Notes from the Class of 1987

Solatube International’s Neall Digert (ArchEngr’87, PhDCivEngr’99) has been promoted to vice president of product enterprise. Solatube International manufactures “Tubular Daylighting Devices,” energy-efficient natural daylighting systems. Neall focuses on new design and application tool protocols to support the company’s integration of optical daylighting products into commercial, industrial and residential buildings. He lives in Carlsbad, Calif.

Residential realtor Jeanette Meyer (MBA’87) contributed $750 to local and national charities in 2011 through her client-directed donations program “Make a Difference.” Her clients choose from five selected charities, and she makes a donation on their behalf. Jeanette lives in Fort Collins, Colo.

No stranger to literary success, Bruce Rogers (MEngl’87) won for the second time the Micro Award, a literary prize for fiction not exceeding 1,000 words. His entry Divestiture finished first out of 421 eligible stories. Bruce also has won Nebula, Bram Stoker, Pushcart and World Fantasy awards. He lives in Eugene, Ore. Read his award-winning entry at shortshortshort.com.

Fort Collins resident Jeanette Meyer (MBA’87) of RE/MAX Alliance was granted the highest level of service achievement in the real estate industry, Quality Service Certified Platinum. The award is in recognition of earning 100 percent client service satisfaction in 2011 as measured by Leading Research Corporation. She also contributed $750 to local and national charities in 2011 through her client-directed donations program, “Make a Difference.”

Proud to be a Buff, Pam Hale Anderson’s (Law’87) CU family history goes way back. Her parents and grandparents attended CU and her great-grandfather was Horace Morrison Hale, the second president of the university for whom Hale Science is named. Pam writes she has enjoyed all the historical materials CU has given her. She lives in La Crescenta, Calif.

Traveling for three weeks in Europe, Mark Kuta Jr. (MBA’87) advertised the university abroad by wearing a CU T-shirt every third or fourth day. Mark traveled to Germany, Austria and Italy along with his wife and their two kids. Mark writes he can vouch for the CU brand as around 10 people recognized the logo. Mark lives in Denver.

On May 27 Lesley Gillis (MTeleCom ’87) and her husband celebrated their 40th anniversary with a trip to Russia. Lesley worked at Qwest and Whole Foods. She is retired but volunteers at Community Food Share. The couple has three children and two grandchildren, and Lesley and her husband live in Boulder.

Attorneys Title Guaranty Fund appointed Chicago attorney Jonathan Sherry (Fin’87) to the board of directors. He owns and operates a law practice that focuses on residential and commercial real estate. He handles all aspects of more than 3,000 real estate and loan closings. Jonathan lives in Highland Park, Ill.

Principal of Meyer and Associates at RE/MAX Alliance, Jeanette Meyer (MBA’87) completed the specialized real estate investment course, “Creating Wealth through Residential Real Estate Investments” conducted by the Council of Residential Specialists of the National Association of Realtors. She specializes in effectively analyzing residential real estate investment opportunities and applying wealth-building strategies for clients as they relate to residential properties and the tax implications of those investments. Jeanette lives in Fort Collins, Colo.

Florida Python Removal Agent permittee Chris Harmon (PolSci’87) took part in the 2013 Python Challenge in the Florida Everglades in February. The point of the challenge was to remove the giant invasive pythons that have become entrenched in the environmentally sensitive Everglades. Chris writes that they didn’t find a single python after four full weekends of hiking through rugged, alligator-infested terrain, but they found dozens of other snakes, including some fairly rare species.

Property manager at W.W. Reynolds Jeff Wingert (EnvDes’87, MBA’91) has overseen and directed the company’s asset and property management, leasing and development operations since 1991. Prior, he worked for CU-Boulder’s facilities management department overseeing campus remodels and construction. He and his wife have been married for more than 16 years, have two children and live in Superior, Colo. Outside of work Jeff enjoys fishing, camping, skiing and coaching any sports his children play.

TIME magazine included Richard Cook (EngrPhys’87) in its annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. Richard was part of the Pathfinder mission team that landed the first rover on Mars in 1997 and the team that landed the Curiosity rover on Mars last summer. He lives in Canyon County, Calif.

Manhard Consulting hired Michael Unger (ArchEngr’87) to serve as area manager of Denver operations. It is a full-service civil engineering firm with offices nationwide. Michael is responsible for business development along all service lines, resource allocation, budgeting and overall financial performance. He brings 25 years of experience to the Englewood, Colo., office.

After having a private practice in hand surgery for nine years Timothy Allen (MCDBio’87, MD’91) became director of hand surgery for the Greenville Health System in Greenville, S.C. In addition, Timothy teaches residents and medical students. He lives in Piedmont, S.C., with his wife Tiffany and their son Benjamin. They are expecting a second boy in September.

Principal of Meyer and Associates at RE/MAX Alliance in Fort Collins, Colo., Jeanette Meyer (MBA’87) received the Quality Service Certified Platinum award. This award is the highest level of service achievement in the real estate industry and recognizes Jeanette for earning 100 percent client service satisfaction in 2012, as measured by Leading Research Corp. This is the sixth consecutive year Jeanette has received the award. She lives in Windsor, Colo.

President and CEO of sock maker Darn Tough Vermont Ric Cabot (Jour’87) helped Colorado flood victims by donating 1,000 pairs of socks produced by the company. Ric told The Northfield News that Boulder “is near and dear to my heart.” He lives in Stowe, Vt. His family has been in the hosiery business for three generations.

After serving as chair of the Alumni Association board, as well as holding numerous other board positions, Karin Rutstein (IntlBus’87) finished her last term in May. Karin was an outstanding contributor to the Alumni Association, guiding marketing and overall strategy. She assumed the role of board chair from Jimmy Calano (Mktg’78) who along with Karin and others, helped the staff launch Forever Buffs, which welcomes all students and alumni as members of the Alumni Association. A dues-free model, all Forever Buffs can take advantage of a lifetime of programming and services provided by the organization.

Fracking is often in the news now. In an effort to shed more light on the subject, Debra Anderson (Art’87) produced a documentary film, “Split Estate,” that won her an Emmy.

UniPixel, a provider of electronic conductive film for electronic sensors in touch screens, hired Jeff Hawthorne (EngrPhys’87) as its president and chief executive officer. Jeff has 33 years of experience working with senior management and advanced technology product development.

Looking for a new house? Real estate agent Jeanette Meyer (MBA’87) was awarded the highest level of service achievement in the industry in April. The Quality Service Certified Platinum award, given to her by the Leading Research Corporation, recognizes her 100 percent client service satisfaction rating in 2013. It’s the ninth consecutive year she has received the award. Jeanette lives in Windsor, Colo.