2010 Hall of Fame Inductees

Gul Dadlani, '90 - 2010 Hall of Fame
	*Gul Dadlani, '90* - After graduating from OACS, Gul went on to the State University of New York at Buffalo where he earned his BA in Biological Sciences, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1994. Four years later Gul received his Medical degree from UB. From 1998 to 2001, he completed a residency in pediatrics at Children's Hospital, Buffalo, where he received the Resident Teaching Award in three consecutive years as well as the University of Buffalo Medical School Siegal Teaching Award in Pediatrics. Between 2001 and 2004 Dr. Dadlani completed a fellowship in pediatric cardiology at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY and twice received a Fellow Teaching Award from Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong. Dr. Dadlani is board certified in pediatric cardiology. His special interests include heart failure, cardiomyopathies, pulmonary hypertension, fetal echocardiography and Kawasaki disease. Dr. Dadlani is the Medical Director of Pediatric Cardiology and Pediatric Cardiology Echocardiography Laboratory Director at All Children's Hospital located in St. Petersburg, FL Safebeat Initiative, a current research project directed by Dr. Dadlani, involves All Children's Hospital community outreach program partnering with the Cardiac Arrhythmias Syndromes Foundation to provide cardiovascular education and free screening EKG's to high school students along the west coast of Florida with the goal of preventing sudden cardiac death. Dr. Dadlani is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of South Florida since February 2005. He has also presented numerous lectures relating to infant cardiology, authored a chapter in a medical textbook, and is credited as author of several medical publications.

Gul Dadlani, '90 - 2010 Hall of Fame

Gul Dadlani, '90 - After graduating from OACS, Gul went on to the State University of New York at Buffalo where he earned his BA in Biological Sciences, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1994. Four years later Gul received his Medical degree from UB. From 1998 to 2001, he completed a residency in pediatrics at Children's Hospital, Buffalo, where he received the Resident Teaching Award in three consecutive years as well as the University of Buffalo Medical School Siegal Teaching Award in Pediatrics.

Between 2001 and 2004 Dr. Dadlani completed a fellowship in pediatric cardiology at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY and twice received a Fellow Teaching Award from Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong.

Dr. Dadlani is board certified in pediatric cardiology. His special interests include heart failure, cardiomyopathies, pulmonary hypertension, fetal echocardiography and Kawasaki disease.

Dr. Dadlani is the Medical Director of Pediatric Cardiology and Pediatric Cardiology Echocardiography Laboratory Director at All Children's Hospital located in St. Petersburg, FL

Safebeat Initiative, a current research project directed by Dr. Dadlani, involves All Children's Hospital community outreach program partnering with the Cardiac Arrhythmias Syndromes Foundation to provide cardiovascular education and free screening EKG's to high school students along the west coast of Florida with the goal of preventing sudden cardiac death.

Dr. Dadlani is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of South Florida since February 2005. He has also presented numerous lectures relating to infant cardiology, authored a chapter in a medical textbook, and is credited as author of several medical publications.

David Odell, '65 - 2010 Hall of Fame
	*David Odell, '65* - David Odell is a retired DEC wildlife biologist. Early in his life David decided he would devote his career and energy to protecting our natural resources. His love of the outdoors began with his earliest childhood experiences exploring the fields and forests around Alabama, NY, studying and collecting everything from fossils to live animals. In the fall of 1965 David entered Houghton College. Four years later he received his B.A. in Zoology. From Houghton David went on to SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse where his major was Zoology. He received his Master of Science, Emphasis: Wildlife Management in 1974. After high school and college, some interesting employment opportunities came his way, but David was convinced that he could make the greatest difference in the field of natural resource conservation. When offered a job with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation David gladly accepted and became a career employee. As Project Coordinator of the Montezuma Wetlands, David played a significant role in the expansion of land protection, restoration, enhancement and management of the Montezuma Wetland Complex. His leadership assisted the Montezuma Wetland Complex in pursuing North American Wetlands Conservation Act grants that were successful, thus providing well over two million dollars for conservation in this important waterfowl and wetlands management. In his role as program director of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex, David has worked with a variety of partners, including Ducks Unlimited, DEC, The Audubon Society, the Nature Conservancy, the Friends of Montezuma, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and others. His lifelong commitment to and passion for waterfowl conservation has made a difference for all New Yorkers who enjoy wildlife. From April 1995 to June 2006 David served as DEC's Regional Wildlife Manager in Avon. In this position, along with many other responsibilities, David supervised a staff of 14 permanent biologists and technicians, a secretary, and up to 8 seasonal employees responsible for implementing DEC's entire wildlife program in eleven counties of central and western NY In addition to his work with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation David has also served as an Assistant Professor (adjunct) with the Houghton College Department of Biology. In this role he taught courses including Wildlife Biology, Field Ornithology, Ecology of Alaska (two trips) and Animal Ecology Lab. David has also authored numerous conservation related materials. Outside the workplace, Dave is active in his church, having served as a trustee, elder, adult S.S. teacher, home Bible study leader, and (together with his wife) has taken part in two short-term missions trips to Honduras. Dave is a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International, having served as local club president and literacy chairman. He and his wife, Rebecca, run a Bed and Breakfast in their 1840 farmhouse near Clyde, NY.

