The Power of the LVC Network

Lebanon Valley College alumni pervade several key industries that drive economic growth and contribute to culture across the world.

Alumni Connections Add Up

(l. to r.) Adam Wenger, CPA, ’12, Colin Albright, CPA, ’18, Tyler Lutz ’20, M’21

Adam Wenger, CPA, ’12, missed just two football practices during his four years at The Valley. One of those times, he skipped to attend what may have been the College’s first Accounting Night in 2010, where he met none other than Simon Lever, founder of the Lancaster- and Harrisburg-based accounting firm Simon Lever LLC. Wenger went on to have three internships with the company, accepting a full-time staff accountant position 14 months before graduation.

He has been promoted five times in the last decade and is now a director who advises LVC interns and seeks out alumni to employ. Wenger regularly represents the firm at Accounting Night, contributes to classes and the Accounting Club, and works with the Breen Center for Career and Professional Development to identify talented internship and employee candidates.

Among the Dutchmen Wenger recruited is Colin Albright, CPA, ’18. Albright interned with the firm after hearing about the great experience of his baseball teammate Zach Edwards ’17 and getting connected to Wenger via Stacey Hollinger, associate director of athletics and senior women’s athletics administrator.

Like Wenger, Albright accepted a job offer long before graduation—as have two current accounting majors: Jay Sisko ’22, M’23 [accounting/MBA 3+1] and Hayley Smith ’23, who secured her position two years before her graduation next spring.

Albright and Wenger also work with fellow alumni Jason Sneering ’11 [accounting], Olivia Ward ’20 [accounting/MBA 3+1], and Tyler Lutz ’20, M’21 [accounting/MBA 3+1], forming a strong network of accounting professionals who share a common purpose. “Simon Lever’s core purpose is to maximize the success of those we partner with,” said Wenger. “We are committed to our clients, employees, and the community, just like LVC is dedicated to its students, faculty, and alumni. We share many of the same values.”

Simon Lever is just one of several employers who hire LVC alumni for their breadth and depth of knowledge, practical experience, strong work ethic, and leadership skills. Here we meet some of the many more LVC grads advancing companies that drive economic growth and contribute to culture.

Sounds Like “Global Success”

(l. to r.) Claire Deibler Messimer ’12, Brad Hartman ’17, Jordan Senkbeil ’18, Scott Holman ’14

Soon after Jordan Senkbeil ’18 began working in the electronics shop at Clair Global, he met a colleague who had worked there for 50 years.

“Learning that employees stay that long at Clair made me realize that I had ‘struck gold,’ said the graduate of LVC’s Music Recording Technology (now audio & music production) Program.

Senkbeil stayed with Clair, too, and has since been promoted three times at the professional sound reinforcement and live touring production support company in the Rock Lititz Complex in Lititz, Pa. He now oversees five departments of the Clair Touring Faction. “I have seen more in the audio industry than I could ever ask for and been able to work on projects for some of the biggest, if not the biggest, artists in the world,” he said.

Senkbeil credits the wraparound LVC experience for his success. He gained music production experience through LVC’s student-run VALE music label and as a D.J. in the Underground student club. Leadership and intercultural experience came through his work in Inclusive Excellence, including his service as a Multicultural Mentor. And faculty, staff, and football coaches encouraged him to persevere through challenges. Now, personally

having experienced the value of an LVC education, he actively recruits through Professor Jeff Snyder’s Music Ninjas Facebook Group and has hired fellow alumni Kyle Alibrando ’17 [audio & music production], Paul Berry ’19 [music business], and Jesse Kauffman ’20 [audio & music production].

During the period of the pandemic when employment was hard to find, Peter Behr ’19 was accepted into Clair’s Road Staff in Training Program, and suggested Casey Kelly ’20 also apply. Unfortunately, that class was full. So, Kelly sent her résumé to the console department, where she was hired. Six months later, Kelly was accepted into the Road Staff in Training Program and has gone on the road as a touring engineer, working events including the New Orleans Heritage Jazz and Music Festival, CMA Fest, and the Zac Brown Band tour. She wants current LVC audio & music production students to know that “their reputation matters” in the industry and can take them far.

Clair Global staff includes several other alumni, including Scott Holman ’14 [music recording technology], Clair’s amp department supervisor and a classmate of Senkbeil’s. “It’s a wonderful feeling knowing that the projects we build end up traveling the world to entertain thousands, if not millions, of people,” said Senkbeil. It’s an incredible delight to know we impact so many people by adding enjoyment to their lives.”

