Class Notes

Name: Dan Horowitz

Class Year(s): 2009, 2011

Note: Dan Horowitz ’09 (CIAS) took a chance on the Hemp and Cannabis industry in 2019. He now sells equipment within this space and loves working with processors who need integration and systems designed to their needs. Everyday is different and he loves working in a growing industry (pun intended.)

Submitted on: July 23, 2021

Name: Todd Hess

Class Year(s): 1996

Note: Todd Hess ’96 9CAST) has started a new chapter in his career. He is now Director of Business Software for Protective Industrial Products, a fast growing global provider of personal protective equipment headquartered in Latham, N.Y.

Submitted on: July 23, 2021

Phil and Anna Rodriguez at Lake Shore Country Club

Name: Philip Rodriguez

Class Year(s): 2013

Note: Philip Rodriguez ’13 (GCCIS) MS ’21 (GCCIS) and his wife, Anna, were married on June 26, 2021 at St. Nicholas Church. Anna, I’m so grateful for you and looking forward to spending the rest of our lives together. I love you!

Submitted on: July 23, 2021

Name: Nathan Gardner

Class Year(s): 2004

Note: Nate Gardner ’04 (COS) completed his Doctor of Medical Science degree through AT Still University’s Arizona School of Health Sciences in May of 2021. Dr. Gardner is currently the Program Director at the Center for Physician Assistant Studies at Albany Medical College.

Submitted on: July 12, 2021

Wil Sylvince, host of the New Jokes shows at the Comedy Cellar, snaps an on-stage selfie with Tom Willard. Tom was marking his fifth anniversary in standup comedy while making his fifth appearance at the world-famous NYC comedy club.

Name: Tom Willard

Class Year(s): 1985

Note: Tom Willard ’85 (GAP) celebrated his fifth anniversary in standup comedy on July 5, 2021 by making his fifth appearance at the famous Comedy Cellar in New York City. He is pictured with Wil Sylvince, host of the New Jokes shows on which he has performed. Tom started doing standup at age 58 with no stage experience after a long career in arts administration and journalism. He talks and uses sign language in his act.

Submitted on: July 9, 2021

Name: Marc Raco

Class Year(s): 1988

Note: Marc Raco ’88 (GAP) recently became the Head of Audio for Linktree, the technology platform to connect your entire online ecosystem (ranked 4th Most Innovative Social Media Company by Fast Company, 2020). Marc had most recently led the audio-for-business company and podcast network MouthMedia Network, which he cofounded, as CEO.

Submitted on: July 7, 2021

Name: Ken Staffan

Class Year(s): 1984, 1993, 2015

Note: Ken Staffan ’84 (CAST), MS ’93 (CAST) retired after a 38-year career in software engineering, teaching, and systems engineering at Xerox, Redcom Labs, St. John Fisher College, and Eastman Kodak/Johnson & Johnson/Ortho Clinical Diagnostics. He and his wife, Mary (Higby) Staffan ’83 (FAA), will now have more time to enjoy their first grandchild.

Submitted on: July 1, 2021

Name: Scott Saldinger

Class Year(s): 91

Note: Scott Saldinger ’91 (GAP) joined PeopleGrove as Director, University Partnerships in March 2021. PeopleGrove is a leading provider of higher education communication, connection, mentorship and career platforms. He is proud to see RIT using the platform to engage students and alumni as a PeopleGrove partner.

Submitted on: June 30, 2021

Avery Jax Herrman (Left) and Sawyer Allen Herrman (right)

Name: JACQUALYN Schulman

Class Year(s): 2012

Note: Jacqualyn Schulman ’12 (COS) and Tyler Herrman ’13 (GCCIS) welcomed identical twins boys, Sawyer Allen Herrman and Avery Jax Herrman, on February 1, 2021.

Submitted on: June 19, 2021

L to R: Brighton Town Supervisor William Moehle, Senate Commendation Honoree Michael E. Pollock and NYS Senator Jeremy A. Cooney at ceremony held at Brighton Volunteer Ambulance base. (Photo by Emma M. Pollock)

Name: Michael E. Pollock

Class Year(s): 1977

Note: Michael E. Pollock ’77 (GAP) received the New York State Senate Commendation Award in May 2021. Senator Jeremy A. Cooney presented it at a COVID-19 safe ceremony at Brighton Volunteer Ambulance base. It is given in recognition of exceptional people who have made a lasting contribution to their community through volunteerism, leadership, and charitable work. Michael has served as a volunteer for nearly 35 years with Brighton Volunteer Ambulance (BVA). He served as a Dispatcher, Emergency Medical Technician, and Line Officer. Injured on his career job in 2001, Michael had to limit his volunteer EMT activities. He transitioned to an administrative and support role, including becoming a Board member, spokesperson and raising over $500,000 for the Brighton Ambulance Base Expansion project. Additionally, he serves on the Board of the STEP Council of the Genesee Region (Society for Total Emergency Programs) and other Monroe County committees dealing with Public Safety. Further, he serves as an ex-officio member of the NYS EMS Memorial Service and other EMS-related state and federal committees. Pollock assisted the Ezras Nashim Basic Life Support First Response agency in Borough Park – Brooklyn, NY, to fight and win their NYS DOH "Certificate of Need" to operate a Basic Life Support ambulance. This enabling these Orthodox Jewish women to provide emergency medical ambulance transport to other Orthodox women enabling them to maintain their modesty. On two different occasions, while off duty, Michael used his EMS skills to save neighbors’ lives. First, a senior citizen accidentally electrocuted himself and another infant that had gone into respiratory arrest. He has been recognized with several Letters of Commendation from former employer (NYS DOCS) while on the job, and then with multiple awards from BVA, the NYS EMS Bureau Director, Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of New York, and the Rotary Club of Brighton NY for his volunteer activities and leadership in his community. Michael also volunteers for other civic activities such as the most recent Monroe County Executive-elect Transition team, other non-profits, his synagogue, and his alma mater, Rochester Institute of Technology. The Senate Commendation Award recognizes exceptional people who have made a lasting contribution to their community through volunteerism, leadership, and charitable work. Senator Jeremy Cooney stated, "I am honored to recognize Michael Pollock for his dedication as a local health hero and for being an advocate for those who are committed to this life-saving work. EMS workers are "essential" healthcare workers who helped us survive the pandemic, and the Senate’s Commendation Award is a testament to that work as well as Michael’s lasting impact in the Brighton community." Michael E. Pollock, Brighton Volunteer Ambulance said, "I am humbled. I don’t do the things I do for recognition. Instead, I help others; whether it is the work I do at Brighton Volunteer Ambulance, or my state, or now national EMS advocacy work, I do it, so we accomplish great things to help others. This award also recognizes EMS. All too often, especially at governmental budget time, we are forgotten. I hope this is the dawn of a new beginning. I appreciate being recognized by Senator Cooney for the work I have done."

Submitted on: June 16, 2021