Alumni Association Staff
Thomas C. Tillar, Jr. |
Thomas C. Tillar, Jr. joined the University staff in 1971 and currently serves as Vice President for Alumni Relations (since 1996). Prior to that, he served as director of alumni relations. His responsibilities include overseeing the mission and goals of alumni programs for nearly 200,000 living alumni of the university and serving as secretary-treasurer of the Alumni Association. Other duties involve coordinating the committees and activities of the Alumni Board of Directors, guiding strategic planning and budgeting of alumni programs and services, overseeing the professional and support staff and shaping communications programs that promote alumni programs and general support of the university. In addition to directing alumni programs, Tom previously headed annual fundraising activities and corporate/foundation support for the university. He is a 1969 graduate of the Biology department and holds masters and doctoral degrees from the College of Human Resources and Education and College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. He is certified as a fundraising executive by the National Society of Fund Raising Executives, and is a member of two professional organizations, CASE and CAAE, serving in leadership roles in both. |
Sam Albimino |
For several years Sam has been with the university in the area of University Development, responsible for corporate and foundation support - most recently within the Pamplin College of Business. He holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees from the university, and brings a variety of valuable management and organizational experience from his roles in Development and his prior corporate positions before joining Virginia Tech. Sam is responsible for providing leadership to all of our constituency and reunion programming, royalty programs, records and technology programs and management of the physical facilities of our Alumni Center. He and his wife, Anne Collins Albimino (also an alum), have twin daughters and are active in a variety of ways within our community. |
Carolyn Bain |
Carolyn joined the Alumni Association team in September 2006 as Assistant Director of Alumni Relations for Virginia Tech's College of Engineering. Carolyn's responsibilities include planning, coordinating and executing events for the College of Engineering and assisting with Alumni Relation events including reunions and other alumni programs. Prior to coming to Alumni Relations, Carolyn was a Development Associate for the College of Engineering. A 1996 graduate of High Point University, Carolyn received her Bachelor of Science degree in I/O Psychology as an adult student. She has worked in higher education since 1989 at Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia where she was the Director of the Associates Program and High Point University in North Carolina. |
Carol Beasley |
Carol Beasley, Executive Assistant for the Corps of Cadets Alumni Programs, retired as an E-9 after twenty years in the Navy and Naval Reserves. As an outdoor enthusiast, she holds a Bachelor of Recreation degree from Mars Hill College and an Associate of Arts degree in Photography from Chowan College. She joined the Corps' staff in August 2003 after holding an administrative and web design position at the Virginia Tech Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. Her responsibilities include programming alumni events, developing and maintaining the Corps alumni website and database, and providing customer service and communication between alumni. She recently received an Office Software Skills Training Program Certificate for the completion of nine classes. |
John Borman |
John joined the Alumni Association in June 2005. He has a BA in History and an MA in Library Science from Rosary College, and has worked in the printing and copying business for over 20 years. He lives in Christiansburg with wife Peggy, son Bubba, several dogs, and various cats. In his spare time, he enjoys volunteering at the Lyric Theatre, playing music, and fixing and riding motorcycles. |
Laurie Brogdon |
Laurie joined the Alumni Association in August 2008. In her new position, as the Director of Multicultural Alumni Programs, her duties include cultivating relationships by engaging alumni and students through outreach, events, activities, reunions, and recruitment with an emphasis on multicultural constituencies. She graduated in 2004 with a BA in Communication from Virginia Tech, with a concentration in public relations and event planning. She continued her family legacy and is the third Virginia Tech graduate in her family. During her four years at Tech, she served in many capacities as resident advisor, president of several student organizations, public relations manager for the Collegiate Times, and was an event planner for UUSA. Upon graduation Laurie joined WDBJ 7, a CBS affiliate in Roanoke, Virginia, as a Production Assistant. She continued working in her field when she joined the Roanoke Times as an Advertising Consultant. Most recently, Laurie worked as a Community Relations Manager for Barnes and Noble in Washington D.C. Laurie loves to spend time with her family and her interests include sports, music, and fashion. |
Jebbie Crowe |
