FACETIME AUGUST 2013 - 2010s

Photo Credit: AZRE

The City of Scottsdale selected Danielle Casey, ’10 MADM (above photo), for the position of economic development director. Formerly assistant city manager and economic development director with the City of Maricopa, Danielle possesses more than seven years of experience in economic development.

Anthony Presnell, ’10 BSBA, has been hired by Regis University in Denver, Co., as assistant men’s soccer coach. As a student he founded and coached the NAU Arizona Club Soccer Team, which continues today as a non-profit sports organization. “The club team became the catalyst for everything that I wanted to do,” said Anthony. “I learned how to run a college team, and I built my life around coaching.” Formerly he was head coach of Red Mountain High School, and named Mesa All-City High School Coach of the Year for two seasons.

Former Lumberjack basketball player Cameron Jones, ’11 BS, has been named to the Golden State Warriors’ summer league team in Las Vegas. Cameron saw playing time last season for the D-League Warriors, and the summer opportunity will give him the chance to show off his skills and prepare for the next steps toward the NBA.

Gail Rankin, ’11 MADM, is administrator at Sonora, a senior health center at Splendido in Tucson, Ariz. She has implemented a program which allows patients to Skype with family members via iPads. “The technology has allowed residents to remain in close contact with their families even if they are not in the area--and that is what healing looks like,” says Gail. She possesses more than 30 years of experience in long-term care management, home health and community outreach.

Pima Community College has chosen Manuel “Manny” Amado, ’12 MED, as acting executive chief director/chief of police of PCC’a Department of Public Safety. Manny, who has served as commander and second in command since 2004, is responsible for 38 full-time and 22 part-time employees. With 25 years of experience in law enforcement, Manny sees leadership as an honor and a privilege.

Kristin Jones, ’12 BA (above on left), recently swama 13-mile race around Key West, Fla., in June. The event, entitled “The Swim Around Key West” drew Kristin in as a way to raise awareness and funds for the Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance. Freidreich’s ataxia is a debilitating disease that two of Kristin’s siblings suffer from. Although she is not a carrier, there was a 25 percent chance that she would be born with the disease, which has no cure.

Former Lumberjack receiver Khalil Paden, ’12 BS (pictured above), has signed with the Canadian Football League’s Calgary Stampeders. The All-Big Sky honorable mention selection led with 61 receptions for 991 yards during his NAU years.

Jillian Curtis Claridge, ’13 BS (above photo) works for Mt. Graham Dental, in Safford, Ariz. The recent graduate completed here degree BS in dental hygiene with minors in biology and psychology. She interned at the Togus VA Hospital in Togus, Maine, and was chosen for NAU’s 2012 interdisciplinary project team to visit Tibetan refugee camps in Mainpat, India. 

Photo Credit: AZDS

Recent graduate Bret Clawson, ’13 Dual BS (above photo), was profiled in the Arizona Daily Sun for his passion for scientific research with the NAU Center for Microbial Genetics and Genomics, where he studied fleas and bacteria responsible for the plague. Also a Gold Axe recipient, Bret has dedicated himself to his academics. He plans to attend Virginia Commonwealth University’s medical school.

Kyle Erickson, ’13 BSBA, works for Vanguard Financial Group, and recently graduated summa cum laude, landing Dean’s List Honors every semester. He is now living in the Scottsdale area.

Photo Credit: Jake Bacon, AZDS

The Arizona Daily Suninterviewed alumna Margaret Landis, ’13 Dual BS (above picture), about her receipt of the coveted Gold Axe award, given to distinguished seniors for academic excellence and community involvement. As a member of the honors program, she helped to recruit new students, while also volunteering at the Lowell Observatory. Margaret is headed to the University of Arizona to pursue her PhD in astronomy and physics.