University School of Law in 2016. He was admitted to the California Bar in December 2016 and the Michigan Bar in August 2017.
14 Photography courtesy of Erie Reader
Alumni Honored with Erie’s 40 Under 40 Distinction Two Gannon alumni were recognized as part of the Erie Reader’s annual 40 Under 40 list of young professionals who, amid a year of challenges, have stepped forward in their professions and causes to transform Erie to become more resilient and better than ever. This year’s honorees include: Becky Perry ’11 (left) is director of the Center for Social Concerns and Global Exploration at Gannon University. She oversees programming for students including service and community engagement opportunities, advocacy and awareness building, and cultural immersion.
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ROBERT “BOB” J. BARTLEY was promoted to regional sales manager of Leeco Steel LLC’s central region. In this position, he will develop and manage a unified sales strategy for Leeco Steel's central and east regions. DESTIN S. DEMARION is a rookie on the Bassmaster Elite Series. He shares his other athletic interests through his baseball-themed DuraEdge sponsor wrap on his boat. CARLY E. (LYONS) BIELER was hired as an interactive communications strategist at University Hospitals in Cleveland. In her role, Bieler will develop emails and create engaging and audience-relevant web content primarily for University Hospitals donors. JEFFREY T. SOLES ’11C was named as the new superintendent of the West Mifflin Area School District. Soles most recently served as superintendent of the Blairsville-Saltsburg School District.
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GANNON MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020
Erin Q. Sekerak ’04, ’15M (right) is the executive director of Northwest Region, Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania. She is responsible for fulling the mission of the Junior Achievement by implementing educational programming and fundraising activities in Crawford, Erie, Lawrence, Mercer, Warren, Forest and Venango counties. AMY M. (STROKA) SWARTZFAGER, CPA ’11M was one of only 30 CPAs honored by the American Institute of CPAs as a member of the Leadership Academy’s 12th graduating class. Swartzfager is a manager at Maloney, Reed, Scarpitti, & Co. LLP in Erie.
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JENNIFER HAYWOOD is the nurse manager at Hospice of Metropolitan Erie Inc. H.O.M.E. is the first hospice in Erie County and one of the first in Pennsylvania. H.O.M.E. is an independent, nonprofit entity that is proud to be celebrating its 40th anniversary.
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PHILIP M. KUNKA, J.D. is a proud California litigator, who represents many government entities and others in San Diego. After graduating from Gannon University, he went on to earn his Juris Doctorate from Michigan State
ANGELA E. GAETA has continued her work as a support coordinator at Erie County Care Managament for the past five years. She recently became a new homeowner in Erie, where she grew up. ALEXA M. GAETA has worked at Erie County Care Management as an early intervention service coordinator for five years. She recently adopted a European Doberman puppy, who is now a year old and weighs more than 100 pounds. REV. JOSEPH A. PETRONE, JR.'14 '16 was ordained as a priest by Bishop Persico on May 29, 2020. Petrone earned bachelor’s degrees in biology from Gannon in 2014 and in philosophy from St. Mark Seminary in 2016. In May 2019, he earned his Master of Divinity from St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Pa.
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ANTHONY C. BICE is working at Mediacom Communications Corp. as a business quota representative. Mediacom is a telecommunications company based in the midwest. In his position, Bice solely assists the needs of corporate customers. JESSICA C. (FERRIS) DIMARCO, PH.D. received her doctoral degree in pharmacy and began her residency program at the Charleston Area Medical Center in Charleston, W.Va. DiMarco and her husband, Giona DiMarco ’17, met while volunteering at Gannon during the Get Rec'd event on St. Patrick's Day in 2014. KEVIN O. HOLLAND was ordained as a priest by Bishop Persico on May 29, 2020. Holland graduated from Gannon and St. Mark Seminary in 2016 with his bachelor’s degree in history. He recently earned his Master of Divinity from St. Mary's Seminary.
