EMP-25

Exciting things continue for EMP-25. I've heard from a number of you with news about job changes, new opportunities, early retirement and growing kids. As you read through these updates and think of things to share, please send them my way so that I can include them in a future article.

John S. Strauss shared the following: "I am happy to report that after a very successful corporate career I was downsized in January 2002. The past three years have been, well, incredible! I now have five grandchildren from my two sons. I expect this is the end. While attending a conference in Philadelphia I decided to make contact with my old high school sweetheart. She had been living in New Jersey for the past 24 years and was divorced. I was also divorced, and within a month, we decided to get married, which we did at my home two months later. She is an artist and our home in St. Charles is now filled with more than 150 paintings ranging in size from 12 inches by 12 inches to 6 feet by 13 feet. Though we are both ‘retired,' I do the business stuff for her art business. She has developed outlets for her art in Chicago , Milwaukee , Galena , Geneva and Schaumburg , Ill. I have done some business consulting and am now affiliated with The Enlightened Business Institute. Their worldview is the most exciting thing I have learned in my entire life. If you or someone is interested in hearing about this they can contact me or visit enlightenedbusiness.com/ . On Nov. 12, 1991, I was operated on for a rather serious case of malignant melanoma. I am happy to report that I just celebrated my 13th year as a cancer survivor.”

Ann Adams wrote: "I'm splitting my time between Illinois and Naples , Fla. I see Wendy L. Tweeten , who is also living in Naples , on a regular basis. She's doing great! I run an antique and craft country market in Illinois from May to December and then spend the winter in Naples . I am currently considering employment in Naples so that all may change soon. It is really going to be a tough decision to give up what I have going. I mean I never dreamt I would enjoy the ‘no pressure' sun-filled days as much as I am. Not very exciting news for a class update, but certainly has been fun sharing. I would love to hear from any of my study group members — please have them contact me. Have a great 2005 everyone!"

Karen L. Powell has been busy and is now executive vice president at Keane Worldzen. She writes: "I can't remember when I sent you information on me so I'll give you the update. My partner and I launched our business in January 2003. We are an operations consulting and business process outsourcing firm with operations in India . We are focused on the insurance, healthcare and financial services industries and also provide collections and recovery services for clients. Our value proposition combines process and technology optimization with BPO to enable clients to achieve benefits well beyond labor arbitrage. We help clients figure out how to leverage BPO to change their entire operating model and create new revenue sources — not just ‘lift and replicate' an existing process.

“We received our initial funding from The Carlyle Group, the $16.5 billion international venture capital firm based in Washington D.C. (takeaways from finance, negotiations and accounting came in very handy when putting this deal together!) We were Carlyle's first and only investment in this space and their investment resulted in a 100 percent return, as the company was purchased in just 10 months by our former employer, Keane Inc., in late 2003. Keane, a $1 billion IT services firm specializing in application outsourcing, wanted to expand its offerings into the BPO space. The Keane investment resulted in our integrating their stand-alone management consulting group (Keane Consulting Group) into our firm.

“I have had a great time building this business — though it is much harder than I thought it would be! I've taken more than 20 trips to India and have some great life experiences to share over a drink or two! Jim has also been an entrepreneur for the past eight years and has built a very successful investment company. Our oldest daughter, Nicole, has grown into a beautiful young woman. Our youngest daughter,Tatum, who many of you may recall I was pregnant with during the first half of our second year, turned 12 this summer. She is bound for a career in the arts, as she is quite the performer! Finally, I started a foundation focused on raising funds directed toward promising research programs aimed at eradicating pediatric cancer. The foundation was created after we learned that less than 1 percent of all funds raised for childhood cancers are directed specifically toward finding a cure. Named after the late son of dear friends, The Jeffrey Pride Foundation for Pediatric Cancer Research honors the life and fight of this little boy who lost his battle with cancer at just 7. Please contact me if you would like more information on this terrific cause. Take care and stay in touch."

