Class Notes

’76

Brad King - After 49 years of healthcare finance and accounting, I’m now in my third retirement and think this one may actually last. Now splitting time between homes in New Orleans and Tega Cay, SC, and managing Kudzu LLC, our family rental properties corporation.

Patrick Pine will finish his second term as Vice Chair of the California Health Care Coalition in June after serving in officer roles for ten years. The Coalition represents administrators of union and public sector health plans throughout California. Patrick continues to manage the Robert F Kennedy Medical Plan (United Farm Workers) and Juan De La Cruz Pension Plan serving members in California and six other states from Washington to Texas.

’83

Tedd Wilkinson - I am now officially retired from the workforce having spent 25 years in IT Program Management and then transitioning to a second career in Nursing (LPN) where I was a school nurse for the Sumner-Bonney Lake school district. I am enjoying several hobbies including photography (recently had 5 photos exhibited by the Washington State Fair), fly fishing, and horseback riding (western equestrian). My wife, Pauline, and I enjoy time with family including our 6 grandchildren. I am participating in the Great Cycle Challenge to raise funds and awareness for children's cancer research again this year (year 6 riding for this cause).

Jean Rover -  I’m pleased to announce the release of my new short story collection, "And Then Spring Comes," which is now available as both a paperback and eBook on Amazon and online at Barnes and Noble. In this diverse tapestry-of-life collection, something ends, something begins. You’ll meet a grieving young woman dreading the birth of her child; a family awed by President Truman’s wave; a man who believes his printer talks to him; folks besieged by guilt or in relationships nearing a breaking point; a father struggling with his son’s suicide; a guy who falls in love with a fish; a woman befuddled by technology, and an elderly lady who reaches out to a street kid in her own unique way. You’ll also witness the chilling effects of a government gone awry when it suddenly decides to off its elderly population in the interests of economy. In spite of it all, spring comes, and life goes on in its tragic, profound, and sometimes funny way. As Matsuo Basho says, “Sitting quietly doing nothing, Spring comes, and the grass grows by itself.” May all our lives be filled with minimal blips and lots of loving kindness. 

 

’86

Michael Dean - Retired from a 33yr career selling strategy board to gamers around the world, then started taking one month-long vacation after another. Spent 10 weeks bike touring including a week in Portugal, and trips across Oregon & Washington. Rode to my high school, college & AGSM reunions. Seeing the world from a bike one mile & one beer at a time.

’87

Bret Rios - Just married Harriet I. Goldberg on May 1st. It's never too late to find the perfect match! And my first novel, written to inspire young adults, will be officially published on July 15th on Amazon Books: "The Turnaround Crew - Taking Charge!" And it's never too late to try a new career, either! (Pen name is Bret Shay).

Donald L Krahmer Jr - Donald L. Krahmer retired from Schwabe Williamson and Wyatt after a 36 year career in law and business. He has also joined the Board of Directors of Goodwill Industries, Columbia-Willamette. He and his wife, Suzanne, reside in Portland, OR.

’89

Ron Hittner - was inducted into the Blanchet Catholic School Hall of Fame in October 2025. The induction was for his role as coach of the 2017 State Champion Girls Basketball Team. Also inducted as part of the team were his two daughters (Bailey - sophomore all-state player) and Tori (assistant coach). Ron lives in Keizer, OR with his wife, Mikki, and is the CEO of Hittner & Associates, a strategy and technology consulting firm, for the past 23 years.

Scott Coe has accepted the General Manager position at Lane Electric Cooperative in Eugene Oregon. He previously was GM at Emerald PUD for 9 years. Prior to that, he worked at the Bonneville Power Administration for 24 years.

’95

Dr. David Ming Liu just got promoted as full professor of management at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri on February 3, 2025.

Jane Reinke Jackson - Paul Jackson (CLA '94) and I moved to Rancho Cordova a couple of years ago so that I could take on the new challenge of Global Construction Manager at Solidigm (a 2021 divestiture from Intel). We are thrilled with the move, enjoying empty nesting, and looking forward to an exciting future with this company.

’96

Richard Owen - After completing an MHA, Master of Healthcare Administration, I transitioned careers and landed a Strategic Partner Relations position with a growing Houston Health System, CLS Health. Hello to all my Atkinson friends.

’00

Denise Callahan - I have been elected to the Board of the National Scholarship Providers Association. The mission of the National Scholarship Providers Association is to cultivate and empower our scholarship community with the knowledge, skills, and resources to strengthen the impact of scholarships. I have served as the director of postsecondary success at The Ford Family Foundation for the past 13 years. In addition to our philanthropic investments in grantmaking and research, we are also the largest private scholarship provider in Oregon, providing comprehensive wrap around support and meeting 90% of unmet financial need to about 1000 Scholars at any given time.

’03

Katheryn Gettman, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Corporate Practice, was named one of Finance & Commerce’s 2024 Top Women in Finance. The annual list recognizes impactful women in Minnesota’s financial industry for their business accomplishments and leadership as role models for future generations.

’05

Kristin Bauer -  graduated from the prestigious Pacific Coast Banking School (PCBS) August 29th, 2025, where she served as Class President for the graduating class. Through a long-standing collaboration with the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington, PCBS is a premier, three-year graduate-level program offering leadership and financial management education for high-potential executives in the financial services industry.

Russell and Andy Yost - (both MBA '05) met while pursuing their MBAs at the Atkinson Graduate School of Management and are celebrating their 20th anniversary in 2024. They recently relocated to San Diego, California 

’06

Koy Saechao Centolanza - After 20 years as an underwriter, I have shifted from the back office to working as a Private Wealth Management Banker for US Bank.

’09

Daniel Carroll (BA '08) and Vanessa Bloomsburg (BA '07, MBA '09) got married on February 29, 2024, at a ceremony on Mercer Island, Washington. 