David Odell, '65 - 2010 Hall of Fame

David Odell, '65 - David Odell is a retired DEC wildlife biologist. Early in his life David decided he would devote his career and energy to protecting our natural resources. His love of the outdoors began with his earliest childhood experiences exploring the fields and forests around Alabama, NY, studying and collecting everything from fossils to live animals.

In the fall of 1965 David entered Houghton College. Four years later he received his B.A. in Zoology. From Houghton David went on to SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse where his major was Zoology. He received his Master of Science, Emphasis: Wildlife Management in 1974.

After high school and college, some interesting employment opportunities came his way, but David was convinced that he could make the greatest difference in the field of natural resource conservation. When offered a job with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation David gladly accepted and became a career employee.

As Project Coordinator of the Montezuma Wetlands, David played a significant role in the expansion of land protection, restoration, enhancement and management of the Montezuma Wetland Complex. His leadership assisted the Montezuma Wetland Complex in pursuing North American Wetlands Conservation Act grants that were successful, thus providing well over two million dollars for conservation in this important waterfowl and wetlands management. In his role as program director of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex, David has worked with a variety of partners, including Ducks Unlimited, DEC, The Audubon Society, the Nature Conservancy, the Friends of Montezuma, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and others. His lifelong commitment to and passion for waterfowl conservation has made a difference for all New Yorkers who enjoy wildlife.

From April 1995 to June 2006 David served as DEC's Regional Wildlife Manager in Avon. In this position, along with many other responsibilities, David supervised a staff of 14 permanent biologists and technicians, a secretary, and up to 8 seasonal employees responsible for implementing DEC's entire wildlife program in eleven counties of central and western NY

In addition to his work with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation David has also served as an Assistant Professor (adjunct) with the Houghton College Department of Biology. In this role he taught courses including Wildlife Biology, Field Ornithology, Ecology of Alaska (two trips) and Animal Ecology Lab. David has also authored numerous conservation related materials.

Outside the workplace, Dave is active in his church, having served as a trustee, elder, adult S.S. teacher, home Bible study leader, and (together with his wife) has taken part in two short-term missions trips to Honduras. Dave is a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International, having served as local club president and literacy chairman. He and his wife, Rebecca, run a Bed and Breakfast in their 1840 farmhouse near Clyde, NY.

