1988

Hello folks. Writing these notes from Barcelona, Spain — not my normal venue for typing these to you, given my Asian focus. I'm at the key global conference for our industry, hosting customers, checking out competitors and telling our story. Hopefully I will get a chance for sightseeing, though likely not. I'm still doing portfolio and business planning for China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea and Japan — nothing new there.

My notes due at the beginning of years are nice to write, as I get holiday letters from some of you. I usually do a good job in taking out any news about uncle Pete finally curing his athlete's foot, etc., and focus on cool things about your life and the lives of your kids. These days, it's hilarious reading about your trials and tribulations on kids getting driver's licenses.

Tom Zinsmeister and Julie welcomed a new boy to the family, Timothy Edward Zinsmeister. He was born March 17, 2004, in Russia and adopted July 4, 2005. Ellie and Sarah love having a little brother.

Fred Nelson and Debi, Erik (16), Connor (13) stayed busy close to home and traveled a bit last year, notably to Italy. Fred restarted his consulting company and is working closely with ImpactRx, using their data to drive recommendations to improve marketing and sales of pharmaceutical companies. Fred is making time for his favorite hobby, fishing.  Erik's still doing his bass playing in the high school jazz band, and Connor's big into hockey, attending a hockey camp in Canada last summer.

I reported that Dennis Sheehan had joined start-up Varatouch as vice president of strategy and business development. It has been everything he had hoped for , the small start-up lifestyle was tons of fun. Presently the company is working through securing funding or possible acquisition, and if that works out, great, otherwise, Dennis has the bug, and he's chatting up other start ups. His three girls, Claire (16), Katherine (14.5) and Erin (13) are helping put miles on the van for swim practices, dance classes and band concerts. Three teenage girls, the morning rush getting ready for school is always fun.  Next year: three highschoolers driving, dating and applying for colleges. Dennis is sporting a grayer beard these days.

Brent Koehler is running his own consulting firm after endeavoring into some other businesses.  The boys Michael (12) and Matthew (8) are growing and loving school. 

Brad Kading has been named president of the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers. He is responsible for outreach to policymakers and client organizations worldwide, and as president, he will have offices in Hamilton and Washington, D.C.

Heard from Mark and Hanne Proudfoot. Their business is good. Most importantly, four kids — Danielle, Thomas, Steven and Kristen, ages 3-11 — are all out of diapers. Freedom!

Tom and Diane MacDonald followed through with plans to move to simplify life, fewer schools to take kids to. Their new place borders a botanical garden, which makes the yard seem expansive. Kids Sarah (12), Todd (11), Carissa (8) and Kevin (6) (I think those are the right ages) keep them busy. Sarah is a prima ballerina was chosen as Clara, the lead role in "The Nutcracker." Todd's into soccer. Carissa is trying out ballet like her big sister. Tom finally took his sabbatical from Intel last summer, visiting Rome, Venice, Paris, the Loire Valley and Amsterdam. Otherwise, smaller trips to Oregon coast Š and golf. Diane volunteers at Carissa's school and is a co-leader of Carissa's brownie troop. Tom remains general manager of Platform Components Group.   

Pat Ciriacs and family enjoyed a bit of travel of late, including a drive to New York City, the Berkshire Mountains (in northwest Massachusetts) and Boston. Pat continues to enjoy life at Creation Technologies, as does Kelly, apparently, where the spouses were invited to a retreat in Whistler, British Columbia. A few days of pampering is never a bad thing.  Jenny is in seventh grade, plays tenor sax, but her passion remains volleyball, playing on road teams placing in top third of 64 teams. Kevin is quite a volleyball star in his own right, named to Wisconsin's all-state 2nd team. His club finished 11th in nationals, and he was selected for the Jr. Olympic Volley ball camp in Irvine, Calif.  Oh, and yes, Kevin will be driving soon. 

Well I'm off to the conference venue where I can log into the network and send this in.  Lets hear from you sometime. Send me your holiday letters at steve.langer@motorola.com or sbl0711@aol.com.