Eric Berman, ’90 BS Hospitality Administration, ’10 Master of Hospitality Administration, is regional vice president for BJ’s Restaurants. He oversees 40 restaurants in 15 states. He has been with the company for eight years.

Steve Thornock, ’87 BA Elementary Education, has been a tax lien investor since 1995. Classic arcade games are his hobby. He and his wife, Joanna Gleason Thornock, ’85, have four children, including son Terry Thornock, ’14 BA Philosophy; daughter Julianna; son Jesse Thornock, currently a UNLV sophomore majoring in graphic design; and son Cody, a high school senior who is considering attending UNLV in the fall.

Leon Symanski, ’87 BS Business Administration, ’94 Master of Public Administration, ’01 JD, is an attorney with Craig P. Kenny & Associates. He worked in the hotel/casino industry for 10 years before becoming a member of the charter class of UNLV’s Boyd School of Law. He was a Runnin’ Rebel basketball player from 1984 to 1987. His hobbies are golfing, reading, and horse racing. He and his wife, Lisa Gentile Symanski, ’87 BA Communication Studies, have a daughter, Noelle.

Jon Bayer, ’87 BS Hotel Administration, is a middle school English teacher. He has been teaching for 16 years. Before that, he spent 12 years in the hospitality industry, primarily working in restaurant management. His hobbies are hiking, fishing, biking, weight training, jogging, reading, travel, and gourmet cooking. He and his wife, Jenny, have six sons between them. The family lives in Salinas, California.

Thomas Ware II, ’86 BA Political Science, this year became a name partner in the law firm of Kulik, Gottesman, Siegel & Ware in Sherman Oaks, California. His practice has focused on representation of nonprofit homeowners associations, their volunteer directors and officers, and their property managers. He was one of the attorneys of record for the prevailing parties in the landmark California Supreme Court case Nahrstedt v. Lakeside Village Condominium Association. He has been awarded Martindale-Hubbell’s highest peer-review rating and has been selected for inclusion in Southern California Super Lawyers. He and his wife, Marnie, have been married since 1993 and have two children, son Kellen and daughter Christine. The family lives in Los Angeles.

Kathi Kulesza, ’85 BS Hotel Administration, is a mind/body transformation coach and professional speaker. She supports female executives as they commit to making healthier choices — eating healthy, moving more, and acknowledging their wants. She began her wellness journey at age 45 when she decided to do something about her weight and health. She joined a gym, hired a personal trainer, and lost 40 pounds. Her hobbies are working out, volunteering at church, beading, reading, and hanging out with her three-pound furry best friend.

Marina Abodeely Jezzini, ’84 BS Hotel Administration, has been a real estate broker/sales associate in Las Vegas for 23 years. She works with Re/Max Benchmark and recently received the Re/Max Hall of Fame Award. She also received a Top Nevada Premier Agents Award from Zillow.com. Her 14-year-old son, Andre, attends UNLV sporting events and proudly wears Rebel garb. Her hobbies include hiking at Red Rock, yoga, watching Andre’s baseball games, and traveling.

George Tuzzeo, ’82 BA Music, is a musician who also works in piano sales. He lives in Paramus, New Jersey.

Charisse Ciambrone, ’82 BA Sociology, ’10 Master of Education, has worked at the College of Southern Nevada since 2007 teaching English as a Second Language. She also teaches math to adults who are studying for high school equivalency exams. She earned a master of education degree at Sierra Nevada College.

Lois Grosser, ’80 Bachelor of Fine Arts, is an artisan metalsmith designing jewelry with inspiration from her southwestern experiences. She also has had successful careers as a fine artist and as a graphic designer. NASCAR is her hobby. She has three children and eight grandchildren. She lives in North Fort Myers, Florida.

Ronald Hedger, ’79 BA Psychology, is an associate professor of family medicine and associate dean and director of the Center of Professional Practice Simulation in Clinical Education at Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine. He received his osteopathic medical degree from the Osteopathic Medical School at Western University of Health Science. Television production is his hobby. He and his wife, Karen, have been married 30 years and have three children and two granddaughters. The couple lives in Henderson.

Van Nickerson, ’74 BS Business Administration, is embarking on a major project to spearhead a black Disneyland-type theme park in a small town in Mississippi. An African village depicting life before slavery will be featured. The theme park will include hotels, restaurants, casinos, a housing development, a movie studio, and an airport. He plays Latin percussion instruments professionally and lives in Lebec, California.