EMP-55 classmates gathered at a dinner party hosted by Amy Kovalan for class women. Pictured are Cristina Gomez, Lilia Kiselev, Amy Kovalan, Leah Campen Klepitsch and Sharon Folliard, all EMP-55.

EMP-55

Lynn Bromstedt hosted the women of EMP-55 for a delicious dinner in her lovely home in February. In attendance were Cristina Gomez, Lilia Kiselev, Leah Campen-Klepitsch, Kim Wroblewski, me, and a special guest, Roy Hillier. We all had an enjoyable evening. Many thanks to Lynn for hosting us.

Nigel Carter started a new job in London. He is now working for his former company, Calyon Corporate and Investment Bank, as director of special projects. It is a post-merger integration role reporting directly to the London CEO.

Phil Dolci is now vice president /general manager at Sanford Corp. (a division of Newell Rubbermaid).

	At an EMP-55 lunch held in Chicago's Chinatown, Shari Litow EMP-55 (standing) teaches Shawn McComb's EMP-55 kids how to eat with chopsticks. Seated is Shawn's wife Lisa McComb.
	Mark Straszynski EMP-55 and new wife Robin Haldeman on their wedding day

Chander Chawla, Jim Cohick, Flavio Cardoso, Bill Reedy and Jim Falvey successfully completed the Chicago Marathon in October. Chander says he wore a T-shirt with the word "slacker" on it during the marathon and people kept cheering, "Pick up the pace, slacker!" as he ran by. Jim Cohick tells me that he runs so others have someone to pass. Jim Falvey ran with a fractured leg! Congrats to all on this accomplishment (even our EMP-55 "slacker," who isn't really a slacker at all).

Eleanor Chou received a "Phi Theka Kappa" from Harper College. She recently learned Spanish there. It's inspiring to know that she used her third language to learn her fifth language. She is thrilled to decode the beautiful books she purchased while with her Kellogg EMP-55/53 classmates last year on the GIM trip to Chile and Argentina.

Kevin Cleary and his new wife Jennifer purchased a new home in Northern California. Gurpreet tells me that Kevin and Jenn planned to move in March.

Jim Falvey is now working with Eurex US, a new derivatives (futures and options) exchange in Chicago. He is the chief administrative officer/general counsel. He started with them in March and is straddling the business/legal side of things. As CAO, Jim is involved with HR, strategy, finance and administrative functions. Eurex is an all-electronic exchange and an affiliate of the largest derivatives exchange in the world, Eurex AG. They list treasury futures and options contracts, but are looking to expand their suite of products in the near future.

Jim Falvey and I were on the same flight from D.C. recently. We were both there stalking Bill Daley, but unfortunately couldn't find him. Bill's wife Aimee says he was off hunting in the middle of nowhere with some senators. Where are you, Bill? And what were you hunting?

Susan Forsell has accepted a new position within McDonald's. Her new title will be senior director of quality systems, McDonald's US. She will be responsible for the U.S. supplier's quality systems and will be moving to the headquarters building. Congrats, Susan!

Roy George has accepted a new position as director of strategic finance for Blue Shield of California. They are the second largest health insurance company in California and one of the largest in the country. Roy will head the group that works on the strategic capital projects (acquisitions, corporate strategy initiatives). He says it's an awesome opportunity, and that the best part of the job is that it is headquartered in the heart of the financial district near the waterfront, where he'll have a view of the Bay Bridge from his new office. Roy and his fiancee Daniella will be relocating to San Francisco. We'll miss you Roy, but Kevin Cleary (KC) will be happy to hear you're moving to San Francisco and close to him.

Maria Sullivan EMP-55 and her husband, Chef Brian, hosted the women of EMP-55 at their home. Dinner was delicious and the company was great! Seated, Bernie Birt, Maria Sullivan and Tracey Quinn. Standing, Sharon Folliard, Kathleen Burandt, Cristina Gomez, Lilia Kiselev and Leah Campen-Klepitsch

Roy Hillier and KC competed in last year's half-Ironman competition in Muncie, Ind. Now they're preparing for two half-Ironman races, one in San Antonio in April and another in Napa in July. This should mean they're in incredible shape for their Ironman competition in Wisconsin in September. Details and pictures to follow next issue. You guys are amazing!

Dave Jenne left IMC Global in January and started at GAF Materials Corp. in Wayne, N.J., as director of raw materials purchasing. GAF is a $1.8 billion private company that manufactures and sells residential, commercial and industrial roofing products. Dave is already in New Jersey and his family will follow in June when school is out. Their new home will be within 50 miles of their hometown, so everyone is excited to be going back east. Dave's excited because it's a big promotion and a great career opportunity. He reports that one of the reasons he got it was because of his Kellogg MBA.

Team Tai Chi (at least those still in the States: Maria Sullivan, Patrick Bryant and Kathleen Burandt) took Dave out to lunch on his last day in Illinois, and Dean Hart was there by coincidence. Dave says it shows the Kellogg bonds are still there a year after graduation. Dave looks forward to keeping in touch and seeing anyone who is passing through the N.Y./N.J. area.

Tracey Quinn EMP-55 hosted a dinner for fellow female graduates of EMP-55. Top row, from left, Leah Campen-Klepitsch, Amy Kovalan, Elenor Chou and Tracey Quinn. Bottom row, from left, Sharon Folliard, Cristina Gomez, Maria Sullivan and Lynn Bromstedt

Tim Koers left Emerging Solutions in April 2004 and worked with clients on an independent basis. More recently, Tim has joined Frank Muscarello and Roy Hillier at Vision Point of Sale. Tim says that if any of us are in the Glenview, Ill., area, we should stop by and visit the EMP-55 North team. Tim, Frank and Roy work across the street from Bill Reedy and Steve Snower. Tim says we can visit about 8 percent of the class in one swoop through the area.

