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.
Vernon Poplaski, 1982
computer information systems
Vernon is the owner, president and CEO of PA Renovate and Resell, LLC, a real estate investment company. After working in the IT industry for 38 years, he retired as a project management professional and started PA Renovate and Resell. In those 38 years, he was a programmer, analyst, database administrator, project manager and product manager. After graduation he moved to Mechanicsburg, married and raised two children. He has two grandchildren.
Kyle Stauffer, 2009
civil engineering technology
Kyle is a project manager for Hawbaker Engineering LLC. He resides in Bellefonte.
Cynthia (Mitchell) Zerbe, 1976
clerical studies
Cynthia is the ADA and on-demand operations manager for Centre Area Transportation Authority. She is a former board member of the Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association. Married in 1976, she has a son, a granddaughter and three grandsons "who keep us hopping with all their energy," she reports. She resides in Huntingdon.
Steve Lower, 1976
engineering drafting technology
Steve retired as senior engineering designer, ECAD, from the Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State after 36 years. He supervised the ECAD design team and designed printed wiring assemblies for guidance and control of undersea vehicles for the U.S. Navy. He is a 36-year volunteer firefighter and past chief with Alpha Fire Co. in State College and received the Centre County Fire Chiefs Association Firefighter of the Year award. He is an adjunct fire instructor and certification examiner for HACC and the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy. He resides in State College, is an avid deer hunter and is a national-level competitor in Sports Car Club of America autocross events.
Ted Reighard, 1975
electrical technology
Ted retired as a senior sales associate on April 2 after 42 years with Westinghouse Electric Wesco Distribution Inc. Manufactured Structures Group. He resides in Elizabethtown.
John Bower Jr., 1981
accounting
John retired in 2020 as director of accounting from Beiter's Inc. after 30 years. He is married with one daughter and three grandchildren and resides in Yonkers, N.Y.
Steve Brunnhuber, 1989
construction carpentry
Steve is a registered nurse for Mount Nittany Medical Center. "I worked from 1989 to 2005 as a lead carpenter for a design/build construction firm that specialized in true custom homes," he said. "I returned to Penn State Altoona and received an associate degree in nursing. I have worked since 2006 as an RN for various hospitals in Blair and Centre counties." He resides in Altoona.
Jerre Mohler, 1974
forest technology
Jerre retired from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service after 21 years as a fish biologist, developing technology and techniques for conservation and restoration of migratory fish populations. After earning an associate degree in forest technology from WACC, he completed a bachelor's in secondary education biology and general science from Lock Haven University and a Master of Science in biology from Bloomsburg University. He resides in Trout Run.
Ashlyn Hershberger, 2011
graphic communications management
Ashlyn is a member service representative IV, CCO fraud and digital, for the Navy Federal Credit Union. She assists as an acting phone supervisor, reviews accounts for suspected potential fraud and mentors newer representatives in the Contact Center Operations Fraud & Digital branch. She resides in Martinsburg, W.V., and is engaged to be married to her fiance of 6.5 years, Jake Benicewicz, in September 2021.
Jacqueline (Lyden) Clark, 2016
baking and pastry arts
Jacqueline is a team leader for The Bake Shoppe at Country Table in Mount Joy. She married Joshua Clark in October 2020. They reside in Palmyra and have a dog named Olive.
Dennis Richards, 1974
business management
Dennis is an estimator in the interior wall protection department for Construction Specialties. He plans to retire April 30, 2021. He resides in Hughesville.
Richard Hornberger, 2004
computer information technology: data communications and networking
Richard is director of information technology for Phoenix Contact. He received a doctor of business administration from University of Maryland Global Campus, conferred on March 30, 2021. He and Rebecca welcomed a son, Will, on Nov. 22, 2020. They reside in Mechanicsburg.
Marc (Nelson) Mozdian, 2015
ornamental horticulture: plant production
Marc is vice president of Fire Cut Farm LLC. Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, he married Allison Mozdian. They are planning a celebration gathering in July 2021. In the summer of 2020, the couple formed Fire Cut Farm, a local regeneratively and organically grown cut-flower farm. They reside in Wyoming, Pa.
Kaycee Hunter, 2018
nursing
Kaycee is a registered nurse in emergency medicine for Geisinger. She resides in Dushore.
Julie (Carr) Stansbury, 2015
nursing
Julie moved to Virginia Beach in October 2020, began a new job as a health coach for Noom in November and welcomed a son, Brody, in January 2021.
Theresa Smith, 1978
nursing
Theresa is a retired registered nurse. After earning her licensed practical nurse degree from WACC, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Wilkes College in 1983. She resides in Lewes, Del.
Robert Santor, 1997
electronics technology: computer automation maintenance
Robert was recently promoted to assistant information technology manager for Transcore, where he has been employed since his Penn College graduation 24 years ago. He held his previous position with the company, systems administrator, for 10 years. He resides in Hummelstown.
Kristy Willson Thomas, 2001
occupational therapy assistant
Kristy is a certified occupational therapy assistant for HealthPro Heritage. She resides in Camden, S.C.
Donald Wieder, 2015
physician assistant
Donald is chief physician assistant for Geisinger Medical Center, overseeing all aspects of advanced practitioner operations for Geisinger Medical Center department of hospital medicine. He completed the Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants Leadership Academy and is a member of the Penn College Physician Assistant Education Advisory Committee. He resides in Montoursville.
Willard Ramph Jr., 1985
industrial drafting
Willard retired as a drafting engineer from Bethlehem Steel Corp., where he designed machine parts, drew plant layouts, new machine layouts, and new designs for cables and strands, and interpreted original German drawings. He resides in Jersey Shore.
Mary Wagner, 2019
health arts: practical nursing emphasis
Mary is a licensed practical nurse and COVID-19 tester for Maxim Healthcare, testing Big 10 athletes at Penn State. She is engaged and resides in Mill Hall.
Michelle (Fassett) Heeman, 2017
radiography
Michelle is a radiologic technologist for Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital. She resides in Wyalusing.
Nichole Ohnmeiss, 2020
nursing
Nichole is a registered nurse for Geisinger Medical Center. She resides in Muncy.
Allen Foster, 1974
computer science
Allen is a senior software engineer for TekSystems. He resides in Huntersville, N.C.
Joseph Cammisa, 1985
graphic arts
Joseph owns Citizen Publishing Co. He resides in Hazleton.
Jeffrey Paige, 2001
toolmaking technology
Jeffrey is a manufacturing engineer/shop manager for Haines Fabrication & Machine. He resides in Snow Hill, Md.
Jeffrey Galgon, 1997
civil engineering technology
Jeffrey retired as a construction manager from Lennon, Smith, Souleret Engineering. He resides in Elliottsburg.
Robert Kaler, 1996
diesel technology
Robert owns Kaler Motor. He resides in Lake Ariel.
Annita (Ile) Tyberg, 2013
human services
Annita is retired and resides in Flinton. She serves on the boards and councils for several organizations and is an advocate for the deaf, spearheading several projects. She is the state ombudsman for Cambria and Blair counties and received the National Spirit Award for the Hearing Loss Association of America Convention. Her daughter Mereta (Tyberg) Vogelsong is also a graduate (nursing, 2009), and her granddaughter Lila Vogelsong is a current Penn College student.
Becky Clawson, 2004
biology
Becky is an extension educator in food systems and local foods for Penn State Extension. She is responsible for strengthening the vitality of local and regional food systems by creating programs, collaborations and educational opportunities for food system stakeholders, including farmers, food businesses, community organizations and eaters. She resides in Lancaster.