Established in 2010, the President’s Distinguished Alumni Award has been presented annually to graduates of Atlantic Cape who have differentiated themselves through a combination of professional, academic, and community-based accomplishments and have also remained committed to supporting Atlantic Cape, its mission, and most importantly, its students.
The nomination cycle for the 2026 Atlantic Cape Community College’s President's Distinguished Alumni Awards is now closed. Nominations will be reviewed by the Alumni Association Executive Council and presented to the college's president for final approval in mid-February. An awards dinner celebrating the recipients of this year's awards will be held on Wednesday, April 1 at Carême’s Restaurant on the Mays Landing Campus. Recipients will be honored from the following categories:
Since 2010, 54 Atlantic Cape graduates have received this prestigious award. These awards recognize Atlantic Cape graduates who have distinguished themselves through a combination of professional, academic and community-based accomplishments. Candidates will be asked to describe ways in which they have maintained and strengthened their commitment to supporting Atlantic Cape, its mission and its students. To be eligible, candidates must have earned a degree or certificate from Atlantic Cape or the Academy of Culinary Arts.
For more information about the President's Distinguished Alumni Award, please contact Kristin Jackson at kjackson@atlanticcape.edu or (609) 463-3621.
The Atlantic Cape Alumni Association and Distinguished Alumni Award Selection Committee are excited to announce the recipients of the 2025 President's Distinguished Alumni Awards! Congratulations!
President's Distinguished Alumni Award: Dr. Karen Brundage Johnson '15 and Raymond Williams '72
Community Service Award: Walter Johnson, III '93 and Regina McCann Larsen '74
Young Alumni Achievement Award: Alana Maldonado '18 and Chef Kyle Timpson '16
This year's awardees were honored during a special awards dinner hosted at Careme's Restaurant on April 3, 2025 The recipients were also recognized during the college's commencement ceremony on May 22. Learn more about this year's award recipients below.
Dr. Karen Brundage-Johnson, Class of 2015
Paralegal Studies, A.A.S.
Dr. Karen F. Brundage-Johnson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Master of Science in Management and a Doctor of Philosophy in Education Administration. Her professional career spans over 30 years in senior management positions in human resources. Dr. Brundage-Johnson’s relationship with Atlantic Cape Community College began in 2003 when, as Director of Human Resources at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, she was a key partner and decision-maker in developing many successful training and education programs for Borgata team members through Atlantic Cape’s Continuing Education Department. Her desire to enhance her knowledge of law specialties prompted her to pursue an Associate in Applied Sciences degree in Paralegal Studies from Atlantic Cape Community College in 2015. Dr. Brundage-Johnson has been an adjunct instructor at Atlantic Cape since 2019 and a senior adjunct since 2023 teaching human resources management and principles of management courses on campus and online. She served on the Atlantic Cape Foundation Board, Restaurant Gala Committee, Business Advisory Board, and presently serves on the Atlantic Cape Alumni Association Council.
Raymond Williams, Class of 1972
Business Administration, A.S.
Raymond Williams attended Atlantic Cape after serving in the military during the Vietnam War. He earned an Associate in Science degree in Business Administration in 1972 and transferred to Stockton College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Studies and Finance in 1974. Mr. Williams went on to obtain a Master of Business Administration from Monmouth University five years later. Mr. Williams has always been a supporter of veterans in our area, working for the Atlantic County Veterans Action Center, serving as a key member of the Veterans Peer Council, and conducting fundraising events in support of veterans’ initiatives. Mr. Williams owned a retail sports store in Smithville and opened his own business called Human Capital Resources, which recruited executives in banking and finance for key banks in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. He was the company’s CEO for 30 years before retiring. Most recently, Mr. Williams, along with two fellow Atlantic Cape graduates who are also veterans, approached Atlantic Cape to endeavor a way to honor the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War at the college. He is working to raise funds to bring a replica Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall to Atlantic Cape for public display along with a series of commemorative events for veterans, their families, and the general public to enjoy.
Walter Johnson, III, Class of 1993
Liberal Arts, A.A.
Walter Johnson earned his Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts in 1993. Since then, he has built an impressive career as an educator with over 20 years of teaching experience, devoting his professional life to shaping young minds and uplifting his students. His leadership and commitment to education are also evident in his 13 years of service on the Atlantic City Board of Education, where he has held roles as both president and vice president and continues to serve as vice president. He is a longtime member of the NAACP (Atlantic City) and the First Ward Civic Association. He serves on the Atlantic City Citizen's Advisory Board and as treasurer for the Inlet Community Development Corporation, where his financial expertise and advocacy have been vital. Additionally, Mr. Johnson is an active Congressional Contact for Cape May County through the New Jersey Education Association, tirelessly lobbying for the needs of students and educators. Through his work with the Inlet Community Development Corporation—a community development initiative sponsored by Atlantic Cape—he actively supports initiatives that enhance opportunities for the community and the college. Mr. Johnson earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Rowan University and a Master of Education from Stockton University. He has been a special education teacher at the Ocean City High School and Intermediate School since 2008.
Regina McCann Larsen, Class of 1974
Nursing, A.A.S.
