EMP-32's Patricia Shafer and Dan Haight enjoy the Haute Cabriere Vineyard and Winery outside of Capetown, South Africa.

EMP-32

Greetings, classmates . . . I hope this column finds you all thawed out from winter and anxiously awaiting the start of the Cubs season. I recently got hooked into Kellogg's email platform and broadcast message capabilities. Please be sure to update your contact information at Kellogg's alumni Web site so that we can all remain in touch!

First and foremost I am looking for someone to step up and organize a golf outing for late summer. Any takers? I keep getting emails from people wanting to know when the next social event will be BUT I never seem to get a volunteer to arrange it! Come on! Step up!

I heard from Jorge del Castillo, who has recently been rubbing shoulders with — who else but — President George Bush! Jorge met with President Bush in January to discuss electronic medical records (EMR). The deployment of EMR through the country is on the President's agenda in an effort to expedite care and decrease medical errors. Since ENH (Jorge's hospital) is at the forefront of this initiative, the president's staff asked Jorge to participate in a panel at the Cleveland Clinic. Wow! Pretty impressive Dr. del Castillo!

Jamie O'Rourke wrote to let me know that he has recently taken a hiatus from the entrepreneurial world and taken a new assignment with Rockwood Service Corp. as vice president. Rockwood is the worldwide leader in testing and inspection services, serving the largest companies in the world. Jamie is excited about the position and the opportunities he sees with this recent assignment. Meanwhile two of Jamie's kids followed in his footprints and are attending Boston College, with his other three not too far behind. Can you just imagine those tuition bills?!

	As seen on television: EMP 32's Jorge del Castillo get up-close with President Bush.

Chris Britton and wife Glenda recently moved from the bustle of Denver out to the open West in Boise, Idaho. He joined IDACORP, an energy and utility holding company, leading the telecommunications business unit. IDACORP runs markets in Boise, Las Vegas and Reno, Nev., offering fiber, voice over Internet and private network solutions for large corporate clients. Per Chris, the work is exciting and Idaho is a magical place with more outdoor recreation than any state in the union, particularly, unbelievable salmon fishing. Chris asks any EMPers headed his way to drop him a line. He would love to see you.

I continue to live vicariously through Patricia Shafer and Dan Haight. Every time I hear from these two they are off to another exciting part of the world. Dan and Patricia spent their Christmas and New Year's break in Botswana, Zambia and South Africa — on safari, leopard tracking, whitewater rafting, swimming at the edge of Victoria Falls and taking in cosmopolitan Capetown.

Meantime, Dan has been promoted to vice president of sales for Bowater Inc. and is responsible for all specialty and coated papers. Patricia's organizational consulting business, Compel Ltd., continues to expand its international client base.

E.J. Secola wrote to let me know that he "retired" from Pfizer in July and is living in Cary, N.C., a Raleigh suburb. E.J. spent his first six months of retirement traveling with his family. Then he went into business for himself as a consultant. E.J. is currently writing training modules and conducting training seminars for a pharmaceutical consulting firm's client base. In his spare time, he enjoys coaching baseball, soccer and basketball. In addition, both he and his son are involved in martial arts. Both tested for their black belts last November. Whew! That has to be the most hectic retirement I have ever heard of.

	Cathy Nowinski Margles EMP-32 with husband Dan

I really enjoyed a recent email exchange with Cathy Nowinski-Margles. Cathy celebrated four years of marriage to her husband Dan in March. Cathy is married to "Dollar Dan," who owns Allied Systems Industries, the largest independent developer of Dollar Stores in the country. He just opened his 500th store! In addition, Cathy's Creative Cooking School (creativecookingschool.com) continues to grow. In the fall she launched a 20-week professional chef program in conjunction with University of Nevada at Las Vegas. She also has become the premiere location for culinary team-building in the United States with her unique program. Cathy works with Fortune 500 companies including Bank of America, Citibank, Nike International and Eli Lilly.

And — if that wasn't enough — Cathy was recently featured in the management section of the February Entrepreneur magazine. Congratulations, Cathy! She asked me to pass along an invite to visit her the next time you are in Las Vegas.

I recently visited Hugh Hamill at his jewelry business, Nuage Jewelers. It was great visiting with Hugh. I especially enjoyed trying on some of his gorgeous rocks.

Please continue to keep in touch, and someone please organize a much-needed happy hour!