Class of ’08 Spotlight: Alex Winn & Casey Pierzchala

Casey Pierzchala & Alex Winn

Alex Winn, CCAS BA ’08, MPA ’11, and Casey Pierzchala, ESIA BA ’08, GWSB MBA ’11, make a strong case for the title of “Mr. and Mrs. Colonial” for the Class of 2008.

The couple started dating soon after they met as freshmen living in Somers Hall on GW’s Mount Vernon Campus, and recently announced their engagement. They also plan to join their fellow Colonials at Alumni Weekend 2013.

After graduation, Winn went on to earn his master’s degree in public administration from GW’s Trachtenberg School of Public Policy.  For four years, he worked to help found and develop the GW Solar Institute, part of the Columbian College, with former director Ken Zweibel.

Since leaving the GW Solar Institute, Winn has been working at The Solar Foundation, a national research and education nonprofit, to help local governments across the country reduce local barriers to solar energy deployment.

During that time, Pierzchala earned her MBA from GW’s School of Business and worked for GW’s Facilities Management Office.  There, she spent several years working with a team of colleagues in pursuit of GW’s relatively new mission of environmental sustainability. She has spent the last few years working in government consulting, focused mainly on energy management programs for federal agencies.

“We both developed an interest in energy and the environment mid-way through our undergrad programs,” says Winn.  “GW provided us both an opportunity to work in the field and develop unique expertise that has since guided both of our careers.”

When asked about their fondest memories from GW, Pierzchala responds, “As a couple, we both agree that travelling to Montreal with the International Affairs Society was an important part of our burgeoning relationship freshman year.”

“I would say one of my favorite GW memories is taking comparative politics and having to visit over a dozen embassies as part of the class,” says Winn. “I like that I can now take visiting friends for a walk along Embassy Row and tell them about various details inside many of the beautiful, old embassies.”

“I loved eating Chinese food in the hallway of Somers with half of the other students from that hallway,” adds Pierzchala. “Dinner often turned into sauce packet fights!”

Winn and Pierzchala are both looking forward to attending Alumni Weekend 2013.  “While we’re both eager to catch up with other 2008 alumni, we’re particularly excited to help host a gathering as part of the GW Alumni in Energy Association Executive Board (GWAEA),” says Winn.

Winn is a GW campus liaison and Pierzchala is the events chair for the GWAEA board, and they are both working to help strengthen the international community of GW alumni who work in the energy sector.

–Rudy A. Rodas, GWSB BBA ’08, Class of 2008 Reunion Committee Member

The GW Alumni in Energy Association Launch Reception is planned for Saturday, September 28, 4:30-6:30 pm, at the Media and Public Affairs Building, 805 21st Street NW, during Alumni Weekend.  If you are interested in getting involved with Alumni in Energy, email: [email protected]

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