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Class of 2017 / Biographies

Zanesville City Schools \ ZCS Hall of Fame \ Class of 2017 / Biographies

Christopher Brooks

Christopher Scott “Chris” Brooks attended Westview Elementary, Roosevelt Junior High, and Zanesville High School, graduating in 1975. Band and theater consumed most of his high school years.

After graduating Berkeley College of Music with a degree in Film Scoring, Chris began his career as the music editor for the critically acclaimed television series "St. Elsewhere." Beginning on the iconic "Lethal Weapon," he forged a 25-year relationship with Michael Kamen, editing and producing the scores for Hollywood blockbusters such as "Die Hard" (and its sequels), "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves," "Don Juan DeMarco," "The Three Musketeers," and "Mr. Holland’s Opus," for which he won the MPSE Golden Reel Award for music editing.

Brooks’ early work includes some of the most critically acclaimed films of the century, with Scorcese’s "Goodfellas" ranking at the top. Relationships with directors such as Francis Ford Coppola, Michael Mann, Richard Donner, and John Waters, as well as composers Randy Newman, Elliot Goldenthal, and Thomas Dolby, filled his resume.

Films in China, Germany, England, and France kept Brooks busy for another ten years. He worked with Klaus Badelt on "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl," "Constantine," "Solomon Kane," "Shanghai," and "Rescue Dawn."

Brooks continues to work with some of the finest composers, musicians and filmmakers in the business, including Rob Reiner, Werner Herzog, Alan Menken, and Marc Shaiman. He has said that the work on the ABC television series "Galavant" is “Some of the most difficult and rewarding work of my career.”

Chris has written the textbooks “Visual Music” and “Music for Filmmakers,” is an adjunct professor at USC, and a lecturer at universities around the country.

Brooks’ passion for food has been realized in “Table for One” and “My Delicious Year, 366 Days of Writing, Recipes and Sheer Panic.” His first novel, “The Five Year Plan,” is about a fictional restaurant in his hometown of Zanesville.

Chris splits his time between Los Angeles and New York. He is married to the writer and performer Jennifer Rawlings, is stepfather to her four children, and has one son, Harrison.

PRESENTER: David Schubach

Ronald Bucci

Ron was born in Youngstown, Ohio, to the late Lawrence and Frances (Taormina) Bucci. They moved to Zanesville when he was three. Ron graduated from ZHS in 1962, lettering in baseball, basketball, and football. In 1968, he married Mary Ann Boyd, a 2008 Zanesville Hall of Fame Inductee. They are the proud parents of Ronna (deceased 1998), Holli (Michael) Lambert, and Ryan (Nina) Bucci, and are grandparents to Ella and Owen Lambert and Nico and Lucia Bucci.

Since graduating from high school, Ron has immersed himself in trying to help raise money for the community and various organizations. Beginning in 1964, he helped raise money for the Sulsberger Stadium and he continues to serve the community in this way today. During his lifetime, Ron has helped to raise over $25 million for such events as Zeb Watkins Heart Transplant, Rod Spicer Kidney Transplant, Good Samaritan Foundation, American Cancer, Lorena Sternwheeler, Zane Trace Commemoration, Zanesville Art Center, Rosecrans Endowment, K of C Building Fund, ZHS Quarterback Club, Bob & Delores Hope Award and the ZHS Alumni Association.

Ron has served as guest auctioneer for American Cancer Society, United Way, Muskingum County Community Foundation, and Good Samaritan Foundation. He continues to be the guest auctioneer for the Chamber of Commerce Festival of Trees since its inception 25 years ago, and The Carr Center Cake Auction for all 31 years.

He has received the following honors: 1978 Jaycees one of five chosen Most Outstanding Young Men in Ohio; 1986 Modern Woodmen Outstanding Citizen Award; 1986 Chamber of Commerce and Sertoman of the Year; 1995 Bob & Delores Hope Good Samaritan Award; 1996 Ray Thomas Community Foundation; 2001 Rotarian and Martin Luther King Community Award. He was inducted into the 2013 Zanesville District Golf Association Hall of Fame and the 2016 Muskingum Valley Old-Timers Association Hall of Fame.

Ron served 16 years on Century National Bank Board. He co-founded General Graphics with Susan Hendley and Pete Peterson in 1974. Ron was co-owner of Buckeye Stoneware and Fineline Imprints.

Ron’s favorite song is “I Love Livin’ in Zanesville,” and he will always center his time and energy around this great community, trying to make it even better.