Valerie Palone-McDonald, '74 - 2010 Hall of Fame
	*Valerie Palone McDonald, '74* - After graduating from OA with the Class of 74 Valerie Palone went to work for GTE Sylvania where she remained until August 1978. During that time she also attended night classes at Genesee Community College where she studied Business Administration and Accounting. A move to Washington, D.C. later that year would prove to be a major turning point in her life; she has several decades of experience with the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice, and Federal Bureau of Prisons since that time. On Sept 10, 1978, Val began her career in Washington as a Fingerprint Examiner with the FBI. By February 1981, she was an FBI Space Management Specialist managing over 300 FBI offices located west of the Mississippi, including Hawaii and Alaska. In May 1986, she was assigned as a Facilities Planning Specialist for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). In 1987 Valerie was selected as the first female Construction Project Administrator for the Department of Justice (DOJ), Justice Management Division, Facilities and Administrative Services Staff. Beginning in July 1992 Val served as a Facilities Management Officer at the Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP). One of her responsibilities in that capacity was to direct the development and implementation of a nationwide Long Range Master Plan to address Federal Prison facilities physical plant and infrastructure of older Institutions which had fallen into disrepair over many years of inmate population growth and lack of funding to repair the real property and physical plant infrastructure. In 1999, Val was promoted to the Chief Facilities Programs, FBOP, becoming the first female ever to hold this high position. One national program that she has managed was the energy and water conservation program. Through Val's leadership, her staff and team won several Department of Energy, General Services Administration, and a Presidential Award for energy and water conservation nationwide. The Presidential Award was for the first Federal photovoltaic/solar project using the sun and windmills to power several areas of a Federal Prison in Victorville, California. This project resulted in reducing energy consumption, operating costs, and tax dollars. In May 2006 Val was selected as the Chief of Facilities Management for the Drug Enforcement Administration. In this position she was responsible for acquisition, design, construction and operation of 379 DEA domestic offices nationwide. On December 6, 2009, Val was again promoted and selected as the first female ever to serve in her current capacity as DEA Chief Facilities Operations Section, for DEA Real Property world-wide, including DEA presence in 86 countries. Over the course of her Federal career, Valerie has written many policies, manuals, reports, budgets and project papers. From February 2005 to October 2005, Val authored the FBOP Real Property Assessment Plan to comply with a Presidential Executive order. This Asset Management Plan became the model for the Department of Justice and was ultimately submitted to and approved by the Office of Management and Budget, Congress, and The President. Val is a regular contributor and volunteer for many charities, non-profit organizations, and community activities. Val contributes to OACS in hosting tours of DEA Headquarters and the DEA Museum for OA Freshman trips to Washington. She mentors other female Federal employees. She resides in Fairfax, Virginia with her husband Michael McDonald.

Valerie Palone-McDonald, '74 - 2010 Hall of Fame

Valerie Palone McDonald, '74 - After graduating from OA with the Class of 74 Valerie Palone went to work for GTE Sylvania where she remained until August 1978. During that time she also attended night classes at Genesee Community College where she studied Business Administration and Accounting. A move to Washington, D.C. later that year would prove to be a major turning point in her life; she has several decades of experience with the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice, and Federal Bureau of Prisons since that time.

On Sept 10, 1978, Val began her career in Washington as a Fingerprint Examiner with the FBI. By February 1981, she was an FBI Space Management Specialist managing over 300 FBI offices located west of the Mississippi, including Hawaii and Alaska. In May 1986, she was assigned as a Facilities Planning Specialist for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). In 1987 Valerie was selected as the first female Construction Project Administrator for the Department of Justice (DOJ), Justice Management Division, Facilities and Administrative Services Staff.

Beginning in July 1992 Val served as a Facilities Management Officer at the Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP). One of her responsibilities in that capacity was to direct the development and implementation of a nationwide Long Range Master Plan to address Federal Prison facilities physical plant and infrastructure of older Institutions which had fallen into disrepair over many years of inmate population growth and lack of funding to repair the real property and physical plant infrastructure.

In 1999, Val was promoted to the Chief Facilities Programs, FBOP, becoming the first female ever to hold this high position. One national program that she has managed was the energy and water conservation program. Through Val's leadership, her staff and team won several Department of Energy, General Services Administration, and a Presidential Award for energy and water conservation nationwide. The Presidential Award was for the first Federal photovoltaic/solar project using the sun and windmills to power several areas of a Federal Prison in Victorville, California. This project resulted in reducing energy consumption, operating costs, and tax dollars.

In May 2006 Val was selected as the Chief of Facilities Management for the Drug Enforcement Administration. In this position she was responsible for acquisition, design, construction and operation of 379 DEA domestic offices nationwide. On December 6, 2009, Val was again promoted and selected as the first female ever to serve in her current capacity as DEA Chief Facilities Operations Section, for DEA Real Property world-wide, including DEA presence in 86 countries.

Over the course of her Federal career, Valerie has written many policies, manuals, reports, budgets and project papers. From February 2005 to October 2005, Val authored the FBOP Real Property Assessment Plan to comply with a Presidential Executive order. This Asset Management Plan became the model for the Department of Justice and was ultimately submitted to and approved by the Office of Management and Budget, Congress, and The President.

Val is a regular contributor and volunteer for many charities, non-profit organizations, and community activities. Val contributes to OACS in hosting tours of DEA Headquarters and the DEA Museum for OA Freshman trips to Washington. She mentors other female Federal employees. She resides in Fairfax, Virginia with her husband Michael McDonald.

