Class Notes

Name: James Smith

Class Year(s): 1999

Note: James (Jim) Smith, PE, RCDD, has been promoted to principal of BCE Engineers. Jim has spent the last 16 years with BCE and has not only helped establish BCE as a leader in telecommunications design, but he has directly contributed to the growth of the company’s electrical department through his work on nationwide Department of Defense (DoD) contracts, tribal projects, and port work. Jim states, “My goal as an owner is to ensure that BCE continues to provide the innovative design solutions we are known for. The construction industry is constantly changing and evolving, and I intend to help the BCE team stay at the forefront. I will continue to do my best to act in our client’s best interests and provide solutions that exceed client expectations for years to come.”

Submitted on: June 20, 2023

Name: Jeremy Sniatecki

Class Year(s): 1995

Note: Jeremy Sniatecki ’95 (CIAS) was chosen as the designer/illustrator for the 125th Annual Rochester Lilac Festival 2023 poster, also used on shirts, post cards, and Casa Larga wine bottles. A real pleasure and honor to be part of it.

Submitted on: June 13, 2023

Name: Amanda Trudo

Class Year(s): 2016

Note: Amanda (Gratton) Trudo ’16 (KGCOE) and Stephen Trudo ’16 (KGCOE) welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Rosalie Maye Trudo, in March 2023.

Submitted on: June 12, 2023

Name: Paul Armani

Class Year(s): 1996

Note: Paul Armani (COS 96’) was married in June 10, 2023 to high school sweetheart Nicole Hebert. Fellow tigers Michael and Jessica Shimmel were in attendance.

Submitted on: June 12, 2023

Name: Miguel Flores

Class Year(s): 2018

Note: Miguel Flores ME ’18 (KGCOE) recently had a research paper admitted and published by Scientific Reports Journal, which is a Q1 Journal. It was thanks to RIT that I could get it. Studying at this great institution has improved my career and professional perspectives. I would love to work in more projects and researches with fellow alumni. Our published work is: Novel data dependent divider circuit block implementation for complex division and area critical applications. And here I share the link with you: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-28343-3.

Submitted on: June 10, 2023

Name: Shail Rajan

Class Year(s): 1995

Note: Shail Rajan MBA ’95 (SCB) has published her third novel, The Summer Breeze Love & Misfortunes, the second book in The Summer Breeze series). Her other books include The Summer Breeze Bed & Breakfast (book 1 in The Summer Breeze series) and The Recipient. Visit her website for more information: https://www.shailrajan.com/

Submitted on: May 31, 2023

Name: James Englert

Class Year(s): 1974

Note: Jim Englert ’74 (CCE), founder of High Falls Advisors, was named a Financial Leaders 2023 honoree in the lifetime achievement category by the Rochester Business Journal and the Rochester Chapter of Financial Executives International. Jim co-founded High Falls Advisors in 2008 after a career with Eastman Kodak Company and today – at age 79 – still works daily helping his clients pursue their financial goals and mentoring employees.

Submitted on: May 31, 2023

Name: Kelly Burns

Class Year(s): 2010

Note: Kelly Burns MBA ’10 (SCB) has been named Director of Tourism in Livingston County, N.Y. Burns brings nearly two decades of high-level experience to Livingston County including her most recent stint as Digital Marketing Manager and Recruitment Marketing Manager for Yellowstone National Park. There, she oversaw Yellowstone’s digital marketing strategy to drive guest visitation for lodging and activities. Burns was also instrumental in the development and implementation of the Park’s job recruitment marketing program, which has the goal of increasing overall employment applications. Prior to her tenure with Yellowstone, Burns served as a Marketing Manager for Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch for nearly three years where she helped to revitalize marketing efforts that included a website redesign, migration to a new email marketing service and increased brand presence across social media.

Submitted on: May 31, 2023

Name: Willy (Perry -- formal first name) Conley

Class Year(s): 1981

Note: "Photographic Memories" is an anthology of essays, playlets, and short fiction by writer and photographer Willy Conley ’81 (GAP). The pieces in this collection are grounded in Deaf experiences, a hallmark of Conley’s work. Written from the unique perspective of a Deaf artist who navigates between the Deaf and hearing worlds, Conley depicts a variety of topics, settings, and characters: a day in the life of a traveling Deaf theatre company, a nail salon, a baseball player trying to go pro. Conley also addresses critical issues at the heart of his Deaf identity, such as creating professional opportunities for Deaf theater artists, the need for better standards in sign language interpreting, and ableism. Original photographs taken by the author accompany his writings and invite the reader to contemplate the often-blurred lines between reality and memory. Dr. Gerard Buckley, President of NTID and Vice President and Dean of RIT wrote a book blurb stating: “Willy Conley is a gifted Deaf writer, photographer, and actor who shares his memories with readers in his latest book. Conley reflects on his career beginning with his studies at NTID, where he found his identity as a Deaf person and honed his professional photography skills. Many of the stories he shares are common for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals who are educated in mainstream settings and serve as a powerful reminder that we have work to do to improve the inclusion of Deaf students in these settings. A recommended read for all who are engaged in preparing future generations of Deaf students to excel and thrive.”

Submitted on: May 19, 2023

Name: Pete Beckary

Class Year(s): 90

Note: Pete Beckary ’90 (SCB) recently partnered with retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant/Special Ops Green Beret Dan Kostrzebski in publishing the daily devotional entitled No One Is Fatherless - available at www.nooneisfatherless.com

Submitted on: May 18, 2023