Kent State Alumni Group Appoints New National Directors, Members

The Kent State University Alumni Association Inc. announces the following new members for its National Alumni Board of Directors: 

John Garofalo, of Sagamore Hills, has been appointed president of Kent State University’s Alumni Association National Board of Directors. Garofalo is vice president of community investment for the Akron Community Foundation. He earned a bachelor of science degree in community health education in 1987 and a master’s in education degree in health education in 1993 from Kent State. 

Maria Schneider, of Copley, has been appointed president-elect. Schneider is managing consultant at Premier Segment, Institutional Relationships at TIAA-CREF in Westlake. She earned a bachelor of business administration in finance in 1986 from Kent State. 

Robert Maschke, of Cleveland, continues his role as vice president. Maschke is principal of Robert Maschke Architects in Cleveland. Maschke earned a bachelor of science degree in architecture in 1988 and a bachelor of architecture degree in 1989 from Kent State. 

Kathy Reid, of Hudson, continues her role as secretary. Reid is broker/owner of Prudential Kathy Reid Realty in Hudson. Reid earned a bachelor of science degree in elementary education in 1969 from Kent State. 

Brian M. Marino, of Avon Lake, continues his role as treasurer. Marino is financial advisor and special care planner with Skylight Financial Group/Michael Carter Group in Cleveland. He earned a bachelor of business administration degree in business management in 2001 from Kent State.

Nicholas Sucic, of Hudson, has been appointed immediate past president. Sucic is vice president and controller of the Davey Tree Expert Company in Kent. He earned a bachelor of business degree in accounting in 1970 and a master of science degree in accounting in 2008 from Kent State. 

In addition, the following new members, all alumni of Kent State, have been appointed to serve a three-year term ending in 2014: 

Brian Blazina, of Naperville, Ill., is president and CEO of Enram Energy Resource Americas in Naperville. Blazina earned a bachelor of business administration degree in computer science with a minor in business organization in 1978 from Kent State. 

Kenneth Buzek, of Strongsville, is principal of Buzek Wealth Advisors in Strongsville. Buzek earned a bachelor of business administration degree in accounting in 1970 from Kent State. 

Chinyere Ekechi, of Atlanta, is with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH)/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) in the Office of Policy, Planning and Evaluation in Atlanta. Ekechi earned a bachelor of science degree in integrated life sciences in 1997 from Kent State. 

Joseph Gibson, of Painesville, is a judge on the Lake County Common Pleas Court General Division. Gibson earned a bachelor of business administration degree in management science in 1968 from Kent State. 

Hannah Harbert, of Akron, is an interior designer at FirstEnergy in Akron. Harbert earned a bachelor of arts degree in interior design in 2005 from Kent State. 

Douglas Mory, of Richfield, is a retired vice president and client advisor. Mory earned his master’s in business administration in 1972 from Kent State. 

Karen Talbott, of Fairlawn, retired as president of Visiting Nurse Service and Affiliates in Akron. Talbott earned a bachelor of science degree in comprehensive business education in 1969 and a master’s in science in accounting in 1970 from Kent State. 

H. Scott Westover, of Cleveland Heights, is curator for the Progressive Art Collection in Mayfield Village. Westover earned a bachelor of arts degree in art history and philosophy in 1997 from Kent State. 

For more information on the Kent State University Alumni Association, visit www.ksualumni.org.