The Maverick magazine is a great way to stay in touch with current events at your alma mater, old classmates and the bright future of Colorado Mesa University.
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ACHIEVING FINANCIAL GOALS DONNA CHAPEL, ‘84 BY SHARON SULLIVAN As a certified public accountant and financial advisor, Donna Chapel finds satisfaction in helping clients reach their financial goals — whether that is putting kids through college, planning for retirement or helping people through difficult transitions. After graduating with an accounting degree from Mesa in 1984, Chapel worked at Dalby, Wendland and Company. In 1987, with a local economy still reeling from the oil shale bust, she and her husband, Tom, decided to move to the Front Range so Tom could pursue a master’s degree in geotechnical engineering. Chapel worked for certified public accounting firms in Fort Collins, and in 2004 founded her own wealth management company. “Listening to clients’ goals and helping them plot a path to achieving their goals has made for an amazing, fulfilling career,” Chapel said. Giving back to the community is important to the Chapels. Tom’s a Larimer County Search and Rescue volunteer, while Chapel served 10 years with the Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce, as well as on other boards such as the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado. After their U.S. Marine son returned home from serving in Afghanistan, the Chapels co-founded Veterans Compass, a nonprofit based in Ft. Collins that helps veterans access community resources. She currently serves as board chairperson. Additionally, the Chapels established two scholarships in their children’s names – the Jessica Dean Scholarship for students planning a teaching career, and the Joshua Chapel Scholarship for students who served in the military, with a preference for combat or Marine veterans. Chapel founded a third, Finish Line Scholarship for collegeattending military veterans whose GI benefits have run out and who need a little more financial assistance to complete their education. Finish Line scholarships are given out twice a year. Chapel credits her hometown college for providing her with the skills to launch her own successful career. “It was a great education,” she said. “I got such individualized attention in the accounting department. They were such good people. It was a great opportunity.” • 2010S TAMARA KRIZMAN, ‘10 Tamara is the director of marketing for the Mesa Mall in Grand Junction. She also serves as the vice president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. Last year, she was recognized with the Alumni Association President’s Award for her outstanding contributions and ongoing commitment to CMU. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her husband of 3 years, Jeramie, their families and two miniature dachshunds, Sadie and Gus. MICHAEL DOMINGUEZ, ‘11 After serving as the associate men’s head basketball coach for the last two seasons at New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU) in Las Vegas, New Mexico, Michael was promoted to head coach, an opportunity that brings everything full circle. He grew up less than 100 miles from Las Vegas, New Mexico, and NMHU is where his mom and dad met. Prior to joining the staff at NM Highlands, Michael served as an assistant men’s basketball coach at CMU for seven years. He played for the Mavericks in the 2009-10 season and was the first NCAA Division II All-American (Second-Team). MANA SHIGEMATSU, ‘13 After gaining experience as a physical therapy aide in his home state of