’13

Rick Campfield - After a few CEO exits, Rick has turned his 39 years of experience and attention to support family and co-owned businesses as an advisor/consultant/coach (rick@rickcampfield.com). His focus - health (of relationships and business) and wealth (preservation/growth of value for the next chapter) and executes a proven framework he's honed with tips, tools, and insights to remove the frustration, stagnant growth, and other issues these unique businesses experience. 

Kristen Iseri - Combining my passion, purpose, experience and skills I'm creating meaningful art through jewelry design, which has led to the exciting opportunity of coordinating the Oregon City Festival of the Arts, scheduled August 9-10, 2025. Staying true to our roots, "Not unto ourselves alone are we born," this volunteer position serves over 150 artists in a free community event that celebrates creativity and connection. Hope to see you there!

’14

Derek Hill - I Started a new position as Director of Application and Product Security at Zayo Group.

’15

L.A. Walker - Married Sydney Jones on September 21, 2025, in Salem, Oregon. The couple celebrated their wedding surrounded by family and friends and look forward to beginning their life together in Portland.

Dirk L. Bellamy - Published a book: Why We Ask A Practical Guide to Purpose and Connection Available on Amazon.

’16

Kate Strathdee - Kate was one of 25 professionals accepted into Disability: IN’s first Early Career Accelerator Program out of 500+ partner companies. She works at Intel and is an advocate and speaker for Chronic Illness and Crohn’s Disease.

’17

Milena Otasevic - I recently started a new position as IT Business Partner at a biotech startup called Nusano. I'm excited to join the fight against cancer through our ground braking work in radiopharmaceuticals.

Kara (Merrill) Smith - My husband (Cody Smith, BA'15, MBA'17) and I moved to our hometown, welcomed our first son, and are prepping to welcome our daughter into the world soon. We are approaching our 15-year anniversary together this spring, I am approaching my 9-year anniversary doing financial planning, and Cody has been building his career in accounting and finance. On the weekends, we enjoy helping on the family farm and ranch in Prineville, Oregon.

Milena Otasevic - I Welcomed a baby boy in April. 

Angela Witty-Bawyll - This past summer, my husband and I welcomed a healthy baby girl, Kathleen! We had the opportunity to visit Willamette to participate in the softball team's alumni weekend. Go, Bearcats!

’18

Jim Wagner - Since graduating, I quit working in Public Education and now own my own Training Company, Defensive Firearms Instruction, in Springfield. We are focused on providing the state mandated curriculum for the Oregon security industry in accordance with DPSST Standards. We also provide training for Taser, Handcuff, Baton, and OC Spray and have numerous firearms courses.

’20

Aubrey Kraabel and Alex Rentzepis -  Married on July 26th 2025. The couple met on Willamette's campus in an Investment elective for the AGSM MBA program. After being paired together on a project for the class, they started dating in 2019. They were thrilled to celebrate their union on Vashon Island, WA with several other Willamette Alumni. They live in Seattle with their two cats - Leo and Riley.

From left to right: Ricardo Castillo-Flores (BA '18, MBA '20), Helen Castillo-Madeen (formerly Madeen; BA '20), Aubrey Kraabel (BA '19, MBA '20), Alex Rentzepis (MBA '20), Allie Kerkhoff (BA '19), Mitch Kerkhoff (formerly Diaz; '16)

Joseph Plastet - I got Married on 8/23, and I started a new position at Jordan Brand, Nike Inc. on 3/23.

’21

Sarah Abadi - Excited to share I welcomed my first child at the beginning of the year in February and am ending the year with a new job as SVP, Credit Risk Manager at Axiom Bank.

’23

Paul R. McKean - On August 2, 2025, Paul McKean BA'11, MBA'23 and Jeff Sirginson BA'14 were married in Salem. After meeting on campus, Paul and Jeff reconnected years later over many things — including their shared love of Willamette. Twenty-two Bearcats were in attendance at the wedding and the ceremony was officiated by Rev. Paul Eldred BA'10. Photo Credit: Kendrick Arakaki BA'14

Back to front, left to right: (Back Row)Matt Wing BA'12, Grace Holdreith BA'12, Steven Morrison BA'11, Shaffer Spaeth BA'11; (Second Row) Sydney (Moberg) Wing BA'12, Ryan Moothart BA'10, Jessie Robertson BA'10, Rachel (Carlson) Morrison BA'11, Grace Komarek-Meyer BA'12, Nick (Sauve) King BA'12, Dustin Daniel BA'13; (Third Row) Abby Kahl BA'05, Paul Eldred BA'10, Emily (Knell) Spaeth BA'11, Kendrick Arakaki BA'14, Maggie Williams BA'10, Greg Alderson BA'11, Matt Pitchford BA'12, Kimberly Hursh BA'12; (Front Row) Jeff Sirginson BA'14, Paul McKean BA'11, MBA'23; Brian McKean BA'15

Oca Patriarca - I was promoted as a Team Lead / Solutions Architect last July, 2025 for Enablement Team at Oregon Health Authority, Distributed Services Team Division. My position's primary focus is on infrastructure and environment management, technical architecture and modernization, development enablement and process improvement, engineering capability and excellence, in addition to leadership responsibilities.

Samantha Hoyle - I started a new job as a Human Resource Analyst at the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs. I love my new role as it combines my passion for Human Resources and my love for helping veterans, since I am a military spouse myself. I cannot thank Jorden Osborn (MBA, class of 2023) enough for helping me obtain this role.

’24

Juli Burchard - is excited to share she accepted new position with Owens & Minor as a Sales Executive II. Thankful for the amazing opportunity to work for a fortune 500 global healthcare company, and the opportunity to continue to help others.