EMP-11

John Goebel writes: "I spend the summers and winters in Breckenridge, Colo., biking and hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter. When I return to Elkhart, Ind., for spring and fall, I do my volunteer board work. The biggest project is building a botanical garden for the county. Besides fundraising, I have been involved with mowing the lawn, driving the Bobcat and planting over 6,000 bulbs this fall. Best job I ever had."

"I retired in February 2004 from the cabinet-manufacturing business. Timing couldn’t have been better, since the business followed the new housing market into the toilet starting at the end of 2006. I don’t envy anybody who is currently trying to make sense of this economy. I hope that most of our classmates have retired by now. My experience on several corporate boards during this time shows where the successful businesses get separated from the losers." John can be reached at john.goebel@verizon.net.

Carol Laporta says that after 12 years, she left work late last year (retired). Since then, traveling to Croatia, Greece, Chicago, wine country, Mexico and many California places of interest have been on her agenda. She’s consulting now and finds that interesting. She’s also lucky in that she is working on some projects with her daughter, who has a design show on HGTV. Carol was on a segment as well. She can be reached at claporta@aol.com.

Kevin McShea is a partner at AlixPartners LLP, which specializes in turnaround and the restructuring of troubled/distressed companies. He has an office in New York and lives in Colorado. You can reach Kevin at kmcshea@alixpartners.com or call him at 646.468.0333.

Stephen Wertheimer is the managing partner at W Capital Partners and has joined the Kellogg New York regional campaign committee. He can be reached at SWertheimer@wcapgroup.com or 212.561.5255.

Rob Milburn has "finally fully retired." Rob and Marlys live in the north woods of Wisconsin in a major remodeled home in Lac du Flambeau. Rob is a reader, woodworker and photo bug. They get to see their children, Michael and Liz, often. He can be reached at robmilburn@gmail.com or 715.588.9116.

Jane Burke is senior vice president of ProQuest, an electronic publisher. She’s also on Northwestern University’s library board of governors and is on campus occasionally. Jane can be reached at jane@jaburke.net or 630.661.9020.

Jan Leestma says hello to all EMP-11ers. He’s retired but still has a practice in forensic pathology. Has a new grandchild (the fourth one) and spent some time in California for that event this winter. Jan can be reached at jleestma@aol.com.

Ron Nicolas has had his second hip replacement surgery and it went well. He works for a client who is allowing him to work from home as he mends. Ron can be reached at ronnicholas@charter.net or 952.435.5624.

I (Russ Luedtke) being of sound mind, still work and spend the winters in Minnesota. I am training my son to take over the business and expect to ride many trails this year and drive the ’50 Olds many, many miles while we have nice weather in Minnesota.

Thanks to those who responded to my urgent call for news. I appreciate each and every one of you.