1990 — Full-Time

Hello, everyone. As I write this, I'm a few days past our winter deadline and I'm praying that I can still make the upcoming issue. The past few weeks for me have been insane but terribly fun, as I've been in Los Angeles helping Vanity Fair prepare for its annual Oscar Party. More on that a little later. I'm very pleased to say that you all have been opening up more and more, writing to us and giving the class an update on what's going on with you and your families, and I'm sure everyone is glad you did. I hope you all soon feel the need to drop a note and tell us some news. We really want to hear from you! Please write!

Scott Gode writes: "I was out in Tokyo on business back in October and I had the opportunity to have dinner with Hiroshi Sone and Mayumi. Hiroshi tells me (tongue in cheek) that he's now working for his wife, as Mayumi has taken a part-time job as controller for his business and as such is the one who is truly calling the shots. Hiroshi had requested that I bring a bottle or two of Kraft ranch dressing with me because for some reason that particular brand is their favorite and is unavailable in Tokyo. Unfortunately, I had already left the country by the time I got the request, so I was unable to deliver. While at dinner, I also found out that Mayumi is a sucker for Cherry Coke (also unavailable in Tokyo). So, next time anyone is traveling to Tokyo, job No. 1 is to pack a six-pack of Cherry Coke and a couple bottles of Kraft Ranch for our long- suffering classmates there.

"Life is good in the Pacific Northwest and at Microsoft. Hard to believe I've been at Microsoft for 14 years now! I've recently moved off of marketing the Microsoft Windows Mobile Smartphones and Pocket PCs and onto making the high-tech world a kinder and gentler place for IT professionals. I drive a new venture around relationship marketing to this audience. The boys (7 and 10) are doing all the normal school, sports and music stuff, although Kelly and I still haven't succumbed to the pressure to bring an X-Box into the home even though it's caused me to endure multiple demotions and peer ridicule at work. There aren't too many of us 'older' Kellogg folk out here in the wilderness of Seattle/Bellevue so please come and visit any time!

"What's up with the question about Dean and Laura Egerter? I assume your quip in the KW article was just a joke? I haven't personally talked to Dean or Laura in more than three months, but since you're both in Chicagoland I'm assuming that you folks talk now and then?"

Actually Scott, I've heard nothing from Dean and Laura. However, '89er Brian Hall did write in on their behalf: "Regarding Dean and Laura Egerter — they're living in Winnetka with their posse of kids. Dean and I play on the same paddle tennis team in Winnetka, so we see a lot of each other between October and March." Brian is the vice president of knowledge partnership and marketing at Microsystems.

I am relieved to hear the news, but would love to hear from Dean and Laura directly!

One of our most active classmates, Sarah Crewe, writes: "My family and I are moving to Ruidoso, N.M. to live in the mountains with bears, elk and deer. Once we find a place to live, I will let you know where we are. Huge lifestyle change. Am now a full-time mom and move-organizer and loving every minute of my new life. I do not miss my former commute/job/stress-over-nothing-of-import days. Instead, I relish days like today, when I played games and made snow angels with my twin girls (3), and cherish the time I now have to talk endlessly about something-or-nothing with my ailing parents. We are renting a place with extra rooms to share with wayward travelers, fly-fisherpeople, skiers, mountain-bikers and others in search of less-is-more."

It was great to hear the following news from Ruth Finn Oshin: "I love reading Kellogg World and am so impressed with what our classmates have accomplished! I spent the first 12 years after we graduated mostly focused on my career in brand management at Helene Curtis, Reebok and Calvin Klein Cosmetics. Once I met my husband Larry, became pregnant with twins and got stuck on hospital bed rest for 10 weeks, my priorities shifted. I stopped working and moved out of New York City to Weston, Conn. Today, my focus is on our family. Alexa and Matthew (5) are our greatest joy. I love being home with my children but also miss working. I've been exploring various part-time career options and just accepted my first consulting project. I would love to reconnect with any classmates who are also trying to re-launch their careers."

