Class Notes

By Kate Zenone

*Annual Alumni Association Member
**Lifetime Alumni Association Member

Alumni Accomplishments

Jennifer (Sidebottom) Fonseca (’95 ME) was named by the Florida Association of Colleges and Employers the 2024 Brownlee Leadership Award recipient in recognition of her contribution and support of the organization and to career services field.

Oliver Hale (’87, ’88) received the 2024 President Joseph R. Biden Lifetime Achievement Award for Volunteer Services during a press conference this past July. For the full story (originally published on Aug. 2, 2024 by WKTV.org) visit tol-edo.org/chefo.

Kayla Kirk (’17, ’17) launched a new business, Charmed Ceramics, located within Huron Street Studios in Downtown Toledo. Kirk spent the last three years at Detroit’s historic Pewabic Pottery working as a production potter and educator. Her new pottery studio introduces exciting new opportunities for the public to participate in hand-building and wheel-throwing workshops.

Adam Nightingale (’05 JD) was installed as 123rd President of the Toledo Bar Association (TBA). He was sworn in at the TBA’s Annual Meeting & Luncheon on June 4, 2024 by the Honorable Jack Zouhary and will serve a one-year term serving the organization’s more than 1,500 members. To view the full announcement visit the Eastman & Smith press release.

George Scherff (’69) was recently named as SIFCO Industries, Inc. chief executive officer, effective July 8, 2024. The supplier of products to the aerospace, energy and defense markets said that Scherff, “with decades of experience leading middle-market companies during periods of growth and transition, would succeed Peter Knapper in the position”.

Todd Schwede (’69, ’71) has released his book “Rockin the Boat” which chronicles some of the adventures accumulated over 40 years as a marine surveyor and investigator career.

Chett Siefring (’05, ’08 MSV) has been named a Fellow by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE). This honor was bestowed upon Siefring by NSPE President-Elect Brian Malm, PE, FNSPE, at NSPE-Ohio’s annual Awards Luncheon in June. The Fellow designation honors active NSPE members who have demonstrated exemplary and devoted service to their profession, the Society, and their community.

A member of the NSPE since 2009, Siefring is the current vice president of membership for NSPE-Ohio, president of NSPE-Ohio’s Northeast Chapter, and board secretary for the Engineers Foundation of Ohio (EFO). He is also a past president of NSPE-Ohio, NSPE-Ohio’s Toledo Regional Chapter, and EFO. Siefring is active on numerous NSPE-Ohio and EFO committees including Legislative and Government Affairs, Political Action Committee, Awards, Scholarship and Professional Education Committee. When Siefring was named NSPE-Ohio’s Uncommon Engineer in 2020, NSPE-Ohio Past President Devon Seal, MBA, PE, said, “Chett is our ‘go-to’ guy. Whatever is needed, he is up for the task.”

Siefring, who holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from The University of Toledo, is the director of engineering at Geo-Sci. Previously, he worked for Midwest Industrial Supply, Hull & Associates, TTL Associates & Terracon. He is licensed in Ohio and five other states. He resides in Medina, Ohio with his family.

Marie Thomas (’89) was promoted to editor at the Sentinel-Tribune newspaper in Bowling Green, Ohio. She started at the paper as a staff reporter and most recently was education editor before being announced as editor in Aug. 2023.

Nicholas Wittenberg (’07, ’07, ’11 JD) was recently appointed to serve on the 2024-2026 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Advisory Committee. The FOIA Advisory Committee’s goal is to foster dialogue between the executive branch and the requester community, solicit public comments and recommend improvements to FOIA administration and proactive disclosures.

To submit your own update, visit www.toledoalumni.org/news/submit-class-note.