Syracuse University’s Office of Equal Opportunity, Inclusion and Resolution Services has appointed SHERIAH DIXON as an Equal Opportunity and Title IX investigator. Her appointment is the second of two new investigator positions at Syracuse that have now been filled to expand the office’s capacity for handling complaints relating to sexual violence and sexual harassment. Melanie Cuevas-Rodriguez was appointed in May. In addition to investigating Title IX complaints, Dixon will investigate and coordinate responses to complaints of discrimination and harassment and ensure compliance with Equal Opportunity policies and federal, state and local regulations. Dixon was previously the acting director of the Office of Residence Life and Student Conduct and assistant director of the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards at Onondaga Community College (OCC). Prior to her time at OCC, she was an assistant residence director with Syracuse University’s Office of Residence Life, in which she served as a hearing officer for disciplinary matters and consulted with the residence director or central office director regarding appropriate sanctions. Dixon earned an associate degree in criminal justice and a bachelor’s degree in criminal investigation at SUNY Canton and a master’s degree in social work at Syracuse.

John P. Stopen Engineering LLP (JPS) has announced three new appointments. MATTHEW MCKEE has become the firm’s newest partner. He is a licensed structural engineer with more than 10 years of experience. McKee is a graduate of Syracuse University with a master’s degree in civil engineering and of the University of Buffalo with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. ERIK NELSON and JASON P. THORPE were named associates in the firm. Nelson is a licensed structural engineer with more than 10 years of experience. He graduated from Syracuse University with master’s and bachelor’s degrees in civil engineering. Thorpe is a licensed geotechnical engineer with more than 11 years of experience. He has a master’s degree in geotechnical engineering from Queen’s University, and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Manhattan College. Prior to joining JPS in 2017, Thorpe served as geotechnical engineer of record for mining, arctic, environmental, and municipal earthwork projects. 

ANDREA VAIOLI has joined S.E.E.D. Planning Group, LLC as a wealth manager. She previously was a wealth management advisor for TIAA and has several years experience at MetLife Financial Group, M&T Bank, and Wachovia Securities, according to her LinkedIn profile. Vaioli attended Ithaca College.

Valley Health Services has hired GABRIELLE WAISBLATT, director of social services, to its professional staff. She has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Utica College and is currently working on a master’s degree in social work through Simmons College in Boston, Massachusetts. Waisblatt has 10 years of experience in the field of social work with most of her prior experience in trauma and specifically, working with at-risk youth and families. 

Bankers Healthcare Group (BHG) recently hired MELISSA YOUNGS as an accounting clerk. Prior to BHG, she worked at BNY Mellon and Community Bank N.A. LUKE ANTONCZAK was hired as a sales analyst. He recently graduated from Wayne State with a degree in economics.

DERRYK WILLIAMS has been hired as an assistant coach for the Syracuse University women’s volleyball program. As an assistant coach at Hamilton College last season, he helped the program post its most conference wins (seven) in history. Williams spent the 2017 season as a volunteer assistant coach at Colgate following an assistant coach position in 2016. He began his coaching career at Ithaca College in 2015. The Bombers won the 2015 Empire 8 Tournament title for the first time since 2010 and advanced to the NCAA Regional Tournament semifinals. A 2015 Ithaca graduate, Williams played two seasons with the Bombers’ men’s tennis team before serving as a two-year captain of the club volleyball program. He earned a bachelor’s degree in television/radio with a minor in coaching.