Class Notes

Ernest E. Washington Jr. ’73, Mattapan, Mass., was honored in May 2023 for being one of only two African American contract parking operators in the U.S. His business — Vanguard Parking & General Services Corporation — is New England’s only African American-owned, inner city-based parking management organization. “Our motto is ‘one team, one goal,’” says the co-founder of Bentley’s Black United Body (BUB). “We train employees in soft skills development, parking and revenue control, janitorial services and fundamental life-planning skills. We strive to lift up the local communities where we live and work.”

Tom Jackson ’76 announced his retirement on April 30, 2023, after a 47-year career. A CPA, he started his career in public accounting with Harris, Kerr, Forster (now PKF) in Boston and went on to become CFO for a number of private companies. For the last decade, the alumnus served as CFO of Dedham Country and Polo Club. He and his wife Ginny reside in Medway, Mass. 

Dallas W. Coffman ’79, North Reading, Mass., was appointed treasurer, safety team advisor-at-large and patroller stress awareness team chair for the eastern division of the National Ski Patrol. 

Heather Brown Colbert ’81, MBA ’87, Windham, N.H., was selected as the Realtor of the Year by the Granite State South Board of Realtors (GSSBR). Colbert started in real estate 26 years ago with Pater Real Estate Management Co. Inc., and is involved in the management team, property management and leasing, while maintaining board commitments to GGSBR and volunteering for the Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains. 

Duane Farrar ’83, Watertown, Mass., was elected to the Board of Directors of Boston’s Community Boating, Inc. (CBI)  
in October 2022. Incorporated in 1946, CBI is the oldest public sailing organization in the United States. Farrar also serves as the treasurer for Boston Blind Sailing, Inc. 

In June 2023, Kevin P. Martin Jr. ’86, MST ’92, Milton, Mass., published “All Is Well: Life Lessons from a Preacher’s Father,” a biography of his father who died from ALS in 2019. Kevin P. Martin Sr. ’63 was an “example of how we can better live a life without regret, how we can make the best of the time we have and how we can do the most with the journey we’re given,” he writes. Kevin Jr. also reports that he and wife Lisa (Carbone) Martin ’86, MST ’92 have been married for 32 years. He is the managing partner of CohnReznick in Boston and a deacon in the Archdiocese of Boston. In 2020, he oversaw the funeral and offered the homily for the late Joe Cronin, former president of Bentley.  

In January 2023, after a 30-year career in accounting and finance, Vicki (Vassalotti) Semanie ’86, Bel Air, Md., started Seven Stones Life Coaching, a company that helps people lead healthy, prosperous, balanced and purposeful lives. Seven Stones is driven by the belief that helping others achieve success and satisfaction will have a ripple effect on their lives and on those they interact with. 

Jim Sano, MBA ’87, Medfield, Mass., has published “Self-Portrait,” his fifth novel and fourth book in his award-winning Fr. Tom series. The alumnus also reports that he and his wife, Joanne, celebrated their 36th anniversary in 2023. 

Drew Vaughn ’88, Milford, Conn., and Thomas DeLorenzo ’88, River Edge, N.J., are co-founders of Avant Green 97, which offers the first national database of large commercial buildings covered under a regulatory emissions cap. Avant Green 97 has been selected as a partner to the Clinton Global Initiative, and by the chairman of President Biden’s Climate Council to support the fight against climate change. This is the second venture the alumni are taking on together. In 2007, they started a financial data company to address the housing crisis.   

Dennis Bolton ’89, Charlotte, N.C., has been named head of equipment finance-North America for Gordon Brothers Group based in Boston, Mass. 

Dick Howell ’89, Foxboro, Mass., of the Bulfinch Group, has earned the designation of Five Star Wealth Manager for the second year as featured in Boston Magazine’s March 2023 issue. 

Michael Meleedy ’90, Upton, Mass., is now chief operations officer at SNIA, a nonprofit organization made up of member companies spanning information technology. Their mission is to lead the storage industry worldwide in developing and promoting vendor-neutral architectures standards and educational services that facilitate the efficient management, movement and security of information. 

Stoneham, Mass., resident Nicholas P. DiNatale ’92 is a CPA and managing member of the DiNatale, CPA+ public practice in the same town; the firm is celebrating its 25th anniversary. “Looking back on my Bentley days, I am thankful for my time with Professors Cross and Slaughter and the friends made along the way,” writes the alumnus. 

Marc Bello ’01, MST ’01, Beverly, Mass., joined Willamette Management Associates, a Citizens company, as a managing director and will lead Willamette’s new Boston office. Bello’s professional expertise centers in the areas of business valuation, forensic accounting and financial consulting services dealing with complex compensation and taxation issues. 