PRESENTER: The Rev. Mike Bullock

Dr. John A. Darringer

John Darringer graduated from Zanesville High School in 1960, after attending Wilson Elementary and Grover Cleveland Junior High schools. Encouraged by his brother Richard, and math and science teachers at ZHS, he went on to college at Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University). There he received his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

In the late 1960s, he married Patricia Kotulak from Monroeville, Pa., and accepted a position with Philips in The Netherlands. After three years in Europe, he and his wife returned to the U.S., and John went to work for IBM at the T.J. Watson Research Center in Yorktown Heights, N.Y.

At IBM, John demonstrated the first automatic generation of production, high-performance computer chips from a high-level description. This early work on “Logic Synthesis” led to many awards, including an IBM Corporate Award. This work was also recognized outside IBM, when the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers elected John IEEE Fellow and the Circuits and Systems Society awarded him the CASS Pioneer Award.

Following his success in the area of design automation, John took on more responsibility in IBM Research and held several executive positions, including Director of Research Division Technical Staff.

In the 1990s, John joined IBM’s Server Division as Director of IBM’s worldwide design automation group, which supported all hardware design in IBM. In the early 2000s, John returned to Research to manage a new system-level design initiative, and he is still working there part-time.

John has been active outside IBM as well. He chaired the Board of Directors of the CAD Framework Initiative and the Silicon Integration Initiative, two standards groups in the chip design area. He served as President of the Council on EDA, a professional group in the IEEE. Also within the IEEE, he has served on several award committees, Fellow committees, and is currently on the Technical Activities Finance Committee. John has 60 external publications and 10 patents.

John and his wife have two sons who live with their wives and five children in Seattle and New York City.

PRESENTER: Bob Keener

Edward L. Gilbert

Edward L. Gilbert graduated from Zanesville High School in 1969. He then earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Theoretical Economics in 1973 from the College of Wooster, where he received the Schwartz Award for general excellence in college work. Mr. Gilbert then went on to receive his Juris Doctor in 1976 from The University of Akron School of Law, where he served as President of the Black American Law Students of America, Akron Branch, and was inducted into the Phi Alpha Delta law honorary society.

Mr. Gilbert is principal with the law firm of Edward L. Gilbert Co., LPA in downtown Akron, with his practice area focusing in civil rights litigation. At one time, he served as the legal counsel for the NAACP in Akron, Canton, Barberton, Wooster, Orrville, Massillon, Alliance, and Portage County. Mr. Gilbert has also been a principal in the law firms of Parms, Purnell, Stubbs & Gilbert, and Slater, Zurz & Gilbert. He also served as an Assistant Prosecutor for Summit County and was Special Counsel to the Ohio Attorney General.

Mr. Gilbert’s professional honors include the NAACP National Outstanding Corporate Membership Award, 33rd Degree Freemason, Al Kaf Shrine Temple Outstanding Noble of the Year Award, Black Law Enforcement Officers Association Criminal Justice Award, University of Akron Law’s Outstanding Alumni Award, a member of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, and Black Male Summit Legacy Award.

Mr. Gilbert established the Edward L. Gilbert Jurist-in-Residence at The University of Akron, which brings international jurists to the School of Law. He also supports The Gilbert Endowed Book Scholarship, the New Business Legal Clinic in the School of Law, and the Gilbert Foundation.

Mr. Gilbert is currently the President of the Akron-Canton Barristers Association, a group of 93 African American attorneys and judges in Stark and Summit counties. He also serves by appointment on the Bill of Rights and Voting Committee, is Chair of the Education, Public Institutions, and Local Government Committee, and is Vice Chair of the Organization and Administration Committee.

Mr. Gilbert has been married to Delphenia Gilbert for 38 years. They have one son, Hayden Gilbert.

PRESENTER: Ron Apperson

James McDonald

James McDonald is the eighth of ten children born to Frank and Ruth McDonald. All graduated from Zanesville High School. James attended Madison Elementary, Hancock Junior High, and graduated from ZHS in 1969. He was not involved in extracurricular activities because his father wouldn’t allow it. When a coach visited the McDonald house to try to recruit his son, Dad said, “No ... teach him reading, writing, and arithmetic, and send him home.” Dad’s priorities were understood when all ten children received college degrees. James graduated from Muskingum University in 1973, majoring in psychology, and from Ohio University with an M.A. in Public Administration in 1984.

James is the President and CEO of Allwell Behavioral Health Services where he has worked since graduating from Muskingum University. He facilitated the merger of Six County, Inc. and Thompkins Treatment, Inc. He was the administrator of Hallowed Hills Campground from 1999 to 2013, overseeing a $2 million renovation project of the facilities. James owned and managed the McDonald Estate Rentals until selling the single home properties in 2016. He is an ordained Elder with the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World and is the guest minister at congregations of varying denominations. James is licensed with the Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board. He is the founder of ForeverDads, a community-based organization whose mission is to educate, encourage, and equip men to develop positive relationships with their children, families, and communities.