Jebbie joined the Alumni Association as Lynn Young’s assistant at the VMRCVM from May, 2001 through March, 2005. She left to become office manager for Dr. Ellen Rabun at Family Care of Blacksburg. Since Dr. Rabun sold the practice to HCA, Jebbie returned to the Alumni Association in August, 2007. Her responsibilities include working with chapters and assisting in organizing events. Jebbie, a native of Newport News, attended Radford University. She and her husband, Mike, moved from Mystic, CT to Blacksburg in 1996. She is a widow with three sons (living in Blacksburg-VT ‘00, Charlotte and Newport News), three daughters (living in Charlotte, Jacksonville, FL and Ashburn, VA) and five grandchildren. Her youngest son and his wife, a veterinarian, own a mobile equine veterinary clinic, Cedar Run Equine. They live next door to Jebbie, and she babysits when not working at Virginia Tech. Jebbie is an active member of Christ Episcopal Church and she enjoys Tech sports, traveling, knitting, reading, cooking and gardening. |
Sharon Croy |
Sharon Croy's responsibilities include updating alumni biographical information, coordinating the sending of e-mail publications to alumni, as well as answering questions and solving problems regarding the Alumni Gateway on the Alumni Association web site. She has been employed at Virginia Tech since 1989 and has worked in alumni relations since 1998. Sharon resides in Christiansburg with her husband, John, and daughter Kayla. |
Deborah A. Day |
Debbie established the first satellite office for the Alumni Association in Northern Virginia in 1987. She joined the Blacksburg office in 1993 and currently serves as Associate Vice President. While overseeing the chapter program, established alumni chapters and clubs have grown to over 115 nationwide, an increase of approximately 85%. Local chapter scholarships have reached $150,000 doubling the amount of money chapters provide to incoming students. Debbie also oversees our Student Programs including the Student Alumni Associates and Class System and our Printing and Publications areas. She coordinates several reunion and constituency programs, including our Hokie Sweethearts Weekend, A Day in the Life of Undergraduate Admissions and the upcoming Virginia Vintner’s Table wine weekend. She represents the Alumni Association on various university committees and assisted the university during the April 16 tragedy by working with the family liaisons assigned to each family and the memorial dedication committee. She remains committed to the development of students. In addition to working with SAA and Class Officers she teaches a leadership class in the Residential Leadership Community annually and serves as Alumnae Advisor Council Chair or Pi Beta Phi fraternity. She received a BA in Communications Studies in 1984 and an M.S. in Adult and Continuing Education in 1993 both from Virginia Tech. Debbie resides in Blacksburg with her three children and her husband J.S. |
Karen Denny |
Karen Denny's responsibilities include processing accounts payable and receivables, gathering travel information and processing travel reimbursements, reconciling funds and special program accounts, processing hourly payroll, and staff leave. She has worked for Virginia Tech since 1985, joining the Alumni Association in July 1995. Karen lives in Christiansburg with her husband and son. |
Greg Fansler |
Greg joined the Alumni Association in August of 2007. He is a 2002 graduate of Virginia Tech and received a Bachelor of Science in Management and Finance with a Financial Risk concentration. His responsibilities within the Alumni Association will be serving as liaison to the local alumni chapters within the Southeast and California. Using his past corporate experiences as financial director and business development coordinator; he will be responsible for the royalty programs to expand fundraising for the Alumni Association. He has served as a volunteer for the Richmond and Atlanta alumni chapters. He currently resides in Blacksburg and is a member of a proud Hokie family; both immediate and extended. His hobbies consist of training for triathlons and music. |
Shirley Fleet |
Shirley Fleet joined the Alumni Association in May of 2004. Her responsibilities include correspondence, scheduling meetings, maintaining the calendar for the Vice President of the Alumni Association, maintaining files, compiling class notes section for the VT Magazine, and sending letters to alumni who submit the information. Other duties include handling class ring requests, coordinating the invitation of alums to represent Virginia Tech President, and ordering academic apparel for such occasions. Shirley has worked for over 15 years in the role of Executive Secretary beginning with real estate to a consulting engineering firm. She has been married to a Blacksburg native for over 30 years and they have one daughter and son-in-law who also reside in Blacksburg. She and her husband are active members of Gateway Baptist Church and hold teaching/secretarial positions. Her hobbies include bowling, walking, sewing, singing, traveling, crafts, and spending time with her family. |
Patricia Bartos Foutz |
In her role as alumni chapter coordinator, Patricia Bartos Foutz serves the alumni chapters in Southwest Virginia, the State of Tennessee and parts of Kentucky and West Virginia. She also serves as a reunion liaison. Patty received her BS in Mathematics from The Ohio State University (OSU). She attended OSU graduate school in Mathematics and in Mathematical Statistics and earned an M.S. In Mathematical Statistics. She completed all but her dissertation for a Ph.D. in Mathematical Statistics. In 1976 after a brief career in state government and banking, she came to Virginia Tech as a faculty member in the Department of Computer Science and in 1981 served as the Assistant Department Head in Computer Science. In 1988 she became the Director of VT's Cooperative Education Program. In 1995 she returned to teaching as a faculty member in VT's Department of Statistics. In 1997 she assumed the Director position of VT's Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center (SWVHEC) Extended Campus in Abingdon and began her affiliation with the Alumni Association. She took early retirement in January, 2003. She continues her professional career as a part time professional faculty member for the Alumni Association. |
