ON THEIR WAY TO THE TOP
Young alumni showcase talent, promise

The road to executive-level achievement is paved with a lot of hard work. This year's crop of talented young alumni is no exception to that rule: these alums (almost all of whom are under 45) have applied plenty of elbow grease to get where they are today.

Will any of these "early risers" sit in the corner office one day, if they aren't there already? It's too soon to say,b ut we hope you'll agree that they demonstrate the enormous talent and potential present in the growing ranks of Sun Devil graduates.

PETER TOURIAN '00 B.S.
With a little help for his friends

Peter Tourian took a circuitous route to becoming CEO of Synergy HomeCare, a Gilbert, Ariz.-base non-medical caregiver service. but the basis underlying his success has always been there.

"I have a natural desire to help people," says the 33-year-old.

He started his career as a detention officer with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, working part of the time in "Tent City," Sheriff Joe Arpaio's controversial open-air jail. Taking significant lessons about basic human needs and communications from Tent City, Tourian rolled those discoveries into his future businesses.

"I can say that much of my success today is from the lessons and skills I have learned while being an officer," he said.

After leaving the Sheriff's Office, Tourian enrolled in ASU and graduated in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in human resources with an emphasis on small business and entrepreneurship. Before he graduated, he had already start Synergy Staffing, a national healthcare staffing firm that places registered nurses, physical therapists and occupational therapists and other allied health specialists.

Operating Synergy Staffing led Tourian to some other observations. Synergy HomeCare was born from a conversation had with an older adult in Mesa in 2002.

"While visiting a nursing home, I sat and talked with an elderly female resident who mentioned all she needed was a little care at home," Tourian noted.

Synergy HomeCare capitalizes on the growing need for home health care with 24-hour, seven-day-a-week care for people of all ages. It meets the needs of aging Baby Boomers, as well as parents of disabled children and the children of ailing parents. Synergy is projected to award 75 new franchises in 2007 and have 300 officer by 2010.

-- By Cecile Dunkhe

ARMIDA DURAN '97 B.S., '04 M.A.
Never give up

Strong management skills and tenacity mark Armida Duran's education and career.

"You have to fight for what you want -- not take a no," said Duran, who is president of Osuna Duran Communications. Originally, she wanted to study Hispanic women in leadership roles as part of her work toward her master's degree in communication studies, but was told there wasn't enough data.

While still searching for a topic for her thesis, Duran was introduced to Centro Adelante Campesino by Arizona Sen. Richard Miranda. Founded in 1978 by farm works in Surprise, Ariz., CAC supports the integration of farming families into the community with educational, career and legal services.

CAC Executive Director Linda Lintz-Miranda told Duran about a project she needed help with: preserving the historical documents of CAC. Duran immediately knew the organization suited her.

There were additional challenges: her department didn't have a background in the recording of historical documents, so Duran pulled people in from various departments who were knowledgeable in Hispanic culture and document preservation. She also found supportive people to sit on her graduate committee.

Funding was insufficient for what Duran wanted to do, so she decided to take matters into her own hands. Three years later and $3,000 of her own money later, Duran wrote a manuscript of the CAC's history, which is now part of the Chicano Research Collection at Hayden Library.

Recently Duran learned that CAC will be sold. She is gratified knowing the information is safe regardless of what becomes of CAC and that "o6ther researchers can access the information there and do similar work."

Through Osuna Duran and her job as adjunct professor of the International Institute of the Americas, a local technical school, Duran echoes the messages she learned in college.

"Universities aren't passive," she tells her students, just like life. "You are going to find barriers. They are going to say, 'You can't do that. You can't study that.' It's up to you to find what you need."

--by Cecile Dunkhe

MARTIN QUINTANA '87 B.S., '04 M.B.A.
Community spirit

Since 1998, Martin Quintana has been serving as the executive vice president of corporate services and chief financial officer for Chicanos For La Causa, a Hispanic advocacy organization that has grown to become one of the largest community development corporations in the nation. During that time Quintana has restructured the finance department to improve operational effectiveness.

Quintana says Arizona State University had a direct impact on his path to joining the organization and his desire to serve his community.

