Headed immediately after graduation to the Univ. of Bologna where he earned his DVM and studied at Conservatorio di Musica G.B. Martini in flute.He subsequently became licensed in OH, MA, UT, CO & CA. A dedicated athlete he started and ran a small animal hospital in Moab for 9 years - mountain biking hiking skiing & kayaking during his time there. Ultimately returning to Hermosa Beach he specialized in high speed spay & neuter, studied Filipino martial arts(escrima) and became a world traveller going to exotic locations to trek such as Nepal, the Tibetan plateau(zanskar and Ladakh), bike tour the Karakoram hwy in northeast Pakistan and cross the Himalayas at 13,400 ft outside Manali.

Employed by the County of Humboldt Public Works Department, Environmental Services Division

During the last two years my wife and I (fellow alumni) got married and started an Environmental Consulting business. As our business has grown we have turned our attention to constructing low-tech beaver dam analogs to help restore critical stream and meadow ecosystems. This year Symbiotic Restoration installed over 100 beaver dams across north-eastern California. As our business expands we hope to be able to employ and incorporate Humboldt students in to these programs in the future. Our current plans include looking for land so that we can move back to Humboldt County and build our home back where our journey began.

Retired from Alaska Department of Fish and Game after 21 years of service. Been working in Fisheries in Alaska for over 30 years. Still lives in Alaska. Probably won’t leave Alaska. Steering Committee Member of the Matanuska Susitna Basin Salmon Habitat Partnership, President of the MatSu Birders Club, and home baker of Artisan sourdough breads and pizza.

Jim passed in Jan 2019.  He often said “Every day is a gift”.  While becoming Communications Majors at HSU, Jim met his wife, Linda Upson.  Over a decade later after earning his MBA at the University of San Diego he proposed on Valentine’s Day. 
They lived in Sunnyvale and Menlo Park prior to his return to San Diego.  He then studied to become a tax accountant.  As an IRS registered tax preparer he used his skills at the Ward & Thorn Law Firm.  Jim was an avid body surfer, swimmer, and outdoors enthusiast.  Those skills served him well as a leader in Boy Scouts of America Troop 500.  He remained active in Troop 500 even after his only child, David, went off to college.

After graduating I was hired by the Karuk Tribe Department of Natural Resources based out of Orleans, CA. The Tribe’s DNR has ground breaking management goals that I feel honored and blessed to be learning from. I was originally hired to supervise the summer youth crew working on manual fuels reduction units, but now I work as a GIS Technician making maps and other spatially-oriented technology to support our field crews.

I recently gave a Ted Talk about my life, and thought I would share it with Humboldt State Family. Thank you for being there for me and helping me shape the woman I am today. I’m so grateful I was able to go to a University with people that truly believe in their students and champion their success.

https://www.ted.com/talks/vanessa_vrtiak_how_to_save_a_life?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare&fbclid=IwAR154LL1hsMJPaH4_68QAGF1gUqQveVUG8UBAD5QMamSoeuIn_TpNxws_vM

Practicing psychotherapist, expressive arts therapist and artist.  I went on to get my MSW at CSUS, an MFA in paint from California College of Arts and Crafts—Oakland, CA and PhD in Expressive Therapy.  I am practicing privately in Sacramento, CA.  Worked as a medical SW and all types of out patient mental health, did a lot of clinical supervision.  I have shown my art—oil paintings and prints all over.  Did abstract landscapes for 30 years and have switched to the human form.

Graduated from Pacific University Master of Athletic Training Program in May 2019 with honors and received the Outstanding Graduate Award from the Alumni Association.  Earned a M.S. in Athletic Training with a Concentration in Interprofessional Education.  Served as the Secretary on the Northwest Athletic Trainer’s Association (NWATA) Student Executive Board and is currently working on the Public Relations Committee for the Washington Athletic Trainer’s Association (WSATA).  Worked with the Special Olympics Oregon Unified Basketball Games providing medical coverage for the 2019 season.

I acquired a job as a laboratory technician at a local soil lab within two months of graduating. I am now the lead lab tech, and am using my zoology degree as the agricultural pest management advisor in the company. Through this, I specializing in providing the agricultural industry with environmentally conscious biological control remedies, that reduce the use of pesticides, as well as provide technical information to farmers on how to take care of and love their soil, based on our laboratory results.