EMP-35

As the EMP-35 Fifth Reunion approaches on May 3-5, many of our classmates are checking in to make sure that people know where they are and what they are doing. Each sends their best wishes to their classmates! Ed Fiakowski, Nick Cray, Tom Fitzsimons, Barb Mc Kinzie and Jenny Peach are serving as the EMP-35 Reunion Committee, but welcome any and everyone who wishes to help. If you are interested please send an e-mail note to Ed at the address above.

Rob and Ann Garrison have graciously offered their restaurant “The Noodle” in Glenview as a gathering place so that EMP-35 can plan seasonal or periodic parties in anticipation of Reunion. As Rob put it “It would be fun to have a few ‘informal gatherings’ before the Reunion. The EMP-35 Reunion Committee plans a few informal gatherings before and after Reunion Weekend. Watch your e-mail for dates (most likely Thursdays), times (6:30 – 10 p.m.) and location (The Noodle) for renewing friendships and strengthening the “Northwestern Network.” EMP-35 is grateful to Rob and Ann Garrison for their hospitality!

As always, Ed Fialkowski welcomes change of e-mail addresses. Ed is still Pastor of Saint Isaac Jogues Parish in Niles, Ill., but he has new responsibilities. He is chairperson of the Presbyteral Council of the Archdiocese of Chicago. The Presbyteral Council is a “priest senate,” a canonical consultative body to Francis Cardinal George. It is primarily a policy setting body for the Archdiocese of Chicago. This is a three-year assignment.

Ed also has been appointed co-chair for the Archdiocesan Priest Convocation 2002, which will be held at Pheasant Run Resort in Saint Charles, Ill., June 18-21. This convocation brings together the Priests of the Archdiocese of Chicago for prayer, reflection and presentations on spirituality and theology. Working with Ed on the organizational dimensions of the convocation is Joe Geders (EMP-34)!

Barbara McKinzie has returned home! She has been named chief financial officer of the Cook County Forest Preserve District. Barbara left Hollywood Casino, Shreveport La., where she was the chief financial officer for the beautiful climate of Chicago!

To make room for Barbara McKinzie’s return, Paul Zoba, left for Kirkland, Wash., which is near Seattle. He has accepted a position with Bainbridge Networks as VP of business development. Bainbridge is a start-up focusing on an all-optical switching engine.

Ray Pool writes to say that he and his lovely family have re located to the beautiful Garden State of New Jersey. He says that he is close to family and enjoying the fact that they provide a vast reservoir of baby sitters! Ray wants everyone in EMP-35 to keep him in mind for any excuse to get to Nevin’s for a Snakebite. He is in and out of Chicago periodically. Ray promises some pictures for the next edition of Kellogg World.

Bob Strickland offers apologies “for being out of touch for so long — been too busy!” About a year-and-a-half ago Bob become VP of network development for Healthplan Southwest and HMO in Tallahassee Fla. Bob misses the warm friendships up north but “loves the warm weather down here”!

Roneida Martin writes that she has started her own business! The Martin Marketing Company is a customer centered marketing strategy firm specializing in product positioning, product development, image creation ad management, branding, product revitalization, communications, sales motivation/incentive programs and general business consulting.

Their focus is small to mid- sized companies and organizations. They create professional, actionable and fun marketing programs designed around their clients and their customers. The logo for The Martin Marketing Company is the smallest and the most powerful form of energy in the universe. They chose this logo because they believe that same power exists in every business. They hope to harness that same power and deliver customer centered marketing strategies to accomplish the missions and realize the vision of their clients.

Reneida tells us that she is “using all of her EMP-35 knowledge, 20 years of business experience and hard knocks, so The Martin Marketing Company will be a success.” EMP-35 wishes Roneida tremendous success with her new business venture!

Tricia Bergeron writes us from the land of soul, Memphis! Tricia readily admits that she has been “incommunicado with all the EMP-35 Gang since moving to South Carolina shortly after graduation.” Tricia spent two years working with Gulfstream Aerospace until it was acquired by General dynamics. With no shareholders of its own, Gulfstream did not need a head of investor relations, so Tricia moved to Memphis to work for Thomas & Betts, a leader in the electrical components industry. Shortly after arriving, the board kicked the chairman out, reinstated five years of financial, and began an intensive turnaround. Tricia tells us that “The leadership team is great” and she is really enjoying herself.

A word of caution from Tricia is that “Memphis is not Hilton Head, however we really miss the ocean.” They have kept a piece of property on Hilton head and go back regularly to visit friends. Tricia writes, “There are no new children to report. Just one smart and sassy 6-year-old is enough!” Grace is thriving and loves to be told and retold the story about how her early arrival, late one Friday night following an exhausting day in class made Mommy miss an economics final.

Tricia says to her EMP-35 friends, anybody passing through Memphis is welcome to visit. We got a great house and plenty of room and lots of great blues/soul and of course Graceland to keep one busy. Tricia sends her very best to everyone!