Regina McCann Larsen graduated in 1974 with an Associate in Applied Science degree in Nursing. She was a proud member of the Atlantic Cape women’s basketball team. Upon graduating from Atlantic Cape, she landed a job at Burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital in Cape May Court House. As time went on, Ms. Larsen continued taking courses at Atlantic Cape to attain additional professional credentials while simultaneously pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree and School Nurse Certification at Glassboro State College (Rowan University), which she ultimately earned in 1996. Ms. Larsen has served as a Clinical Instructor of Licensed Nursing Students at Cape May County Technical School for two years before taking on the position of School Nurse/Health Education Teacher for Sea Isle Public Schools. There, she was also the Athletic Director and head coach of co-ed Track & Field, Girls’ Basketball, and co-ed cross country. She is the founder and former president of 21 Down a down syndrome awareness group serving Atlantic and Cape May Counties, founder and coach of the Sea Isle City Islanders (Special Olympics team), and owner/operator of Larsen’s Marina since 1984. Ms. Larsen has guided youth toward the benefits and opportunities offered by Atlantic Cape Community College, often times referring to her own experience to encourage enrollment at the college.
Alana Maldonado, Class of 2018
Human Services, A.S
Alana Maldonado began attending Atlantic Cape when she was 15 years old while she was a student at COMPACT Alternative High School in Cape May Court House. She continued her education at the college after graduating high school and took a part-time job as a library assistant. In 2018, Ms. Maldonado earned an Associate in Science degree in Human Services, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She went on to Rutgers University to pursue a Bachelor degree in Social Work and will complete her coursework and graduate from the program this May. Ms. Maldonado spent six years working at Cape Assist, a non-profit agency that specializes in Substance Use Prevention and Treatment in Cape May County. Through her work at Cape Assist, Alana engaged in assessment, research, community collaboration, outreach initiatives and activities to reduce risk and enhance protective factors in Cape May County. She wore many hats at the agency, first serving as the coordinator of Older Adult Programs from 2018-2020, the Youth Sector Coalition Coordinator from 2018-2022, and most recently, the Mental Health Awareness Trainings Coordinator from 2022-2024. In December 2024, Ms. Maldonado was hired as the Executive Director of The Branches Outreach, a Cape May County non-profit dedicated to providing food, personal care, case management, and compassionate support to those in need in Cape May County. Ms. Maldonado credits Atlantic Cape for empowering her to continue her education and change the trajectory of her lift. She often returns to speak to groups during Atlantic Cape Foundation fundraising events to talk about her story and the importance of the support she received while attending the college.
Chef Kyle Timpson, Class of 2016
Academy of Culinary Arts Certificate
Chef Kyle Timpson, a Cape May County native, has always loved the culinary arts. Chef Timpson attended the Academy of Culinary Arts after graduating from high school and earned two certificates, one in Culinary Arts and the other in Baking & Pastry. He began his career at various seasonal restaurants along the southern Jersey shore, including Beach Plum Farm in Cape May. After graduating from the ACA, Chef Timpson moved to Philadelphia. He worked aboard the Moshulu, the world’s oldest and largest square-rigged sailing vessel still afloat, serving as the chef de cuisine and was the executive chef at SIN Philadelphia, an upscale restaurant with cuisine influenced by the Miami, New York and Las Vegas food/nightlife scenes. He also spent time at the Four Seasons as a senior sous chef. In 2024 he took a hiatus to join the Season 23 cast of Hell's Kitchen. In the show’s finale on February 6, it was revealed that Chef Timpson had won the competition! Season 23 began with a field of 18 highly qualified and experienced chefs. As the show’s winner, Kyle was awarded $250,000 and the head chef job at the Hell’s Kitchen restaurant at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT, where the season was shot.
From left to right: Latoya McGlone '17; Chef Michael D'Angelo '84; Dr. Antoinette Wilson '84, President Dr. Barbara Gaba; Dr. Terri-Lynn Hamby '94 & '98; Chef Deborah Pellegrino '92, and Christian Bolf '93.
President's Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients
Christian Bolf '93
Chef Michael D'Angelo '84
Dr. Terri-Lynn Hamby '94, '98
Chef Deborah Pellegrino '92
Dr. Antoinette Wilson '84
Young Alumni Achievement Award Recipient
Latoya Mcglone '17
President's Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients
Dr. Ananda Davis-Wright '06
Chef Georgeann Leaming '99
Daniel L. Money '71
Young Alumni Achievement Award Recipients
Nicholas LaRotonda '14
Zachary Pashley '10
President's Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients
Terry Budd '78
Greg Lasher '97
William McCarrick '84
Young Alumni Achievement Award Recipients
Taylor Henry '16
Jerome S. Ingram, Jr. '04
President's Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients
Madeline Quinn Seidenstricker '71
Donna Vassallo '85
Young Alumni Achievement Award Recipients
Pamela Shute '06
Harry Walk '09
President's Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients
Mayor Beth Holtzman '82
Dennis Kelly '78
Young Alumni Achievement Award Recipients
Richard Russell, Jr. '99
Kyle Schachner '16
Top row from left: Chad Affrunti '05, James Hennessey '00, Deputy Chief James Sarkos '96, and Nathan Evans, Jr '15.
Bottom row from left: Freeholder E. Marie Hayes '79, Toshira Maldonado-McIntosh '08, Atlantic Cape president Dr. Barbara Gaba, Felix Contreras-Castro '14, and Bert Lopez '81.
Raymond Davis, '92
Maria Mento, '77
Dr. Robert L. Vogel, '68
Dr. Brian Kirchner, '78
MaryAnne Figueroa, '86
Chef Joseph Sheridan, '96
Dr. Carole Dieterly, '08
Kimberly Richardson, '10
Gloryvie Reyes, '01
Terri Lu Schieder, '79
Stephen Dunn, '68
Thomas Innocente, '71
Dr. Valerie Travis-Reese, '82
Katherine M. Morris, Esq., '90
Michael R. Rann, Esq., '88
Janice DeCicco Fipp, Ed.D., '70