(l. to r.) Aly Richards ’22, Paul Berry ’19, Jesse Kauffman ’20, Charlie Besjak ’21, and Cindy McGuire ’07

Located near Clair Global in the Rock Lititz complex is TAIT Towers, which creates live entertainment experiences via a team of creative engineers, fabricators, producers, and technologists. LVC alumni also are making a difference in this aspect of the music industry. TAIT’s clients include Taylor Swift, NASA, and the Olympics.

Philip Mitchell ’10 became an asset manager at TAIT shortly after graduating from LVC with a degree in business administration. He served in a few roles at TAIT before joining the project management team as an associate project manager in 2014 and now serves as senior project manager.

“I recently celebrated my 12th anniversary at TAIT,” noted Mitchell. “It has been a wonderful experience that has taken me all over the globe working for some of our highest-profile clients, designers, producers, and production teams.”

Mitchell’s colleague Joe Jiorle ’02 is head of assets North America, where he oversees the tracking, storage, and maintenance of TAIT’s rental stock. Jiorle was inspired to enroll

at LVC as a music recording technology (MRT, now audio & music production) major by his high school band director, Michael McCauley ’76. “He was a key influence in my musical development and decision to pursue music and entertainment at LVC.” Jiorle participated in the Marching and Concert bands and Percussion Ensemble.

After graduation, Jiorle was a freelance sound mixer for festivals, concerts, and corporate meetings before joining Anderson Audio, owned and founded by Chris Anderson ’95, in 2007. There, Jiorle was the internship advisor for numerous LVC MRT students.

Jiorle has remained connected to his alma mater throughout his two-decade career, including with Dr. Barry Hill, director and professor of audio & music production, and Professor Jeff Snyder, director of music business and professor of music.

“I honestly never imagined I’d be as successful as I’ve been and have so many interesting opportunities,” said Jiorle. “I’ve traveled internationally, saw the entire U.S., and hung out with some wonderful people, all while seeing some killer shows.”

Perfect Matches

(l. to r.) Ryan Peugh ’17, Nathan Darrah ’19, Ryan Tiburtini ’07,

Both of the following companies clearly find their goals—and LVC’s—compatible. WebstaurantStore/Clark Associates and Eurofins Lancaster Labs Inc. each has at least 25 Valley alumni employed throughout their organizations.

When Emily Hewitt Smith ’10 joined WebstaurantStore as a Customer Solutions Specialist after receiving her degree in English literature, she thought the position would be a gateway job, and she would soon move on to another role at another company. Twelve years later, Smith is vice president of content and has hired several fellow alumni.

A Clark Associates Inc. affiliate company, WebstaurantStore, is an e-commerce site mindful of its purpose “to empower and equip people to run their businesses more profitably and efficiently.” Smith views LVC graduates as well suited to fulfilling this purpose. “It’s hard to believe we have more than 30 alumni between Clark and WebstaurantStore,” said Smith.

The LVC-Clark relationship is longstanding, with numerous alumni being hired over the years. WebstaurantStore annually offers two scholarships, a Foodservice and Hospitality Scholarship and a Diversity Scholarship. Clark Associates also regularly sponsor Pizza with Professionals events through the College’s Edward and Lynn Breen Center for Career and Professional Development.

(front, l. to r.) Braydon Shuck ’21, Emily Hewitt Smith ’10, Megan Barben ’13 (back, l. to r.) Daniel Upchurch ’16, Michael Rusonis ’16, T.J. Brillhart ’14, Sean Deffley ’11

Smith has conducted on-campus interviews and participated in mock interviews to help prepare students through the Breen Center. “LVC is fortunate to have a great team that is passionate about their work and eager to have potential employers visit campus.”

Heather Tran Smail ’14 joined Dr. Timothy Peelen’s [associate professor of chemistry] chemistry lab at LVC as a biochemistry & molecular biology major before she began her first semester. Through the College’s Research First program, she gained invaluable experience that ultimately led to internships at Stoner Inc. and Hershey Foods. Now, just over a decade later, Smail is a manager at Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories Inc., a global network of subsidiaries conducting food, environment, pharmaceutical and cosmetic product testing, discovery pharmacology, forensics, advanced material sciences, and more. She oversees multiple teams in the Biochemistry Method Establishment and Biologics Characterization Department.

