EMP-25

Hello from Texas! So much has happened with our class over the past months that I'll waste no time in delivering the news. Thanks to all who sent a note.

Wendy L. Tweeten resides in Naples, Fla., but continues to be affiliated with her business in Milwaukee. One question that I was not able to answer after reading her note was the current whereabouts of Bob F. Lestina. Can anyone help?

Dan Leffert writes that he hasn't toured Russia yet, but has moved to Switzerland. He states, "Vicky and I moved here with our son (16) and daughter (13)this past September for a three-year stay at Nestle's World Headquarters. My new role as assistant vice president factory systems, responsible for the software applications we use in the manufacturing and control of our factories, has become an opportunity to see the manufacturing process from the perspective of many different cultures." He concludes that, "Our office is in Vevey, a collection of towns of approximately 25,000 people on the banks of Lake Geneva and about 90 minutes east of the city of Geneva. We live in the small town of Pully." Dan says that it's not only a "treat" to be overseas, but that the opportunity to travel and see various countries is a thrill. He says the welcome mat is out for anyone traveling his way.

Another well traveled classmate and president/CEO is Thomas M. Prescott. He writes, "Somehow you found me! I am doing my best to keep moving, trying to stay ahead of the bills and taxman. It never works. We have been back in the Bay Area for almost two years. In 1996, I accepted a job with Nellcor Puritan Bennett as vice president and general manager of a very distressed $200 million respiratory products business. Nellcor had acquired this business in a 1995 acquisition of Puritan-Bennett. We wound up consolidating operations into two hubs and we moved to the St. Louis in 1997. In the middle of this turnaround, and our family move to St. Louis, the company was acquired by Mallinckrodt. We made the move even as we knew that I wouldn't stay with Mallinckrodt. I stayed in that role until May 1999 when I accepted a job with Cardiac Pathways, an invasive Cardiology company, as president and CEO. CPC was started up in 1991, went public in 1996 and almost went bankrupt in 1999. I came in with several VC firms that recapitalized the company. We are tracking towards profitability and starting to see some revenue momentum.

"My wife and I are happy to be back in the Bay Area and don't intend to move again, until it's time for the nursing home! Working in Silicon Valley is an amazing thing. What an incredible ride watching the dot-com revolution take off and correct so quickly. I have completely lost track of the gang, although Mike V. Schrock and I trade e-mail messages. Mike and Cathy adopted another Romanian child, Alex to be a little brother to Lauren. Mike is currently with Pentair Pump in Aurora, Ill."

Deborah Fiori and I were able to hook up at the Alamo Bowl Dec. 30. She is associated with Princeton University as business manager for the University Dining Group and is doing very well. It was great seeing her and catching up, and who coincidentally should stroll past us while we were visiting, but Associate Dean Ed Wilson! It served as a great time for all in the Alamo City, though we had hoped for a better outcome to the game.

I have received a number of notes from the following: William R. Knab, vice president of marketing for Medisystems Corporation in Seattle; John S. Strauss, vice president and general manger of System Sensor in St. Charles, Ill.; Michael M. Nanney, manager of business development for NEXEN Petroleum, U.S.A., Inc. in Dallas, Texas; and Brian L. Rucks who is enjoying his business venture, Rucks Custom Club Fitting, in Itasca, Ill., and says hello to all. Check out his Web site at www.ruckscustom.com.

It was great to hear from Harry M. Johns, executive vice president of strategic initiatives and marketing at the American Cancer Society in Atlanta who wrote: "I have not been diligent at following up on your good work for the past two or three years. During the time since I last communicated, I've left American Cancer Society and returned after being recruited back for a new role. Cindy and I went to the TCU game this year in Dallas. I talked to Michael that day though we couldn't get together and I saw Sally A. Faber and her husband Dana earlier in the year. I still see R. Scott Blankenship and his wife Cathy fairly frequently. In fact I owe them a call now. All the best to the class."

Down in the Sunshine State is Donald R. Misner, senior vice president for channel executive for Assurant Group (Fortis) of Miami. Don and Sally moved into a new home this last December, on a canal about a mile from Key Biscayne. December continued to be a busy month as his son, Donny, graduated from Colorado. Busy travel schedules remain. Don spends what time he can strolling the beaches with Sally and his super duper X582K metal detector. R. Scott Blankenship is currently the regional manager for account management (commercial accounts) for the USPS in the Southeast area. He has moved back to Florida, married Cathy (last Feb. 2 in Hawaii) and built a house on John's Lake in Clermont, close to Orlando. He states, "It's nice to be home."