James is the past Board President of the Muskingum County Community Foundation, Bethesda Hospital Care System, ForeverDads, Ohio University Regional Coordinating Council, and Ohio Practitioner’s Network for Fathers and Families. He currently serves on the following Boards: Genesis Healthcare Systems; Apostolic Christian Church; Zane State College; Center for Seniors; Returning Citizens Network; Muskingum Recreation Center; Ohio Behavioral Health Provider Network; BHCS; FD and OPNFF.

He and his wife, Lisa, just celebrated their 30th anniversary in Maui. They have two children, Sarah and Michael, and a grandson, Jordan Alexander Settle.

PRESENTER: Sarah McDonald-Tribuzzo

CMSgt Robert L. Sealey

CMSgt Robert L. Sealey was born in Zanesville, where he attended Garfield Elementary and Grover Cleveland Junior High, and graduated from Zanesville High School in 1984. During his time attending Zanesville City Schools, he was a standout vocalist and musician.

After graduation, Bob enlisted in the United States Army Reserve as a Military Policeman and attended Ohio Wesleyan University. In 1986, he transferred to active duty with the United States Air Force as a Security Forces member. In 1998, he was named the Lance P. Sijan Award winner for the Air Force. This award is given annually to the Air Force’s top enlisted leader.

Bob continued to excel and quickly rose through the ranks, and was promoted to the Air Force’s highest enlisted rank, Chief Master Sergeant. He has held numerous senior level strategic positions during his tenure.

In April 2008, he assumed the role as Command Chief Master for the 89th Airlift Wing, Andrews AFB, responsible for the Air Force One mission. In the fall of 2011, Bob was nominated and selected to be the Command Chief Master Sergeant for the United States Air Force’s Central Command. In this position, Bob was responsible for 26,000 Airmen serving in a 20-country region across the Middle East.

Bob retired from the United States Air Force on September 1, 2016, and is now Director of Operations for PreCheck, Inc., one of the nation’s leading background screening firms.

During his highly decorated 32-year military career, Bob received the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, seven Meritorious Service Medals, and two Air Force Commendation Medals.

PRESENTER: Patty Norris

Kim Dean Stimpson, MD

Kim Stimpson was a three-year starter for the varsity football Blue Devils. In his senior year, as co-captain, he helped lead the team to the Central Ohio League Championship. That year he made 27 of 29 extra points and six of nine field goals, garnering all-league honors as a place kicker, and second team honors as defensive end. Kim also lettered in varsity tennis.

Rounding out his high school experience, Kim was a member of the National Honor Society, Math Club, Science Club, Spanish Club, Varsity Z, and participated in several theater productions.

Following graduation, he attended Utah State University on a football scholarship. Interrupting his studies to serve a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Argentina, upon his return he earned his degree from the University of California-San Diego in 1981.

Kim graduated from the Medical College of Ohio and completed an orthopedic surgery residency at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. He was accepted to a fellowship in Sports Medicine at the New England Baptist Hospital in Boston, Mass., where he served as team doctor for the Boston Celtics and Harvard University athletic teams.

Upon finishing his training, Kim practiced in San Diego, Calif., and served as team doctor for several high schools as well as his alma mater’s baseball team, the UCSD Tritons.

In 1996, Kim moved to Tupelo, Miss., where he was the founder of North Mississippi Sports Medicine, and was the team physician for several local high schools and junior colleges. Kim served as bishop of the Tupelo ward of the LDS Church.

In 2006, Dr. Stimpson relocated to the Flathead Valley in Montana to start a new orthopedic group. He continues to cover local high school athletics and can be found on the sidelines every Friday night in the fall as the team physician for Flathead High School.

Kim serves on the Board of Directors at the HealthCenter and is the Medical Director of Northwest Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, both in Kalispell. He was a Lieutenant Commander in the Naval Reserves.

Kim and his wife, Kelly, have five children and 12 grandchildren (presently).

PRESENTER: Dean Stimpson, DDS

Dr. Brenda Kay Toler

Dr. Brenda Kay Toler served in the field of education for 35 years as an administrator, high school teacher, and adjunct faculty member at The Ohio State University and several other Central Ohio universities.

Dr. Toler began her career as a teacher in the Maysville Local School District. She was an administrator at Columbus Public Schools prior to moving to Worthington City Schools, where she was a trailblazer as the district’s first African American administrator. She served as a curriculum consultant to the College of Engineering at OSU’s Summer Honors Institute for high school students exploring engineering through robotics. Dr. Toler retired from Worthington City Schools as Director of Gifted Services & Enrichment Programs in July 2013.

