Mystery Classmate 111

Congratulations to Coleman Brennan, who correctly identified David Kotler (’86) as Mystery Classmate #111 (well, not really, but more on that later).

In case you were wondering, it was originally believed that David is an attorney with Dechert LLP, based in Princeton, New Jersey. He was thought to be a partner in Dechert's financial services and securities litigation group, advising and representing clients in a wide range of complex corporate and commercial litigation matters involving the financial markets, contracts and business torts. It was claimed that he represented a number of clients in class actions arising from the purchase/sale of securities and in derivative actions.

David was thought to be a member of the Bars of New York and New Jersey and admitted to practice before the United States District Courts for the District of New Jersey and the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York; the U.S. Courts of Appeal for the Second, Third, and Federal Circuits; and the Supreme Court of the United States. He was believed to be a member of the American Bar Association, Section of Litigation, Trial Evidence Subcommittee (Case Columnist).

Finally, it was believed that David holds a B.S. from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations and a J.D. from the New York University School of Law, where he was Staff Editor of the Annual Survey of American Law.

Coleman Brennan considered Bob Bender before deciding on David Kotler. Greg Markantone guessed Stanley Kuznicki. Bill Stout guessed Ken Shriber.

Paul Rodgers guessed Len Rinchiuso. Scott Silverman guessed Alan Checca. Debbie Faskow Feller guessed Ed Roeder.

Amy Gongaware Senkow guessed Brad Drago. Donna Andreas Copley guessed Ken “Mr. 300” Fetsick. Jerry Koutavas could not decide between Craig “Faygo” Prentice, Scott Rosenfeld, Ross “Ducky” Finestone, and Jim Davliakos, whom Jerry noted is of Greek descent.

Dave Weidenhamer considered Monte Moreschi, and then decided it was Rosario Colucci. Finally, after several mojitos, Dave amended his guess to Hank Azaria.

One week later, after the identity of Mystery Classmate #111 was revealed, Steve Landay wrote, “Who told you this was Dave Kotler? Were there TWO David Kotlers in our school? Because the ONLY one I knew sat right in front of me in Home Room and I'm still friends with him today. Who the HELL is this guy??? HAHAHAHAHA”

I sent Steve a link to the website where I found the David Kotler pictured, and added, “You might have been able to convince me that it's not Kotler, except that Coleman guessed him, and as I remember that is what he looked like. At least the David Kotler I knew. Maybe there are two? In hopes of resolving this I am ccing Coleman AND David Kotler on this email. Why not forward to the other Kotler, if there is one, and we all can debate it.”

We never heard back from Coleman, or from the attorney David Kotler, but after a few more rounds of email, I received the following:

“Hi everyone, this is (David) Kotler, Churchill Class of '85. I have two sister Kotlers who also went to Churchill ('83 and '81), but as far as I know, I am the one and only David A. Kotler who went there. (The originally pictured) Kotler, the successful attorney from New Jersey, is obviously taking advantage of our name, similar good looks, and age to make people believe he is me. This is quite understandable given my current part-time employment status as operations manager for the Bach Choir of Pittsburgh!

”Coleman, I'm flattered you attributed such success to me, but...

”I will send a recent picture soon to show the resemblance (despite my current long hair and goatee)!”

The second photo is the real Kotler.

In a related development, Tabitha Husted Riggio wrote, “David Kotler was a very nice guy - from my bus stop. It is nice to see that he is successful.”

Mystery Classmate 110

Congratulations to Joel Borellis, Bob Smith, Amy Chufo Prezelski, Milton Koutavas, Jim Thompson, Tina Schadle Dover, Scott Silverman, Colleen O’Connor Casey, Erin Burgard DiPerna, Mary Bender Knight, Megan Mahoney, Betsy Raible Ford, Ann Broadberry Johnson, Karen Campbell Ricci, Rebecca Canobbio Abel, Ellen Broadberry Gallagher, and Bill Stout, all of whom correctly identified Kristin Burgard (’87) as Mystery Classmate #110 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Barbara Bender Pietro sent the photograph along with this report:

“Kristin is still as hilarious and driven as she has always been, and is a brilliant conversationalist who looks the same as the day she graduated from high school. She has a precious two-year-old daughter named Katie, for Kristin's mom, who is the sweetest little girl. Katie is also verbally gifted and keeps us in stitches with her comments about things. Kristin's husband, Paul Mayer, is a great guy, and he and Kristin seem to have a lot of fun together. They live in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Kristin works part time for Wayne State University, as a grant-funded consultant to small business owners in the area. She helps entrepreneurs to connect to the resources they need in order to grow their respective businesses. Kristin is one of the most genuine and wonderful people I know!”

Other classmates had nice things to say about Kristin. Megan Mahoney added, “Besides the fact that she is looking very much like she did in high school, she is an easy pick because she's now my step-sister-in-law. It has been a blast this past year getting re-acquainted with Kristin, Erin and Kara, and meeting their spouses and children. My children are thrilled to have gained their first cousins on the Thompson-side. At recent holiday gatherings I have been enjoying Kristin's sense of humor and ability to laugh at herself - an important life-skill in my book!”

Amy Chufo Prezelski wrote, “We took computers together with Ms. Ritts. I would’ve never survived without her!! We also got to swim together and experience Coach Bass.” Ann Broadberry Johnson remembered, “Kristin and I were homeroom buddies, and we always laughed our rears off together. She prefers to go by the name Sanguita.”

Milton Koutavas called Kristin a fantastic person and a great athlete. Bill Stout recalled that Kristin was a cross-country standout. Jim Thompson added that she is a wonderful stepsister.

Colleen O’Connor Casey noted that Kristin’s daughter “is the image of the Burgard girls that I remember well.”

Kelly O’Connor guessed Kara Burgard. Maribeth Mahoney Misitis wrote, “I am going to guess one of the Burgard sisters, not quite sure which one!”

Donna Andreas Copley guessed Clara Carretta. Jerry Koutavas guessed Tracey Barbarino.

Beth Chufo Nichols did not guess, but thought that Kristin looked familiar.

Later, Bill Stout wrote, “I recall going to the prom with Jennifer Taylor and double dating with last week’s mystery classmate, Kristin Burgard and Lenny Rinchiuso. I think we rode in Lenny's dad's car. I remember, well, being very, very nervous most of the evening.”

Editor's Note: Len's dad Vince smoked these very smelly black cigars, and left the remains in the car ashtray. I think the cigars were Sicilian. Len used to get in trouble for throwing the butts away, and also for changing the radio station.

Donna Andreas Copley wrote, “While I failed to guess correctly, doesn't Kristin look a little like Clara (Carretta)? Yes, I do agree that she does look like herself too and maybe I should have studied the photo a little more before guessing! Anyhow, I knew her from cross country and she was great......she made my last year much more enjoyable. I remember her mom being so nice to all of us and sooooper supportive. Hey Kristin, drop me a line sometime!”