Spring 2026 53 U P D A T E S long relationship with a giant Pacific manta ray. Released in the summer of 2025, the film was honored with the award for Best Cinematography in a Documentary Feature at the Tribeca Festival in New York City. Learn more at thelastdivefilm.com. Skye Walker, ’01, an Encinitas, California-based artist and muralist, was featured in the magazine SDVoyager. Read the story at bit.ly/Skye-walker. 2010s Lacey Beaty, ’12, mayor of the city of Beaverton, and Charlene Zidell, ’71, vice president of strategic partnerships and legacy vision for Zidell Industries, on how to accelerate Oregon’s economy, create jobs and recruit and grow the state’s businesses. Delfina Homen,’04, an intellectual property litigator, was elected as partner at the Portland-based law firm Miller Nash LLP. Gary Newbloom, ’09, founder and CEO of Membrion, was named a Hydro20 honoree for his breakthrough work in industrial wastewater treatment. Cody Sheehy, M.S. ’07, Emmy-award-winning filmmaker and founder of Rhumbline Media, directed The Last Dive, about a man’s 20-yearand the OSU Extension Service area livestock and forage specialist, retired after 27 years of service. Victoria Nguyen, ’95, MAIS ’06, director of Global Workforce Strategy and Talent Enablement for Genesys, was awarded Oregon State University’s 2026 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Alumni Legacy Award in recognition of the impact of her volunteerism and professional work. Joth Ricci, ’90, former CEO of Dutch Bros., Stumptown Coffee and Adelsheim Vineyards, and his family purchased Winderlea Vineyard and Winery in Dundee, Oregon. Anna Ricci, ’21, MBA ’23, now serves as the winery’s director of engagement and ownership relations. 2000s Emmanuel Agamloh, Ph.D. ’06, associate professor of electrical engineering at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, was named an IEEE Fellow in recognition of his contributions to electric motor test procedures and efficiency standards. Trini Amador IV, ’07, owner of Gracianna Winery in Sonoma County, California, celebrated a standout 2025 awards season, with the winery earning 15 awards — including Gold, Double Gold and Best of Class honors — across three major competitions. The 2023 Mercedes Riverblock Estate Pinot Noir was the winery’s most decorated wine, earning a Best of Class and Double Gold win. Josh Axelrod, ’06, COO of Aldrich and member of the Board of Advisors for OSU College of Business, and Trey Winthrop, ’93, CEO of Bob’s Red Mill and OSU Foundation trustee, were named Portland Business Executives of the Year by the Portland Business Journal. Lori Bautista, ’04, became a National Institute of Governmental Purchasing Certified Procurement Professional in November. She is one of only seven Oklahomans who currently hold the certification. Trent Bray, ’07, former Beaver head football coach, was hired as defensive coordinator for Washington State University. Inoke Breckterfield, ’08, former defensive line coach for Baylor University, is returning to Corvallis to serve as the Beavers’ defensive line coach. Breckterfield played for OSU from 1995 to 1998 and was a Third Team Associated Press All-American and won the Pac-10's Morris Trophy Award. Brian Hall, ’03, CEO of NIC Industries; Toby Luther, ’96, president and CEO of Lone Rock Resources; and Laura Naumes, ’81, vice president of Naumes Inc., were named to Governor Tina Kotek’s new Prosperity Council this January. The council is tasked with advising the governor JEN-HSUN HUANG, ’84, ’09 (HON. PH.D.) Jen-Hsun Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA, emerged as one of the world’s most recognized technology leaders in 2025, named Person of the Year by both Time and the Financial Times and receiving the 2025 Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering — presented by King Charles III — in honor of NVIDIA’s foundational work in AI and machine learning. The Cambridge Union Society and the Hawking family also awarded Huang the Professor Stephen Hawking Fellowship in recognition of his impact on scientific advancement.
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