Class Notes

Rebecca “Becca” Niburg, GR03, LW03, an attorney with Elpis Legal LLC, which represents immigrants and their families before the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice, has thrown her hat in the ring for the District 13 seat in the Maryland House of Delegates. On her campaign website (www.beccaniburg.com), Niburg writes, “I am running for Delegate to bring the experiences of working directly with survivors of trauma, those who have suffered from mental health crises, and those outside the circles of power to Annapolis. … I am ready to bring all of our voices to Annapolis.” 

Joshua Isaacs, LA03, and his wife, Laurie Kirkland, welcomed a daughter, Norah Isabela Isaacs, on June 7, 2021. Last May, Isaacs joined the law firm of Redmon Peyton & Braswell, LLP in Alexandria, Va., as a partner; his practice area focuses on family law and domestic relations. Joshua, Laurie and Norah live in Washington, D.C. 

Tim Gronewold, BU03, LW08, a commercial litigator with Howard & Howard, was elected to a two-year term, starting in June, as chair of the board of the American Red Cross of Central Illinois; he has been actively involved with the Red Cross for over a decade. Gronewold is also on the committee of a Howard & Howard community employee-funded trust that has donated more than $6 million to local charitable organizations since 1986.

Art Carden, GR03, GR06, professor of economics at Samford University’s Brock School of Business, earned the Outstanding Faculty Scholarship Award in recognition of his scholarly work across his career. His research has appeared in economic journals, in USA Today and on Forbes.com, among other outlets. His collection of commentaries, Strangers with Candy: Observations from the Ordinary Business of Life, will be released this year by the American Institute for Economic Research.

Pratik Patel, LA01, GR04, is vice president of marketing for ICBiome (Innovative Computing for Biomedical Sciences), a provider of cloud-based genomics software that assists hospitals in combatting pathogens. Patel has built and launched more than 50 FDA-cleared medical products to market and led marketing teams in building brand awareness, generating demand and empowering sales to better sell medical technology.

Jayson Johnson, LA01, was elected to the San Francisco Ballet’s board of trustees. 

Jill Downen, GF01, shares that her work, “Speak Truth,” was exhibited from Nov. 19, 2021–March 5, 2022, at the Bruno David Gallery in St. Louis. Downen’s artworks in the exhibit reveal patterns of meaning in value systems such as identity, family and the importance of voice. Website: www.artsy.net/partner/bruno-david-gallery

Kristen Johnson, LA00, joined the Arizona Department of Water Resources as manager of the Colorado River Section in the Water Planning and Permitting Division. Johnson manages a technical staff and supports the director and deputy director in a number of policy priorities in anticipation of a cut to the state’s Colorado River allocation in 2022 by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

Paul Gassett, PMBA00, joined the leadership team at Obata Marketing and Design in St. Louis as vice president.

Craig Tingle, LW96, earned a master’s degree from the London Business School in July and was board certified in real estate law by the Florida Bar Association.