It's been a while since we heard from Donald R. Misner . He has landed with another growing company as COO of myAutoloan.com in Irving , Texas . He writes: "Wanted to let everyone know what a time I'm having with this online auto finance company that uses my 25 years' experience in the auto finance business to the hilt. Heck, some days I actually work more than a couple of hours, but then again, that's rare. Anyway, since I've been on board revenues have quadrupled and traffic increases every day. We have some of the best consumer marketing I've ever seen. What a talented group to have the opportunity to work with. We have designed our value proposition to meet the widest needs of buyers and drivers of all ages, vehicle interests and credit situations. Thus, we have in essence replaced the difficulties, inconveniences and frustrations of vehicle purchase, finance and use with convenience, speed and integrity. As an online auto lending marketplace we continue to see a huge upside as we continue to deliver fast and secure funding to the consumer. Heck, I'm waiting to be asked to share our experiences with the Kellogg program any day now, I just need them to call me! It's been a fantastic experience and I learn from all around me. Ask Peter Krol how Girlie Dog is doing these days."

John CT Dodgen still resides in Columbus , Ind. , but has some new digs on the horizon. He wrote: "We hope to be moving into our new log home by next February. We have been building it since August 2003! I would not recommend this path to the faint of heart. We have a new addition to our family since I last heard from you. Her name is Chloe Elisabeth and she arrived June 16, 2004, which makes No. 7. My older kids are wondering, ‘When are you going to be done?' To tell you the truth, I am beginning to wonder myself! My oldest is applying to law school so I must be getting old. I have been doing a ton of travel with new responsibilities where I'm over all our operations. It has been fun, but has put a lot of pressure on my wife with home schooling and the everyday challenges of raising our kids, coupled with our building project. She is a saint! Please give a big hello to the class from the Hoosier state."

Had a note from R. Scott Blankenship that I will pass on: "Hope this note finds everyone doing well. On my end of the world there is not much new. I am still building Nature's Gallery as we near the end of our fourth year. We are moving in the right direction, supplying the finest quality silk designs in the industry. We sell to the trade and primarily target high-end interior designers, furniture stores and interior design centers. We are well established throughout the country and have our primary showrooms in Highpoint , N.C. , and Atlanta . Cathy and I went up to see Harry M. Johns and his wife Cindy a couple of months ago. We visited them in their mountain house in Highlands , N.C., which if you have never visited, is really a beautiful part of the country. They welcome all classmates to come and visit them. We had a really good time sitting out on the back deck overlooking the mountain pass, all while cooking up some beef on the grill and sipping on an assortment of beverages. Let everyone know my new home email address: RScottBlan@usa2net.net . I was just thinking I bet everyone would love to do ‘live in' at the Allen Center again. OK, maybe not. Tell everyone hello and if they are ever in the Orlando area to come and stay with us. We have a great bed and breakfast — bring the kids!"

William R. Knab provided the following: "I left Renal Solutions last January and started consulting with my own company, Matrix Technology Management, here in Naples , Fla. It's been an up-and-down year since there are not a lot of medical device opportunities here in Naples . I have been doing some start-up work for companies linked to the Miami Biotechnology Council, but honestly it has been hit or miss. I have managed to get a lot done around the house and Diana is a busy as ever getting WCI Communities IT shop up-to-snuff and helping assimilate some acquisitions. I have begun work on a project management certification to help bolster the consulting business. I hope to take the test in February and then leverage the certification and the Project Management Institute into some more consulting assignments. I am also looking into teaching locally. We have four colleges in the area, which may offer some opportunities.”

Steve R. Trenholm writes, "It has been quite a long time since I have provided an update and a few things have changed. I left MWH (Harza) at the end of last year (almost a year ago). I continued work on a number of energy projects that I was involved with while working at MWH. In the past year I have really done quite a bit of international work in Russia , Albania , United Kingdom , Ghana , Guyana , Venezuela , Honduras and the States. In July I joined TRC Corp. to expand its energy consulting practice. Joining TRC has provided quite a ride, as they are a very aggressive and fast-growing organization (from around $50 million in revenues in 1998 to more than $370 million in 2004). On a personal note, I now reside in Wisconsin , but have an apartment in downtown Chicago on Lakeshore Drive . Hope all have a great 2005!"

Had a note from Michael M. Nanneyz : "Unfortunately, I don't have any news items at this time. Most everything in our lives at this stage revolves around our children. I was hopeful I would be able to brag about a ‘big deal,' but it has thrown the hook and I'm back to focusing on new oil and acquisitions in the Gulf of Mexico .”