Brad Champion ’01, Westwood, Mass., of The Bulfinch Group, has earned the designation of Five Star Wealth Manager for the fourth year as featured in Boston Magazine’s March 2023 issue. 

Christie Lindor ’02, Hyde Park, Mass., was recognized as one of the six Black Female Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2023 by HerMoney. The alumna reports her diversity and inclusion firm Tessi Consulting became a seven-figure business in its second year. They also doubled their sales in 2021 and achieved 80% client retention in 2022.

Jason “Jay” M. D’Entremont ’03, Norwell, Mass., has been recognized as a top financial advisor by Northwestern Mutual (NM). This elite membership, the 2023 Forum Group, represents the top segment of NM’s industry-leading financial professionals and is a testament to their exceptional service and commitment to clients. 

Alissa (Rogers) Massimilla ’06 and husband Michael Massimilla, Bedford, Mass., completed their family by welcoming baby girl Kaia Marie on February 16, 2023. She joins big brother Logan (10) and big sisters Ava (8) and Annika (2). 

Tezzy Bergantz ’07, MSA ’08 and Nathan Mah tied the knot on April 30, 2022, in Waterville Valley, N.H. The couple was surrounded by 20 of their closest Falcon friends for their big day! They honeymooned hiking in the Rocky Mountains and reside in Sharon, Mass.

Caitlin Cooney ’08, Quincy, Mass., became the director of patient office insights and experience at Servier Pharmaceuticals on May 1, 2023.

Robert “Bobby” Forgione ’08, Houston, Texas, will be starting the MBA program at the Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University with an expected graduation of 2025.

David Loy Frishkorn ’09, Tampa, Fla., has published his second book, “The Great Reimagination: In Pursuit of a More Perfect Union,” as a follow up to his first novel, “The Great Divorce” (2018). “More Perfect Union” follows the story of two octogenarians who assemble several retired world leaders to brainstorm ideas for a better world.

Pratt & Whitney’s Melissa (Ostering) Spratt ’09, Ivoryton, Conn., self-published her poetry collection “My Roots Grow Strong” in April. The alumna writes of her debut, this “is a beautifully illustrated 87-poem collection with themes of healing and hope, love and loss, mental health, miscarriage, womanhood, motherhood and mother nature. Roots are one’s foundation for strength and growth. While our heart, mind and body represent all pieces of us and our stories, this book’s purpose is to show everyone that we have the strength to overcome life’s struggles and that we are connected.”

Michael Andreasen ’10, Amherst, N.H., has been elevated to partner at Burns & Levinson in Boston. He is a member of the firm’s Business, Finance & Transactions Group, where he focuses his practice on general corporate, mergers and acquisitions, finance, securities, venture capital and private equity matters. He received his J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law in 2014.

Jose Herrera ’10, New York, N.Y., is the founder of Horatio, a CX firm revolutionizing customer experience globally. In 2023, Herrera and his two co-founders expanded their company and were named #8 (out of 1125) on Inc. Magazine’s 2023 regional list of top companies in North America.

Stephen ’10, MBA ’16 and Alexandra (Lambert) Scaringe ’10, Reading, Mass., welcomed Tate Evan to the family in September 2022. He joins siblings Savannah and Greyson.

Francis “Frank” Perry IV ’11, MSF ’12 and Christine (Uzdejczyk) ’12, Boston, Mass., welcomed Francis “Frankie” Perry V to the world on January 6, 2023.

Christine (Uzdejczyk) Perry ’12 and Francis “Frank” Perry IV ’11, MSF ’12, Boston, Mass., welcomed Francis “Frankie” Perry V to the world on January 6, 2023.

Zachary ’12 and Melissa (Reville) Renschler ’12, PhD ’20, Somerville, Mass., welcomed son William David on December 14, 2022.

Shauna (Sarsfield) Admirand ’13 and husband Rob welcomed son Walter Ace on March 22, 2023. The new mom writes, “We hope he’ll be a Bentley or Embry-Riddle graduate like one of his parents someday!”

Michael Culkin ’13 and Maria Rocchio ’16 were married on July 22, 2022, in Rockleigh, N.J. They honeymooned in Italy, visiting Milan, Florence, Rome and Sorrento. The couple lives in East Rutherford, N.J.

On July 1, 2023, Zahra Alavi ’14, MSA ’15, Lake Forest, Calif., became a member of Bentley’s FOLD (Falcons of the Last Decade) Board. She will help enhance the alumni experience for her peers, creating well-thought-out and intentional opportunities for young alumni to engage with one another, deepen their relationship with Bentley and be inspired to give back to the community through their time, talent and treasure.