Smail works with LVC alumni colleagues ranging across the company, from pharmaceutical raw testing material testing, product testing, molecular and cell biology, and small molecule method development to recruiting and design and construction management. And there’s a good reason Eurofins hires so many LVC alumni.

“In a word, they’re versatile,” said Elwood Brandt ’08, senior manager, talent engagement at Eurofins. “LVC graduates come with preparedness for any industry. Their ability to think creatively and take on any task, regardless of the size or scope, makes them marketable.”

Faculty—Teachers, Mentors, and Career Advisors

LVC’s faculty are historically known for going above and beyond to help their students, and former students, succeed. Here are just a few highlights among the many heard while writing this story.

“Professor Tami Barton [associate professor of accounting] pushed me to be the best student and accountant I could be,” said Colin Albright, CPA, ’18. “She uses tough love to help you succeed. Andrew Hildebrand, Esq., ’91, P’20, P’22, P’24, P’26 [associate professor of accounting], was another of my favorite professors. His passion for education, accounting, and taxes were captivating. I could sense that he loves what he teaches, so it made his classes enjoyable.”

“Professor Jeff Snyder [director of music business and professor of music] always encouraged me to think bigger and try harder regarding class projects and career aspirations,” said Jordan Senkbeil ’18. “Dr. Barry Hill [director and professor of audio & music production] taught me the ropes to audio since I knew little when I enrolled in his class my first year.”

“Dr. Chris Heffner [co-chair and associate professor of music and director of the Pride of The Valley] and Serena Heffner [adjunct instructor for music (voice)] inspired and challenged me,” said Casey Kelly ’20. “She advocated for me to get out of my comfort zone and push myself in vocal performance. Dr. Heffner enabled me to grow my leadership skills by becoming the color guard section leader for Pride of the Valley. I use these skills when I lead stagehands on tour and go to new places with unique challenges.”

“In terms of actuarial exam pass rates, student internships, and graduate job placement, Dr. Patrick Brewer [director of actuarial science and associate professor of mathematical sciences] and all the faculty in our Mathematics Department are to thank for our longstanding success in the actuarial field,” said Adam Petersen ’23.

Paying it Back

Adam Petersen ’23 and Travis Miller ’13

When Eric Woods, FSA, MAAA ’12 took a crucial actuarial science course with an adjunct while the late Dr. Bryan Hearsey, chair and professor emeritus of actuarial science, was on medical leave, he was ready to give up on his dream of becoming an actuary. “I had failed three actuarial exam attempts. Then Dr. Hearsey returned and let me sit in and retake the class. He taught me never to come to class unprepared, and he provided detailed feedback. Soon, I passed my first exam.”

Woods went on to spend two summers interning with Mercer, a global actuarial solutions company, at its Richmond, Va., location. He landed a full-time position after graduation and, a decade later, is principal, U.S. Actuarial and Financial Group at Mercer.

“I am forever grateful for the second chance Dr. Hearsey afforded me, and for Dr. Patrick Brewer [director of actuarial science and associate professor of mathematical sciences] for teaching me the skill of translating technical concepts into nontechnical terms. It’s been the single most valuable skill in my career,” said Woods.

(l. to r.) Eric Woods ’12, Monica Wasik ’18, Noah Baxter ’20, Matt Eshbach ’17

Woods enjoys “paying it back” to his alma mater, working with the Breen Center and attending the annual Actuarial Science Career Fair. Because of these efforts, he said he is lucky to call several Dutchmen his colleagues, including Travis Miller ’13, Matt Eschbach ’17, Monica Wasik ’18, and Noah Baxter ’20. “I remember speaking with a colleague from another office. When he asked where I went to school, I never expected to hear, ‘I did too!’” said Woods.

Current actuarial science major Adam Petersen ’23, one of the College’s distinguished Dr. John Bowman Allwein ’56 Scholars, is enjoying his final year at The Valley. He will be the next LVC alum to join Mercer next May after serving as a health consulting actuarial intern with the company this past summer.

“I attended the annual Actuarial Science Career Fair, which had representatives from dozens of companies in attendance to recruit LVC students specifically, including many with LVC alumni as representatives,” said Petersen. “It was a fantastic opportunity to create immediate career connections.

“Last fall, I spoke with Eric Woods and Monica Wasik. I was interviewed shortly after, received an offer, and worked closely with them during my summer internship. I am extremely grateful to have benefited from the LVC alumni network.”