Alumni Association presents service, support awards

The ASU Alumni Association presented its Alumni Service and Alumni Appreciation awards to Cassius McChesney and Armando Flores, respectively, during the halftime program of the ASU-Washington State Homecoming game Nov. 15. Michael Pressendo, immediate past chair of the association's board of directors, was also honored for his service to the association.

Alumni Service Award-Cassius McChesney '81 B.S., '86 M.B.A.
Cassius McChesney is being honored for his efforts to revitalize the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering's alumni chapter.

McChesney has been involved with the alumni chapter since 1982 and was part of the chapter team that created the group's annual fundraising golf tournament, which is providing scholarships to three engineering students during the 2008-2009 school year. During his most recent tenure as chapter president, McChesney helped expand the board's membership from 4 to 20 and has helped establish new events on the chapter calendar, including a presence at Engineering Day at the Arizona Science Center and the Dean's 50th Anniversary Lecture Series.

McChesney currently works as Senior Account Executive for the Sustainability program at Arizona Public Service.

Alumni Appreciation Award-Armando Flores
Armando Flores is the director of baseball operations & community relations at ASU, but his volunteer commitment extends far beyond his present role. Flores has been involved on many levels at the university, including service on the Mary Lou Fulton College of Education's Dean's Council, the College of Public Programs' Advisory Council, as well as supporting a student scholarship at the education college and actively supporting the Alumni Association's Founders' Day annual event.

A graduate of the University of the Pacific, Flores was previously executive vice president at Arizona Public Service.

Past Chair's Award-Michael Pressendo '90 B.S.
Michael Pressendo, 2007-2008 chair of the ASU Alumni Association, is a third generation Sun Devil. Pressendo, a marketing professional with expertise in brand management, has just accepted a position in Richmond, Va., as vice president of marketing and strategic resources for the Christian Children's Fund. Previously, Pressendo had worked as director of brand communications for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America.

During his term as chair, Pressendo led a major restructuring of the board of directors. The change, being executed during the current school year, features a streamlined board of directors and the launching of a new ASU National Alumni Council, an advisory group intended to extend the association's capacity to meet the needs of ASU graduates and to advocate effectively and serve as ambassadors for the university.

"Cassius, Armando and Michael are exemplars of the kind of fervent ASU supporters crucial to involving all graduates of ASU in the life of the university today," ASU Alumni Association President Christine Wilkinson said. "We thank this year's honorees for their hard work on ASU's behalf."

For more information on all Homecoming-related activities sponsored by the Alumni Association, visit http://www.asu.edu/alumni/homecoming/index.shtml.