Savannah Febesh ’16 and Daniel Shaughnessy ’16 said “I do” at the Cliff House in Cape Neddick, Maine, on June 2, 2023, surrounded by many fellow Falcons, including former field hockey and lacrosse teammates. The newlyweds call Charlestown, Mass., home.

Maria Rocchio ’16 and Michael Culkin ’13 were married on July 22, 2022, in Rockleigh, N.J. They honeymooned in Italy, visiting Milan, Florence, Rome and Sorrento. The couple lives in East Rutherford, N.J.

Allie Downs ’17 and Matt Ferreira ’17 tied the knot in Newport, R.I., on August 11, 2022. Several Falcons from the classes of 2016, 2017 and 2020 were in attendance, including maid of honor Kelly Grady ’17; bridesmaid Eshita Shah, MBA ’23; groomsman John Tascione ’17, groomsman Chris Mitchell ’17, Shannon Sciarappa ’17, MBA ’19; Alex Yuan ’17; Chris McGinnis ’17; Kayla Marandola ’16; James Allocca ’20, MSA ’21; Swathi Chikoti ’20 and Nick Buono ’20. The couple honeymooned in Disneyland and Hawaii, and resides on the South Shore.

Ana Tantum ’17 and Chris Buchanan ’18 were married on January 28, 2023, in Isabela, Puerto Rico. Many fellow Falcons were in attendance, including former women’s soccer and men’s ice hockey teammates. The couple currently lives in Santa Cruz, Calif., and enjoyed a honeymoon in Tanzania in May 2023.

Mohamed Sakr ’17 married Salma Helmy at the pyramids of Giza in Cairo, Egypt, on May 12, 2023. The couple was joined on their big day by fellow Falcons: John Casassa ’17, MST ’18; Jerry Liang ’17; Salma Madwar ’17; Rachel Palumbo ’18; and Atish Patel ’17.

Christopher Volberg ’17, New York, N.Y.,has been appointed as a member of Bentley’s FOLD (Falcons of the Last Decade) Board, starting July 1, 2023. As a FOLD Board member, the alumnus will help enhance the alumni experience for his peers, creating well-thought-out and intentional opportunities for young alumni to engage with one another, deepen their relationship with Bentley and be inspired to give back to the community through their time, talent and treasure.

Chris Buchanan ’18 and Ana Tantum ’17 were married on January 28, 2023, in Isabela, Puerto Rico. Many fellow Falcons were in attendance, including former women’s soccer and men’s ice hockey teammates. The couple currently lives in Santa Cruz, Calif., and enjoyed a honeymoon in Tanzania in May 2023.

Abigail Souza ’18 and Hayden Rappoport tied the knot on April 29, 2023, at Wychmere Beach Club in Harwich Port, Mass. Fellow Falcons in attendance included Souza’s sister Annalisa ’22; parents David ’81 and Adrienne (White) ’81; and David’s roommate and Bentley trustee Steve DelVecchio ’81, P ’07, ’11. The newlyweds honeymooned in Maui, Hawaii. They reside in Chelmsford, Mass.

Daniella Yanes ’19, Miami, Fla., is a coordinator for content strategy and acquisitions at Sony Pictures Entertainment.

On July 1, 2023, Sabrina Elouardi ’20, Amsterdam, Netherlands, was appointed as a member of Bentley’s FOLD (Falcons of the Last Decade) Board. As a member of the FOLD Board, the alumna will help enhance the alumni experience for her peers, creating well-thought-out and intentional opportunities for young alumni to engage with one another, deepen their relationship with Bentley and be inspired to give back to the community through their time, talent and treasure.

Carmen Garcia, MBA ’21 and John Sutyak married in Lynchburg, Va., on January 28, 2023. The couple set sail on a Mediterranean honeymoon in July and live in Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia.

Courtney Woronka ’21, MBA ’22, Chicago, Ill., has been appointed as a member of Bentley’s FOLD (Falcons of the Last Decade) Board. Starting July 1, 2023, Woronka will help enhance the alumni experience for her peers, creating well-thought-out and intentional opportunities for young alumni to engage with one another, deepen their relationship with Bentley and be inspired to give back to the community through their time, talent and treasure.

Makena Romagnano ’23, New Albany, Ohio, is the CEO of Team MPower, an online fitness and nutrition coaching company that works directly with women to improve their quality of life through personal development and strength so they can show up more fully in their lives. The alumna is a Certified ACE Personal Trainer, nutrition coach through PN-1 and NCI-L1 and a hormone and women’s health specialist through NCI. She is also the host of the “Made For More” podcast, which takes a deep dive into topics related to fitness, nutrition, faith, relationships, travel and “just how to make the most of this life,” she writes. “My mission is to give out value and content that educate women properly about nutrition and fitness and promote balance and harmony, instead of restriction and deprivation.”