Join WVU Communication Studies as we prepare for our annual Speed Networking 2013 event. The event, part of our #WVUCommHome festivities, invites students and alumni to network together to learn more about future careers in COMM.

1. WVU Communication Studies
Speed Networking Event
Homecoming 2013
Friday October 18, 2013
Gold Ballroom
Mountainlair
3pm

2. Meet our Alumni
On behalf of the West Virginia University Department of Communication
Studies, welcome to our second annual Speed Networking Event!
Students, it is our hope that you will utilize this opportunity to network
and gain information about the endless career possibilities available to
communication studies graduates. We have 16 alumni present to answer
real-life questions and concerns, all of whom come from varying career
paths. We hope you find this experience fun and informative.
You will be put into small groups and assigned to a table for a five to ten
minute Q&A session with alumni about future career paths. Like speed
dating, a bell will ring and you will rotate to another table to meet with
different alumni. Our alumni mentors have careers in event planning,
project management, business management, public relations, human
resources and more. You will have the opportunity to network and gain
information about the endless career possibilities available to
communication studies graduates.
Please meet our alumni volunteers! They are excited and ready to share their
advice and experiences with you.
Mark Carretta
Erinn Casazza
Melissa Ceo
Tara Curtis
Mary Donato
Betsy Ditrinco
Heather Fowler
Ted Greener
Nate James
Sean Loera
Kristy Martin
Jay Mason
Alannah Maxwell
Sherry McWatters
Tim Povenski
Justin Southern
Brittany Swope
Our Alumni Speed Networking
volunteers for Homecoming 2013 are:
Connecting People.
Creating Meaning.

3. Erinn Casazza (B.A. 2001, M.A. 2002)
Erin is a Program Recruiter for the West Virginia University Office of
Extending Learning. She recruits for the Masters in Legal Studies program,
Masters in Corporate and Organizational Communication program and
offsite Masters in Social Work program at WVU.
2013 Alumni Speed Networking volunteers
Melissa Ceo (B.A. 2010, M.A. 2012)
A recent graduate of the WVU Communication Studies MA program,
Melissa is the Advertising Manager for C.A. House Music. In her role,
Melissa writes and records radio commercials, works within the community
to promote events and sales, and plans many events throughout her
community. One of her favorite responsibilities at C.A. House Music is
organizing a weekly open mic night.
Mark Carretta (B.A. 2007)
Mark is an Account Executive for ePlus Technology. He is the recruitment
liaison with all hiring managers, VPs, and executives of ePlus. He is
responsible for the full life cycle recruitment of all facets of the company by
posting advertisements of open positions through the use of job boards,
internal referrals, and utilizing outside recruitment agencies as needed.
Tara Curtis (M.A. 2000)
Tara is the Director of Communications for WVU’s Alumni Association.
She oversees communication initiatives for WVU's largest constituency -
185,000 alumni worldwide. In this role, she is responsible for media
relations, print/electronic communication, social media and stakeholder
communications. Additionally, she assists in the development, planning
and implementation of on- and off-campus events for the Association.

4. 2013 Alumni Speed Networking volunteers
Betsy Ditrinco (B.A. 2008, M.A. 2012)
Betsy is the SEI Brand Manager for Socially Good Business. Betsy manages
the SGB brand and virtual image, manages client brands and assists in
communication organizational changes, and also manages national
conference schedule and physical brand image.
Heather Fowler (B.A. 2007)
Heather is a recruiter for TRAK. The TRAK Companies provide temporary
and direct-hire professional support staff to some of the most influential
organizations in the Washington, D.C. area. As a recruiter at TRAK she is
always seeking talented administrative professionals for current and future
positions!
Ted Greener (B.A. 2008)
Ted is an Account Executive for the DCI Group. Ted started at DCI in
June 2013. Prior to that he worked at Ogilvy Public Relations for a total of
two years. His primary function at Ogilvy and now at DCI is primarily
media strategy and relations. He also gets his clients in the news through
pitching stories and ghost writing.
Mary Donato (B.A. 2011)
Mary is currently a Communication Studies MA student at WVU,
graduating in 2014. Prior to entering the graduate program, Mary worked
as an Outreach Coordinator for Home Base Inc. Here she provided in-
home socially necessary services to families involved in Child Protective
Services and Youth Service cases.

