Class Notes

1989

Joann Barry ‘89
In early August there was a long overdue email exchange between classmates from the Class of 1989 for whom Rice has valid email addresses. Many addresses have expired, though, and the contact list needs a major refresh. Please send Joann Barry your email and/or cell phone number. She and Amrish Macedo are working hard on gathering the class for their 35th reunion this spring. Her email is joannbarry1@gmail.com.

2002

John Montgomery ‘02
John was re-elected to West University Place City Council in May 2023, and he is serving his second term as mayor pro tempore.

2006

Jennifer Ortegon ‘06
Jennifer accepted a new position as strategic enterprise sales manager at Harness, a Silicon Valley-based technology company offering an end-to-end software delivery platform.

2008

Craig Ceccanti ‘08
Craig celebrated an exit from Pinot’s Palette, Houston’s first and premier upscale BYOB painting studio, in February 2023. He had been a founding member and CEO. Special thanks to all Rice faculty, staff and alumni who helped support an amazing 13 years. In June, Craig joined Softeq as chief operating officer and managing partner of Softeq Venture Fund.

2011

Dylan Hedrick ‘11
On May 6, 2023, Dylan was re-elected to his third and final term as a councilman for the city of Garland, Texas. He hopes to continue the implementation of the 2019 Bond Program, as it is 75% complete, and looks ahead to what is next for the city of Garland.

Macy Middleton ‘11
Macy announces the grand opening of the Chambers County Children’s Museum, for which she is board president. Located in Mont Belvieu, 35 miles east of Houston, the museum has a wide range of educational activities for kids. The showcase educates visitors on the oil and gas industry through nine exhibits that demonstrate various concepts and processes through hands-on play. The museum is proud to have the support of more than 60 corporate sponsors and foundations, who generously gave $4.2 million to provide rural Chambers County with play- centered learning.

2012

Stephen Cullar-Ledford ‘12
Stephen and Thedra Cullar-Ledford have moved from Houston to Rensselaerville, New York.

2014

Celeste Barretto Milligan ‘14
Celeste is happy to share that she and her husband, Anaye, joined their families and got married in March 2023, the icing on the cake of a nearly 15-year friendship. Celeste moved back to Houston after a nearly two-year stint in Dallas, where she served as a chief academic officer of a DFW school district. She recently spent three years as a senior leader in a local public charter school system. Celeste is now a full-time entrepreneur, building her coaching and consulting practice from a long-term side gig to a fully functional firm. Her expanding firm currently serves nonprofits, school districts, government entities and businesses in Texas, New Mexico and California.

Image

Jennifer Rossi ‘14
In addition to management consulting, Jenn continues making and selling wine for a cause. Her company, The Cause Urban Winery, has five wines for sale and many more in the works. She really enjoyed sharing her wines at Alumni Reunion and the RBPC this year!

Image

2015

Brian Nolan ‘15
Kelly and Brian welcomed their third child, Quinn Eloise Nolan, in April. She joins Madeleine (born in 2018) and Owen (born in 2021). Everyone is doing well, and they are adjusting to life as a family of five.

Image

2017

Charu Jain ‘17
Charu is thrilled to announce that Gasochem International has been recognized in this year’s Inc. 5000 list, securing an impressive rank of 393 in 2023 and 3,328 in 2022! This achievement is a testament to the hard work, dedication and innovation that the team embodies, and this accomplishment wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the incredible team members, partners and clients. Charu was interviewed by Inc. 5000 about her uphill battle to grow Gasochem from scratch, overcoming entrenched sexism even within her family and challenges from chemical industry peers. Charu would like to extend her thanks to Rice University. The unwavering support and resources they provide played a pivotal role in her journey and accomplishments.

Image

2018

Darrell Morris ‘18
After graduating in 2018, Darrell acquired Well Done Cooking Classes. They have recently moved to the bustling Spring Branch area at 8207B Long Point Road with their neighbors Feges, Slow Pokes, Blind Goat, Stuffed Belly Cosmic Ice Cream and more!

Image

2019

Heather Mellinger ‘19
Besart Dibra and Heather Mellinger were married October 2019 surrounded by many of their Rice friends. They were overjoyed to welcome their new little Owl, Thomas, in April this year.

Image

Marc Spieler ‘19
Marc Spieler and his wife, Shelly, now have two Scenthound franchise locations in Houston. While Marc continues to lead NVIDIA’s global energy vertical, Shelly runs the day-to day operations of the routine hygiene and grooming businesses. Having three of their own four-legged family members, they saw the brand as an opportunity to bring the routine hygiene care all dogs need to busy households like theirs in the River Oaks and Meyerland areas of Houston, with a Heights location coming online in early 2024.

2020

Stacy Callahan ‘20
Stacy and Conor Callahan (Ph.D. ’19) welcomed their first child, Dylan Thomas, on July 22.

Image

2021

Brian Jackson ‘21
Brian accepted a new role as the manager of renewables origination at TransAlta Corporation, where he oversees the company’s renewable energy power purchase agreement origination activities in the United States.

Image

Marco Meneses ‘21
Following his graduation in 2021, Marco embarked on his entrepreneurship through an acquisition adventure. In 2023, he accomplished the acquisition of American Directional Technology, a company specializing in the manufacturing of downhole drilling tools. Subsequently, Marco and his family made the move to Oklahoma, where he is now operating the business full time.

Image

Arthi Vasudevan ‘21
From the courage she gained earning her Rice MBA, Arthi started writing a children’s book on cybersecurity called “Cyberama,” which was published in September. The book raises awareness on internet safety for kids 7-13 through an adventurous thriller focused on AI and a virtual reality game. There is also a character called Cyber Owl in the book, inspired by Rice MBA, of course! So next time Dean Rodriguez asks her, “What did you do after finishing your Rice MBA?” she can say, “I wrote a book.”

Image

Kimberly Williams ‘21
Kimberly welcomed a new baby girl, Evelyn Rose, on July 2, 2023! The family is so thrilled to have a new future Owl to love.

Image

2022

Victoria Cowthran ‘22
Victoria Cowthran (Hills) ’22 found love in Houston two weeks before attending launch as an MBA student in 2020. She married her husband, Dr. Alan Cowthran, on Sunday, June 4, 2023 in a private wedding with family and friends.

Image

Rachel Garcia ‘22
Shortly after the completion of her degree, Rachel was promoted to associate vice chancellor, teaching and learning, at San Jacinto College. San Jacinto College is a local community college on the east side of the Greater Houston area.

Brett Harmeling ‘22
Brett is bringing Verijet airline to Texas and democratizing access to private aviation.

Image

Jason Johnson, M.D. ‘22
Jason was promoted to colonel in the United States Air Force during a ceremony at Ellington Field JRB in Houston in September.

2023

Kat Wright ‘23
Kat joined HP as a technical program manager in May 2023.