SHELBY — Six new members were inducted Oct. 11 into the Shelby High School Hall of Distinction — including five alumni and a retired school system superintendent.
The Class of 2025 included John Rietveld, Debora Broka d’Aquin, John Gies, Laura Kim, Todd Riehl and Kent Eyler. A ceremony took place this past Saturday in the high school theater.
Since the first nominees were inducted in 2005, Shelby’s Hall of Distinction has grown to include members involved in a wide field of endeavors. The recognition system was established by Mike Johnson, a 1963 Shelby High School graduate.
Below are bios for the Shelby High School 2025 Hall of Distinction inductees, as published on the Ohio Genealogical Society Richland-Shelby Chapter website.
John Rietveld, Class of 1964
John Rietveld launched his career early in the age of computer science, first in the Army and then installing computer systems for the Department of Defense.
While at SHS John was active in Youth For Christ and in his church’s youth group which he served as president.
In 1972, upon completing his second tour in Korea, John was assigned to the Army’s Computer Science School, teaching programming languages to fellow soldiers. The Army then selected him to attend the University of Central Texas to obtain a computer science degree.
He graduated in 1974, when he also earned a certificate in data processing. At the Army’s Computer Science School, he wrote the first computer-assisted instruction course and was on the team that installed a new IBM computer that allowed courses to be taught interactively.
In 1982, he earned a master’s in information science from the University of Central Texas.
In Europe, Rietveld supported all Army IBM sites as well as five mobile IBM mainframes that could be relocated as needed. During his 20 years in the Army, for his work in the computer field, he was awarded three Army Commendation Medals, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Legion of Merit. He retired as a Chief Warrant Officer.
After retiring from the Army he remained in Europe, joined Electronic Data Systems and led a team that upgraded 14 military computer centers in Germany, Belgium and Italy. Upon his return to the states, he supported IBM mainframe installations until his retirement as a senior systems software engineer. He retired again – sort of.
Relates a fellow alum, “John is in a study at the University of North Florida to learn if computerized training exercises can reduce risk of cognitive impairment or dementia.”
Deb Broka d’Aquin, Class of 1976
Deb Broka d’Aquin has built a stellar, 40-year career, becoming a pioneering woman in global business. During her years at SHS, Broka d’Aquin played cornet in the Whippet marching band for four years, played French horn – winning two first-place showings in state French horn competitions – played four years in the concert band and cites with gratitude band director Dwight Somerville.
She found another niche in theater and thanks teacher Jim Hunter for his guidance. During her four years as an SHS thespian Broka d’Aquin said, “I played every old maid school marm there was.” She also was a member of the Bi-Phy-Chem Club, worked at Marvin Memorial Library and maintained a 4.0 grade point average.
“It wasn’t always the easiest going to the high school where your dad (Richard Broka) taught and was a tough grader, but I’m grateful that it forged me into a resourceful and critical thinking human, and those foundations have driven me all my life. Several exceptional friends I had the privilege of growing up with – Mike Wagner, Laura Long, Darice Smith, Amy Bricker, Mark Allard and Rocke Hudson – remain friends today,” she said.
Afterward, Broka d’Aquin earned a bachelor’s degree at Anderson University and did post-graduate studies at Fordham University and the University of Santa Clara.
During her global business career, from 1988-93, Deb lived and worked in Hong Kong – where both her daughters – Eva and Zoe – were born. From her Hong Kong base, she conducted business in Japan, Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and India. Her travels also have taken her to Europe where she has lived and worked in Spain.
Later she was a founding partner of TAG Media Network, with offices in Washington, D.C. and Bangalore, India. Currently, Broka d’Aquin is senior vice president of marketing for Eci eCommerce Industries where she is building a global software brand.
She and husband Jerry are art enthusiasts and founded the d’Aquin Gallery in Burnsville, North Carolina where they have lived since 2014. Says one alum, “Deb’s success in global business has required sizable measures of both ability and determination. Her record stands as a beacon for other aspiring women.”
John Gies, Class of 1984
A native Shelbian, John Gies has dedicated nearly a quarter century to guiding thousands of SHS students along their educational journey. While an SHS student, Gies was a member of the track team, a trainer for the football team, a member of the Academic Challenge team and attended Buckeye Boys state.
He then earned a bachelor’s degree in education at Bowling Green State University and later at Ashland University a master’s degree in educational administration.
Gies began his career in education as a social studies teacher and track and football coach from 1990-1993 at Marion Catholic High School and then from 1993-1999 at Mansfield Madison Comprehensive High School.
He began teaching social studies from 1999-2000 at SHS where he also coached track and football. From 2001-2003, Gies began his education administrative career as assistant principal at Firelands High School in Oberlin.
He then returned to SHS as assistant principal. In 2006 he was promoted to SHS principal, a position he continues to hold. Gies is a member of the SHS Alumni Association Board of Trustees which he serves as treasurer. He also is on the Board of Trustees for Marvin Memorial Library and is a member of the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators, which he is currently serving as state coordinator, representing all Ohio principals at the National Association of Secondary School Principals.
Says a fellow alum, “John has earned a reputation as a tremendous contributor to the excellence in education for which Shelby is known.”
Laura Kim, Class of 1985
Have you ever seen the award-winning documentary film “March of the Penguins?” Laura Kim was central to making that happen. While at SHS, she was a member of the Quiz Team and the symphonic choir, played tennis and was a Scarlet S staff editor.