"I became aware of the organization while attending ASU And got involved in their volunteer opportunities through the Hispanic Business Student Association," he said. "I worked part-time at CPLC while I was attending ASU and gained some valuable experience."

After graduation, Quintana worked for Alliant/Kraft Foodservice as an accountant and accounting manager. But the desire to work with his old employer came calling again after a co-worker encouraged him to apply for the CFO position.

"I became interested in the position because I felt that it would be challenging and something that I would enjoy doing." he said, "and because CPLC is a community development corporation, it would also keep me involved in the community."

Quintana's community involvement extends far beyond his workday. He also serves on the boards of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Business Alumni of Arizona, Protecting ARizona Families Coalition, and NPower Arizona.

Quintana asserts that the experiences he had at ASU were rewarding and life-changing.

"The faculty and administrators that I dealt with were always willing and able to assist me," he said. "I had a lot of good friends while attending ASU, and I have a lot of fond memories of making, developing and maintaining those friendships."

--By Manny Romero

KRISTIN PARRACK '98 B.A.E.
GIFT giver

Ever wonder why two people with such similar life experiences can end up in such different places? Kristin Parrack did, and it led her to start a non-profit organization focused on empowering your women to realize their full potential.

It all happened when she was working with troubled teens in a residential treatment center. Parrack realized that many of the problems these girls faced were problems she had also faced at their age. The difference, she found, and the reason she didn't end up in a treatment center as well, was that she had mentors in the community that had helped her through difficult times.

Parrack founded Growth Improvement for Female Teens (GIFT) in 2003 to provide that missing community link and help other girls becoming strong women with bright futures. Now Parrack focuses on teaching girls the skills they need to lead themselves. The organization coordinates a variety of girl-focused programs, including life coaching, a teen advocacy group, a support group for girls within juvenile corrections facilities, and empowerment programs operating through the Scottsdale Boys & Girls Club branches.

According to Parrack, "The only thing youth need to succeed is for one person to believe in them."

GIFT's programs focus on creating a support system and developing leadership skills, and they are gaining attention from some notable foundations across the country. With 500 girls already served, it is clear GIFT's potential for impact is only growing.

--By Jess Koldoff

BARUCH MEIR '00 PH.D.
Keys to success

Israeli-born Baruch Meir continues to cut a wide swath internationally as a concert pianist, as he performs extensively in Europe, Israel and throughout the United Stated. Heralded for his dramatic style, the virtuoso's most notable appearances include solo recitals at the Bosendorfer Saal in Vienna and the Toulouse Mozart Festival in Salzburg.

Dedicated to sharing his success, the ASU associate professor of music helps aspiring your pianists follow his footsteps onto the world's stages. Since he arrived at the university in 1994, his students have won many national and international awards in competitions.

He's also used his knowledge of the ins and outs of performance competitions as the founder, president and artistic director of Bösendorfer & Schimmel International Piano Competitions at ASU. Attracting 179 applicants from 29 countries in 2006, the 2007 competition was slated to take place in Katzin Hall January 8-13, with world-famous pianists such as the Russian émigré Sergei Babayan serving as jury members. Prizes for the competition range from more than $35,000 in cash awards to solo performances in Vienna and Germany.

Meir's efforts have also led to the placement of a 9-foot concert grand piano in Katzin Hall.

"As part of my agreement to become a Bösendorfer artist, the company provided the concert grand to the ASU School of Music, free of charge," says Meir.

As a concert pianist role model, inspiring associate professor, international piano competitions founder and piano provider, Meir can take a richly deserved bow.

--By Orianna Parker

ATUL VASHISTHA '91 M.B.A.
Go to the source

He didn't set out to be a media star, but when he squared off with commentator Lou Dobbs on CNN — live, no less — he earned his chops. Atul Vashistha took a stand in favor of global outsourcing in 2004 while Dobbs railed against American executives who hired workers overseas and John Kerry called the execs "Benedict Arnold CEOs."

With his rational, measured approach, Vashistha, 41, has since become a key source for reporters from Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Business Week and CNBC. He co-founded a consulting firm in 1999, neoIT, that has become a leader in helping companies integrate global talent into their organizations and become more competitive. Consulting Magazine named Vashistha one of the "Top 6 IT Powerbrokers" in 2005 and one of the "Top 25 Most Influential Consultants" in 2006.

