51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ

Mark Bacon, '93 MA Communication Studies, is an author whose latest book, a mystery titled Desert Kill Switch, was published by Black Opal Books in September. Set against the backdrop of Nostalgia City, an Arizona retro theme park that recreates, in meticulous detail, an entire small town from the 1970s, the book features stressed-out ex-cop Lyle Deming. Some of the action takes place in Nevada. Bacon, who began his career as a newspaper reporter in Southern California covering crime and city beats, also is the author of Death in Nostalgia City. He and his wife, Anne, live in Reno with their golden retriever, Willow.  

Mary Ann Gutierrez, '91 BA Communication Studies, has joined Zonin USA as California key account manager. Previously, she worked in trade hospitality and wine education in California's Napa Valley, gained valuable experience in distributor sales working for Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits in New Mexico and Nevada, and worked as a sommelier at Le Bernardin in New York. She lives in Forestville, California.

Celinda Pena, '11 BS Human Services Counseling, '13 Master of Social Work, and Johnny Dominguez, '13 BA Political Science, were married May 5 after 12 years together. They both work directly with students on high school school campuses. Celinda, who is a licensed social worker in Nevada, works as a case manager, trying to assure that students graduate on time despite any barriers they may face. Johnny works as a college counselor preparing students for the next chapter of their education. Previously a 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ admissions counselor, Johnny also is pursuing a master's degree in higher education at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ. Both are active in their respective Greek organizations, Kappa Delta Chi sorority, and Nu Alpha Kappa fraternity. They describe themselves as proud Rebels who enjoy adventure, exploring new things, cultural community events, spending time with family, and looking for ways to give back to their community. The couple lives in North Las Vegas.  

Kirk Cresto, '88 BS Accounting, became director of corporate insurance at NiSource and vice president and board member for NiSource Insurance Company (NICI), a pure captive insurance company of the parent NiSource, in 2015. NiSource is one of the largest fully regulated utility companies in the United States, serving nearly 4 million customers across seven states. Before that, Cresto held various positions of responsibility at NextEra Energy in Juno Beach, Florida, and at NVEnergy. This May he graduated from the Fisher College of Business at Ohio State University with his executive MBA. He holds the RIMS-CRMP designation from the Risk Management Society (RIMS) as a certified risk management professional. While at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ he became a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army through the university's Army ROTC program. All of his sons, including Bryce Cresto, '09 BA Criminal Justice, '10 BS Public Administration, and '15 MBA, also have served or still are serving in the Army. His hobbies include exercise, triathlons/duathlons, cycling, running, attending sporting events, and traveling. He lives in Columbus, Ohio.        

Melissa Burns,  '02 BA Communications Studies, works for CERT, a division of the Software Engineering Institute. In May she earned a Master of Information Systems Management degree from Carnegie Mellon University's H. John Heinz III College. Her hobbies include reading, running, traveling, volunteering, and learning. She lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Greg Dorchak, '88 Film Studies, has a film production company called Class Clown Pictures, which has just released its first feature film, Kopy Kings, a workplace comedy. His acting credits can be found on imdb.com. He earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in digital media from the International Academy of Design and Technology in 2012. He is married to Carmen Zayas, '88 BA Communication Studies. After graduation Carmen worked as a journalist for several publications in Arizona and New York. She earned a master's degree in organizational leadership & ethics from St. Edwards University. After moving to Texas she embarked on a career in human resources, earning her senior professional in human resources certification. Carmen has been a vice president of human resources in two large organizations, as well as running her own human resources consulting business. She now is a senior human resources professional at a tech firm in Austin, Texas. Besides working as a producer on her husband's indie film productions, she is also a local activist passionate about politics, feminist issues, and reproductive rights. The couple, who met at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ and have been married 31 years, live in Austin.