Jim Sellers writes: "I moved to Dallas in September with FedEx Kinko's as manager of national retail promotions. I rejoined FedEx two years ago, and after a stint in international marketing in Memphis, Tenn., Dallas called. Learning the retail business has been really stimulating, and with the integration challenges that linger following FedEx's acquisition of Kinko's slightly more than three years ago, there's more than a little change management thrown in for added zest.

"My girlfriend Patti Kelly, who grew up two miles from me in Kansas City, but who I never knew until we met in Memphis, is here with me. We bought a 1970s ranch house, which we're gutting and opening up. It's cold in Dallas just now, and since the HVAC's torn out, we're suffering the slings and arrows of renovation. Best to all from the class of 1990, and anyone who needs a place to stay when they're in Dallas is most welcome!"

	Dennis Valdes '90 with daughter Athena.
	Bill Driscoll '90 is welcomed home after serving with the U.S. military in Iraq.
	Ruth (Finn) Oshin '90 with twins Alexa and Matthew (5)

From our overseas bureau, we have news from our former fearless leader, Dennis Valdes: "I just got my latest Kellogg World, and I must say, congratulations on the fantastic job you are doing keeping all of us Class of '90 alums connected. Your article inspired me to hunt down my Kellogg T-shirt and pose with my youngest daughter Athena (in her own Kellogg outfit) in front of our Christmas tree. So, Merry Christmas from sunny Manila.

"I'm president of PhilWeb Corp., a Philippines-listed company that runs the Internet casinos for the Philippine Amusement and Games Corp., the government's regulatory body that runs all games of chance in the Philippines. I'd invite you to play a few games on some of our sites but unfortunately, we block off all U.S. IPs, thanks to your country's recent Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. What I can say is, as you might imagine, any job where you fly to Macau for market research has to be a fun job.

"It's been awhile since I've been able to contribute anything to Kellogg World, and the past few years have gone by pretty fast. Highlights include my surviving a helicopter crash in India last year and moving into the gambling industry this year. Thank goodness the Internet has changed from a download model to an upload world. So in keeping with this YouTube mentality, I've put the rest of what could be a too-long update into a blog with videos and photos from the past year. Those interested can check out valdesfamilychristmas.blogspot.com."

Jesse Shen-Kuang Hsu writes: "After a year stint with McKinsey & Co., I left to start a literature distribution company for Chinese readers around the world. Just recently sold the controlling share to an MNC. Our family will move to China to further pursue writing/publishing and corporate speaking interests." He welcomes all to contact him if they are near Shanghai.

Many of you are probably wondering about Bill Driscoll's stint in Iraq. Billy's back in the States now, safe and sound. Thank you again, Bill, for what you did.

Some other news, I recently had dinner at the Davis Street Fish Market (of all places!) with Dean Dussias and Peter Miller when Peter was last in town working on his new business. Both are well and enjoying the new phases of their careers. Of course, I've forgotten the name of the financial services firm that Dean is now a part of. Forgive me, Dean.

Yes, I worked the Vanity Fair Oscar party again this year (my sixth in a row). As before, it is a surreal event to observe, with so many notable people in one room. Up close, however, they all seem like everyday people: in some cases shorter, taller, more attractive or less attractive in person than you would think.

Speaking of Hollywood, a correction is in order. In a recent KW posting, I incorrectly stated that the whereabouts of Jim Kingsley were "discovered" by Terri Foreman. In fact, it was none other than Alan Freedland who passed on Jim Kingsley's information.

And speaking of large gatherings of notable people, it seems a shame to think that we must wait until 2010 for our next Reunion. All the more reason why you should write in to say hello!

So as we've transitioned through the holiday seasons and new years (both Western and Chinese) and spring looms right around the corner, I wish all of you a very happy and healthy 2007.