EMP-55

The September issue of Chicago Hospital Newspaper published an interview with Jim Cohick. The timing of the printing was in conjunction with the 20th annual Hospital Facilities Symposium and Expo event held last October in Chicago. Jim delivered a keynote address at the symposium highlighting the work of Shriners Hospitals for Children. Jim reports that he was excited by the opportunity to address the symposium because it attracts about 3,000 participants who are focused on creating physical environments conducive for healing, care delivery and health promotion. Jim presented his work with both Shriners Hospitals and CURE International. Each of these organizations dedicate their efforts to children with chronic and complex medical conditions and provide free treatment to their young patients. He hoped his speech helped make the important work of these organizations a little better known.

Vanessa Borchers and Roy Hillier, both EMP-55
Jim Cohick EMP-55
EMP-55 classmates gathered at the Stained Glass Wine Bar inEvanston. Front row: Sharon Folliard, Cristina Gomez, Lynn Bromstedt; back:Lilia Kiselev, Leah Campen-Klepitsch, Maria Sullivan, Tracey Quinn and SusanForsell
Gupreet Singh EMP-55 and his new son, Ajay Dev Singh

I had the pleasure of a front row seat for Jim's keynote address. He was introduced as a professional with "incredible credentials" and his speech was inspirational. He used a quote from the Shriners organization that reflected, "No one stands so tall as when they stoop down to help a child." Shriners Hospitals have helped more than 60,000 children since opening. Jim spoke about how there is no greater return on investment than helping children. He is an impressive guy and I'm proud to know him.

Jim also survived the 2007 Chicago Marathon, one of the world's preeminent races. This year it was a special challenge: It was a 90 degrees with 80 percent humidity for a record-breaking weather day. The race was shortened due to the extreme conditions for the first time in its 30-year history.

Chander Chawla didn't run the Chicago Marathon this year, so he volunteered to hand out water at an aid station for the runners. Chander reports that only 4,000 out of 35,000 starters finished the race due to the tough conditions. There were originally 45,000 runners signed up, but about 10,000 fewer actually started the race because of predicted high temperatures.

Chander ran the Tucson marathon on Dec. 2. Last September he participated in "Reach the Beach," a 200-mile relay in New Hampshire. He was part of a team organized by some runners from Toyota.

Jim Falvey is recovering from shoulder surgery last June. He reports that he helped represent Joey Lombardo in the "Family Secrets" Mafia trial conducted last year in Chicago. He will now be working on his sentencing and appeal. He's become good friends with Lombardo's lead attorney, Rick Halprin, who Jim says is considered one of the best criminal trial attorneys in Chicago. It's been an interesting experience for Jim.

He's also done some work on a Guantanamo detainee case. Jim says that the client was kidnapped by the CIA from his home in West Africa and taken to Jordan, where he was tortured for eight months. After the torture in Jordan, he was transferred to Guantanamo, where he's been for more than four years. Due to Jim's work on this case, Jim will receive the Frederick Douglass Human Rights Award from the Southern Center for Human Rights in November. Jim does this GTMO work pro bono in addition to his full-time job as general counsel at a start-up futures exchange, the U.S. Futures Exchange.

Cristina Gomez was recently promoted within OSI. They created a new position for her to lead strategic planning and marketing. She will still be working out of the corporate headquarters in Illinois. Way to go, Cristina.

Roy Hillier and his wife, Vanessa Borchers, are moving their family to the Netherlands. Both will be working for Deloitte. There was a small going-away party in December, and the move happened in January. We'll miss you.

Lilia Kiselev has accepted a new job within Abbott. She does alliance management for the business development group with Astra Zeneca.

Jeff Nixon just finished his contract with Gustafson Lighting in Indiana. Heís decided to move his career back to Chicago to be closer to his family. Heís beginning the networking process here in the area with our Kellogg classmates.

Maria Sullivan has accepted a new job within CDW. She is now vice president, small business sales, leading their small business sales division. Congrats to Maria.

Kim Wrobleski left her job at Siemens in December and joined Agilent in January. Her new position is director of global market development in Genomics at Agilent Technologies. She reportsthat being really excited about the opportunity and says it's a perfect fit for her background. Kim and her family plan to relocate to California at the end of the summer.