Steve is now working with Bill Reedy at Reedy Industries. He reports that Bill's fourth child, Seth, was born on Oct. 28 and says that things are as out-of-control as ever.

Bill ran the Chicago Marathon (as noted above), as well as the Disney Marathon. He's also busy raising his five kids, improving his 75-year-old family business (Reedy Industries) and creating some new businesses.

Amy Kovalan hosted an EMP-55 women's dinner at her new home in Oak Park in December. The group was small due to the cold/flu season, but that meant more of Amy's delicious home-cooked meal for those in attendance. Thanks to Amy for a delicious dinner and a lovely evening.

Shari Litow came back to Chicago for a visit in December with her husband David Aschheim and their new son Nathan. Shari hosted a luncheon for our class at Ed's Potsticker House in Chinatown. Shari ordered a delicious lunch for the group from the Chinese menu (she says we Americans get a different menu than the Chinese when we go to Chinese restaurants.) Joining Shari and her family were Lisa and Shawn McComb and kids, Dara and Steve Kruchko and kids, Eleanor Chou and family, Cristina Gomez, Amy and her daughter, and me. Also joining us were our friends from EMP-53, Kimberly Meyer and Peter Matthews.

Tim Makris was recently promoted to partner at Deloitte & Touche. He'll be a partner in the audit and enterprise risk services practice in the Chicago office. He's really excited about the promotion. Tim and his wife Carrie have moved to Naperville, Ill.

Jeff Nixon has left Grainger and is now CEO of Gustafson Lighting in Elkhart, Ind. Gustafson supplies lighting to the manufactured housing and recreational vehicle markets. Jeff has big plans to grow the business. He moved into a corporate apartment in Elkhart in January.

Roy Hillier reports that Mark Straszynski is living in one of Jeff Nixon's RVs and is pulling it with his fancy black BMW. (Mark, I think he's just kidding, but none of us has ever actually seen your condo, so maybe he's right? If so, we're ready for a Kellogg road trip!)

Tracey Quinn hosted the women of EMP-55 for dinner in October. A great meal and fun evening were enjoyed by all. We missed you, Shari, Susan, Kim, Lilia and Kathleen. Thanks to Tracey for bringing all of us together.

Vinny Sanchez has been named one of "40 Illinois Attorneys under 40 to Watch" by the Law Bulletin Publishing Co. The recognition honors young Illinois attorneys who are true leaders in their profession, regarded by peers, clients, and, yes, even courtroom opponents, as out-of-the-ordinary talents. They are chosen in a nomination process that takes into account the candidates' career achievements, how far they have risen in their fields and their community work.

Vinny developed many of the leadership skills during his service in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, where he began his legal career in the Judge Advocate General Corps. He received the Commandant's Trophy, awarded to the top officer candidate for leadership and physical and academic performance. His extensive volunteer work includes serving on the advisory board of the West Suburban Technology Enterprise Center and as a member and former chair of the board of directors of i.c.stars, a nonprofit dedicated to guiding young inner-city adults to become the technology leaders of tomorrow.

At Piper Rudnick, Vinny focuses his practice in the areas of technology-related transactions. He advises Fortune 500 and emerging companies in the acquisition, divestiture and licensing of various technologies, products and services for strategic use in their businesses, or for distributing, licensing or selling such products or services to third parties. He also serves as general counsel to emerging companies focused on technology, and in that capacity has negotiated venture capital transactions, financing, and mergers and acquisitions on their behalf.

Another note on Vinny: He and his wife Janelle have moved to Batavia and are the new neighbors of Chander and Uma Chawla. Chander already reports running into Vinny and his family at a local Batavia restaurant.

Bob Shanahan recently left Bank One and now is president of Palatine Bank & Trust in Palatine, Ill. Congrats to Bob!

Gurpreet Singh and his wife Amrit have moved to the Chicago suburbs. They have a new home in Clarendon Hills. Gupreet, hope you're enjoying life in the 'burbs.

Wayne Sottile recently left Carrier Corp. and is employed at Siemen's in the business unit. He is responsible for HVAC safety and security. More details to follow in the next issue.

Mark Straszynski married Robin Haldeman on Oct. 15 in Mexico's Mayan Riviera. It was a beautiful ceremony despite a few raindrops. The ceremony was followed by a lovely dinner and lots of dancing. The bride was especially beautiful and the resort was wonderful. The couple was joined by approximately 60 friends and family members, including Martin Arron and his new wife, Lori Hotz, and me. We had a great time, Mark.

Michael Wu had some changes in his job recently. Motorola SPS was spun off from Motorola and became an independent company (FSL NASDAQ code) in December and is now named Freescale Semiconductor Inc., based in Austin, Texas. He changed from senior strategy/business development manager to China marketing director for the wireless product group. Michael has moved to a new office building in the best part of Shanghai and reports that his office has a very nice view. He hopes that we can all visit him soon.

Michael will be getting a visit from Cristina Gomez and me on the Kellogg GIM trip to Asia in March. Since we missed our class trip due to the SARS epidemic, Cristina and I will be joining some friends from EMP-53 and the current EMP-59 class for their trip to Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong. We can't wait to see Michael, Raymond Ye and Shanghai.

Correction: Last issue I spoke about the good work that The Sibery Group, Tony Tedeschi's organization, has done for CURE International, with whom Jim Cohick is associated. The name for the founder of CURE International was incorrect; the founder and CEO of CURE International is Dr. C. Scott Harrison. Information about CURE can be found online at CUREInternational.org; information about The Sibery Group can be found online at thesiberygroup.com.