5. 2013 Alumni Speed Networking volunteers
Nate James (B.A. 2011)
Nate is the Family Room Coordinator for the Ronald McDonald House
Charities, but has several responsibilities to his position such as operations
management, marketing and public speaking. He is in charge of the staffing
and scheduling of all employees in the Family Room.
Kristy Martin ( M.A. 2002)
Kristy is currently the Director of Research and Prospect Management at
the WVU Foundation. She has been with the Foundation since
2004. Kristy oversees prospect management for fundraisers at the
Foundation as well as the discovery and acquisition of new potential
donors. She also serves as the coordinator of Women of WVU, the
Foundation's women and philanthropy program.
Sean Loera (B.A. 2011)
Sean is an Assistant Media Buyer for The Midas Exchange. Sean works for
a global media agency where he assists in media negotiation for advertising
campaigns. He also acts as the communicative liaison between the client
and the television networks in which the advertisements will run.
Jay Mason (B.A. 2007)
Jay is the Program Coordinator for WVCTSI. The purpose of his position
is to manage the West Virginia Rural Health Research Center projects
within the WVU Institute for Health Policy Research and also to assist with
managing overall Center activities in support of the Principal
Investigator. He is responsible for monitoring the project life cycle
including planning, timelines, resources, communication documents, etc.

6. 2013 Alumni Speed Networking volunteers
Sherry McWatters (B.A. 1977)
Sherry currently works as a Regional Sales Manager for Toshiba America
Information Systems TSD. She manages 40 authorized Toshiba
Telecommunication dealers in 9 states. She is responsible for managing their
accounts with some of the following: contracts, quotas, training and
application sales assistance. She also is the team leader for her internal staff
where she coordinates their activities within her region
Tim Povenski (B.A. 2004, M.A. 2010)
Tim is currently a Strategic Management Analyst for WVU Health Sciences
Center Chancellor’s Office, Office of Institutional Planning. His position
offers training and facilitation for fast track planning, relating to strategic and
operational purposes, and project management lite methodology. Tim also
offers training and facilitation Project Management Central, a web based
project management software.
Alannah Maxwell (B.A. 2012)
Alannah is a product specialist for Russell Stover Company, where she is
responsible for the sale of seasonal products at all major grocery chains in
her territory. She works to ensure quality and proper representation of
these products. Alannah also helps with the purchasing and sale of novelty
items along with candy items to a variety of independent accounts.
Justin Southern (B.A. 1996, M.A. 2011)
Justin is currently the Communications Director for the West Virginia
State Auditor. His duties include planning and coordinating public events
for the State Auditor and the division directors who write, publish, and
distribute media advisories and press releases, and edit print and other
media for internal and external use. He directs a staff of three people who
are responsible for creating and producing electronic media for WVSAO.

7. Now that you know a little about each of out alumni, go get to
know them. Ask them questions and voice your concerns about
your future career paths. Don’t be shy! Remember, they were once
in your shoes. Each of our alumni are eagerly waiting to hear
your questions and share their wealth of knowledge, experience,
and wisdom.
We hope that you enjoy yourselves and we wish you the best in
your networking endeavors and your future career paths!
2013 Alumni Speed Networking volunteers
Now that you know us...
Connecting People.
Creating Meaning.
Brittany Swope (B.A. 2013)
Brittany is the Assistant Director of Development for WVU Eberly College
of Arts and Sciences Office of the Dean. She is responsible for developing
and executing engagement activities for alumni. She is currently working on
the Eberly Ideas discussion series, a Tailgate Tour with Dean Jones, and
various other events. She also manages a portfolio of donors to meet with to
discuss giving priorities in the college and encourage to donate a financial
gift.

8. Read about and
connect with these
#WVUCOMMAlum and
others at seelio, our
online social portfolio.
https://seelio.com/g/wvualumni
.com/wvucommstudies @WVUCommStudies
.com/WVUCommStudiesDept.com/CommStudiesWVU