2000s
2000s Alumni Profiles
Tim Darling ('00, Public Communication) is Communications Coordinator with the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League. Tim is responsible for the team's game notes and assists in writing and editing the team magazine and game programs. He also assists with updates of the Web site and media credentials. Tim previously worked in community and media relations with the Buffalo Sabres. Tim can be reached through the team Web site: www.nashvillepredators.com
Tara Colangelo Erwin ('00, Public Communication) is an account coordinator at Travers Collins & Company public relations-advertising agency in Buffalo. Her client list includes the Seneca Nation of Indians (she was on the team that managed the publicity for the opening of Seneca Niagara Casino in December 2003), Chapin, and the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority. She previously worked at the Buffalo District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers doing community relations for a federal program that cleans sites contaminated with low-level radioactive waste left over from the Manhattan Project. Tara is a member of the Public Relations Society of America and can be reached through TC&C's Web site at www.traverscollins.com
Mark Suida ('01, Public Communication) is Director of Campus Life at Jamestown Community College. where he is responsible for planning and implementing a comprehensive campus life plan for both the Jamestown and Dunkirk campuses. He also supervises student government as well as oversees campus club activities. Currently, Mark is completing his master's of science in the student personnel administration program at Buffalo State. He can be reached through the Jamestown Community College Web site, www.sunyjcc.edu.
Carl Burke ('02, Journalism) is copy editor at Statesville Record and Landmark at Statesville, N.C. where he previously worked as a reporter and feature writer. He also has worked as a feature writer with Norman LIFE serving Lincoln County, N.C. While at Buffalo State, he was a four-year staff member of The Record, serving as editor during his senior year. Carl can be reached at burkcw61@yahoo.com.
Jason Refermat ('02, Public Communication) is marketing manager with Osceola Heritage Park at Kissimmee, Fla., which among other things operates the largest rodeo east of the Mississippi. Jason can be reached at through the company's Web site: www.ohpark.com
Penny Kota ('03, Public Communication) is Advertising Coordinator at Seneca Gaming Corporation, which includes Seneca Niagara Casino and Seneca Allegany Casino (and eventually the casino at the Cheektowaga location). She is in charge of media insertions, human resources, slots, sponsorships, and the annual Thunder Falls Pow Wow and Rock the Falls music festival. She also coordinates newsletters and all public relations activities activities at the casinos. Previously Penny was Promotions Director at the Seneca Nation of Indians in Cattaraugus County. At Buffalo State, Penny was a member of the Public Relations Student Society of America chapter. Penny can be reached at penny_lane_7@hotmail.com.
Tara Redmond ('03, Public Communication) is Program and Development Coordinator with Stevens-Swan Humane Society of Utica. Her work involves public relations, fundraising, grant writing, event coordination, membership, and newsletters. While an undergraduate, Tara was president of the campus chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America. She currently is a member of both the Central New York and the Capital Region chapters of the Public Relations Society of America. Tara can be reached at prelations81@hotmail.com.
Krista Wierzbicki ('04, Public Communication) is Account Coordinator with McGrath/Power Public Relations and Communications in Santa Clara, CA. Her client list includes high-technology companies. While an undergraduate, Krista was special events coordinator of the campus chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America and was the outstanding graduate in her major. She interned at Travers Collins & Company and at Rich Products. Krista has be reached at klwierzbicki@hotmail.com.
Loni Blandford ('04, Broadcasting) is the noon producer at WNCT, the CBS affiliate in Greenville NC. Loni also is associate producer for Eyewitness news Nine Morning Edition. while at Buffalo State, she completed internships at both WIVB (CBS) and WKBW (ABC). Loni can be reached at lonibl@yahoo.com.