Alumni News - items received in 2006

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Alumni with news items are listed by decade of graduation. If you would like to submit a news item or update your directory listing, please send us your info to alumni at ees.nmt.edu. We love pictures, too. Email them directly to the Webmaster.
 

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

Mike Wolf (BS Geophysics '51)
October 2006
   The enclosure* testifies to my continued good memories, over 55 years, of those good days in Socorro at the School of Mines. Switched from exploration geophysics to meteorology after a graduate degree from University of Washington. Field studies of pollutant travel, dispersion, and removal by various processes dominated my career. Retired from Oregon State University 20 years ago. Driving a school bus for the next six years was a kick.

*Contest by the Oregon Climate Service to name the summertime wind that Oregon gets around supper time. Mike's entry received a mention in "Weather Matters", a column written by George Taylor, Oregon's State Climatologist. Quote: "Mike Wolf suggested 'Socorro,' which is Spanish for 'relief.' Considering that the summer west winds bring cool relief to our hot summer days, we felt it was a good suggestion."

1960s

Raul A. Deju (PhD Geoscience-Hydrology '69) rdeju at deju.net
May 24, 2006
   I am a PhD graduate in Geosciences-Hydrology from 1969 at Tech under C.E. Jacob. I am also a mathematics graduate in 1966 at Tech under Dr. Rafael Sanchez Diaz (BS). Here are some of my career tidbits:

• Taught at University of Pittsburgh, Wright State University, UC Davis, St Mary's College
• Chairman and CEO URS, Inc. (one of the top 10 engineerning companies in America)
• Founder and President of ISG Resources which became Headwaters, Incorporated--a NYSE-listed company with a $1.5 billion market value and the largest provider of recycled cement in the world
• Currently Managing Partner, Sienna Ventures--a venture capital fund family. Sit on several boards of directors.
• Recipient of the top 25 Hispanics in Northern California, 2005; Recipient of 2005 Philanthropy award in San Francisco; author of over 150 publications and three books.

David L. Haupt (BS Geology '65) dlhaupt at pacbell.net
October 22, 2006
   Worked in earth science with Kennecott Exploration, Inc. and Woodward-Clyde Consultants for about 10 years. Worked 26 years at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in mechanical engineering and eventually materials science, specifically synchrotron x-ray tomography of composite and bio materials. Retired, 2003.
   Wife, Muriel, is a musician and teacher. Grown kids. Putter, take photos and read, read, read.

1970s

Daniel Blodgett, MD (MS Geology '73) blodgettmd at sti.net
October 2006
   I moved to the Sierra foothills near Yosemite in 2000. I have a holistic medical practice in Oakhurst and Fresno. I married Valerie, my psychologist wife, in 2004. My daughter, Eva, is getting her BS in Biology at New Mexico Tech. In my leisure time, we hike and climb the Sierras, fish, raft the numerous rivers, and enjoy our ruarl home amidst the live oaks and animals.

Gary R. Lowell (PhD Geology '70)
February 2006
   Dr. Lowell retired from Southeast Missouri State University in 2005, after 35 years. He has accepted an adjunct professorship at the University of
Texas-Arlington, to teach Mineralogy and Petrology in the Fall 2006 semester.

Abe Mercado (PhD Hydrology '72)
October 25, 2006
   We (Alia & Avraham) are both retired. I'm still doing some consulting--especially if the subject is interesting and the pay is good.
   As you might remember we have 2 children--a daughter and a son. Our daughter Taly is doing interesting research in genetic engineering of fruit trees. She has 2 amazing kids. She lives in Kibutz--just on the Lebanese border. They were lucky as they were hit by only one rocket. We built a new home there--mostly for the use of our daughter and her family.
   Our son Eyal is an expert in orthopedic surgery. He also has 2 amazing kids. They stay now in Toronto for postdoc in pediatric surgery. Hopefully, they will return home by mid 2007.They built their home in The Izrael Valley.
  Editor's Note: Abe also did a sabbatical here at New Mexico Tech in the early 90s.

1980s

Dean Alford (BS Geology '85, MS Geology '87) dalford at converseconsultants.com
May 25, 2006
   I recently relocated from Elko, Nevada to Phoenix, Arizona, accepting a promotion to Managing Officer for Converse's Arizona operations. I am developing a new office, managing a variety of technical and administrative personnel, and providing technical input for a variety of clients and projects throughout the western US, primarily in geology, groundwater and environmental science. With my wife Nelsene of 17 years, we have 4 daughters, and enjoy sports, hot air balloons, and the great outdoors.

Alan Andrunas (BS Geology '87)
June 2006
   Occupied as a Geologist with Owens Geotechnical, Inc. Alan is currently working as an inspector on various construction projects including deep
foundations for high-rise casinos and condominiums as well as smaller commercial prpojects. For fun, most free time is spent rock climbing, hiking, and working out at the gym.

April Gil (BS Geology '84, MS Geology '87)
April 2006
   Division Director for Retulatory Interactions on US DOE Yucca Mountain project in Las Vegas, NV.
Completed PhD in 2005 at UNLV in Environmental Science. Disseration topic: US Policy on Protecting Uranium Mines from Radon Hazards.

