EMP-59

Bruce McConnell has been promoted to managing director/first vice president at CB Richard Ellis Commercial Real Estate.

Chris J. Moore has been promoted to director of acquisition at Discover.

Tom Shanahan hosted a holiday party with lots of the EMP-59 crowd. Seen raising a glass or two were:  Katie Bylak, Lauren Reid, Mark Bernhard, Amy Schuman, Stan Menenzes, Ravi Reddy, Mo O'Gorman, Marguerite Fernandez and the Shanahan crowd.

Hurricanes flew and really affected our companies this past year. Lauren Reid, executive vice president of global operations at Munters Corporation, had an interesting ride: "I think you know that I am in the restoration business and we assist businesses after fire and flood damage. We just finished the restoration of the New Orleans Superdome after Hurricane Katrina. We completed more than 100 other projects in the hurricane areas and are still working on several in New Orleans. This will cap off our year and make it the largest catastrophe we have dealt with to date. Our business takes us into several difficult environments and we see many businesses ruined from storms, fire and water damage, but nothing as severe as what we just have gone through with hurricanes Katrina, Wilma and Rita. It is a terrible situation for the people and businesses impacted by these types of events, but I'm happy companies like mine can remain at the ready to assist in these difficult times."

Heard from Mark Bernhard, who was so much fun to connect with! His comments begin, "Boy are you a nag!" (Which I am.) "I'll join you for St. Paddy's day, but I swear I am not drinking again."

Not much else new in my life. Got a couple of neat contracts in the last few months including the remodel of the Marshall Field's Minneapolis store and a 30,000 square foot residence in Winnetka. We are currently negotiating with Saks to remodel the hurricane-damaged New Orleans store as well as the Boston store.

I had study group H together for dinner at my new home (well been there for a year now) in the Glen. Marguerite Fernandez, Joe Golbus, Vince Lima and Julie Kanak showed up. 

Dave Henry moved to Maryland (without telling anyone, mind you). He was in town several weeks ago and we met him at Meier's Tavern (until 1:30 am) with Stan Menesez, Carol Stacklin, Jeff Smith, Luis Nunez and Mark Bernhard. Steve Winandy is now responsible for taking CDW International and, of course, China is on the top of the list. He is going to be in Shanghai again next month. I think he cannot forget the foot-massage girl and is on a special mission to find her again!

Heidi Voorhees writes in to tell me, "Steven and I went to New York City to surprise Babs Zeifer for her birthday in December. We had a great time viewing the construction of Babs and Christopher's new house in SoHo (which is next door to the "Sex and the City" bar that the Aidan and Steve characters owned is visited daily by busloads of girls looking for cosmos on the "Sex and the City" tours), shopping, eating and drinking a lot of champagne. Oh, and Babs got me addicted to eBay.We spent most of the day on Sunday shopping on eBay.

And, as for being up for St. Patty's day a la Hong Kong revisited, only if there will be some hunky rugby players! Seriously, unless I get called out of town on biz, I will be there!

Bruce McConnell writes to tell us:

My wife and I traveled to Paris with no kids for our anniversary. Also, this winter I took my daughters to a great new ski resort in Wisconsin (Wilmot Mountain).  It was awesome. My new doctor, Ed Blumen, cured me of a terrible cold over the holidays. No black bag or brain cap!

Also, connecting over the holidays were:  Bob Rossi, Paul Salay and Amy Schuman at a dinner in the northwest suburbs. 

(Dr. Babs Zeifer and Katie Bylak in NewYork City, winning academy awards, dahling!)

Steve Winandy and his wife welcomed baby Trevor Steven Winandy. He was born Nov. 8 and weighed in at 8 pounds, 10 ounces Everyone is home and healthy.

We regret to inform you that Julie Kanak's father William passed away in October 2005 after a long illness. Our deepest sympathies go to Julie and her family.

Jeff Gordon was appointed to the advisory board of the department of electrical engineering and computer science in Northwestern's McCormick School of Engineering.

Dave Qu wrote to tell me that he joined Allscripts Healthcare Solutions as vice president of strategic product development. It is very exciting. Allscripts is the leading provider of clinical software, connectivity and information solutions that physicians use to improve healthcare. The company's business groups provide unique solutions that inform, connect and transform healthcare.

Troy Vellinga was commissioned to serve on the panel of judges for the Lincoln Foundation for Excellence. Troy was also appointed in November to serve as a member of the industrial advisory board for Erdman Center, the school of business at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Now you can get the news even faster. With the help of Michelle Kabele and Rana Singh, we now have our own Web site, so visit emp59.com for the latest updates, events and pictures of your classmates!