Class Notes - Sac State Connection - April 2009

1970s
JIM ZARZANA  ’77, M.A.,  English, earned his doctorate in English at Notre Dame in ’85.  For the past 20 years he has been teaching at Southwest Minnesota State University where he is currently Chair.  He was recently in Sacramento for his brother’s wedding and took the time to walk the campus and visited Alumni Grove with his family.  Professor Zarzana lives in Marshall, Minnesota.

1980s
MICHELLE R. POLLI ’86, B.A.,  Business Administration (Marketing & Communications), recently moved back to Northern California after a successful 15 year career in marketing, sales and event planning for  Bay Area companies.  Prior to returning to Sacramento, she was the assistant Brand Manager for Hain-Celestial Group, a leading natural and organic food and personal care products company in North America and Europe, based in Petaluma, CA. She co-manage one of their brands of organic specialty oils that was first to be out on the market.  Before that, she was the Events Marketing Manager for AutoDesk, Inc. (the world’s 5th largest software company located in San Rafael), where she was responsible for a $2million marketing budget for event related activities and a $4million overall budget for her department.  Polli is happy to be back in the area and eager to re-connect with other Hornets.  While looking for her next adventure, she is interested in networking and volunteering at campus events.

BRIAN D. WATSON ’82, B.A., & ’85, M.A., English, has been named vice president of government affairs for the California State Compensation Insurance Fund.  Prior to taking on the title, Watson was the insurer’s manager of Sacramento groups and now will act as a liaison between State Fund and the California Legislature as well as other agencies and industry groups.
He has moved up the ranks at the public insurer since starting in 1986 as a claims adjuster in the Sacramento district office.  He takes the post as the state continues reforming State Fund by bringing on new executives and board members, increasing transparency and strengthening corporate governance and customer service. State Fund holds an estimated 23 percent share of California’s worker’s compensation market.  Elk Grove is home for Watson.

JAMES C. NELSON, JR. ’89, B.A., Journalism, was featured along with his wife, Rene, and their three-legged soul mate, Jerry, on the first airing of NATURE’S Why We Love Cats and Dogs on PBS.  It was shown nationally in February. While filming the show, the crew followed them around for a few days when they took Jerry to Santa Fe for his first visit to the oncologist. A cameraman later went to the ranch where they were staying to capture more quality time with the three of them. The Nelsons’ state that it was very exciting but surreal and they owe it all to a friend  who told the NATURE producer about them.  The Nelsons were in Los Angeles to attend program’s premiere for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.  Homebase is Petaluma for the Nelsons, but since they travel full-time, the best way to reach them is by email at jcnjr@agreda.com. 

1990s
SHERRY HAGUE ’92, B.A., Education (Child Development), always knew she would go to Sac State just like her Dad, Fred.  She and her family lived in the apartments near the campus while he was getting his Bachelor and Master degrees and many walks were taken to the Union for ice cream and strolls around the campus. Later when she enrolled, Sherry rode the bus to school and also worked part-time on campus with the Disability Office assisting students with note taking in classes and taping oral history lessons for them. With her degree, she planned to open a preschool but as she entered her final year at Sac State in 1991/1992, she got a job through the Hornet Foundation as a student assistant working for DMV.  After graduation and a few career changes and other circumstances, she was hired by the State and works as an Office Technician.  Sherry continues to pursue her career there with the hopes of becoming a Staff Service Analyst.   She states: “I will always be grateful that I was able to go to Sac State, get my college degree, and follow in my Dad's footsteps in having a successful career.  Once a Hornet, always a Hornet....”

2000s
David L. Hornbeck  ’08 B.S., Business Administration (Real Estate),  has earned the Leadership in energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional designation from the United States Green Building Council.  Hornbeck joined Grubb & Ellis, a leading real estate services and investment management firm, in 2008 as an associated specializing in leasing and sales of industrial properties in the Sacramento and Stockton areas. He is among the first commercial real estate agents in the Central Valley to receive the designation.  Before joining Grubb & Ellis, Hornbeck enjoyed a 10-year tenure with the Unites States Marine Corps.  He makes Rocklin his home.

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