Class Notes

Name: Owen Kassimir

Class Year(s): 1982

Note: After a very successful career in photography, Owen Kissimir ’82 (GAP) has officially retired and has moved on to his true passion of coaching tennis and pickleball. Kissimir played on the RIT tennis team for two years when he was attending and was captain his senior year. Over the past 6 years or so he has been coaching college tennis and now high school tennis on Long Island. He also works at a club on Long Island coaching all ages. He also enjoys fishing and playing with his grandchildren.

Submitted on: December 27, 2022

Name: Daniel Taylor

Class Year(s): 1983

Note: This winter marks the 30th anniversary of Taylor Design, a Stamford, CT-based graphic, branding, and digital design studio founded by Dan Taylor ’83 (FAA) and Nora Vaivads-Taylor ’83 (FAA). Taylor Design has grown from its humble beginnings as a sole proprietorship in 1992 to today’s 10-person studio with local, regional and national clients. Taylor Design’s client roster ranges from corporations to educational institutions to non-profits and the studio’s work has earned awards from regional, national, and international competitions, including Communication Arts magazine, Print magazine, How magazine, and Graphis magazine. Dan wrote and recently published a book titled “Brand Rehab,” reflections on thirty years in the communications industry and a collection of the firm’s favorite creative projects from 1992 to 2022. Throughout the book Dan provides insights into the studio’s creative process and shares observations and ideas on the keys to success in the communications and branding industry. The book is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Brand-Rehab-Reflections-communications-collection/dp/B0BPGL27SZ/ref=sr_1_3?crid=20U9KXQBDAATI&keywords=brand+rehab&qid=1672141638&s=books&sprefix=brand+rehab%2Cstripbooks%2C81&sr=1-3.

Submitted on: December 27, 2022

Name: George Kamper

Class Year(s): 1973,1977

Note: George Kamper ’77 (GAP) captured this photo of Andres Valencia, an 11-year-old sensation who is being compared to the legendary Pablo Picasso.

Submitted on: December 27, 2022

Name: Sharon Hoogstraten

Class Year(s): 1975

Note: Photographer Sharon Hoogstraten ’75 (GAP) spent a decade portraying contemporary Potawatomis in regalia and as an unexpected dividend, discovered her own roots. A Michigan native, she traveled to Chicago for graduate study at the University of Illinois and then stayed having no clue that she was literally walking in the footsteps of her Potawatomi ancestors. This legacy project spans all nine Potawatomi Nations and is our gift to the future seven generations. Focusing on both the traditional and contemporary aspects of regalia, it is also a declaration of continued existence. Her nearly life-sized portraits have been widely exhibited and collected. A book, "Dancing for Our Tribe: Potawatomi Tradition in the New Millennium" was released in August of 2022 by Oklahoma University Press. https://www.oupress.com/9781733674423/dancing-for-our-tribe/ https://www.potawatomi.org/blog/2022/10/17/photographer-releases-legacy-project-highlighting-tribal-members-history/ https://indiancountrytoday.com/news/potawatomi-photographer-captures-the-joys-of-dance-in-new-book?fbclid=IwAR0Gs9GvilhTDiuYsb94pNq8eVM6mSFJuKE3x4v55eDiKmfDGSRh3MgQid8

Submitted on: December 27, 2022

Name: Tom Jacek

Class Year(s): 1993

Note: Tom Jacek ’93 (SCB) has accepted a promotion to the title of Business Process Manager at Ford Motor Company. The new position manages process re-engineering and new business systems integration within the Ford Product Design Organization.

Submitted on: December 27, 2022

Name: John Letteney

Class Year(s): 1983

Note: Thomasville Police Chief John Letteney BS ’83 (CLA) has been sworn in as President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). His term began October 18 at the conclusion of the IACP Annual Convention and Exposition held in Dallas, Texas. He has served on the Board of Directors for IACP in various roles since 2014 and was elected as 4th Vice President in 2018. Chief Letteney was named Thomasville’s Police Chief in January 2021. He retired in 2005 as a Captain for the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office in Rochester, New York. The IACP is the world’s largest and most influential professional association for police leaders. With more than 32,000 members in over 170 countries, the IACP is a recognized leader in global policing, committed to advancing safer communities through thoughtful, progressive police leadership. Since 1893, the association has been serving communities by speaking out on behalf of law enforcement and advancing leadership and professionalism in policing worldwide.

Submitted on: December 27, 2022

Name: Scott Vile

Class Year(s): 1982

Note: Scott Vile, ’82 (GAP) is the owner of the Ascensius Press in Bar Mills, Maine, one of the largest letterpress composition and printing offices in the US. He was recently named president of the Society of Printers of Boston, MA.

Submitted on: December 27, 2022

Name: James TABBI

Class Year(s): 89, 98

Note: James Tabbi BS ’90, MS ’98 (COS) and his musical group, The Heroic Enthusiasts, released Crimes and Passions on December 2, 2022. This the second of their two EPs releasing this year—is out now on Meridian/ECR Music Group. In contrast with—and to complement—that first EP, Crimes and Passions is a collection of five inspired, vibrant and spontaneous songs, meant to take the listener on a journey that conveys emotions—sweet and savory, light and moody, new and refreshing. https://linktr.ee/TheHeroicEnthusiasts

Submitted on: December 27, 2022

Name: Gabriel Isserlis

Class Year(s): 2013,2016

Note: Gabriel Isserlis BFA ’16 (CIAS) raised £300,000 for Tutti - the tech company he started immediately after leaving RIT.

Submitted on: December 27, 2022

Name: Audrey Braun

Class Year(s): 2005

Note: Wyatt Allister Braun and future tiger, born March 2022 to Audrey Braun BS ’05 (SCB) and Jordan Braun of Austin, Texas.

Submitted on: December 27, 2022