Col. Ernest B. Shepard, 1934 - 2010 Hall of Fame
	*Colonel Ernest B. Shepard, 1934* - Ernest B. Shepard was born in Presque Isle, Maine, but moved to the Town of Alabama, NY at an early age. He graduated from Oakfield High School in 1934 and went on to attend Geneseo State Teachers College. After completion of studies at Geneseo, Ernest taught for four years at Warren Harding Junior High School in Rochester, NY. Ernest then decided to serve his country and enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served in active duty from November 3, 1941 until his retirement on August 1, 1968. Shortly after his enlistment the United States entered World War II where Ernest served with distinction as a Fighter Pilot with the 316th Fighter Squadron. While with the 316th Ernest flew 80 combat missions in the North African, Sicilian and Italian Campaigns. During these campaigns he is credited with shooting down two enemy Messerschmitt 109 Aircraft. As WWII progressed Ernest was transferred to the European Theater and was attached to the 384th Fighter Squadron. Here he served as a fighter pilot and Fighter Squadron Leader on 35 additional combat missions and shot down one additional enemy aircraft. Because of his leadership skills Captain Shepard was selected to serve as Squadron Operations Officer and was promoted to the rank of Major by February 1945. This young man from the Oakfield Class of 34, who went on to become a P-51 Mustang pilot and squadron operation officer, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross "for extraordinary achievement while serving as pilot of a P-51 airplane on bomber escort mission s over Germany and German occupied countries from September 9, 1944 to January 3, 1945." He was recognized for demonstrating an unfailing initiative and exemplary devotion to duty. Ernest B. Shepard served with distinction as lead pilot of a fighter group and fighter squadron on 14 missions. His outstanding leadership and outstanding airmanship resulted in the successful completion of these operations without loss of personal. Major Shepard received numerous other decorations and awards in addition to the: Distinguished Flying Cross. These include the Air Medal with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters; Distinguished Unit Citation; European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 7 Bronze Stars: Air Force Longevity Service Award with 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster; National Defense Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star; Viet Nam Service Medal; Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon. Before retiring Major Shepard served his county with assignments in the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Viet Nam. He was also promoted to the rank of Colonel. Colonel Ernest Berryman Shepard passed away February 27, 1980 at the age of 62.

Col. Ernest B. Shepard, 1934 - 2010 Hall of Fame

Colonel Ernest B. Shepard, 1934 - Ernest B. Shepard was born in Presque Isle, Maine, but moved to the Town of Alabama, NY at an early age. He graduated from Oakfield High School in 1934 and went on to attend Geneseo State Teachers College. After completion of studies at Geneseo, Ernest taught for four years at Warren Harding Junior High School in Rochester, NY.

Ernest then decided to serve his country and enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served in active duty from November 3, 1941 until his retirement on August 1, 1968.

Shortly after his enlistment the United States entered World War II where Ernest served with distinction as a Fighter Pilot with the 316th Fighter Squadron. While with the 316th Ernest flew 80 combat missions in the North African, Sicilian and Italian Campaigns. During these campaigns he is credited with shooting down two enemy Messerschmitt 109 Aircraft.

As WWII progressed Ernest was transferred to the European Theater and was attached to the 384th Fighter Squadron. Here he served as a fighter pilot and Fighter Squadron Leader on 35 additional combat missions and shot down one additional enemy aircraft. Because of his leadership skills Captain Shepard was selected to serve as Squadron Operations Officer and was promoted to the rank of Major by February 1945.

This young man from the Oakfield Class of 34, who went on to become a P-51 Mustang pilot and squadron operation officer, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross "for extraordinary achievement while serving as pilot of a P-51 airplane on bomber escort mission s over Germany and German occupied countries from September 9, 1944 to January 3, 1945." He was recognized for demonstrating an unfailing initiative and exemplary devotion to duty. Ernest B. Shepard served with distinction as lead pilot of a fighter group and fighter squadron on 14 missions. His outstanding leadership and outstanding airmanship resulted in the successful completion of these operations without loss of personal.

Major Shepard received numerous other decorations and awards in addition to the: Distinguished Flying Cross. These include the Air Medal with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters; Distinguished Unit Citation; European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 7 Bronze Stars: Air Force Longevity Service Award with 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster; National Defense Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star; Viet Nam Service Medal; Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.

Before retiring Major Shepard served his county with assignments in the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Viet Nam. He was also promoted to the rank of Colonel.

Colonel Ernest Berryman Shepard passed away February 27, 1980 at the age of 62.