Rachel M. Macha has stayed in touch and shared that her company, Access Direct, was ranked the eighth-fastest growing company in America by INC 500 in November. Access was also sold to USA Networks but her position continues. Rachel wrote, "No change on the info for job and home; life is very good here in the Northeast. Work is going well. The kids are growing and I keep busy with charity and work. I really miss Florida -- the beach, the golf, the great weather, people and our church and community -- but will keep things going as always."

Received a note from Michael J. Bauer and from Stephen Kells who is now in Peoria, Ill., and Mark S. Geisen who is president of Continental Glass and Plastic, Inc. in Chicago.

Gregg H. Dorner, executive vice president of Heinemann's Bakeries, Inc. in Chicago wrote, "My daughter, Meredith, graduated from Smith College this last May. She enrolled in a doctoral program in psychology at State University of New York in Buffalo. My daughter, Melinda, will graduate this June from high school." In addition to traveling to warm climates, Gregg and his wife, Barbara, enjoy motorcycle trips and vintage car racing.

Thomas G. Huitink changed jobs almost two years ago and is now a principal in Ernst and Young's mergers and acquisitions practice in Chicago. Heard from Barry G. Stahl of St. Paul, Minn., who has landed on his feet after having his company sold twice in the past five months. He is doing some consulting, taking classes and extensively traveling for pleasure -- stay warm, Barry, and come visit!

Ulrich Kammholz writes, "I am currently in Hawaii on vacation, hence the time to go through my e-mail. That's actually pretty sad, but with around 100 e-mails every day, what can I do. I actually have had a NU Alumni survey from the Portland chapter on my desk for about three months. By the time I get to it, it will be time for next year's survey. "I really appreciate that you keep the list current and provide comments to that NU publications. That's something I look forward to. I wish there was a way to get the group other. Maybe some people have an interest to Œcelebrate' a 10-year reunion next year? I am in Chicago at least twice a year, and in O'Hare quite often. I would be glad to come to such a meeting."

L. Wes Hayden is currently vice president and general manager of The Americas for Genesys Telecommunication Labs, Inc. in Rosemont, Ill. He shared the following: "I came to Genesys in April 1999 as part of a team to stabilize the sales organization in North America during our post-IPO doldrums. We provide software for customer contact centers and have gone from $9 million in revenue in 1996 to over $250 million this year. With that type of growth comes internal chaos and lots of change. We were acquired by a French company, Alcatel, as a "wholly-owned, independent subsidiary" in January. The chaos continues, it just doesn't affect our stock price anymore. I'm on the road about 65 percent of the time -- mostly North America. Will get to know South America shortly.

Diana Walker, CIO at Hu-Friedy Corporation in Chicago, shared this great news: "Professional, I've had additional responsibilities added to my plate and am working as chief administrative officer. I now have finance, accounting, IT and employee services -- a very eclectic group! I took up running and ran my first 5K in September 1998. This October, I ran the Chicago marathon with about 30,000 other runners. One of my study group members, Scott Sarran, also ran the marathon that day as well. It was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life! Besides running, I have also taken up scuba diving and race-car driving. It's not as much fun as sitting in our MBA class on Saturdays but it'll have to do!"

Karen L. Powell is senior vice president at Keane Consulting Group in Chicago. "I've spent the past two years managing the design, construction, and implementation of a proprietary software policy management system," she reports. "This work took me to India several times and has been a rewarding experience. The project was completed on-time and on budget. It is currently deployed to over 70 offices and 6,200 users nationally. International rollovers begin next year. I've also started a pediatric cancer foundation -- called the Jeffery Price Foundation -- to focus on research and family support and have joined the Board of Directors of Hubbard Street Dance Company of Chicago."

Ilene Monroe is with the College of American Pathologists in Northfield, Ill. "Nothing new or exciting", she states. "All is well!"

John Dodgen, general manager of V.T.I. in Shelbyville, Ind., writes: "I'm still thoroughly enjoying my job in Indianapolis making custom countertops. The best news in my life since graduating from Northwestern, is that I have two more children, with number six due in March 2001. Same wonderful wife -- isn't that just great!?"