Young Alumni - Board Bios

Andrew Pete, President

Andrew graduated from BYU with a BA in communications, emphasis in public relations, in 2007. While a student at Brigham Young University, Andrew was the treasurer for the BYU chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America and the vice president of community relations for the BYU Student Alumni Association. Andrew is the public relations manager for Agel Enterprises, an international direct selling company. Andrew is originally from Fresno, CA, and has served as President of the Young Alumni Association since January 2008.

Cary Johnson, Board Member

Cary graduated from BYU with an MA in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) in 2004. After graduating, Cary taught at the university's English Language Center (ELC) and in the Department of Linguistics and English Language. While working at the ELC, Cary also had opportunities to teach in Beijing, China. Cary is pursuing a PhD in instructional psychology and technology at BYU in the College of Education. Cary is originally from Sanford, CO, and has served on the Young Alumni Association Board since January 2008.

Rob Peterson, Board Member

Rob graduated from BYU with a BS in international studies in 2002. After graduation, he spent six years in Washington, D.C. interning at the U.S. Department of Commerce (International Trade Administration) and then working full time for JPMorgan Chase. While in DC, Rob served on the board for the Washington, D.C. Chapter of the BYU Alumni Association and as a volunteer team leader for the Northern Virginia Affiliate of Habitat for Humanity. He recently returned to BYU to earn his MBA from the Marriott School of Management. Rob is originally from Chicago and has served on the Young Alumni Association Board since January 2008.

Janessa Cloward, Board Member

Janessa graduated from BYU with a BA in communications, emphasis in print journalism, and a minor in business, in 2007. While a student at BYU, Janessa was the secretary for the BYU chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and part of the Marriott School of Management Leadership Organization. Janessa has also traveled to Mexico with The Kaiizen Foundation, a non-profit group that serves children in third world countries. After graduation, Janessa interned with New Era magazine. She now works in the marketing communications department at IdeaSphere, a supplement company. Janessa is originally from La Mirada, CA, and has served on the Young Alumni Association Board since January 2008.

Kim Christenson, Board Member

Kim graduated from BYU with a BA in English in 2007. Since graduation, Kim has worked at Covenant Communications, Inc. as a Public Relations & Promotions Specialist and does everything from writing the text on the back of books to writing and distributing press releases. She also does PR for the BYU men's soccer team. Kim spent her high school years in Brisbane, Australia, where she held koalas and learned to fake an Australian accent. She enjoys acting, writing and traveling. Kim currently lives in Provo with her husband, Clay. Kim is originally from Draper, Utah and has served on the Young Alumni Association Board since February 2008.

Bernice Madsen, Board Member

Bernice graduated from BYU with a BA in communications, emphasis in broadcast journalism, and a minor in health education, in 2004. While a student at BYU, Bernice participated in the university's student council, serving on the leadership council for Freshman Academy. She also volunteered for the Utah Summer Special Olympics that take place every summer on BYU campus. After interning with KSL for her final semester, Bernice went to work as a writer and editor for Nu Skin Enterprises after graduation, before returning to BYU to work in the department of Independent Study in the Division of Continuing Education. Bernice is originally from Hong Kong, but calls Calgary, Alberta home. She has served on the Young Alumni Association Board since January 2008.