Allison’s career in journalism started as co-editor of the 1969 Zenith and has taken her around the country and brought her many accolades. She graduated with honors with a degree in journalism from Iowa State University in 1973. She has served as a newspaper reporter, magazine editor and freelance writer. Her work has been published in the Washington Post, LA Times, NY Times, Wall Street Journal, Esquire and Saveur, among other publications. Her work at the San Jose (CA) Mercury resulted in a Knight Journalism Fellowship at Stanford University. She co-authored with her twin sister Peggy “Food Finds: America’s Best Local Foods and the People Who Make Them.” This led to interviews on the Larry King Show, CNN, The Today Show, etc. The book was sold seven years ago to the Food Network resulting in the TV show that currently airs. In 1996 she was awarded an endowed chair at Iowa State University, and in 2002, was given an unprecedented second endowed chair. Allison was the speechwriter and aide for the Governor and Lt. Governor of Iowa, before moving to California in 2000. Last year, she joined the Communications Department of the University of Southern California as the senior writer/editor, and was named USC’s Faculty/Staff Mentor of the Year. She joins her sister Peggy in the CFAA Achievement Hall of Fame. Allison and her husband Scott Kirkpatrick have been married for 33 years. They have two children, Miles, a college graduate and golf professional and Nora, who majored in acting at UCLA. They have always had many cats and dogs, but are currently down to one ungrateful cat, Checkers, who rules the house. Allison’s interests include: architecture with an emphasis on vintage commercial buildings, old neon and diner signs, as well as quilts and textiles.

Following his graduation from Purdue in 1980, with a degree in Chemical Engineering, Richard took a job with Phillips 66 Company in Pasadena, Texas. His 26-year career with Phillips, now ConocoPhillips has taken him around the world and placed him in charge of several billion-dollar projects. As a vice president he is currently heading the future capital projects program in Australia and the Timor. The venture centers on liquefied natural gas, which is an alternative to using gas pipelines and has been a new focus for the energy giant ConocoPhillips. From 1999-2004 he was the project and construction manager for a $1.3 billion dollar contract executed in Venezuela that employed a labor workforce of over 7000 people. While in Venezuela, he served as president of the school board at an international school in Puerto La Cruz. Despite his travels, Richard has remained active, including holding the positions of deacon at his church and president of his community association in Houston. While in Chagrin, he lettered in cross-country and track, and was awarded the Bausch & Lomb Science Award. Richard fondly remembers Skip Riegel his scoutmaster and former Sands Elementary principal. Under Mr. Riegel’s leadership he went on to earn his Eagle Scout rank and then work as a scout camp counselor for five summers in high school and college. Richard also enjoyed the time he spent in four years of high school musicals working under Harold Loesch and Molly Macknin. He credits the Chagrin Falls School System and Purdue University for providing him with a solid educational foundation. Richard relies upon his faith to persevere through the difficult times. He is grateful to his wife Paula of 23 years and their three great kids; Ben, Sarah and Jordan for their support. In his free time Richard enjoys golf, although not a golfer, travel, hunting, fishing and reading.

Judge Fuhry is an accomplished attorney who has combined his law practice with a long history of service to the community. Dave graduated Summa Cum Laude from Kent State University in 1974 and the Ohio State University College of Law, Juris Doctorate in 1977. For 18 years he taught business law courses for KSU. In 1985 he was elected a Parkman Township Trustee and appointed Magistrate of the Chardon Municipal Court-à position he held for 20 years. He has served as President and Treasurer of the Geauga County Bar Association, as well as numerous other community organizations. He initiated the Geauga County Settlement Day in 1988 aimed at resolving legal disputes by mediation prior to protracted litigation. The program continues to this day with the cooperation of the County’s judges. He presently is serving a 6-year term as Judge of the Geauga County Common Pleas Court. David has been married to Mary Lou since 1980. Their four children: Louise Ann, David, Stephen and Martin range in age from 17 – 24. Dave enjoys bicycling, local and American history, raising fancy poultry, hunting and fishing.