Rhiannon Samuel Focuses on Service as Nonprofit Leader
Rhiannon Samuel, founding executive director of Viante New Mexico, says her interest in community service blossomed at St. Pius X High School.
Alumni Notes - Spring 2021
2000s
David Le ’01 is a Software QA Engineer with Apple Inc. in San Francisco, Calif., where he has worked on products such as Apple TV, tvOS and most recently, Fitness+. He was incorrectly identified in the Connections Summer 2019 issue as being an Albuquerque Realtor with the same name. Connections regrets the error.
Joseph Montano ’01 has been appointed to serve as District Court Judge in Bernalillo County. Judge Montano worked in the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office for the past 10 years, most recently serving as the Deputy District Attorney managing the General Crimes Felony Trial Division. He earned a political science degree from California Lutheran University in 2005 and a J.D. from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 2008. After law school, Montano worked for the University of Michigan’s Athletic Department as a Compliance Assistant and was Director of Compliance for UNM’s Athletic Department. He was appointed to the Second Judicial Court bench by the governor.
Alex (Chavez) Rich ’08 was recently selected as one of 16 young communicators from throughout the world to participate in a new pilot program of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication called Faith Communication in the Digital World. Recognizing the vital role of digital media, the dicastery invited “young potentials” to apply for a 12-month project with the opportunity to sharpen digital media skills and develop skills to better serve the mission of the Church. The program also includes two week-long trips to Rome where the group will gather in person. Alex is the director of communication for the Francisan Friars of Our Lady of Guadalupe Province.
2010s
New Mexico State University golfer Aidan Thomas ’19 earned Men’s Golfer of Week honors from the Western Athletic Conference Feb. 24, 2021. Thomas earned the award for his performance at the Border Olympics. Thomas is the first Aggie to win this award since Mar. 27, 2019. Thomas led the Aggies to a 10th-place finish at the Border Olympics in Laredo, Texas, as he finished the tournament tied for 13th after posting a three-round score of 219 (+3). Thomas fired a season-best final round 69 (-3) with four birdies including one on the final hole to slide the Aggies into the 10th position.