He travels 120 days a year, sometimes with his wife and daughter, who gained elite travel status with the airlines when she was 2 years old. His "boutique" firm employs 55 team members, all of whom are part-owners, but Vashistha gives personal attention to client CEOs and speaks to organizations all over the country.

He stand for his favorable view of outsourcing, co-authoring "The Offshore Nation," published by McGraw-Hill in early 2006.

"Hiring globally is not just about lowering costs, but about companies being able to do things they couldn't otherwise, more efficiently and with a high level of service," says Vashistha.

--By Sarah Auffret

STELLA SIWAN ZIMMERMAN '97 B.A.
Words to the wise

After graduating with a B.A. in family studies/human development in 1997, Stella SiWan Zimmerman didn't waste any time forming her own company. She created Action Consulting and Evaluation Team (ACET, Inc.) soon after receiving a M.A. in public policy from the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota, and continues to serve as its president.

Specializing in multicultural/bilingual settings evaluation, the sphere of influence generated by this independent research company reaches far beyond its Minneapolis base. The New York Times and several other major newspapers have cited her research and commentaries. Much of ACET's work is involved with evaluating early literacy success for school-aged children.

The Hong-Kong born entrepreneur credits ASU professors Helen Hoover and Scott Christopher with providing academic inspiration and challenges.

"The internship programs at the Goldwater Institute and Suma Associates also helped me develop my skills," she adds.

The dynamic young woman was chosen in 2002 as an ASU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Leader. "This honor and receiving a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship provided two of the biggest thrills of my life," says Zimmerman.

However, don't expect the ACET, Inc. president to rest on her laurels. "I'm going to be very busy expanding services and building the company this coming year," she says.

--By Orianna Parker

LAURA LIBMAN '03 B.A.
A firm foundation

In 2001, Laura Libman was a single mother of two enjoying a lucrative career as a freelance project manager, with a focus on knowledge engineering.

"I had six accepted contracts," says Libman, 43, "then 9/11 hit and I had no work."

She decided the time was right to finish her degree, so she enrolled at ASU's west campus.

"I was scared to death going back to school," she says. "I had zero confidence and no self-esteem. I had to work at the learning enhancement center to eke out a house payment."

The returning student not only completed her degree in English, she graduated summa cum laude. After getting "watered and fertilized at ASU West," as she puts it, Libman enrolled at Thunderbird, The Galvin School of International Management, earning her M.B.A. in 2005. "They offered me a full ride," she says. "I couldn't have done it otherwise."

With her financial needs taken care of as a graduate student, instead of looking for a job, Libman created the non-profit Tia Foundation. Named for the Spanish word for "aunt," the organization aims to guarantee long-term health of rural villagers by training local caregivers and equipping them with the tools necessary to treat common illnesses and injuries.

"We teach them how to fish instead of giving them fish," she says, specifically in the areas of healthcare and sanitation.

Libman began Tia with a few grants totaling $100,000. The organization has become a consuming passion for her.

"Right now I'm spending every penny on projects that I can," she says.

--By Michael Hammett

RICHARD COLEMAN '02 B.S.
Gadget guru

A true technophile, Richard Coleman gets a new cell phone every six months or so in order to have all the latest features. He has four computers at home — all of which he built himself — and a home teacher with a 110-inch projection television and a state-of-the-art sound system.

One would expect no less from a young man who won two national science competitions in high school and now is a systems engineer for General Dynamics C4 Systems.

Coleman was named a Modern-Day Technology Leader by US Black Engineer and Information Technology magazine in 2006. The award recognizes people who innovations are impacting, entire industries.

Coleman, 28, is lead engineer for several ground-based communications modeling and simulation projects, one of them a 10-year General Dynamics project to create a global cellular service using satellites in place of cell towers.

"We're making history right now," he says, "I love what I do."

What really excites him, however, is an entrepreneurial adventure with two fellow engineers called Integrated Living, Working with home builders, the three have created a central wireless console that controls a home's electronics — lights, stereo, TV, security system, yard lighting, pool bubblers, even the drapes. Start a movie and the lights automatically dim and the curtains close. It's a technophile's dream.

