1998 — Full-Time

Hello 1998-ers. Only a few short weeks left 'til we all descend upon Evanston for our 10-year reunion. Can you believe it? It has been a privilege and an honor to write your notes for you for all of this time. So many babies, so many weddings, so many jobs. I cannot believe how prolific you have all been and I am very proud of you. Here's hoping the next 10 years are just as productive and exciting. Here's also hoping we get to see you in May in Evanston. Now, on with the news.

Rachel Fleishman writes: "Life took an unexpected turn when Eli's job offered us a two- to three-year stint in Hong Kong. Preparing for the move meant getting rid of 50 percent of the stuff we had accumulated — clothes, furniture, books, but NOT Besanko's strategy notes — and squeezing the four of us into a three-bedroom apartment. Actually, it was a good exercise in reduce/reuse/recycle, and our new apartment feels almost spacious, so do drop by and visit if you're in town. After three weeks of intense shopping, during which we were single-handedly keeping the Hong Kong economy going, we are settled, and I'm beginning to look for a job. If anyone hears of a company that needs an energetic, environmentally sensitive manager to develop and deploy their strategy in Asia, let me know. In the meantime, I look forward to seeing you in April. (Hey, if I can make it back to Evanston from HK, with a 4-year old in tow, I don't want any excuses from the rest of you.)"

Elisabeth Settimi sent in this update: "I thought I should write something before 10 years is up. The big news is that after 10 years of fun and adventure in the Bay Area, I moved to Chicago in December. I still haven't quite gotten used to the idea that I live here and am not just on a very cold and gray adventure, missing California greatly. The exciting news is that I started a business, franchising a concept from the West Coast for the Chicago market with a business partner. It's called The Bar Method (barmethod.com) and is women's exercise. We've gotten an amazing reception in Chicago so far and have been working really hard, but it's been great. We opened in January, less than a month after moving here, so I'm hoping to come up for air soon and connect with old Kellogg friends. Please drop me an e-mail: e_settimi@yahoo.com."

In February, Nacho Arrizabalaga and his wife, Mariela, finalized the adoption of Czech twin boys Bruno Jaroslav and Pablo (3), who have been living with them since September. "Our last three years in the Czech Republic, working for Vodafone, have been a blast, only tempered by the emotional roller-coaster of longing for becoming parents. Rachel Fleishman with husband Eli and their two great kids, visited us in early December, before moving to Hong Kong. We moved back to Spain this year, as I found a Telecom job in my very own hometown. Children and a great opportunity back home, truly a dream come true. See you soon at the reunion."

Heather Lamm and husband Alex Ooms '97 welcomed a second son, Tobias, last August. "Older brother Jasper (4) thinks he is the coolest thing ever and our house is certainly lively these days. On a professional note, for the past five years I have been at MediaNews Group in Denver, most recently leading their interactive division. It has been a great ride but I will be leaving the company this spring to pursue something with a little less travel. Alex is a partner in a boutique investment bank in Denver and we are generally thrilled about life in Colorado. On a sad note, our beloved dog Oakley, who many classmates knew as a puppy, passed away last summer. For a Bernese Mountain Dog, Oakley lived to a ripe old age and we have hundreds of fond memories of him that involve many Kellogg friends. I especially find comfort in remembering Oakley romping around and lapping up spilled beer at TGs. I seem to remember he held his alcohol better than some of us. I look forward to connecting with all in May."

Grillo Grimoldi writes: "My biggest news is that I was made partner of Egon Zehnder International and I am extremely happy about it. Everything is great with our family and we are looking forward with Maria to attend the reunion."

Guenia Gawendo and her husband, Eduardo, welcomed twin babies, Daniela and Eduardo, on Sept. 30. "Taking care of twins is by far the most challenging and demanding job I've ever had," she writes, "but also the most rewarding. Going back to work next spring seems very relaxing. It is a pity but we will miss our class reunion this time."

Matt Candler sent in this news from New Orleans: "Post-Katrina we started New Schools for New Orleans, and I think we have a real shot at making this city's public schools excellent. If anyone knows great folks who want to join the effort, please send 'em our way. Baby No. 2 landed mid-December and is doing well, too. Big sis has the play by play at marionsplace.blogspot.com

Andreas Zehnder is very excited to visit the greater Evanston area together with his wife Clarissa and his three kids for 10 days around our Reunion. "I look forward to seeing (i.e. still recognizing) as many colleagues as possible and to gather and jam with as many a capella friends from my time with 'The Bottom Line' singing gang as possible at the class party: Peter Harvey, Leif Welch, Michael Lill, Mike Murray, Charlie Wise, Matt Cole, Jack Quarles, Steve Hartmann, David Ain, Dave Medd and Bryan Cannon. See you soon!"

Dean Liu and wife Bobbie have been enjoying life in Dallas for the past three years. "I was active on the board of the DFW Kellogg Alumni Club and proud to announce my completion of two marathons last year. I recently made a career move within EDS to become account manager for American Airlines. Look forward to catching up at our reunion in May."

Paul Moghtader sent in his first update since graduation. "I have left State Street Global Advisors, the firm I joined out of Kellogg, to accept a position in a newly opened Boston office for Lazard Asset Management."

David Contract will be at Reunion with the family in tow. "My family has grown over the years and now includes two kids (Adam, whose fourth birthday is the night of our big reunion bash, and his baby sister, Ava, born Nov. 9). Career-wise, I moved a year ago from Kraft to Schering-Plough where I'm a senior product manager in the consumer healthcare division."

Chris Tomseth writes: "The quick update from Dubai is that things here are going well. I did get to catch up with two of our classmates over a meal recently. Philippe Meyersohn was here on vacation in December and Andrew Calderwood came on business at the end of January. I guess the other thing of note that happened recently was George W. Bush came to town and they closed down the whole city and declared a holiday — all for security measures. I'm actually headed back to Kellogg in April, because my company is sending me for some executive education on M&A. It should be interesting and fun. A month later, I look forward to seeing you and everyone else at the reunion."