Bonnie Gilbert |
Bonnie received a Bachelor degree from Bluefield College in Organizational Management in 1996 and an M.A. in Family & Child Development from Virginia Tech in 2000. She has worked with Virginia Tech in various capacities serving in academic and career advising positions with the Department of Hospitality & Tourism Management, Communications, University Academic Advising Center and Building Construction. Bonnie is originally from Craig County and presently resides in Newport with her three children. |
Ruth Graves |
Ruth Graves has worked for the Alumni Association for more than 30 years. Her responsibilities include updating biographical information for alumni. She also submits files and rosters to other departments and student organizations on campus and is involved with the mailings that the Alumni Office sends. Ruth graduated from Blacksburg High School in 1962. She has a son and daughter and four grandsons. |
Carol Green |
Carol Green graduated from New River Community College in 1990 with an A.A.S. In Office Systems Technology and previously worked 11 years in marketing and customer service for a computer software company in Blacksburg. She has been with the Alumni staff since January 2001. Her responsibilities include recording and acknowledging alumni reunion registrations, processing payments, recording biographical updates and serving as a liaison with area hotels for event lodging. When Carol is not at work, she is active in her church and local junior woman's club. |
Lea Hamblin |
Lea joined the Alumni Association in January of 2008. She has worked for the university for several years coming from The Virginia Bioinformatics Institute at Virginia Tech. Although bioinformatics and genomics research is vastly different from alumni relations, she gained valuable experience in education and outreach while at the institute, which has proven to be extremely beneficial in working with special events. Her current role as Special Events Planner involves coordination and preparation for various events such as the Old Guard Reunion, A Day in the Life of College Admissions and Summer Around the Drillfield. When Lea and her husband are not chasing their children and hauling them from games, practices, and/or camps; Lea enjoys working out, coaching basketball, crafts and reading. |
Gwen Harrington |
Gwen Harrington joined the Alumni Association in November of 2007. As an undergraduate at Virginia Tech she received a bachelor of science in psychology and is currently pursuing a master’s in Information Technology. Gwen has worked at Virginia Tech for several years, formerly with Multicultural Programs and Services. Her responsibilities with the Alumni Association include coordinating young alumni programs and reunions, senior transition programs, and creating and managing an alumni networking system. Gwen works as the advisor to the student group "Students Today Alumni Tomorrow". She also manages the Alumni Association’s Travel Program and a variety of other Alumni programs. Gwen’s interests include travel, music, darts, photography and web design. |
Jack Hutcheson |
As a third-generation alumnus and fourth-generation employee, Jack Hutcheson serves as Associate Director in charge of alumni chapters throughout the North Atlantic states. His previous work for Arthur Andersen & Co., E. F. Hutton, and as General Partner of his own firm, includes over 20 years of extensive management and administrative expertise. Since moving to Northern Virginia in 1980, Jack has been a leader in local volunteer organizations. He has held leadership positions in the Alexandria YMCA, Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, and Christ Church of Alexandria. He was a founding member of the Capital-area Alumni Association of a large national fraternity. His professional memberships include Beta Gamma Sigma, National Business Honor Fraternity, and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. Forbears and contemporaries graduating from Virginia Tech include Jack's grandfather, class of '07; father and mother, classes of '44 and '48, respectively, and various relatives. Four generations of Virginia Tech employees began with his great-grandfather, who joined the faculty in 1896, continuing through his grandfather, who held several positions including President from 1945-47, through his grandfather's nephew, and on, to Jack and his generation. |
Robin Jackson |
Robin Jackson's responsibilities include planning and coordinating events for the College of Science. She is also responsible for assisting with Alumni Relations events including reunions and other special programs. A native of North Carolina, she received her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in Education and a Masters of Art in Liberal Studies from East Tennessee State University. Before her career in higher education, Robin spent over twenty years in the corporate arena working in the financial and insurance industry. Prior to coming to Virginia Tech, she was the Program Coordinator for Personal Development in East Tennessee State University's Continuing Studies program and the Assistant Director of Continuing Education at Radford University. |
Cathy Lally |
Cathy Lally has been with the Alumni staff since 1992. Her responsibilities as the Assistant to the Vice President include coordinating meetings and communications for the Alumni Board of Directors, coordinating all aspects of alumni awards, and student scholarships. Cathy also coordinates, plans and assists with class reunions and serves as the liaison for the New River Valley Alumni Chapter. She serves as a member of the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC) Steering Committee. |
