Mystery Classmate 042

Congratulations to Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli, who correctly identified Leet Sommerfeld ('84) as Mystery Classmate 042.

In case you were wondering, Leet is a competitive tennis player in the Western Pennsylvania region. He reached the Mens 35 singles finals of both the 2002 and 2003 West Virginia Open. Leet and partner Allan Quakenbush, with whom he is pictured, won the 1999 men's open doubles title in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation tournament, and Leet also competed in the 2003 Platform Tennis Nationals doubles tournament. He resides in Verona.

Chuck Zimmerman guessed Gary Lehman. Pam Van Cara Collis guessed Jack Horner, but conceded that she might be wrong. Barbara Bender Pietro and Brian "S.D." Stevenson guessed Jimmy Kwiecinski.

Ted Showers guessed "a Lehman." Brandon "Brandon B" Holmes guessed Simon Schiffman. Milton Koutavas guessed Ted Showers.

Joe Caprara guessed Ken Van Cara. Joe wrote, "I know that it's not him, but I'm on a roll with that answer. Some day I will be vindicated!"

Paul Rodgers guessed Bob Boone. Jim Davliakos guessed Dave "Tink" Potanko.

Mystery Classmate 041

Congratulations to Jack Horner, Bob Smith, Ken Van Cara, Mary Bender Knight, Kristin Burgard, Maribeth Mahoney Misitis, Paula Recchio Joseph, Brian "S.D." Stevenson, and Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli, who correctly identified Shernaaz Kapadia ('87) and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Shernaaz is the Chief Resident at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. She previously served as a physician in the United States Navy after completing her studies at Temple University. Regarding her experiences at Children's, Shernaaz notes, "The residents, attendings and teaching are great at Children's. The patient population is very large and will give you vast experience in taking care of healthy as well as critically ill children. This residency program will prepare you well if you want to become a general pediatrician or go into a fellowship."

Many classmates had fond memories of Shernaaz. Ken Van Cara reports that Shernaaz was one of the nicest, smartest people in his class. Paula Recchio Joseph remembered that Shernaaz was friends with Paula's sister Claudia. Jack Horner rode the school bus with Shernaaz and her brother Maneck.

Jerry Koutavas, Paul Rodgers, Amy Chufo Prezelski, and Bill Stout guessed Aarti Gurnani. Amy noted that Aarti was a Blackridge girl, and Bill even remembered that he and Aarti were lab partners in physics. I hope Aarti is reading this!

Beth Chufo Nichols wrote, "I know this one because she lived in Blackridge, but can't remember her name... She was always really quiet on the bus..." The judges have ruled that Beth was thinking of Aarti too, so she also gets credit for an incorrect guess this week.

Carrie Schadle guessed Marie Aquino. David Kortyna guessed Sara Gopal.

Mystery Classmate 040

Congratulations to Mike Mroz, Paula Recchio Joseph, Rich Reschoff, Beth Chufo Nichols, Pam Van Cara Collis, Milton Koutavas, Maribeth Mahoney Misitis, Mike Bernstein, Megan Mahoney, Tina Schadle Dover, Paul Rodgers, Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli, Ted Showers, Jack Horner, Angharad Grimes Stock, Bill Stout, Duke Johncour, and Lori Haas Baccari, all of whom correctly identified Rob Cochran ('83) as Mystery Classmate 40 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Rob graduated from Carnegie Mellon in 1987 with degrees in Applied Mathematics and Industrial Management and then joined the family business, #1 Cochran, Inc., as executive vice-president. He was named President and CEO in 1992 and under Rob's guidance, the #1 Cochran Automotive chain of dealerships has expanded to include two locations representing ten franchises that together generate over $300 million in annual sales. Rob's dedication to customer service regularly earns the company recognition as "Best Car Dealership" as determined by local newspaper reader polls, and his company consistently receives "Distinguished Dealer" awards from the various manufacturers it represents.

In addition, Rob serves on the Boards of Directors of Family House and Junior Achievement of Southwest Pennsylvania. He also sits on the Pittsburgh Public Theater's Board of Trustees. Rob is a member of the Young Presidents' Organization and is active in many of Pittsburgh's civic, charitable and social organizations. Rob and his wife Christina (pictured) reside in Fox Chapel with their five children: Olivia, 7; Faith, 5; Eliza, 4; Will, 2; and Hugh who was born in April 2003.

Many classmates had fond memories of Rob. Jack Horner noted that Rob and Christina look "perfect in every photo, this one included." Megan Mahoney sent her "belated thanks to the Saturn service department of the Cochran dealerships for helping me out when I was home for a funeral and my car was acting up. They treated me better in that one visit than the Saturn dealer in Lexington, KY did in four years of regular service."

