Rennaker (’05 Purdue grad) had a daughter March 21, 2007.
Jason D. Ray (BS ’06), Indianapolis, is an estimating specialist for Firestone Building Products.
Michelle L. Ashcraft (BS ’07) is a graduate assistant at the University of South Carolina’s University 101 in Columbia. She is pursuing a master’s degree in higher education and student affairs.
Stefanie (Alvis) Lawson (BS/MS ’07) and Abe Lawson, Hamilton, OH, were married October 13, 2007.
Gregory A. Franklin (BS ’07) and Elisabeth Hanssens (’07 Purdue grad) had a daughter August 4, 2007.
Dustie J. Walton (BS ’07) and her husband, Abe, had a daughter June 29, 2007.
Technology
David L. Cox (BS ’69), president of Hare Chevrolet, Noblesville, IN, was named a finalist in the 2007 Time Magazine Quality Dealer of the Year Award. He was honored for his outstanding performance and his community service.