University of San Diego Magazine 75th Anniversary 2024

Jason Tolin (JD) joined the law firm of Lancier Legal, PC, as an estate planning attorney. Evelyn Huynh (BA) writes, “I am happy as a stay-at-home mom to a wonderful nine-year-old son and married to my husband, Joe Levert. I am fortunate to be able to work remotely as a grant professional consultant.” Manuel Medel (MBA) founded a company specializing in technological innovations for mining, reaching mining markets in more than 30 countries on five continents. His new projects develop solutions that address the environmental and operational challenges of modern mining. Jennifer Bowhey (BA) and her husband Steve moved across the country from Seattle to operate one of the largest home-care franchise locations in the state of Virginia. The company was recognized as the Best of Virginia in Home Care in 2022 and 2023 and has expanded its veteran clientele. 2000s Kecia Brown (MA) has authored four books of poetry and is the founder and lead coach for KB Coaching, a career and leadership coaching practice. Brian Derdowski (JD) writes, “After serving 20 years with the Office of Chief Counsel, IRS, I will be representing taxpayers as of counsel with Agostino and Associates, PC, in Hackensack, New Jersey.” James Britt (BA), ’21 (MS) is a captain with the Seattle Police Department, where he oversees technology and innovation. Arika Wells (BBA) was named vice president and chief operating officer of the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona in July 2023. “I am thrilled to join United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona in a profes sional capacity, an organization I

2023. She continues to have a busy estate planning and administration practice. She loves spending time with her two granddaughters, ages 5 and 3, and wishes she had more time to do so. 1990s Linda Barkacs (JD) along with husband Craig are both professors at the USD Knauss School of Business. Linda is an original co-author of Dynamic Business Law (McGraw Hill), a textbook Power and Influence. They also own The Barkacs Group that does negotiation and other training for corporate clients. In June, they will celebrate 41 years of marriage. Angie Gossett (BBA) is currently serving as the regional human resources director for Commander, Navy Region Southwest Fleet and Family Readiness Programs and lives in San Diego. In this role, Angie supports more than 3,200 nonappropriated employees at 10 Navy installations across California and Nevada. James Myles (JD) served as a United States administrative law judge for more than a decade. He retired and ran for Congress in 2022, winning the Republican nomination in the 11th District of Virginia (Fairfax County) and received nearly 100,000 votes. After a brief stint as a substitute teacher in the Fairfax County Public Schools, he is now teaching a course in administrative law at the Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University. Joel Selik (LLM) is the first certified specialist in legal malpractice in Nevada. He is also certified in legal malpractice in California by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization. now in its sixth edition. Craig authors a blog for Psychology Today titled

and splash my way to shore,” he added. “I’ve always wanted to be in the seat that I sit in now. Google is the most trusted brand in the world. It’s a bunch of very talented, type-A people that are entrepreneurs building something and moving it forward.” As to the most unexpected thing about working at the company, “I can move the needle and have an impact — I was really surprised by that.” Speed admits to working a lot, either remotely or at the Mountain View office, in which he enjoys hopping aboard the Google shuttle to travel to and from his San Francisco residence. So, on weekends, “I spend time with my friends — refill my tank,” he said. Speed also spends his downtime exploring the Bay Area, calling himself a “constant tourist,” playing tennis, reading anything from the latest trends in AI to personal growth, or hanging out with his dog, Arya, named after a character in Game of Thrones . •

MBA program had prepared him for the job at Google all along. “My role at Google mirrors a substantial portion of my MBA,” he said, laughing. “Marketing and analytics — that coursework I use every day.” He explained that marketing courses he took by Professors Seth Ellis and Carlton O’Neal culminated with a simulation in which students make decisions about taking a product to market. “I’m basically doing the exact same thing!” Speed said. “Those courses really prepared me for the stress and the chaos and the nuance and the fun of new product introduction.” On the analytics side, Professor Amit Kakkad’s course, which Speed admitted he “absolutely hated,” provided him with a leg up. “Google is so analytical, it’s unreal,” Speed said. “The framework — decision trees, in particular — that he taught in his class I use on a regular basis.” “The foundation of qualitative and quantitative skills that I got from the MBA program helped me to put on a life vest

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