Coleman, who got a B.S. in electrical engineering from ASU in 2002, is finishing a master's in systems engineering and will enter the executive MBA program in the fall.

--By Sarah Auffret

GREG DINKINS '98 M.B.A.
Calling his bluff

He may be an author, a literary agent and an entrepreneur, but the question Greg Dinkins often gets is this: What's it like to play in the World Series of Poker?

Dinkins has been playing poker for more than 16 years, and last July he placed second against 787 other players in a World Series tournament. He cut his teeth as an intern at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas at 19, playing poker during his off-hours every day with some of the best players in the world. He had a $4,500 profit at the end of the summer.

As the author of the book "The Poker MBA," Dinkins says the skills for success in poker and in business are the same: reading people, making intuitive decisions, measuring expected value. A 1998 MBA graduate from ASU, he delivers keynote speeches to business groups all over the country that include poker lessons.

"In any negotiation, you analyze your opponent's body language and his thought processes. You walk in his shoes. In poker you do it to win his money, and in business you do it to give him what he wants and also make a profit. In both situations you have to understand people, and make good decisions."

Dinkins, 35, co-founded Venture Literary six years ago and since has sold more than 100 titles to major publishers, representing such leading poker player-writers as Phil Gordon. And he's branching out into a new are that could be considered a gamble: executive producing films with actors Nicolas Cage and Tobey Maguire.

--By Sarah Auffret

SAL RIVERA '92 B.A.
Sun Devil's Advocate

Sal Rivera knows where he is going and where he has come from. The first in his family to graduate from a university, Rivera is grateful to those who've helped him along the way. Now a partner at Fennemore Craig in Phoenix, Rivera makes a point of giving back to the community, as he has since his days at ASU.

While studying for a bachelor's degree in history and political science, Rivera was active in Devils' advocates and ran fro student body president. He says losing the race was one of his greatest learning experiences at ASU.

"I can honestly say that I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for my ASU experiences," said Rivera. "The faculty and staff were always there with an open door."

Rivera went on to study and graduate from the University of Chicago law program and credits perseverance and having a support system for his success. Committed to helping youth succeed as well, Rivera works with a number of community and university-based programs such as the ARizona Latina Research Enterprise to create that support system for others.

"At the end of the day, if I can look back and say that I have created opportunities for young people to attend and graduate from a university and make their live better, then I would be very proud of that."

--By Jess Koldoff

TONY CARRILLO '04 B.F.A.
Cartoonist makes the grade

When Tony Carrillo was burning the midnight oil drawing cartoons for the The State Press at ASU's Tempe campus, little did he realize his artistic efforts would be soon appreciated by hundreds of thousands of people.

Within a few months of his December 2004 graduation, Carrillo's "F Minus" comic strip was picked up by the Denver Post, the Houston Chronicle, and the Seattle Times. A United Features development deal was Carrillo's reward for winning the inaugural "mtvU Strips" contest. The list of US newspapers is steadily expanding, and the strip is catching on in Britain, Australia and Canada.

Wry, quirky humor combined with unusual situations explain the immediate popularity of "F Minus." Carrillo's random-joke series is often inhabited by individuals facing life's cruelty with a dose of irony: A recent strip featured a man facing execution at a 19th century-style hanging, complete with shotgun-toting country sheriff; the hooded executioner tells the prisoner, "Will you quit squirming? This (the noose) is a clip-on!"

Much of the strip's inspiration comes from the grueling part-time employment -- ranging from pizza cook to camel ride attendant at the zoo -- the art student took to finance his education.

"The worst job was getting up at 3 a.m. to wave the orange wands at Sky Harbor's planes," recalls Carrillo.

Asked about future plans, the cartoonist contemplates eventually publishing a book based on the strip. He's also thinking of returning to ASU For an advanced degree in the arts.

Considering that both Goya and Daumier were great cartoonists in their day, the "F Minus" experience might well earn Carrillo more than one a+.

--By Orianna Parker

ELIZABETH KOTTOOR '99 B.S., '02 M.S.W.
Spreading sunshine

Even though Elizabeth Kottoor grew up in India in the shadow of Mother Teresa, she says it was her family's dedication to helping others nurtured his lifelong dedication to improving people's lives. That says something, considering that Mother Teresa opened her first school in Elizabeth's father's front yard and also taught in the family's garage.

