'24
Hunter Grand
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Lutgert College of Business
Hunter Grand (Finance) recently joined Capital Wealth Advisors, an independent financial advisory firm, as an associate trader. In this position, he provides essential support to the trading operations team through market research, reporting, data analysis and assisting with portfolio management. While at FGCU, he earned substantial experience through active participation in the student-managed investment fund. His contributions included stock screening, portfolio back-testing, fundamental research, financial statement modeling and company valuation assessments.
'22
McKenna Houston
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Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship
McKenna Houston (Interdisciplinary Entrepreneurship Studies) has completed the Orr Fellowship, a two-year early-career development program in Indiana. She also was the recipient of the organization's Career Award, given to a participant who has made career development a priority and made significant strides to grow as a professional.
'21
Jessica Carter Peer
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Marieb College of Health & Human Services
Adalynn Elise Peer was born on Feb. 14, 2022, at HealthPark Labor & Delivery to Jessica Carter Peer (Doctor of Physical Therapy) and Douglas Peer of Fort Myers. Jessica is the owner of Concierge Physiotherapy.
'21
Michael Briggs
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Lutgert College of Business
Michael Briggs (Marketing) has joined TechTronics Inc. as an event marketing specialist for the Ryobi lines at Home Depot.
'21
JoDee Lupacchino
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Lutgert College of Business
JoDee Lupacchino (Finance) has been promoted to logistics team manager at Allyn International Services Inc., a private company specializing in transportation management, logistics sourcing, supply chain consulting and tax and trade compliance management. She joined Allyn at their global headquarters in Fort Myers, Florida, in August 2021. In her new role, Lupacchino will oversee a Fort Myers logistics team and provide additional leadership support to another team supporting a large oil and gas client. She co-led Allyn's quarterly charity in 2024, where she set up events raising over $2,500 and over 500 personal care items for Abuse Counseling & Treatment Inc.
'20
Josh Ballin
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College of Arts & Sciences
Josh Ballin (Integrated Studies) recently began a new role as a premier sales associate in North Carolina for Prudential Financial. He will be participating in Prudential's inaugural Sales Training Excellence Program, which covers group insurance and financial wellness products and services, licensing exam support, consultative selling skills and financial underwriting concepts through hands-on coaching and 1-on-1 job shadowing with territory management.
'20
Connor Leonarczyk
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Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship
Connor Leonarczyk (Entrepreneurship) has launched his own business, Midnight Delights Cookies, delivering fresh, homemade cookies to FGCU residence halls and off-campus housing. "Since graduating in December 2020, I have moved into a commercial kitchen and continue spreading happiness through cookies by partnering with various sororities and clubs at FGCU for fundraising events. And on any given weekend, you can find our delicious cookies at local green market events like University Village."
'20
Kayla Reiter
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College of Arts & Sciences
Kayla Reiter (Psychology) is a business development representative primarily focusing on young adults for Aware Recovery Care Inc., a comprehensive, multi-state drug and alcohol addiction rehab program. She joined the company in September 2020.
'20
Laurel De Luca
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College of Arts & Sciences
Laurel De Luca (Journalism) has joined Soukup Strategic Solutions in Naples as fundraising, marketing and communications coordinator. In her new role, she will specialize in branding, social media and public relations. During her time at FGCU, De Luca served as a staff writer for Eagle News. Soukup Strategic Solutions has expanded with plans to serve more nonprofits nationwide.
'20
Joshua Ballin
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College of Arts & Sciences
Joshua Ballin (Integrated Studies) has promoted senior sales executive at Prudential Financial and will be relocating to Tampa.
'20
Shannon Williamson
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College of Arts & Sciences
Shannon Williamson (Communication) recently earned her professional public relations accreditation (APR) from the Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA). As media specialist at LCEC, a not-for-profit electric cooperative in Southwest Florida, Williamson is responsible for leading events, managing social media, supporting projects, media relations, strategic campaigns and contributing to newsletters. Since joining FPRA in 2020, she has served as board secretary for two years and as event chair for the chapter’s annual Local Image event, where she won the 2023 Rising Star Award.
'20
Gabriela Rivas
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College of Arts & Sciences
Gabriela Rivas (Communication) has been promoted to account manager at Wilson Creative Group, a full-service advertising and marketing agency in Naples. Rivas joined the company in June 2021 after earning a master’s degree in media and communication studies from Florida State University, where she served as a graduate teaching assistant in FSU’s College of Communication, taught a public speaking course and provided writing workshops and mentorship for first-year college students. At FGCU, she worked as a continuous improvement initiative intern for the Office of the Ombuds.
'19
Jordan Davis
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Lutgert College of Business
Jordan Davis (Resort & Hospitality Management) has received a master of science in management from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign’s business school. She is the sustainability manager for Loyola University Chicago Dining Services.
'19
Coral Huffman
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College of Education
Coral Huffman (M.Ed., Educational Leadership) and Myron Huffman ('13, Management) welcomed Marlie Jolene to their family on July 13, 2021 at 5:29 a.m. Marlie was 7 lbs., 8 oz. and has two older brothers at home. Coral is a current board member of the FGCU Alumni Association and works for the Lee County School District as a learning and leadership teacher.
'19
Connor Firmender
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Lutgert College of Business
Connor Firmender (Interdisciplinary Entrepreneur Studies) was honored as a young leader in Gulfshore Business’ 40 Under 40 awards. Individuals are chosen for their professional achievements, volunteerism and contributions to the region’s economic, charitable and civic well-being. He is the co-founder and CEO of Fieldr, a web-based software company delivering career opportunities to students and connecting their talent to employers.
'19
Thor Parrish
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Lutgert College of Business
Jennifer Hayes (Communication) and Thor Parrish (Professional Golf Management) were married Dec. 20, 2020. He was the Lutgert College of Business student of the year, and she was FGCU's 2019 Homecoming Queen.
'19
Jennifer Hayes Parrish
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College of Arts & Sciences
Jennifer Hayes (Communication) and Thor Parrish (Professional Golf Management), who met at FGCU, were married Dec. 20, 2020. He was the Lutgert College of Business student of the year, and she was FGCU's 2019 Homecoming Queen. She is a multimedia specialist with B-Squared Advertising in Naples.
'19
Kaitlin Danks
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College of Arts & Sciences
Kaitlin Danks (Environmental Studies) was named the new business and economic development specialist for the City of Fort Myers Economic Development Office in December 2024. With a focus on business attraction and retention, job creation, capital investment,and innovative partnerships, Danks is at the forefront of the city's economic growth. She is passionate about supporting local businesses, fostering collaboration between public and private sectors and creating meaningful connections that fuel community development. Her commitment to her community extends beyond her professional role she serves as secretary for the board of trustees at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium and is an active member of the FGCU Alumni Association Fort Myers Chapter.
'19
Amanda Rose
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College of Education
Amanda Rose, (Doctorate, Education), was honored with a 2019 Lee County Golden Apple Award. She is a 10th- and 11th-grade English teacher at Dunbar High School in Fort Myers.
'19
Blake Sylvester
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Whitaker College of Engineering
Blake Sylvester, (Civil Engineering), has accepted the position of restoration engineer at Walker Consultants in Tampa.