“Other” Class Notes

Christopher Kniesler (Col ’78 CM) was recently appointed communications specialist for the New Jersey Health Care Facilities Financing Authority, which issues tax-exempt and low-interest bonds for hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, visiting nurse associations and blood banks. The bonds are used for hospital acquisitions, building expansions and equipment purchases.

Donald Wright (Law ’76 CM) was elected by his peers for inclusion in the 2015 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s annual list of “Best Lawyers.” An attorney with Rogers Towers in Jacksonville, Fla., Mr. Wright was recognized for his expertise in trusts and estates.

Eston Melton (Col ’76 CM) has been elected secretary of the first national board of directors of Scouts for Equality, the nonprofit organization that spearheaded the successful effort to allow openly gay youth to be members of the Boy Scouts of America. The organization is currently leading the campaign to end the Boy Scouts of America’s ban against adult volunteers who are openly not heterosexual. Mr. Melton, former chief political writer for the Miami Herald, is chairman of Global Projects Inc., a Miami-based political consulting and lobbying firm.

John Eversole (Engr ’74 CM) formed Eversole & Associates, a firm specializing in all aspects of aviation law and products liability, maritime and professional negligence litigation. He was recently reappointed to the Aviation Law Committee of the Florida Bar and is board certified in both civil trial law and aviation law.

Oscar Carr (Col ’73) was recently appointed a judge in Tennessee’s Shelby County Chancery Court by Gov. Bill Haslam. Mr. Carr has been an attorney with Glankler Brown since 1976, with a practice in litigation and an emphasis on business, construction, environmental and other civil matters.

Gerald Barnes (Col ’73 CM) wrote Unde Venisti, a historical novel that connects 21st-century America to first century Rome through the book’s central characters and political themes.

Eugene Facey (Engr ’70 CM) received the 2014 Exemplary Service Award from the International Association of Drilling Contractors in recognition of his work on the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee, and for his contributions to the drilling industry and the IADC. Mr. Facey has served on the NOSAC since 2003, serving as chair from 2008 until 2014. He retired from Ensco plc, a global provider of offshore drilling services to the petroleum industry, in 2003. Since retiring, Mr. Facey has spent his time volunteering in local and federal government positions, for charities, and as an elementary school mentor. When he’s not traveling, he and his wife, Dianna, reside at their ranch in central Texas.

Richard DeScherer (Col ’66 CM) and his wife, Jennie, received the 2014 Distinguished Community Service Award from the United Hospital Fund, which recognizes volunteer leadership that improves health care in New York City. They were honored for their outstanding leadership of the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation and the Lupus Research Institute. The DeScherers are founding members of the Lupus Research Institute, and Mr. DeScherer serves as president of the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation’s board.

Lyle Smith (Educ ’67) received an honorary associate degree of humane letters from Germanna Community College at the school’s commencement ceremony on May 14, 2014, in recognition of his significant contributions to the progress and development of the college. He served for a decade as a member of the school’s local college board. Mr. Smith is a retired teacher and elementary school principal.

Kraig Cummings (Com ’65) retired in 2005 as president and chief executive officer of CCI Financial Consultants, where he had worked for 20 years. Since retiring, he and his wife have been traveling internationally, volunteering and spending time with their grandchildren.

Alan Perzley (Col ’77 CM) was selected by his peers for inclusion in the 2015 edition of Best Lawyers of America in the practice area of real estate. He is a partner in the firm of Garfunkel Wild in Hackensack, New Jersey, where he represents hospitals, long-term care facilities and other health care providers in real estate acquisitions, sales, commercial leasing and financial transactions.

Dana Dunn (Grad ’84, Grad ’87 CM) recently published The Social Psychology of Disability with Oxford University Press. Mr. Dunn is a professor of psychology and assistant dean for special projects at Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Allison’s first collection of poetry, Write Home, will be published in January 2015! The chapbook is being released by Finishing Line Press and includes blurbs by UVA poetry professors Lisa Russ Spaar and Paul Guest. Pre-order until November 28th, 2014!

James Carlson (SEAS ’03 ) and his wife, Laura, welcomed their second child, a son, Robins Bennett, on Sept. 10, 2014. The family resides in Mount Pleasant, SC.

R. Austin Hicklin (Col ’86) was named by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology and Department of Justice to the Forensic Science Standards Board, which provides oversight in the development of standards of practice for 24 forensic science disciplines across the U.S.; he serves as the Chair of the Scientific Area Committee for Physics and Pattern Evidence. Mr. Hicklin is a Fellow at Noblis, where he has been employed since 1995.