"We were surrounded by poverty in our neighborhood in India. My parents were affluent, but I saw them reaching out to the poor," Kottoor recalls. "That was the first lesson. We were always feeding, or giving money or a car ride to neighbors, or letting people use our phone. Then, seeing the work of Mother Teresa t the school nearby reinforced the importance of my parents' efforts, and what my efforts should be."

And so, where other people see darkness in the lives of pregnant teens, sex offenders and young mothers - the clients with whom Kottoor works as director of operations at the Sunshine Residential Home she runs with husband Simon — Kottoor sees and spreads sunshine.

"These children are just exposed to the wrong things at the wrong time. The teen moms' love for their children is so strong," she says. "They may be in prison, but they love their children just the same. This awareness should help us understand the love these moms have, so that we do not condemn them. They still are mothers."

--By Jill Miller Zimon

JENNIFER GREEN '97 J.D.
Rules of the road

Travel suits Maricopa County Attorney Jennifer Green much better than it does the defendants whose trips end in front of her. Her specialty in law is prosecuting vehicular crimes, including vehicular homicides, vehicular aggravated assaults, leaving the scene of an accident and felony DUI.

"I work too much, but I like what I do. Prosecuting vehicular crimes is fun," she said. "I really like it - it's a lot of fun because you get to work with victims."

Outside the courtroom, for more than nine years, Green has volunteered for numerous Phoenix civic groups, including the Maricopa County Bar Association's Young Lawyer Division, the Justice Museum (an education center to learn about the county court system), and for Arizonans for Children, a youth-based charity.

She says, "I deal with prosecutors all day. When I volunteer, I practice with people I'd never run into ordinarily." The American Inns of Court recognized Green's dedication to the public interest with its 2006 Sandra Day O'Connor Award for Professional Service.

Green says that if she had more time, she would travel more. "I will have taken almost 20 trips by the end of 2006, just for fun," she said when interviewed lat last year. "And I have two more planned before the end of year."

And no one would doubt that she knows the rules of the road.

--By Jill Miller Zimon

ANNA BATTLE '85 B.A.E., '88 M.ED.
Winning on purpose

As a member of ASU's track team and women's basketball team, Anna Battle created a disciplined, structured lifestyle. Today, she is the principal of Desert Vista High School in Phoenix, and she says ASU continues to serve as a driving force for sharing her students, colleagues and family.

Raised in Winslow, Battle received track and basketball scholarships to play at ASU. From 1980 to 1984, she was a member of the track team, where she was an All-American in the long jump and triple jump and qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials in the long jump in 1984.

Battle attributes a lot of her success today to habits she learned as a Sun Devil athlete. In particular, she said Juliene Simpson, a women's basketball coach, helped her as she mourned the loss of two family members.

"All in a matter of a month, my father and third oldest brother passed away," Battle said. "Juliene Simpson provided me with structure and purpose that assisted with completion of my undergraduate degree. Without that guidance, I am not sure that I would have survived school's challenges."

She is currently enrolled in ASU's Delta Doctorate Program. having completed two degrees at ASU and working toward her third. Battle hopes her experiences as a student will continue to benefit those she with whom she works.

"Making education applicable and purposeful creates motivation and encourages students to be more intentional about learning," said Battle. "Continuing to be a life-long learner has given me the knowledge necessary to develop leaders." she said.

-- By Manny Romero

JEFFREY VAN RAAPHORST '87 B.S., '97 M.B.A.
Team spirit

It's a 7 a.m. on Jeffrey van Raaphorst's birthday. And he's not home. He's in his car, on his cell phone, heading to surgery.

This former football quarterback, who, in 1987, led the ASU team to its only Rose Bowl victory ever, must get to the operating room, but not because of any injury to him or any of his relatives or friends.

Van Raaphorst owns a successful bio-medical device company affiliated with Medtronic, and part of his company's work involves being present in surgery whenever the medical professionals use the spinal instrumentation he sells. "When they have to go to surgery, the doctors call the hospital, then the anesthesiologist, and then me," he said. "Our representatives who sell the devices have to be present every time the product is used."