Betty Lee |
Betty Lee's duties in the Virginia Tech Richmond office include oversight of alumni chapters throughout Virginia….Eastern Shore to Roanoke (east to west) Fredericksburg to Southside/Danville (north to south) and Texas chapters: Austin/San Antonio, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Houston. She is currently the liaison to 29 chapters. She works with the Legislative Advocacy Committee in planning Hokie Day at the General Assembly. She served as chair of America's Promise in Roanoke and is currently Board Chairman of Virginia Amateur Sports (VAS is the organizer and presenter of Commonwealth Games of Virginia.) Betty holds three degrees from Virginia Tech: M.A., CAGS and Ph.D. Prior to joining the Alumni staff, she was the principal of Patrick Henry High School. Betty joined the staff in July 2000. |
Jamie Lucero |
Jamie joined the Alumni staff in January 2006. She provides leadership for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ (CALS) Alumni events, projects, and the CALS Alumni Organization. Some of her key responsibilities are coordinating and planning College Homecoming and regional events, serving as an advisor to the CALS Student Ambassador Organization, assisting the CALS Alumni Organization in carrying out their plan of work including board meetings, monthly Executive board conference calls, and other committee meetings, and collaborating with the University Alumni Relations Office to position the CALS Alumni Organization as an integral part of University alumni functions and activities. A native of Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, she received her B.S. and M.S. degrees in Animal Science from Central Missouri State University and Kansas State University, respectively. Previously, Jamie was employed as a Research Associate by Revivicor, Inc., a biotechnology company in the VT Corporate Research Center, and then moved to the VT Economics Department to serve as the Graduate Program Administrator. Jamie enjoys spending time with her husband, Warren, and daughter, Emma, and serving on the Board of Directors of the New River Valley Friends of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra. |
Vijayalakshmi "Vijay" Mallikarjunan |
Vijaya Mallikarjunan works with the Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations to execute appropriate application of information technology to Alumni Association program areas and business processes. In her role as Technical Services Manager, she provides network and server administration, user support and web application development. She is also the primary liaison for the Alumni Association with campus information systems service providers and external information technology vendors. Vijaya Mallikarjunan earned her Master degree in Instructional Technology from Virginia Tech and B.S in Information Systems from Mercer University. Vijaya, an Information Systems Professional, has more than 10 years of experience in programming, systems analysis and system administration and proficient in developing active, dynamic web based applications, database connectivity and network administration. Prior to joining the Alumni Association, Vijaya has worked for several departments at Virginia Tech (EHSS, CEUT, and ISC). She resides in Blacksburg with her husband and three children. At home, she enjoys cooking, gardening and spending quality time with her kids. |
Richard "Rock" Roszak |
Rock Roszak graduated from Virginia Tech in 1971 and spent 27 years on active duty with the United States Air Force. His final assignment was as commander of the Virginia Tech Air Force ROTC detachment. After retirement from the Air Force, he was a Deputy Commandant of Cadets in the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets for three years before assuming his current alumni position. As Associate Director, Rock coordinates all alumni activities associated with the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, manages all Corps alumni scholarship programs, determines and coordinates the annual alumni awards to the cadet regiment, helps maintain the Corps of Cadets Alumni website, and is the editor of the Corps Review VTCC alumni magazine, which is published three times a year. |
Jessica Roudabush |
Jessica graduated in 2005 from Radford University, where she majored in Graphic Design and minored in Media Studies. Upon graduating, Jessica worked as the Marketing Director for Coldwell Banker Townside, Realtors, and provided advertising and marketing services to over 80 real estate agents in the Blacksburg, Roanoke and Radford offices. She has freelanced for area businesses and organizations and is always looking for opportunities to expand her design portfolio and skill sets. In her free time she enjoys many outdoor activities including hiking, biking, four-wheeling and playing sports. She is a member of the Blacksburg Adult Soccer Club and also enjoys reading, playing video games, watching sports and meeting new people. She has been with the Alumni Association since June 2007 and assists in the designing, editing, and layout of Alumni Association publications for print, e-mail, and web. |
Laura Snelgrove |
