Notes from the Class of 2008

At the 20th Annual APEX Awards ceremony in February, Dan Mackin (ElCompEngr) — CEO of cybersecurity and technology advisory company Rule4 — was awarded the Colorado Technology Association’s CEO of the Year. 

David Thul (Geol) is co-founder and CEO of Geolumina, which creates intuitive AI with geologic insight. His company was selected to be a part of the Equinor & Techstars Energy Accelerator program, which provides resources and mentors to support startup businesses. 

As a lead writer for Google Hardware, Julie Dyer Vree (Jour) takes on branding, content strategy and creative initiatives under the Pixel and Nest brands. She also spends her time mentoring girls interested in STEM, creative industries or both, and volunteering at hospitals with her certified therapy dog named Snax. She lives in San Francisco with her husband, daughter and beloved French bulldog.

Susan Fricke (Mktg) wrote a children’s book about compound interest, Pluter & the Spectacular Spaceship. She writes her idea for the book came when she discovered that compound interest, one key driver of wealth, was elusive to many people. She hopes the book “encourages even just a few kids to start thinking about their financial future.” She lives in New York, New York. 

Jason Reed (IntPhys’08) was elected to the partnership of Maslon LLP, law firm in Minneapolis. Jason was recognized on the Minnesota Rising Stars list in 2019-21, designation awarded every year to only 2.5% of Minnesota attorneys. As a member of Maslon’s Financial Services Group,  Jason focuses on corporate trust litigation and bankruptcy issues. He lives in Minneapolis.

Shipwreck in the Early Modern Hispanic World, edited by Carrie L. Ruiz (MSpan’01; PhD’08) and Elena Rodríguez-Guridi (PhDSpan’07), was published in January by Bucknell University Press.This book of essays examines portrayals of nautical disasters in 16th- and 17th-century Spanish literature and culture. Carrie Is an associate professor of Spanish at Colorado College in Colorado Springs. Elena is an associate professor of Spanish at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York. Both women have authored several works published in various journals.

Boettcher and Presidents Leadership Class scholar and founding member of the Colorado Creed Ben Whitehair (Thtr’08) was elected executive vice president of the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, a labor union representing performers and media professionals worldwide. In addition, Ben serves as COO of TSMA Consulting, a premier social media management and growth firm in entertainment and technology.

HBO Max cast Christopher Maller (Advert’08) of Denver for its new series Swiping Across America. The show started filming in Boulder in April and will culminate in Honolulu.

After obtaining his license to practice psychology in New York and New Jersey in 2021, Steve Pappalardo (Psych’08) is working with children, adolescents and adults as a clinical neuropsychologist and psychologist. Steve earned his doctorate degree in clinical psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University and later completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship in clinical neuropsychology.

On March 7 founder and CEO of Urban Golf Performance (UGP) Mackenzie “Mac” Todd (Psych’08) announced his partnership with golfer Collin Morikawa, who, in May, was No. 3 in the Official World Golf Ranking. Drawing from his own experiences during his golf career, Mac founded his company to help golfers of all abilities improve and nourish their love of golf. UGP currently has a staff of 50 employees and four locations across California. Mac resides in Carmel Valley, California, with his wife and three children.

Former director of business strategy and development for the United Launch Alliance (ULA), Chris Ellerhorst (AeroEngr’08) was named the vice president and director of the ULA’s Kuiper program office to support Amazon’s Kuiper Program. The goal of this program is to increase broadband accessibility globally by launching advanced satellites into orbit.

Marc Ost (Fin’08), co-owner of Eric’s RX Shoppe in Horsham, Pennsylvania, was awarded the 2022 National Association of Retail Druggists’ ownership award at a national convention in Kansas City. This award recognizes an independent community pharmacy owner who embraces an entrepreneurial spirit and demonstrates excellence in the field of community pharmacy ownership. Marc serves on several pharmaceutical boards and committees, including the Philadelphia Association of Retail Druggists. He also regularly engages with elected officials to advocate for independent pharmacies. Marc lives in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Aziza, and children Alaina and Stanley.

Ryan Walters (Hist’08) was named head coach of Purdue’s football team, the Boilermakers. Ryan previously served as defensive coordinator of the Illinois Fighting Illini. A former CU football player, he was a three-year starter and was named Team MVP during his senior year.

Curtis Farrow (Bus’08; MBA’13) is head of Centri Business Consulting’s new private equity practice. Curtis brings to this role experience in due diligence, valuation, financing, and mergers and acquisitions. He is a certified public accountant and an accredited senior appraiser.

Entrepreneur Juan Ignacio Stewart (Film, IntlAf’08) pitched his beverage business, Frescos Naturales, on Shark Tank (season 14, episode 12). The company produces canned sparkling fruit drinks inspired by the aguas frescas he drank as a child in Guatemala. Juan struck a deal with Daniel Lubetzsky, founder and CEO of Kind snack company, who agreed to invest in the company and serve as a mentor.

Actor and entrepreneur Ben Whitehair (PolSci, Thtr’08) is executive vice president of SAG-AFTRA. In his role, Ben speaks about combining his passion for the arts with his desire for social justice. This summer and early fall, Ben supported his union as part of the committee that negotiated TV, film and streaming contracts during the SAG-AFTRA strike. “The entertainment industry adds a massive financial, social and political value to our country and to the world. ... We would much rather be working,” he told the Coloradan during the fall strike. While at CU Boulder, Ben helped develop and implement the Colorado Creed. Read the Coloradan’s online exclusive article about Ben at colorado.edu/coloradan. 

Bennet Spector (Comm’08) is the general manager of Bleacher Report. The website is focused on sports and sports culture.

Commercial real estate company Foundry Commercial hired Jeff Stephens (Psych’08) as senior vice president. He is based in the firm’s Raleigh office.