1992

BIG NEWS: Following the November elections in Turkey, Ali Babacan was named Turkey's minister of economy. A Nov. 19 article in the national Turkish newspaper, Star, mentions that Ali graduated from Kellogg, "the most important business school in the world." That can't be a direct quote, since anyone who knows Ali also knows that he's too humble for such Harvard-like braggadocio. Clearly that humility (along with his brilliance and other skills) will be needed as Ali deals with a wobbly economy and government, a looming Iraq war, the EU's refusal to accept Turkey, etc. Let's hope that Ali can help get Turkey on a free-trade fast track with the United States.

Berthold Heinemann is keeping busy in Vietnam. His company, Creatrade, just opened an office in Hanoi last week. "We now have three offices, plus our agent in Europe. We live from outsourcing of design and marketing activities from foreign countries, such as catalogues, gifts, premiums, logos and packaging. We also help companies set up in Vietnam. We are still small and, as we are self funded, must manage cash flow to the penny. Hanoi is much cooler than Saigon and we even got some rare snow up north near the Chinese border," Berthold says.

After several exciting and rewarding years in Sarajevo with the International Finance Corp., Mariann Kurtz has returned to the States to work at the IFC headquarters in Washington.

Andy Arenberg and his wife Amy are thrilled to announce the arrival of their first child, Alexa Jane Arenberg. She arrived Oct. 30 at a healthy 9 lbs., 15 ounces. The Arenbergs live in the Bay Area, and can be reached via email at andy_arenberg@hotmail.com.

Kai Offengand Robertson writes, "Little Ella Kai Robertson joined us last fall to make us a happy family of four. Big brother Noah is having fun in his new role. We, the grown-ups, have adjusted well too." In December, Kathy Shea-Urbat gave birth to Alexandra, who joins little sister Nina, 3. Lana tells me she is adorable.

Paul Mistor and Donna Potter continue to collaborate on some consulting projects focusing on logistics and IT strategy for some Texas clients.

California Dreamin': Gary Dvorchak started a new hedge fund, the Systematic Advantage Fund. His management company is named Channel Island Partners, and is based in L.A. The fund is market neutral, meaning it can make money in bull and bear markets. The investment process has a proven track record over the last four years. Gary is raising the initial capital now, and would love to hear from any Kellogg alumni tired of losing money in the stock market! Email: garyd@channelislandpartners.com.

Lana Etherington Slavitt says, "I took a fabulous 10-month sabbatical in 2001/2002, during which I spent tons of quality time with my two boys, Zachary, 1, and Caleb, almost 5. I left behind the declining, reactive and depressing recorded music industry to focus on the growing Internet search sector. In September, I joined Overture Services, the industry leader in pay-for-performance search, as VP of strategy and new business development. Happily, there are several KSMers at Overture already, though I appear to be oldster of the bunch."

Jen Halderman reports that she's now VP of marketing and business development for venture-backed Tandem Medical in San Diego. "Tandem makes an automated system for delivering IV medications, simple enough for home use. We successfully launched our product in the United States in 2002, and expect a 2003 European launch. Life is good here ó bought a house near the beach, trained for and completed the Rock-N-Roll Marathon and enjoy riding around in my convertible. I know, it's obnoxious."

Elise Cayelli Wetzel has decided to take some time off work at Lawry's for while to spend more time with her two preschoolers, Madison and Jack.

Ohio Boys: Bob Honigberg reports that life is fine at Johnson & Johnson and in Cincinnati. He suggests that "all my alum friends invest in J&J for the long term. I enjoy being a part of the global management board at Ethicon Endo-Surgery, and helping to lead the surgery community into the age of incisionless and computer-assisted surgery. We are heavily into looking for surgical solutions for the worldwide obesity epidemic (pardon the pun). Definitely doing my share of global travel."

Gina and Phil Warren had their third child, Ava Jennifer, in November. She joins her brother Trey (2) and sister Paige (3.5). Phil recently took a new job as VP/GM of Paxar's graphics business in Dayton, Ohio (a location for which he had always longed). "There's a good chance that we (Paxar) produced the graphic tag or bar code ticket that hangs off your new apparel (hint, hint Kashif Chaudhry)." Phil encourages classmates to swing by for a visit when in the Dayton area.

	Sandy and John Bagan ’92 and daughters Julia and Colette have moved to Boise, Idaho.

Sandy and John Bagan and daughters, Julia (5) and Colette (2) recently moved to Boise, Ida. John reports, "After four years in Minneapolis with Target, we decided to return to the mountain West. I'm now at retail giant Albertsons helping develop strategy and infrastructure. Many won't recognize the Albertsons name, but may know of our Jewel, Acme, Lucky, Osco or Sav-On subsidiaries. We love being back out West with skiing nearby, and enjoy a very mild winter compared to Minneapolis. (Last week our highs were 50 degrees warmer!) I'd encourage classmates to create a mini-reunion down at the Jazzfest in New Orleans this May ó email me if you're up for it! I hope that Carie and Eric Peterson will join us.

Kevin Sidders and wife Beverly are the proud parents of Samantha, born Jan. 6. Kevin writes, "Everyone is healthy, happy and home. 'Uncle Bill' Lakenan has been a frequent visitor.'"

Jim Buck and classmate Scott Allan took to their bikes last fall to raise money for hypertrophic cardimyopathy, a serious heart condition that took the lives of basketball player Reggie Lewis and skater Sergei Grinkov. Jim, who thought he had the disease for a time, was so grateful when he found out he didn't that he decided to raise money for disease research. Jim, Scott and three others biked from San Diego to Savannah, Ga., in November, raising more than $20,000 in pledges for research. A good portion of the money came from former classmates, reports Jim's wife Lisa. Way to go Jim, Scott and all the Kelloggians who helped out!

Riff Report: Lydia and Kashif Chaudhry recently joined my wife and friends to celebrate my 40th birthday here in the Big Apple. They both are doing well. In October I moved my office to the 40th floor of the exquisite Woolworth Building. It overlooks ground zero on one side and the Brooklyn Bridge on the other.