Vince A. Inendino is keeping busy and gets together with his study group often. He wrote: "I see  Greg A. Orlando  and  Mike J. Bauer a lot. We continue to stay good friends. We have also become a golf foursome, along with Greg's friend Bill Ahlers. Mike just started golf this past year and he is doing really well for a beginner. He shoots in the 70s. If it gets colder than that … he won't play. My son Vinnie is a high school senior and is working through the college search experience right now. He wants to study both music education and economics and Northwestern is actually one of his final choices. It's a very anxious time for a parent, as you can imagine. Jonathan is 13 now and a real sports nut. We pick the NFL football games every Sunday and, up until yesterday, he had beaten me seven weeks running. Maybe he'll be the next Dan Patrick. He has also become a golf nut. We played a lot of rounds together this past summer. I think I have more fun playing with him than he does with me. Terry continues to work with children with special needs in the grade school that both my sons attended. She also has taken up woodcraft painting as a hobby. I lost my mom around this time last year. It puts a big void in your life, but what can you do? I think about her all the time. Mike is keeping busy and is always looking for new opportunities. Other than that, we need to plan a golf outing for anyone interested in making it to Chicago and chasing a little white ball around. Heck, my study group would even pay for the whole thing and all could stay at Greg's house! Let us know."

Mary A. Gottenborg moved to California last summer, where she was recruited to a marketing position at Johnson & Johnson's Lifescan division. She is responsible for marketing a line of diabetic care products.

Brian L. Rucks shared some of his study group's changes: “Brian custom fitted a new driver for Greg A. Orlando. Result: Greg is now expecting 300 yards driving on every par 4 and par 5. Now he skips all par 3s. Michael J. Bauer wanted to spend more quality time on the golf course, so he had Brian fit him to a custom set. Result: Mike is running out of excuses as to why he always has to work! Note: Vince A. Inendino is waiting to buy a custom-fitted set. Seems the price of titanium is a bit too high and he is cautiously awaiting the world market price to drop.”

L. Wes Hayden shared the following: “If you Google ‘Wes Hayden' you'll get some detail about my singing career in Austin (that's NOT me, obviously — you would know it if you've ever heard me sing) and about my new job. As president and CEO, I'm currently commuting to San Francisco , but the reality is I am spending most of my time with customers and our field teams around the world. Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories is currently running about $300 million in revenues and more than 50 percent of it is outside the States. It's keeping me busy, to say the least.”

Jim M. North wanted to say “hello” to everyone. He also recapped the past few years: “In 2000 I left Sprint PCS to join Aspect Communications in San Jose , Calif. I resigned my position as vice president of business operations in July 2002 and basically retired. In November 2002 our daughter April got married and in June 2003 our son Aaron got hitched. I now spend my time doing business consulting for churches and other nonprofits (pro bono) and find time to do prison volunteer work for the Kansas Department of Corrections. In my free time I am out on the open road, riding my Harley to various events around the country. As they say, ‘life is good.' Hope all is well — get on your bike and come out and see me!”

Timothy R. Schulte writes: “My big news is that I'm being transferred by my company to the Munich , Germany office, effective Feb. 15. I'll be administering the co-op ad program for Intel Europe as account manager, Intel Inside.” Classmates, let's all take a trip and visit!

Nicki Schuh is president and CEO of Heartfelt Charity Cards at www.charitycards.com . I hope to have more information to share next time.

Wendy L Tweeten is soaking up the sun in the "red" state of Florida these days. She writes: "How is everyone? I couldn't take the frigid north any longer and became a full-time Florida resident. On top of that I got my real estate license and push property in my spare time. Ann Adams winters here in Naples , so we get a chance to catch up frequently.”

I've also received a few emails and notes from classmates updating their addresses and contact information. Among those who have provided updates and/or changes were: Lee J. Spruit, Mary Paskell , Michael J. Bauer , Harry M. Johns and Greg A. Orlando. Also, Mark S. Giesen sent me a note to say he has a new baby, Noah, born July 20, 2004, who joins sister Soleil, 3.

There are so many of you who are not sending in any information at all — sometimes it's a lot like pulling teeth to get updates. Many of your email addresses are out of date. Please send me an email updating your information so that I can send and receive future updates electronically. Hope to talk to you soon and please make sure I have your current email address. Happy trails!