Dr. Toler completed post-doctoral work at Harvard University. She was born in Zanesville and is a 1974 ZHS Graduate. She was educated at OSU, where she earned a B.S. in Comprehensive Social Studies, a Master’s in English Education, and a Ph.D. in English, Reading & Language Arts Education and Educational Administration.

Dr. Toler has received numerous awards and honors, including the OSU College of Education Alumni Association Career Achievement Award (1997), Centennial Community Service Award from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. (2008), International Who’s Who Historical Society (2001), Worthington Police Public Assistance Award (1995), Innovation Award from the Alliance for Quality Education (1993), Outstanding Service Award (1993) from St. Paul A.M.E. Church of Zanesville, where she is a member, Muskingum County NAACP Achievement Award (1993), and State of Ohio House of Representatives Commendation for service to the field of education (1993).

Dr. Toler has served on numerous boards in Central Ohio, including North Community Counseling Centers (1993-2005), with the last two years served as Board Chair, and OSU Alumnae Scholarship Housing Society Board of Governors (2001 to present). She holds membership and offices in various professional, social, and civic organizations.

She is the daughter of the late James and Florence Toler. She has two siblings, the late Donis E. Toler Sr. and the late Barbara J. Toler Dalton, both of Zanesville. She enjoys traveling, gardening, music, and is an avid OSU Buckeye fan.

PRESENTER: LaDonna Moore Liggins

Tom Wharton

Tom Wharton was born in Zanesville, and he graduated from Zanesville High School in 1959. In 1964, he graduated from The Ohio State University after majoring in Wildlife Management and minoring in Fisheries. His OSU summer internship was in Alaska fisheries. After graduation, he began working for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, including Game Protector, Law Enforcement Agent, and Investigator with the Lake Erie Unit.

His federal career began with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1974. His first post was as Special Agent in Chicago. He later moved to New Hampshire as Senior Resident Agent and then to Washington, D.C., as Supervisory Special Agent, Law Enforcement Branch of Investigation.

Atlanta, Georgia, Fish and Wildlife Service was his next career move, serving as Supervisory Assistant Special Agent in charge of the Southeast Region. This eventually led to his being named Deputy Assistant Regional Director for Law Enforcement.

During his career, Tom worked approximately 3,000 cases, trained law enforcement personnel, wrote regulations, and worked with the Department of Justice, federal and state courts, and federal law enforcement agencies. In addition, Tom worked five different Olympics, and on protection details for Presidents and dignitaries. In 1994, he was named Wildlife Conservationist of the Year by the Georgia Wildlife Federation.

After mandatory retirement, Tom worked locally before being recalled to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Ga., as an instructor following 9/11. He later worked as Sky Marshal before returning to his Ohio farm. He substitute taught at area schools. When seeing him in public, his students remembered him kindly.

Tom kept in touch with childhood and work friends and others he met along the way. He loved the outdoors, family and friends. He had a wonderful sense of humor and duty, which stayed with him until his passing in May 2016.

PRESENTER: Caroline Dickinson

Dr. C. David Zarley

David Zarley, son of the late Ted and Isabelle Zarley, was born and educated in Zanesville. David was selected in 1973 to participate in an early admission program at The Ohio State University, bypassing his senior year of high school to attend OSU and transferring credits back to graduate with his high school class in 1974. David earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Microbiology from OSU, and a Ph.D. in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology from Indiana University.

David is currently Vice President of Development Management in Vaccine Research and Development at Pfizer Inc. in Collegeville, Pa. In this role, David leads a group of program directors, managers, and planners who focus on managing and advancing the early and late-stage research programs in the Vaccine Research and Development portfolio.

In addition to his management, portfolio and governance responsibilities, David also serves as a program director for two vaccine programs. Prior to accepting his role as V.P. of Development Management in 2011, David worked for more than 17 years in various aspects of vaccine research, development and manufacturing, and for five years as a team leader for an Alzheimer’s research program. Prior to joining Lederle Laboratories (now Pfizer) in 1989, David was a Principal Research Scientist at the Battelle Memorial Institute in Columbus, Ohio.

Outside the office, David is an avid snowboarder, SCUBA diver, and enjoys volunteering in church and other activities. David and his wife Velva (Eby) reside in Pottstown, Pa., and are the proud parents of two sons: Brian David, a free-lance writer living in Chicago, and Matthew Thomas, a law student in San Diego.

PRESENTER: Mark Crawmer