Membership

Meet Our Chapter Leadership Team

Sarah Kiessling, '11

Chapter President

Sarah grew up traveling back and forth between Rochester and Williamsport to visit family, but had never imagined herself at Penn State until her dad suggested a visit after Easter dinner at grandma's. As soon as she stepped foot on campus she knew she found a home away from home.

At Penn State, Sarah competed with the PSU Figure Skating team, became President of the Amnesty International Student Chapter PSU, studied abroad in Argentina and was avidly involved in THON.

Sarah is now a Human Resources Benefits Consultant residing in Rochester. She still figure skates and is a proud 'Big' for Rochester's Big Brother's Big Sister's program.

Kathy Horell, '86

Vice President & Scholarship Chair

Kathy never had an urge for any other school. Growing up in Altoona, Penn State was in her blood!

At the Altoona Campus, she participated in the Circle K Club associated with the Kiwanis Association and was chair of the Circle K 24-hour Dance Marathon. While at University Park, she was a member of the Finance Club.

In addition to her involvement with the Rochester Chapter of the PSAA, Kathy is also a Smeal College mentor and a Penn State Alumni Admissions volunteer. She's also an active volunteer with Alstom Women of Excellence, Alstom's Habitat for Humanity, and Willow Domestic Violence Center, Kathy resides in Webster and is commodity buyer for Alstom. Her hobbies are family and friends, gardening, hiking, learning (she's currently taking German classes), home improvement projects, reading, and traveling.

Patty Reinhold, '83

Secretary & Membership Chair

Patty was brought up in a Penn State family - both her father and brother are alumni - watching Penn State football since she was a young child. When it was time to apply for college, Dad recommended considering alternatives like Navy, Maryland, and Miami just in case it didn't work out. Thankfully, she was accepted at Penn State!

At Penn State, Patty participated in Women's Intercollegiate Soccer, Symphonic Blue Band, Concert White Band, and Intramural sports. With her degree in Civil Engineering, she worked for NYSDOT for 34 years in the Syracuse and Rochester regions. After retiring from NYSDOT, she worked for a local engineering firm.

Patty and her husband Paul enjoy their season football tickets, boating at their home on Canandaigua Lake, skiing at their condo in Telluride, as well as hiking, camping, and traveling.

Chuck Chapin, '92

Treasurer

Chuck's deciding factor to choose Penn State was a meeting with a family friend who was an alumni volunteer at a local college fair. This particular alumnus painted a picture of the university that seemed almost too good to be true and his enthusiasm for his alma mater was unparalleled.

Chuck's Penn State experience to date has exceeded his expectations and he remains a very passionate alumnus. The University always feels like a second home to him, and when he travels - usually wearing Penn State gear - he will inevitably encounter someone shouting "We Are!"

In addition to his work with the Alumni Association, Chuck Is an active volunteer and board member of the Brighton Fire Department, a board member of the Sheen Housing Foundation, and a volunteer with the Boy Scouts. An owner of Gordon, Chodak & Chapin, CPAs PC in Pittsford, Chuck resides in Brighton with his wife and three children, and their newest addition - a Yorkie.

Brian Stanes, '97

Activities & Events Chair

Brian is a 1997 graduate of Penn State. He holds a degree in Marketing with a minor in Business Logistics. While at Penn State, he was Vice President of the Penn State Marketing Association.

Brian currently works as an account executive for Saia LTL Freight covering Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse. When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Debi, and his two kids, Tommy and Emily. Brian enjoys bike riding, golfing, hiking, and barbecue.

Steve Fantuzzo, '09

Community Service Chair

When Steve first visited his older brother Joe at Penn State, he fell in love with the campus and followed him there for his own college experience. Since then, younger brother Tim and cousin Jacob (a current student) have continued to add to the Fantuzzo Penn State legacy.

Steve praises Penn State for providing a college experience unlike most - with many opportunities and choices from academics to social activities to civic events. A History major, Steve played intramural sports, including soccer and flag football while at Penn State.

Steve is an attorney at Boylan Code LLP and a member of the Rochester Rotary Club. His hobbies include golfing, hiking, and fishing.

Lauren Blew, '90, '93

Past President

After a lifetime of indoctrination, Lauren's Penn State parents took her to the 1986 Orange Bowl when she was a high school senior. Overwhelming chants of "WE ARE...PENN STATE" filled the air after Penn State LOST the game and her college decision was made - where else could you possibly find more school pride and spirit, along with a great education??

At Penn State, Lauren was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and studied abroad in Salamanca, Spain. In graduate school, she found a passion for teaching working as an Accounting T.A. (Yes, she was one of those people who helped in the TV Accounting classes)!

In addition to her involvement with the Rochester Chapter, Lauren is also a member of the Brighton Rotary Club, and a Penn State Admissions Volunteer. After many years working in public accounting and an independent financial planning firm, Lauren now teaches accounting and personal finance courses at MCC. Her hobbies include traveling (mostly to Happy Valley), photography, reading, and golf. She lives in Brighton with her Golden Retriever, Nittany Simba.