2010s
James Kuhns, C’12 was recently promoted to cybersecurity analyst at Carpenter Technology.
Rebecca McGrail, C’14 accepted a job as Assistant Professor of Practice in Environmental Studies at Goucher College in Towson, MD.
Sullivan McConnell, C'13 and Elle (Collins) McConnell, C'14 were married on October 5, 2019. They have two children, Ozzy (born 9/4/2021) and Otto (born 7/18/23). Sullivan is the Practice Manager and Clinical Director at Blair Foot & Ankle. Elle is a Nurse Practitioner at Blair Foot & Ankle.
Dr. Taylor Easter, C’19, recently opened her own chiropractic office, Taylored Spine Chiropractic, in Carnegie, PA. She is excited to have the opportunity to serve the Pittsburgh community in this new role!
Alex Billy, C’15, PhD, returned to campus to present his lecture, “From Saint Vincent to Start-Up: Scaling Ideas Beyond Latrobe.” Alex is the co-founder of Free Our Vote, the founder of MidFill, and a managing director at Ankura. Read more of Alex’s story in the Summer 2025 issue of 1846.
Alison Boyer, C’19, received a Master of Medical Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Frostburg State University on May 21, 2025.
Dr. Chris Payne, C’11, Assistant Professor of Biology at Franciscan University of Steubenville (OH), was awarded Franciscan University’s 2023-2024 Excellence in Scholarship award in April 2025. Highlights of Chris’s scholarly efforts include securing the first (2023) and second (2024) federal research grants in Franciscan's history -- both from USDA APHIS for Chris's ongoing long-term invasive spotted lanternfly research -- as well as publishing four peer-reviewed research articles and presenting 6 presentations at both state and national research conferences in 2023-2024. Despite typically teaching a 6-6 load of undergraduate classes, Chris maintains an active research program with 3-5 students/semester, and his professional/published work covers a diverse range of topics including midwestern invasion dynamics of the spotted lanternfly, long-term forest succession using the world's longest-running permanent sample study, personal vocations, science education, the interconnectedness of faith and science, Catholic environmental stewardship, and the morality of invasive species mitigation. Chris was also a finalist for Franciscan University’s 2023-2024 Excellence in Teaching award.
In January 2025, Alé (Muzika) Simmons, C’10, was promoted to Director of Business Development for Clark Hill, an international, full-serivce law firm. Alé has been a member of Clark Hill's Business Development and Marketing team since 2019. In her new role, she will lead business development strategy for the firm.
Terrance Kernan, C’12, was named the Athletic Director at Gonzaga College High School. Prior to his promotion, he was serving as the Assistant Director and long-standing member of Gonzaga’s math department. Congrats, Terry!
On 17 October, Aileen Mooney, C’11, MPH (’11) and the Domestic Production of Pharmaceutical Products (DP3) project team at the Center for Health Services Research (CHSR) briefed members of the of the National Economic Council, Domestic Policy Council, Veterans Health Administration, Department of Health and Human Services HS ASPR, International Trade Commission, FDA, Office of Pandemic Preparedness, and Department of Defense at the White House on their study goals and the project's impact on national security. The briefing was led by Dr. Tracey Perez Koehlmoos, the principal investigator for the project. The DP3 project is a congressionally directed study on the domestic production of pharmaceuticals and supply chain resiliency that is led by CHSR at The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Ms. Mooney is the program manager and epidemiologist for DP3 and in her final year as a PhD candidate in Public Health (epidemiology) at USUHS.
John Zappone, C’10, has joined Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP as an associate in the Product Liability Practice Group. He represents pharmaceutical, automotive, recreational vehicle, aircraft, and firearm manufacturers in state and federal courts across the country. Recognized as a Rising Star by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, Mr. Zappone has tried cases and obtained defense verdicts as first chair counsel throughout the Commonwealth.
Dr. Chris Payne, C’11, Assistant Professor of Biology at Franciscan University of Steubenville (OH), was the invited speaker for both SVC’s Society of Catholic Scientists spring 2025 Faith and Science Talk (FAST) seminar series and SVC Biology Department's annual Bioethics Forum in spring 2025. Presentation titles were “Tracking the spread of spotted lanternflies into the Midwest and proposing Catholic-informed mediation in the face of a dynamic invasion” and “Creation Care: How Faith and Science Inform Being Holistically Pro-Life”, respectively.
Dr. Taylor Easter, C’19, became the newest chiropractor on the team at Dean's Chiropractic Center in Greensburg, PA
Sherrie Dunlap Gallagher, C’09, was promoted to Major Gift Officer at United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania. She has been with United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania for 5 years and previously served in a different fundraising role, as Corporate Engagement Manager. Community News: Sherrie serves on the Board of Directors for Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber as an officer- Board Secretary and serves on the Board of the Association of Ladies of Charity Diocese of Pittsburgh as Social Media Chair.
David Riehl, C’10, was recently appointed to the Board of Directors at Mainstay Life Services.
Jessica Packard, C’19, earned her Ph.D. from Duquesne University in the Biological Sciences. She will be starting as a Postdoctoral Associate in the School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh in August.
Chad Ferri, C’19, was promoted to managing partner on his advisory team at Merrill Lynch in Greensburg.
