Newsmakers: February 2022
Published February 7, 2022
Karen Aroesty has been named director of St. Louis County’s Department of Administration. She will oversee county services, including financial and personnel affairs, customer service, risk management, procurement, the Office of Performance Management and Budget, and diversity, equity and inclusion programs. She continues to serve as chair of the county’s Human Relations Commission and leads the U.S Attorney’s Hate Crimes Task Force. A member of Kol Rinah, Aroesty served as regional director of the Anti-Defamation League from 2000 through 2021.
Dan Vianello is the new board president of Bais Abraham Congregation. He is a lead data engineer at Publicis Media.
Matthew Wohl, president of the Doe Run Co., expanded his role to include CEO. He leads a nine-member executive team and is responsible for the privately held mining company’s strategic direction and performance. Wohl attends Kol Rinah.
Abby Durlester has joined Stock Legal. Her law practice includes corporate and entertainment transactions and working with local entrepreneurs, in addition to creative and intellectual property work. Durlester is a member of Congregation Shaare Emeth.
Ritenour School District’s 2021-2022 Diamond Circle teachers include Amanda Stein and Mark Goldman. Diamond Circle Awards are given to teachers who best exemplify the district’s commitment to quality education and service. Stein is in her 10th year teaching and teaches third grade at Iveland Elementary. She attends Congregation Temple Israel. Goldman, a 25-year veteran, is a Ritenour Middle School eighth grade English language arts and social studies teacher He also coaches intramural hockey.
Aaron Vickar is one of six people who will be inducted into the St. Louis Amateur Hockey Hall of Fame on Aug. 20, at the St. Charles Convention Center. Vickar played hockey with the Missouri River Otters, a minor league professional team. The Hall of Fame honors those who work to support, promote and expand amateur hockey throughout the St. Louis region. Vickar, a member of Kol Rinah, is a wealth adviser for Buckingham Strategic Wealth.
Dr. Jeff Dalin is the 2022 recipient of the American Dental Association’s Humanitarian Award in recognition of his efforts co-founding the St. Louis Give Kids A Smile program and helping guide the national ADA Give Kids A Smile program for 20 years. The award recognizes dentist members who have spent at least 10 years improving the oral health of underserved populations in the U.S. The award includes $10,000 to be given to the dental charity or project of the recipient’s choice and national recognition at an ADA event in the future. Dalin is a member of Congregation B’nai Amoona.
Paintings by Mark Koritz are on exhibit in Componere Gallery of Art in the Delmar Loop. Profits go to Men’s Group Against Cancer. Koritz attends Shaare Emeth.
David Laiderman has succeeded his aunt, Bonnie Laiderman, as chief executive officer of Veterans Home Care. He has served as an executive consultant with VHC for the past several years. Founder Bonnie Laiderman is retiring. Both are members of United Hebrew Congregation.
Washington University Ophthalmology welcomed Dr. Stephen Wexler. He will offer LASIK procedures at the new Washington University LASIK and Refractive Surgery Center in Creve Coeur, which opens this spring.
Adam Brandvein and Jordan Hoffman won gold at the 2022 Missouri Show-Me Games Winter Blast men’s doubles pickleball tournament Jan. 22-23 in St. Peters. Brandvein’s aunt and uncle, Rochelle and Randy Aaranson, won silver in mixed doubles. This win qualifies all of them to go to the State Games of America in Ames, Iowa, in July. The Aaransons also placed silver in mixed doubles in Naples, Fla., in December. Rochelle Aaranson is president of Brandvein-Aaranson Public Relations. Randy Aaranson is a podiatrist/foot and ankle surgeon. The Aaransons and Brandvein attend Shaare Emeth.
Newsmakers is a compilation of the Jewish community’s newsworthy professional and academic accomplishments. Submit your news to [email protected]. Call 314-743-3669 for more information. Published the first edition of each month. Newsmakers is compiled by Elise Krug.