Kim earned a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications at Boston University with a minor in sociology. Throughout college, she worked for Warner Bros. as a New England-area college rep, served on the Minority Affairs Council, and was treasurer, then president of the Asian Student Union.
Upon graduation, Kim moved to Los Angeles and began working immediately at Buena Vista Pictures Marketing, a unit of Walt Disney Studios. After a few years, she joined MPRM where she ran the film group and for over a decade focused on many award-winning independent, documentary and international films.
In 2003, Kim joined the new subsidiary of Warner Bros., Warner Independent Pictures as Executive Vice President of Marketing. Her work there included overseeing films such as the award-winning films “Before Sunset,” “Good Night, and Good Luck.,” “Paradise Now,” and the blockbuster documentary “March of the Penguins.” Her work was honored by Advertising Age, a marketing trade publication, with its Marketer of the Year Award.
When Warner Independent was shuttered in 2008, Kim ran her own marketing consultancy working on “Margin Call,” “Restrepo,” “All is Lost,” “Stories We Tell,” and “The Act of Killing” to name a few. In 2014, she joined Participant Media. Since Participant’s closure in 2024, Kim has been working for MUBI on campaigns for films like “The Substance,” which brought MUBI their first Oscar nominations.
She has served on the jury at various festivals, including Sundance, and was elected to the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences, has served as chair of her branch, and also serves on the board of Film Independent, a non-profit that champions independent filmmakers.
Over her decades in the industry, she has worked to elevate the stories of others, an effort toward making sure attention is given to stories that reflect the world we live in, and has worked on dozens of films that expose some of the most pressing issues of our time.
Kim has taught a masters level marketing class for producers at the American Film Institute in addition to guest lecturing at University of Southern California, New York University, The New School, Emerson and Chapman film programs. She co-wrote and published with John Anderson “I Wake Up Screening,” a guide for aspiring filmmakers.
A fellow alum says, “As busy as Laura is, she often flies back to Shelby to visit classmates.” In Laura’s free time, she enjoys gardening, traveling – and of course, movies.
Todd Riehl, Class of 1992
From an early age, strengths in math and science and a desire for a career helping people were driving factors for Todd Riehl.
While at SHS, Riehl played basketball and baseball and ran cross country and track. He was a member of the Spanish Club, was active in service of his church (scripture lector, altar server, musician and youth council) and graduated as class salutatorian.
After graduating, a discussion of science careers with guidance counselor Ken Terman steered him to the University of Toledo where he earned both a bachelor’s degree in science and a doctoral degree in pharmaceutical sciences.
A desire to help cancer patients led Riehl to pursue post-doctoral residency training in oncology at the renowned MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, becoming the first University of Toledo graduate to do so. He remained there working as a clinical oncology pharmacist, assisting doctors in managing patients’ treatments.
While in Houston, Riehl was able to use the Spanish he had studied while at SHS.
He left clinical practice in 2006 and moved to California. There he worked in the pharmaceutical industry at Genentech, focusing on rare cancers, advances in science and genetics, and personalized medicine in pursuing his aspiration of ensuring that cancer patients have better treatments than chemotherapy.
He pioneered ways to study personalized cancer medicines and worked closely with the U.S. FDA and other global health authorities to obtain approvals. Riehl took on positions of increasing responsibility including serving as global development leader of tumor agnostic and rare cancer drug development and clinical trials.
Says an alum, “We are extremely proud of Todd with his roles in cancer research that have helped many people around the world so that they have more options than chemotherapy.”
Todd died in Belmont, California in 2021. Surviving are wife Jessica and two children.
Kent Eyler
During 15 years in Shelby, Kent Eyler served as assistant principal and principal at SHS and superintendent of Shelby City Schools.
Born in Lima on Sept. 24, 1927, Eyler graduated from Lima High School in 1945 as a class leader and a three-sport athlete of distinction. He was a WWII Navy veteran. He then earned his bachelor’s degree in education at Ohio State University in 1950 and his master’s degree at Bowling Green State University in 1960.
Eyler began his teaching and coaching career at Centerburg High School in 1950. His wife Margaret gave birth to son Steve ’70 in 1952. In 1953, he began teaching history and started a successful coaching tenure in basketball and baseball at Woodville High School until 1962.
During that decade sons Don ’73 and David ’77 were born. Next he served as principal at Washington Township High School and then Elmore High School.
In 1967, Eyler came to Shelby. During the ensuing 15 years, SHS saw soaring class sizes along with successes in education, music and athletics. As SHS principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent of Shelby City Schools, Eyler demonstrated strong leadership before retiring in 1982.
He relished interacting with students and faculty members.
Post-retirement when asked which administration position he most enjoyed, without hesitation Eyler said, “Being the high school principal and having the day-to-day interactions with the students and faculty was one of my favorite things and very rewarding. Humbly, I was pretty good at it.”
Many would agree. As one SHS graduate and long-time resident observed, “Mr. Eyler was an excellent leader as others strived to do their best under his watch.”
Eyler’s civic and community involvements included Shelby Rotary Club, which he served as president in 1979, First Lutheran Church, Shelby Club, Ohio Retired Teachers Association, American Association of School Administrators, American Legion and the Shelby Country Club.
He loved and closely followed the Cleveland Indians, Ohio State Buckeyes and Shelby Whippets. He died March 26, 2021 at 93 in Riverside Hospital in Columbus.