What van Raaphorst finds in common between his successful business and the qualities that led him to become the 1987 Rose Bowl MVP is teamwork. Just as in football, he says, "everyone is on a team and we have competitors we're working against. You all just have to figure out how to achieve an objective."

Van Raaphorst continues to demonstrate that he knows how to achieve.

-- By Jill Miller Zimon

WENDY WARD '95 B.S.
Still swinging

Wendy Ward says she is blessed. In 1991, she became ASU's first female golfer to be recruited from TExas. Fourteen years later, she passed the $3 million mark in earnings. Now, her success on the LPGA tour allows her to own and live on a 300-acre cattle ranch in Washington state.

"Daily life is hectic, but I get to come home to the ranch," she said. "IT's like going on vacation."

Ward has worked hard to earn her ranch. She was part of a golf team at ASU that was three-time national champions (1993-95), and she qualified for the LPGA tour on her first attempt. She has had four LPGA tournament victories, including 1997 Fieldcrest Cannon Classic and the 2005 LPGA Takefuji Classic.

Despite the success golf has brought her, Ward insists, "I'm a very simple individual. I'm really blessed that golf has given me the finer things in life." Ward's recent choice of a leisure activity exemplifies how she combines her competitive nature with a humble attitude.

"The guitar has always fascinated me," she notes. "My parents got me a ukulele when I was real little I taught myself to play. Now, I might play around the campfire or at my church where I'm pretty involved ... even though it seems like such a simple instrument, if you bring it into the room, you can still play a little praise and worship."

With these perspectives, Ward should be able to keep on swinging, regardless of the rough.

-- By Jill Miller Zimon

JOHN ROOD '90 B.S.
Rood's awakening

John Rood was debating which summer job to take while studying economics at ASU in the late 1980's when he heard about an internship with the CIA. His decision to apply for the internship resulted in an 11-year stint with the CIA and ultimately a position in the White House and the State Department where he currently serves as Assistant Secretary for International Security and Non-Proliferation.

It's been quite a rise for Rood, but he keeps his perspective by recalling his other summer option.

"I was thinking about working on a fishing boat," recalls Rood, who tracked missile development programs in countries like North Korea, India and Pakistan while with the CIA.

After his CIA assignment, he worked for Sen. Jon Kyl for four years. President George W. Bushed appointed Rood to become special assistant to the president and senior director for counter-proliferation strategy this past summer.

Today, Rood is charged with stopping the spread of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons in potentially hostile or terrorist nations around the world. In his words, his role is to "lead the State Department's effort to deal with the spread of weapons of mass destruction or WMD." AS one of 22 undersecretaries of state, his goals rely heavily on policy making, developing strategies and then organizing staff, funds and efforts around that policy.

Not surprisingly, his job requires lots of travel and meetings. "I have been to four countries in the last three weeks: Israel, the U.K., France and Switzerland," he says.

As serious as his job is, John Rood possesses a healthy belief in serendipity about how he arrived there.

"I didn't plan all this out, but I'd like to think that when opportunity was knocking at the door I answered it," he said.

-- By Cecile Dunkhe

MIKELLE MOORE '98 M.B.A.
Taking transformation's pulse

If anyone knows about leading transformation, it's Mikelle Moore. A self-described people person, Moore believes relationships improve healthcare and, in turn, should improve the health of the community. At least that is Moore's plan.

Currently the Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of Intermountain LDS Hospital, a 2005 U.S. news & World Report Best Hospital, Moore is responsible for transitioning the hospital, which is the Intermountain Healthcare's flagship and the largest in Utah, to a healthcare operation focused on community-based centers of excellence that meet patients' needs.

"How do we build a hospital together for the future and for the community?" asked Moore. "It takes motivation ... the best physicians and, above all, collaboration."

And, so far, that recipe has proved a success.

"At ASU, I learned that in leadership you have to identify the strengths of the members on your team and create opportunities for everyone to succeed," said Moore, whose graduate-level business degree focused on Health Services Administration. "You can't achieve much if you just rely on yourself."

With a team of top physicians and another year to go, Moore is confident their initiative to redefine LDS Hospital by focusing on patients and communication will be a success.

"Change is challenging," said Moore. "But sometimes you just have to take a chance and accept the opportunities as they arise."

-- By Jess Koldoff