Alumni Accomplishments

James Bessette ’73, of Malone, N.Y., is a recipient of the New York State Bar Association Award for Attorney Professionalism. He is a partner in the Malone firm Fischer, Bessette, Muldowney & Hunter LLP.  The award is given annually to an attorney "who demonstrates professionalism through dedication to service to clients and a commitment to promoting respect for the legal system in pursuit of justice and the public good, characterized by exemplary ethical conduct, confidence, good judgment, integrity and civility."

Donna Borgus ’85 is the new assistant director of alumni relations at Nazareth College. Borgus majored in psychology and was most recently the associate director of annual giving at Heritage Christian Services in Rochester. Other previous positions include major gifts officer at Hobart and William Smith Colleges and manager of planned giving at the United Way of Greater Rochester.

Dana Capozzella ’87 formerly assistant adjutant general and commander of the Colorado Army National Guard, was promoted to brigadier general on October 17, 2010, at the Colorado National Guard Joint Force Headquarters.  Dana assumed command of the Colorado Army National Guard in October 2009. She supports the adjutant general as the primary advisor on all Army National Guard matters and also serves as the commander of the Colorado National Guard, responsible for the readiness, training and deployment of 4000+ soldiers.

Employment Law Alliance founder and CEO Stephen J. Hirschfeld ’79 was honored in March with the 2011 Legal Marketing Association [San Francisco] Bay Area Chapter’s Rella Lossy Award.  Given each year to a practicing attorney, the award celebrates career-long support for and achievement in legal marketing.

Trustee Jay Ireland ’77, a 31-year General Electric veteran, has been named president and CEO of GE Africa. Since 2007, Ireland, 56, had led GE Asset Management, a global investment firm. Prior to that, he was president of NBC Universal Television Stations and Network Operations. Previously, Ireland served as chief financial officer of GE Plastics, a business the company sold in 2007. According to a company announcement, he will relocate to Nairobi, Kenya.

Connecticut Master Gardener Bob Lyle ’58, left, of Simsbury, was honored last fall for giving 100 hours of volunteer service to Foodshare, whose mission is to end hunger in Greater Hartford, Conn.  In recognition of his contributions, the president and CEO of Foodshare, Gloria McAdam '79, presented him with a Foodshare polo shirt.

Kristen H. Martin ’91 has been promoted to senior vice president with the Utica Mutual Insurance Company, in New Hartford, N.Y.  Kristen joined Utica National in 2001.  After graduating from St. Lawrence, she received her juris doctorate from Albany Law School.  Kristen, who lives in Clinton, N.Y., with her husband and two sons, has been active with the local United Way, has served on the Parent Teacher Association of the Clinton Central School District and is a regional commissioner for the American Youth Soccer Organization as well an indoor and outdoor soccer coach.

Rick McGuire ’69, former head coach of men's and women's track and field at the University of Missouri, has achieved the distinguished honor of induction as a Fellow of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), the international professional organization of sport and exercise psychology. Chosen for his significant contributions to academic and professional practice knowledge in sport and exercise psychology, Prof. McGuire is director of sport psychology at the University of Missouri department of intercollegiate athletics, and is a graduate professor of sport psychology in the College of Education.

Alan J. Pierce ’81 has been selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America for 2011. A partner at Hancock & Estabrook, LLP, he concentrates his practice in the areas of appellate practice, insurance coverage, defamation and civil and commercial litigation. He is a 1984 graduate of Syracuse University College of Law.