Diane Y. Hattler (BS Geology, BS Tech Comm '85) dhattler at comcast.net
August 2006
   I am in my ninth year of counseling teenage girls. I had worked in Nevada as a geologist on the Yucca Mountain Project--was on that project 9 years. But in 1995 lost my job due to government downsizing and could not find a job in the field. Earned an MBA and a MA in counseling psychology.

Von S. Henderson (BS Geophysics '82)
February 2006
   I've recently moved to Dubai with my family to broaden our horizons.

John S. Hingtgen (BS Geology '85) jhingtge at energy.state.ca.us
October 3, 2006
   After doing an M.S. at the University of Wisconsin specializing in wind energy generation, I took a position with the California Energy Commission working in the Renewables Office. My work there focuses on programs to develop large renewable energy generation in California and neighboring states that are connected through the regional power grid.
  I enjoy different types of folk and social dances in my free time, such as Scandinavian folk, Scottish country, and contra dance. On weekends, I like to explore the Sierra Nevada and northern California.

James (Jim) A. Moore (MS Geology '87)
January 2006
   I've worked for two years as a seasonal geologist for Newmont Gold Co., logging and sampling core from the Carlin Trend mines. My wife is the Nutrition Director for the Elko County school district. We have 2 sons, ages 14 and 12. There are a lot of jobs in Elko for geologists!

1990s

Tony Astacio (MS Geology '98) vastacio at yahoo.com
November 3, 2006
   Going on 6 yrs with IBM. Worked as a Geologist for mining and oil before going back to school and then jumping into IT industry. Currently enjoying with my wife the birth of our third child. Living in Boulder, CO, area and loving it!! Cheers!!

J. Matthew Davis (MS Hydrology '90, PhD Hydrology PhD '94)
Ruth Lohmann-Davis (MS Hydrology '92)
February 2006
   They are looking foward to a sabbatical leave visit to Socorro in the Fall of 2006, as both Matt and Ruth plan to pursue collaborations with Professors Mozley and Vivoni. There are three girls in the family: Kelly (10), Natalie (7) and Carola (4).

Martha (Missy) Eppes (MS Geology '97)
January 2006
   I'm starting my 4th year as a faculty member at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Currently I sit on the Quaternary Geology &
Geomorphology division of GSA, and UNC Charlotte shall host the 2008 Southwestern GSA Conference.

H. Kirk Jones (BS Chemistry '96, MS Hydrology '99) goldbug at comcast.net
November 2, 2006
   I'm still living in Denver. I work for an Australian group out of Brisbane and I am now the director of the division here in Golden. We perform enhanced precious metals recovery at closed or "end of mine-life" gold mines and follow-on reclamation of cyanide, ARD, and metals. It's all done with biologically engineered fluids that are site specific, which we develop here in the lab. It is exciting and interesting work and I am really enjoying it. Still learning everyday. I wasn't very happy in the consulting world. I discovered I am more suited for the R&D side of things and industrial process. I have been here (with this company) for about 7 years now. Time goes by fast, doesn't it?

Hal Newell (MS Geochemistry 'Dec '97) halnewell at mac.com
March 2006
   I am writing to update my home address and engineering firm. I am still in Manhattan since Socorro. We just moved into a new apartment in Harlem. Our greyhounds love the apartment's proximity to Morningside and Central Parks, but do not seem to care about the dramatic schist outcrops. At the new firm I will be evaluating and assisting the development of brownfield sites in New York City and Westchester County.

William F. Purtymun (BS Geology '92) pico at lanl.gov
January 2006
   About two years ago I became a TSM (again) and I'm working in the field of hazard analysis. I am also working on a Master of Science through ASU's Polytechnic campus in Mesa, in Emergency Management.

2000s

Paul T. Brandes (BS Geology '01) eclogite at pasty.com
July 7, 2006
   I finished my MS in Geology from Michigan Tech University in 2004. We (Nathalie and I) then moved to Las Vegas NV and began working as a geologic consultant for a private company. After spending 1 year in "Sin City", we moved to near Houston, Texas. I have now begun working for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality as a Field Investigator.

Regina G. Rone (BS Geology, BS Env. Science/Biology '99; MS Geology '01) chinle65 at yahoo.com
March 2006
   I'm a northern light now living ~90 mi south of the Canadian border and taking care of 2.5 mill. acres of soils for the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. While frolicking through the land of glacial Lake Missoula floods, I desperately miss NM. Thank God for NMGS every year!!!

Laura Jean Wilcox (MS Hydrology '04) ljwilcox68 at hotmail.com
February 17, 2006
   Employed by MWH Global, Inc,. in Sacramento, California since January of 2004, Laura Jean works on implementing more efficient ways for California to manage its limited surface and ground water resources. This has been accomplished by developing management plans for water consumption and the development and implementation of recharge projects throughout California, New Mexico, and Australia. A native of Maine, Laura Jean enjoys climbing, skiing, sailing, music, and travelling in her spare time.

March 12, 2006
   Transferring to MWH Global, Inc. Perth, Australia office in April 2006. Will be working on hydrogeological investigations to study and monitor mine dewatering effects on several natural parks in Western Australia. Also helping Perth municipal water agencies develop future plans for water use and sustainability.