North Central NOW Spring 2012 | North Central College

Ernie Brandon '62

Ernie Brandon founded a woodwind quintet called “Euterpe” Wind Quintet (Michigan) two years ago. The group is named for the Greek muse for music and lyric poetry. (He includes Michigan in the name because there is a “Euterpe” quintet based in the Netherlands.) The group’s repertoire ranges from classical to ragtime, including concert music written expressly for wind quintets, transcriptions of popular classical piano and orchestra pieces, and arrangements of folk and some pop music.

Gaylen Brubaker '72

Gaylen Brubaker is vice president, technical director-groundwater remediation for AECOM, based in Raleigh, NC. He has 28 years’ experience and has been the technical lead on remedy selection and associated regulatory negotiations for many high-profile sites, including those containing coal tar residuals, petroleum products, creosote, chlorinated solvents and petrochemical wastes. He also develops and interprets laboratory results and pilot design studies.

Susie Gawriluk '73

Susie Gawriluk is an account executive for Journal Community Publishing Group, selling advertising for three magazines and websites: Silent Sports, Wisconsin Trails and Wisconsin Journeys. She founded Denim and Dessert Theatre in Presque Isle, WI, in 2004 and continues to serve as its artistic director for three annual shows. She married for the first time in September 2011, to Tom Preston, “under a beautiful tent with lanterns and flowers, fresh from friends’ gardens, and a bonfire afterward.” She lives in Arbor Vitae, WI, and may be reached at sgawriluk1@gmail.com.

Bob Pickett '73

Bob Pickett is in his 16th season as the producer/director of the St. Louis Concert Choir, a community Christian choral organization representing nearly 30 churches in the greater St. Louis metro area. This summer he and legendary music producer Thurlow Spurr are bringing together 200 singers from across America to perform in concert with three of Christian music’s greatest artists: winners of multiple Grammy and Dove Awards, singers Sandi Patty and Larnelle Harris, and pianist Dino in two “Festival of Praise” performances. The concerts are scheduled for Sunday, July 1, at Grace Church–St.

Kimberly Lisanby-Barber '77

Kimberly Lisanby-Barber was named the 2012-2013 Elementary School Principal of the Year by the Illinois Principals Association. She is the principal of Lincoln Elementary School in the Spring Valley Clark County School District 99. The award recognizes elementary school principals who have demonstrated a positive impact on their students and learning community. As the award winner, she will compete for the National Distinguished Principal of the Year award sponsored by VALIC and the National Association of Elementary School Principals.

Doris Replogle Porter '82

Doris Replogle Porter founded Mayhaven Publishing in 1990 and publishes books, audio books and e-books for adults and children. In 2011 she produced eight books and two audio books. Mayhaven’s best-selling nonfiction book, “Ten Sisters: A True Story,” was based on Doris’ own life and made into two Public Broadcast System documentaries. She is the youngest of 10 sisters who were separated in 1942 and reunited many years later. She serves on the advisory board for the Lincoln Museum in Harrogate, TN, and is a member of the Urbana Rotary.