Class Notes

Name: Gary Staffo

Class Year(s): 1975

Note: Gary T. Staffo ’75 (KGCOE) retired on December 31, 2019 after 44 years of federal and private sector service, directing programs in safety, environment, health, security, and emergency management. Career highlights included the opportunity to provide safety support for NASA on the “return to flight” program after Challenger; the first civilian Safety Environment and Health Officer for the United States Antarctic Program; and the Accident Prevention and Investigation Program Manager for the Headquarters Department of Energy. December 2019 also blessed him with the birth of a precious granddaughter who provides delight and purpose in his life. He is enjoying his retirement visiting family and friends (especially former RIT roommates, faculty, and staff). He continues his volunteer service with the 99th Bomb Group Historical Society (BGHS), the Little Falls New York Historical Society, and as a docent at the National Museum of the United States Army (NMUSA). He credits his 5 years at RIT earning his BSIE, working as an RIT audiovisual technician and supervisor, and his co-op experience with Xerox Corporation as laying the foundation for his success. He welcomes contact from his 1970-75 RIT friends, classmates and KG 6th and 7th floor residents.

Submitted on: August 10, 2022

Name: Jeremiah Thompson

Class Year(s): 2013

Note: Jeremiah Thompson ’13 (SCB), who was promoted to financial advisor with Kramer Wealth Managers, provides financial planning and investment management services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community in the U.S.

Submitted on: August 9, 2022

Name: Tom Mancuso

Class Year(s): 1978,1979,1980,1981

Note: Tom Mancuso ’81 (CCE) is a professional golf teacher at Riverton Golf Club in Rochester, N.Y. He is offering free golf lessons to RIT students, staff, and faculty. Call for an appointment.

Submitted on: August 6, 2022

Name: Jessica Hossack

Class Year(s): 2018

Note: Jessica (DeAngelo) Hossack ’18 (CHST) and Matt Hossack ’18 (KGCOE) got married in July 2022. They met through RIT Athletics seven years ago -- Matt excelled on the lacrosse field, and Jess on the track. Their similar passions for sports and the outdoors drew them together. They married in Caledonia, N.Y., about 25 minutes from RIT, alongside many of their Tiger friends that were in attendance. They are so grateful for RIT bringing them together all those years ago and look forward to a long and happy life together!

Submitted on: August 3, 2022

Name: Sheryl Ross

Class Year(s): 1971, 1973

Note: Sheryl Ross ’73 (FAA) as been approved to represent the North Central Texas HIV Planning Council at the 2022 USCHA Conference, October 8-11, 2022, at the Puerto Rico Convention Center in Puerto Rico. In her tenure with the Council, Ms. Ross has sat on the Allocations Committee and chaired the positive voices committee. She currently is a member of the comprehensive planning committee. She is extremely excited to participate in this national conference.

Submitted on: August 2, 2022

Name: Gerard Kiernan

Class Year(s): 1983

Note: Gerard Kiernan ’83 (CAST) has retired after more than 30 years in the engineering field. During the week he teaches at his local public school system and in his spare time enjoys traveling, skiing, and hiking with his wife, Kim, and their dog, Rascal.

Submitted on: August 1, 2022

Name: Robert Meisner

Class Year(s): 2004

Note: Robert Meisner MS ’04 (CAST) was promoted to full professor at the University of Wisconsin Stout.

Submitted on: August 1, 2022

Name: Efe Kababulut

Class Year(s): 2009

Note: Efe Kababulut ’09 (CIAS) is carrying on the family heritage by opening Lazzoni Furniture’s eighth showroom in the U.S. The latest location stands out in the stunning Home Decor and Design Center, SOCO and the OC Mix in Orange County, C.A. The first store of the brand was opened in Chelsea, N.Y. in 2009 followed shortly by the showrooms in Paramus, Madison, Atlanta, Flatiron, Boston, and Seattle.

Submitted on: August 1, 2022

Name: Jeffrey Carlson

Class Year(s): 1988

Note: Jeff Carlson ’88 (KGCOE) recently accepted the position of senior director of operations for Service Oklahoma, a start-up agency in the state of Oklahoma whose mission is to simplify the way residents interact with the government by providing them with best-in-class customer experience through an efficient and seamless end-to-end experience.

Submitted on: July 31, 2022

Name: Wilson Darko

Class Year(s): 2019

Note: Wilson Darko ’19 (CET) will be attending Columbia Business School this fall as an MBA candidate, Class of 2024.

Submitted on: July 31, 2022