EMP-61

Dear all EMP-61 friends: Quick, fun and interesting little tidbits are the flavor of this update. And before you read too far into this stream of consciousness, remember that you can always send me info and I can do a mass e-mail, or feel free to do one as well.

From furthest away — Andrew Hustrulid: "We are living in Dusseldorf, Germany and working for Sandvik. We have been bouncing around the world since graduating. From Chile we went to Perth, Australia for a year and a half, followed by Belo Horizonte Brazil for a year and now Germany. I am the global product line manager for conveyor components in our rather complex matrix organization. The boys and Ginger are doing well and learning German much more quickly than I am."

From Soccer/Volleyball Mom in Houston — Sandy Wallis: "The Wallis are well! We live in Houston, and spend most of the time on soccer fields with Maggie (11) or volleyball courts with Katie (13). I'm still enjoying building a little company, Weathergage Capital, focused on venture-capital investing."

Bonjour from our former digs in Evanston — Olivier Visa: "All is good on this side of the earth (I mean from Evanston when I'm there). Johanna and kids are doing well. Maxime turned 10 last year while at Universal Studios with his best friend Harry Potter; Ines turned 6 as a ballerina and Cecile and Oceane turned 3 in January. We have kept our sanity SO FAR! Businesswise, traveling the West while managing a tremendous sales force for Baxter anesthesia critical care. I'm learning a lot. Cheers to you all!"

From the ever-political windy Chicago — Hardy Bhatt: "On my end, my public service stint ended last October. I joined Cisco as director for global smart and connected communities (my joining has nothing to do with their stock price over last few months, just for the record). Mayor Daley announced his retirement and justified my decision. I continue to live here in Chicago, but travel the globe now. Jagruti is playing her part in public service by teaching in a special-education classroom at our neighborhood public school. Maanas is now 11 and Shailee is 8. I tried to audit a financial accounting course with EMP-85 last October. I could only attend two classes. I don't know how we did that for two straight years! Maybe because then it was a lot of fun with all of you around (especially the very hard-working Group J)."

From Grinnell, Iowa (what more can I say) — Todd Reding: "It's great to see these updates! Thanks to Sharon for staying with it! I'm still in frigid Grinnell, Iowa, running our small sign company. Griffin (14) drives to and from school and is dating a 16-year-old! Can you say 'OMG?' Abigail (11) is preparing for a stellar softball season as catcher. Isabelle (9) loves to cook with me. Shannon is the office manager at our church and continues to keep us all together."

From Chicago and lots of other places and sometimes with Guy Ponticiello–Beth Hayden: "Great to hear the updates so far. We should challenge everyone to provide them! I think our class has a lock on the best kid names in the world. I'm still traveling a bit but it's very manageable — next big trip is to Brazil. Guy and I had a little too much fun at a sales meeting in Phoenix in February. We hardly see each other in Chicago, even though we're only one floor apart at the office. Hope all is well with everyone and keep the stories coming!"

From cold-but-getting-warmer Minnesota — Amin Kassem: "It is great to read the updates from all of you. I hope everyone is doing great. On this front, Jennah (17) is driving and looking at colleges. Hana is almost 14, Zayd is 11 and Deena is 9. Leyla and I still travel a fair amount."

From Roanoke, Va., with thanks — Troy Jamison: "I am happy to report that my daughter Libby (7) successfully completed treatment for leukemia. In early 2008 while my family and I were on an ex-pat assignment in Denmark, she was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). After three years of treatment, she is now enjoying first grade in Roanoke, Va. I would like to thank my EMP-61 classmates for their support. Professionally, I serve as the senior vice president of business development for Synchrony Inc. in Salem, Va. Synchrony is a technology company manufacturing high-speed motors, generators and magnetic bearings."

Also, we received a great picture of Michael Walloga's driveway from the snowstorm this winter in Chicago. Good thing he bolted for Mexico City a few days later, and he informed me he has four kids in college! Thanks again for the camaraderie and keep the updates coming. You guys are GREAT.