Class Notes shares the achievements and milestones of alumni of Pennsylvania College of Technology and its predecessors, Williamsport Area Community College and Williamsport Technical Institute. Share your story.
Gerald Alkire, 1960
electronics technology
Gerald retired from Westinghouse as a project engineer who designed, built and serviced large-turbine generators. He has five U.S. patents related to the work. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1974. "The electronics education I received at Williamsport Technical Institute enhanced my electrical engineering career," he said. That career spanned 50-plus years with Westinghouse and Siemens. He has been married for 60 years and has one son and one granddaughter. He resides in Winter Garden, Fla.
Karen (Shriver) Pesillo, 1979
dental hygiene
Karen is retired and resides in Naples, Fla.
Matthew Gramley, 2003
electronics technology: computer automation maintenance
Matthew is a senior broadcast systems engineer for HSN (formerly known as the Home Shopping Network). He resides in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Austin Fulton, 2018
graphic design
Austin is a creative manager for the Florida Panthers NHL team, overseeing and maintaining the team's brand. He resides in Plantation, Fla.
Garret Phipps, 2000
electronics technology: industrial process control
Garret is a maintenance manager for Hydro Extrusions. He resides in St. Augustine, Fla.
James Zbick, 1971
journalism
James retired as an associate editor for the Times News, in Lehighton. He continues, in retirement, as a conservative opinion writer. He received a Keystone Press Award in 2014 for special projects. He recently moved from southwest Florida to southwest Missouri, where he plans to open and curate The Faith, Family & Country Heritage Museum, a new attraction in Branson, Mo., that highlights the nation's past. He resides in Blue Eye, Mo.
Heather Hughes, 1994
architectural technology
Heather is a senior architectural designer for Publix Supermarkets. She resides in Lakeland, Fla., with her husband, Doug Hughes (formerly Doug Updyke) '94, welding. They celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary and are the parents of a 20-year-old son.
Ashley Irish, 2017
applied human services
Ashley is a school social worker for Pasco County Schools. She resides in Brandon, Fla.
Ray Kanapesky, 2009
aviation maintenance technology
Ray is a senior customer program manager for GE Aerospace. He resides in Fruit Cove, Fla.
Travis Williams, 2010
business administration: management
Travis is a production manager for Dart Container Corp. He resides in Davenport, Fla.
Richard Littley, 1980
electrical construction
Richard is a technical training and compliance officer for Legoland Florida Resort. He handles compliance and training for the technical teams for the rides, facilities, landscape, model shop, sign shop and hotel maintenance. He resides in Winter Haven, Fla.
Jeffrey Finke, 1987
building construction technology
Jeffrey owns JF Construction & Consulting Services LLC. He assists public entities with forensic accounting to assess damages and identify eligible emergency, recovery and mitigation costs and projects, obtaining and administering federal disaster declaration grants. He resides in Ocala, Fla.
Mark Butler, 2004
computer information technology: data communications and networking
Mark works in desktop support for Envision Healthcare, supporting the company's IT equipment. He resides in Coconut Creek, Fla.
Charissa Blouch, 2011
advertising art
Charissa has been a self-employed graphic designer since 2016. She offers graphic design, website design and social media management. She resides in New Port Richey, Fla.
Kenneth Fronheiser, 1999
surveying technology and civil engineering technology
Kenneth is director of strategic integration and technology for Keystone Precision Solutions. He resides in Mertztown.
Howard White Jr., 1966
toolmaking technician
Howard is retired and resides in Newburg.
Alex Zelger, 2019
welding and fabrication engineering technology
Alex is a team leader, welding engineering, for Johnson Controls Navy Systems. He resides in Red Lion.
Kenneth Howanitz, 1978
construction carpentry
Kenneth is retired and resides in Shickshinny.
Heather (Wetmore) Kennedy, 1996
architectural technology
Kennedy is an administrative assistant for Central Wayne Regional Authority. She resides in Honesdale.
Joseph Gantt, 1994
heating, ventilation & air conditioning technology
Joseph owns Gantt Services. He resides in Shermans Dale.
Christopher Bajek, 2022
welding & fabrication engineering technology
Christopher is a segment specialist for Fronius USA, serving customers and providing robot programming/integration. He resides in Chesterton, Ind.
Jessica (Larson) Lehman, 2017
physician assistant
Jessica is a PA for Delaware Cardiovascular Associates. She resides in Dover, Del., where she and husband, Harry IV '09, welding technology, own the general contracting firm Flatlander Inc. They have two daughters.
Thomas Van Horn, 2000
graphic design
Thomas is a senior manager for PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he's been employed for 20 years. He defines and manages the user experience/user interface aspects of the firm's global brand for all digital offerings and ensures consistent application of branding and design elements. He is married, has two children and resides in Spring Hill, Fla.
Kacey (Ammerman) Norton, 2015
nursing
Kacey is an operating room registered nurse for Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. She and her husband, Jonathan Norton '14, building automation technology, welcomed a daughter, Brielle, in August 2022. They reside in Elizabethtown.
Grant Berry, 1960
computer science
Grant is retired from Penn College and resides in Hughesville. He had been director of financial aid as well as director, dean then vice president of the development office. He celebrated his 53rd wedding anniversary with wife, Frances, on Dec. 20, 2022.
Gregory Girven, 1991
service and operation of heavy construction equipment
Gregory is employed by Hill Well Drilling. He resides in Muncy.
Matthew Loquasto, 2019
residential construction technology and management
Matthew is an estimator for Eichenlaub Inc. He resides in Glenshaw.
Richard McGlynn, 2013
culinary arts and systems
Richard is a baker for 40 North Bar and Restaurant in Pittsburgh. He resides in New Kensington with his wife, Kassandra S. Sellinger '16, culinary arts and systems.
Samar Alquraish, 2022
nursing
Samar is a registered nurse for UPMC. She resides in Williamsport.
Anderson Joseph, 2018
applied technology studies
Anderson is a construction manager, renovations for Garman Builders. He resides in Cleona.