Three named 2014 Outstanding Alumni

TRAVERSE CITY — Alumni from three different decades have been named the 2014 recipients of NMC's Outstanding Alumni award.

Created in 1988, the award recognizes alumni for professional achievement and community and professional leadership. The 2014 recipients are:

• Craig LaFave, class of 2001 - LaFave is president of Olmsted Products and its parent company, Oilgear Co. He began at Olmsted, a manufacturer of specialty high-flow, high-pressure industrial hydraulic valves and control systems, while still a student. From his first day there as a draftsman, LaFave demonstrated a desire to learn and contribute to every aspect of the company, from design to production to sales and customer service. His work ethic quickly propelled him through the company. Within five years he was named general manager, responsible for the strategic direction of the company along with the ownership. In 2008, when Olmsted leadership sold the company, LaFave became president, reporting directly to the CEO of the new parent company, The Oilgear Company.
• John Militello, class of 1990 - After studying commercial art at NMC, Militello went on to earn a BFA in Fine Arts from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit. He then moved to New York City where he founded a boutique design agency and led the creative effort for brands like Volvo and Mercedes Benz. Presently he is head of creative for Google’s agency-like Zoo team. Based in New York, he leads a 14-person creative team and represents the company at prominent industry events. In addition to his day job, Militello is also an adjunct professor at New York’s School of Visual Arts, where he teaches a class in digital advertising. Militello will be a speaker at the 2014 TEDx Traverse City event, set for May 14.
• Angela Nahikian, class of 1981 - Nahikian went on to graduate from Lawrence Technological University with a bachelor’s of science in electrical engineering. After graduating she worked in a full-service architectural firm until 1990, when she joined the Steelcase family of companies in Grand Rapids. She presently serves as director of Global Environmental Sustainability at Steelcase, heading a global, cross-functional effort to advance the company's business fitness through sustainability and insure Steelcase achieves its sustainability leadership goals.

Read about past Outstanding Alumni here »

RELEASE DATE: May 12, 2014

For more information

Anthony Rupard
NMC Foundation
arupard@nmc.edu
(231) 995-2822