Alumni Excerpts
Joe H. Kee, Jr. ('95 MGT; masters in educational leadership '01)
UNM-Gallup has a new full-time Navajo language instructor. Joe Kee comes to the college after three years in Steamboat, Ariz. He returned to his family home after a long teaching stint at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. Now he is in Gallup.
Kee understands the challenges of learning to read and write Navajo, even for a native speaker like himself. He is passionate about literacy and what it can do in terms of ensuring the survival of Navajo culture. Now he is ready to help others in the Gallup area acquire those skills.
He devoted his time in Steamboat after graduating to “non-academic” research, attending local events, ceremonies, chapter meetings and even herding sheep, to reconnect with his roots.
“I introduce students to where I come from, and engage them in learning by talking about how I came to be the person I am today,” he said. “Although I was a fluent speaker, it took me 4-1/2 years to grasp Navajo literacy,” he said. “But afterward, I felt proud and empowered that I could speak, read and write my language.
An advocate of Navajo literacy, Kee came to UNM-Gallup ready to answer questions from traditional Navajos about why an oral tradition should be written down.
“Older people would share with me that our tradition should remain intact as an oral history and to write things down is not right,” Kee said. “The elders point to the example of the Anasazi, who, some believe, wrote too much, and thus exposed themselves to the world and by doing so, met an uncertain fate. They believe that writing things down exposes you to the outside world, and then you’re sharing too much. I have to explain to them that we are losing a lot of the history and the language and writing it down can help us document it and help it continue.”
Kee’s classes will include Navajo 101, 102 and the literacy course, Navajo 105. He said he sees great potential for UNM-Gallup to grow its Navajo language and studies program.
“I am really excited to be here at UNM-Gallup, a town I visited as a child,” Kee said.
Don Richardson ('88 MGT, '90 MBA)
The Arizona Daily Sun (Flagstaff)
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News
March 29, 2009 Sunday
Flag firm sitting pretty
BYLINE: Joe Ferguson, The Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff
Mar. 29--A lot has changed for Aspen Communications since it graduated from the small business incubator several years ago.
It has grown considerably since CEO/President Don Richardson left his job at FMC to go into business with his wife Sheila, launching the start-up telecommunications business. The company started with a $211,000 loan and $39,000 the couple had set aside. Staff has grown to 10 highly trained personnel and has moved into a large eastside warehouse. The company designs, installs and manages various types of communication technologies, such as fiber optic cable and wireless networks.
Aspen Communications recently announced it will be a subcontractor on a $15 billion General Services Administration contract.
A downside to competing for federal dollars, Richardson said, is the financing terms. He said private business often allows for some payment up front, giving a contractor the ability to pay employees and buy materials.
"The federal government just doesn't do it that way," he said.
Richardson said he needs about $150,000 for materials, new equipment and to hire new employees.
He understands it might be a formidable task in the midst of a worldwide recession.
"We recognize it is a difficult climate," Richardson said. "Investors are looking for a risk-free investment."
Richardson went after the federal contracts, in part, by strategically relocating his business into a large industrial area of Flagstaff.
The current location on Huntington is designated by U.S. Small Business Administration to be in Historically Underutilized Business Zone, which is designed to spur economic development in neglected areas.
He said the federal government has set aside a percentage of contracts that must go to these areas, allowing small businesses to compete with a smaller pool of bidders.
Richardson also competes for federal contracts under the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned (SDVO) Small Business Initiative, which gives a portion of contracts to those who have served in the armed forces. He served for 26 years in the Navy.
Richardson said he remains loyal to his alma mater, Northern Arizona University, and tries to hire NAU graduates whenever possible.
Christopher M. Simon ('08 ACC)
Moving up
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 02.22.2009
Accounting firm announces 3 hirings
Regier Carr & Monroe LLP, a regional accounting firm, has hired three new accountants. Ryan Graves, Gene Petkash and Christopher Simon will have responsibilities including tax-return preparation, tax compliance and planning, auditing and general accounting.
Originally from Tucson, Simon graduated from Northern Arizona University with a bachelor's degree in accounting.
Bradley M. Volchok ('94 MKT)
Marketwire
Columbia Community Bank Promotes Brad Volchok to Vice President
DATELINE: HILLSBORO, OR; Feb 02, 2009
Columbia Community Bank (OTCBB: CLBC) has promoted Brad Volchok to Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer of its Tigard/Durham office at 7632 SW Durham Road, Suite 125. Mr. Volchok has 7 years of experience in the financial services industry and has been with Columbia Community Bank since 2004, serving as an Assistant Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer. An integral part of Mr. Volchok's role has been and will continue to be bringing in new banking relationships, assure loan quality, and act as a key resource to clients.
