Joe Grazioso ’16 and the Gamma Zeta Mentor and Internship Matching Programs

0af7c5dJoe Grazioso ’16 worked as an intern this past summer at Belmont Bank whose CEO is Bill McCarty ’79. Joe was referred to Bill by his ATO Mentor John Aymond ’80. The following is an excerpt from a note that Joe’s supervisor at the bank passed on about his experience.

“Joe has a tremendous work ethic, with great attention to detail, and routinely demonstrated a self-starter approach to his day-to-day responsibilities at the Bank.

He is a gentleman, someone who listened closely and took notes whenever a new concept was being presented to him.

The Gamma Zeta chapter of ATO is fortunate to have him as a member and I believe his commitment, dedication, and hard work sets a great example for the qualities that ATO promotes as “America’s Leadership Fraternity”, and will continue to contribute and prove beneficial to the long-term success of the House.”

Great work Joe!!

We’ve got some great guys in the house. If you know of internship opportunities at your companies, please pass them on to Dan Passarella ’13 (dpassarella16@gmail.com) and Jim McGuffin ’96 (jmcguffin@2020-4.com) who are the alumni overseeing our Mentor and Internship matching programs respectively and they’ll help match up appropriate candidates with the opportunites.

Greg Wright ’68 and his band Comstock Lode to play at Bub City on October 26

d3b38d8bc94252e6930b23bbcf72c6c0Mark your calendars! Greg Wright (Gamma Zeta ’68) has a four piece Country Band called Comstock Lode which will be performing at Bub City (435 N. Clark St. Chicago) from 9:00 PM – 12:00 on Monday night October 26th. Check them out on their web site at www.comstocklodecountryband.com. They play lots of current and past country hits and some originals from Greg.  Looks like a lot of fun.  Please stop in, have a beer and say hello to other Gamma Zetas!

RG Swedo Outing ups scholarship total to $250K. John Bucklar ’96 team wins Heldman Trophy!

11863238_400999946772543_8253878986969153616_nWe just wrapped up the 14th Annual R Gregory Swedo ’96  Foundation Golf Outing.  We had over 110 golfers + a great group of volunteers.  Based on our bar tab – it looks like everyone had a great time….
In total – we raised over $10k, putting our 14 year total ​at​ $250k.  We awarded our 11th scholarship this year!​
​We added a new twist – awarding the Matt Heldman Trophy – to the highest finishing ATO team.  In total, we had 25 ATOs play, and 10 of the 27 4somes were in the hunt for the trophy – including 4 undergrads (special thanks to Bill Barry ’77 for sponsoring the undergrad team).
Congrats to John Bucklar for winning this year!  The​re​ was a 3 way tie at -15, which included​ John Bucklar 96, Brian Grady, Andy Clark, and Chip Aubry​.  They lost in the 150 yard shoot-out by about 2 feet, and finished 2nd overall.​  ​John also did a phenomenal job putting together a video with pictures and music full of mid 90s classics.​  Here’s a link –

For anyone that knew Greg, it is a must watch.​

Mark your calendar – next year’s event is tentatively scheduled for 8/27.  We definitely need another 10-20 ATOs next year.
Thanks again to our volunteers & sponsors:
– Pat & Jenny Kernan
– Amanda Massucci & Mike Wokosin
– Brian Welch – State Farm
– Massucci Blomquist Anderson and Dunn
– Bevery & Doug McMillen-Reid Family
– John McMillen & Laurie Hutchings & Family
– Hirewell
– Sayers
– William A Randolph
– CMC Advisory
– Chicago Beverage System
– Commonwealth Bar
– Schultz
– Lakeshore Beverage
– Sierra Nevada
– Careerbuilder
– Reliable Computer
Here’s a link to a brochure with additional info about the event – RGS Brochure Final 2015
See you next year!

Matt Massucci ’96

First Gamma Zeta Illini Football Player – James Branch 1897

Throwback Thursday – Now that the Illini have reported to Fall football camp, did you wonder who the first Gamma Zeta Illini football player was?… well you came to the right place – James M. Branch, a 5’11” 178lb end from Seymour, IN. He lettered in 1894, 1895 and 1896. I think that he was Gamma Zeta’s first I Man too. He’s pictured with the 1895 Illini team, second row, third from left.

Illini FB 1895