Laura joined the alumni family in January 2005. She and her family moved to Blacksburg in August 2002 so her husband, Clark, could help design curriculum and outfit the labs in the new Physics building at Virginia Tech. They moved here from Salt Lake City, Utah where they have lived since graduating from Brigham Young University in 1985. Laura and Clark met while attending Ballroom Dance classes at Brigham Young University and have been dancing ever since. After graduating from BYU in 1985 with a BS in Elementary Education, Laura taught 6th Grade until she became a full-time mom. The Snelgroves have six boys who are currently ages 7, 9, 13, 15, 19, and 21 years old. Working as the receptionist at the Alumni Association has been a fun change of pace, though sometimes it can be as busy as being at home with six boys! Laura is active in the women's organization of the local LDS Church. She loves to cook, machine quilt, garden and dance. Though she is a True-Blue Cougar through and through, she is also a proud Hokie Mom! |
Vaughan Twigger |
Vaughan Twigger has been a part of the Alumni staff since January 2006. Some of his responsibilities include preparing and sending out the Virginia Tech Alumni bulk mail, Pick ups/deliveries, building maintenance, answering phone calls, and opening/closing procedures of the building. Vaughan is originally from Leicestershire, England where he played for a professional soccer (football as he calls it) team. He is now a permanent resident of the United States and has lived in Blacksburg, Virginia since July 1999. Asides from working for the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, Vaughan is also a professional bodybuilder and personal trainer. |
Melissa Vidmar |
Melissa Vidmar oversees the Communications area to include public relations, print, e-mail, and web; creates and edits the Travel magazine and provides content management for the Alumni Association section of the VT magazine; supervises communications and printing staff; supports other alumni programs (i.e. reunions, special programs,chapter events), heads the Public Relations Committee, and coordinates the Virginia Tech Alumni Association Open House and presence at other campus events to include GobblerFest, July New Student Orientation, etc. Melissa has over 14 years experience in public relations, marketing, and publications. Her educational background is in computer science and marketing. She began work for the Alumni Office in January 2004. Melissa, her husband Greg, and their pugs Rio and Muffin live in Blacksburg and enjoy traveling and watching Hokie football! |
Laura Wedin |
Laura earned her Master of Fine Arts degree (Theatre Arts) from Virginia Tech in 1984 and joined the Alumni staff in 1994. As Student Programs Director, she serves as advisor to Class Programs which includes the Ring Design/Premiere/Dance events, and the Student Alumni Associates (SAA), a student group that supports Alumni Association and university events. Laura enjoys the rich history of Virginia Tech, especially the Class ring tradition. She is a long-time volunteer for Historic Smithfield and enjoys hiking and backpacking the trails of southwest Virginia. A Native Texan, she has resided in Blacksburg since 1982 and has two sons - the oldest is an '08 Hokie! |
Kellie Wells |
Kellie joined the Alumni Association team in August 2004 as the Assistant Director of Alumni Relations for the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. Her responsibilities include planning and coordinating various events including hospitality tents at athletic events, college Homecoming and departmental reunions, Alumni Committee meetings, alumni open houses, and regional events. She is also responsible for assisting with Alumni Relations programs including class reunions and other special programs. Prior to coming to Tech she worked as a development officer for Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory, North Carolina. Although not a graduate of Tech, she was born and raised in Salem, VA as a Hokie fan tried and true! |
Jan Wilson |
Jan Wilson comes to Virginia Tech from her hometown of Lexington, North Carolina, where she had her own consulting business specializing in event management and planning. She has lived in Colorado, California, Idaho, Utah, Northern Virginia and Northern Italy before moving to Blacksburg in April of 2006 to serve as the Assistant Director of Alumni Relations for the College of Architecture and Urban Studies. Jan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNC-G). While at UNC-G, she also completed graduate courses in Adapted Physical Education. In 1994, she earned an Associate of Occupational Studies degree in Culinary Arts from the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco. Jan previously worked for Jefferson-Pilot Life Insurance Company, Disabled Sports USA, The United States Olympic Committee, The Center for Culinary Development and the Salt Lake and Torino Organizing Committees for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. She also owned and operated two fine art galleries in Sun Valley, Idaho, is a trained and certified appraiser of fine art, and occasionally caters selected private parties and special events. Jan loves swimming, equestrian dressage, rowing, alpine skiing, visual arts, culinary arts, music and reading. |
Lynn Young |
Lynn Young is the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine’s Director of Alumni Relations and Student Affairs. Lynn has been employed at Virginia Tech since 1984. As Director of Alumni Relations, she travels regionally and nationally to plan alumni receptions in conjunction with VMRCVM meetings and conferences. She is also responsible for the VMRCVM Alumni Society Board of Directors which was created in 2000. As director of student affairs, she oversees the annual VMRCVM Open House, which draws hundreds of participants, the freshman class week-long orientation, tours and the student ambassador program. Lynn received both her undergraduate and master’s degrees from Virginia Tech. She resides in Christiansburg with her son, Nick, and daughter, Hannah. |