Bill Stout wrote, "I recall, barely, drinking a few mystery punches in my parents' basement with Rob and the rest of my sister's pals." Heidi Stout did not deny this allegation.

Beth Chufo Nichols noted that Rob and his new Mega Center are "regulars on the local TV and cable ads. This summer it was ridiculous!" Rich Reschoff noted that Rob's "face is everywhere." Maribeth Mahoney Misitis wrote that "even my husband guessed this one, and he isn't from Churchill."

Joe Caprara guessed Ken Van Cara. Jennifer Buchanan Machovec guessed Jack Horner. Jim Davliakos guessed Darren Goltz.

Mystery Classmate 039

Congratulations to Ann Broadberry Johnson, Dan Talbert, Ken Van Cara, Maribeth Mahoney Misitis, Ted Showers, Kristin Burgard, Amy Chufo Prezelski, and Tina Schadle Dover, all of whom correctly identified Jimmy Esplen ('87) as Mystery Classmate 039 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Jim is a Research Specialist in Dr. Marta Couce's lab in the Division of Neuropathology of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine's Department of Pathology. Major areas of research emphasis in the lab include degenerative diseases of the central nervous system (particularly Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease and AIDS), developmental disorders, neoplasia and peripheral nerve and neuromuscular disorders. Last June, Jim co-authored an article for Diabetes magazine titled, "Acute Changes in Plasma Ghrelin After Gastric Bypass Surgery."

Many classmates had fond memories of Jimmy. Amy Chufo Prezelski recalls Jim as "a very nice guy with a sarcastic, dry sense of humor," while Ken Van Cara noted that he is the "brother of Burris Esplen famed tuba player from the Churchill Marching Band."

Lori Haas Baccari guessed Joe Costello -- very plausible in my opinion. Paul Rodgers guessed Dave Kacinko. Rich Reschoff guessed David Rocco and noted that he is a "handsome lad!" Joe Caprara guessed Pete Tsudis. Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli guessed Rosario Colucci. Jim Davliakos guessed David Cabot.

Bill Stout wrote, "HOLY CRAP!! That might actually be Bill Blake!"

Mystery Classmate 038

Congratulations to Jim Thompson, who correctly identified Matt McKeever ('83) as Mystery Classmate 038.

In case you were wondering, Matt is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA. He is a quantitative sociologist whose interests include immigration, economic sociology, and quantitative methods. Matt's courses include Survey Research and Data Analysis and the Sociology of Immigration. He holds a B.A. from Haverford College and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of California at Los Angeles, and previously taught at the University of Kentucky where he was a colleague of Jim Thompson.

Jim Davliakos guessed John Bosak. Milton Koutavas guessed Joe Caprara. Meanwhile, Joe Caprara guessed Scott Handmaker.

Maribeth Mahoney Misitis and Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli guessed Ken Van Cara, although Maribeth wasn't 100% sure. Meanwhile, Ken Van Cara guessed Richard Smith. In an unrelated development, Paul Rodgers guessed Larry Smith.

Jack Horner guessed Bob Burt, but noted that Bob's hair was about two feet longer the last time that Jack saw him.

Mystery Classmate 037

Congratulations to Carrie Schadle, Bob Smith, Erin Burgard DiPerna, Paul Rodgers, Barbara Bender Pietro, Joe Caprara, Mary Bender Knight, Paula Recchio Joseph, Megan Mahoney, Kristin Burgard, Ted Showers, Scott Silverman, Maribeth Mahoney Misitis, and Ken Van Cara, all of whom correctly identified Ann Broadberry ('87) as Mystery Classmate 037 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Ann married Chris Johnson in August, 2004, and reports, "I'm lovin' life in Charlotte, NC. Moved here in 1999 and am the marketing director for D.R. Horton (national homebuilder). Enjoy the close proximity to both the beach and mountains and spend a lot of time outside -- cycling, inline skating, skiing, etc. Also am involved in animal rescue, particularly working with unsocialized dogs who have been abused/neglected. I've been in a few choirs and a musical since high school and gained a new appreciation for the music program at Churchill. It's easy to keep up with my roots here. There are so many people from Pittsburgh and about five Steeler bars. When I am back in the 'Burgh, I make a point to get a Vinnie pie -- there is no other pizza. Ran into Caren Bloom and Tony Battaglia there over Christmas, which was so cool."

Many classmates had fond memories of Ann. Carrie Schadle remembered Ann as her sister Tina's "wacky friend." Megan Mahoney recognized Ann's smile. Ken Van Cara wrote that Ann "can't fool us with the Pirates cap," although Ted Showers initially identified her as Rob Mackowiak. And Barbara Bender Pietro and Kristin Burgard remembered Ann by her street name, Broad Annberry.