EMP-39

Hello friends from EMP-39. I took some time off from tracking down classmates and sending in articles over the last year, but never again! It has been too much fun getting reacquainted with some of you. The rest of you, beware! I will track you down, so it is better to simply give up and send in an update to Tim Wulf at twulf@wi.rr.com.

Paul Magelli gave an update late last year. Sorry for taking so long to publish, Paul! I imagine by now the company is in the Fortune 500! Paul wrote: "Apertio develops/delivers infrastructure software to mobile carriers — our software is the "core stuff" that makes cellular networks work. I am really enjoying the job. It's easy(ier) when you have a great team around you. Our team developed the software that runs Vodafone's and Orange's networks, the world's No. 1 and No. 3. Apertio is comprised of about 50 people and growing in excess of 100 percent annually — we employed fewer than 25 one year ago. We are now seven quarters old and have seven customers, including the No. 1 operator in the U.K., Russia, India and Thailand — and soon, I hope, in Germany and a few other countries. It's a really fun time for the company.

"I live in Bristol. Dalia and I have a 1-year-old. What fun, although he has been in the States for an extended period this summer, so I haven't gotten to see him as much as I would like — the peril of the job. We also have an office in Chicago, so I get back and forth reasonably often." Reach Paul at +44.117.935.2900 (office) or by email at paul.magelli@apertio.co.uk.

Chris Storm is at it again, shaking up the world and trying hard to earn his 15 minutes of fame. He writes: "Grite is very busy as a translator of French, Flemish and English documents. She works with clients located in Belgium, Hungary, New York, Denver, and Houston. Everything is transmitted through the Internet, so she can work anywhere there is a connection. It's a great job. One problem: It requires fluency in multiple languages, so I'm out of luck.

"After almost six years, I'm retiring as CEO of Cal Farley's Boys Ranch on June 30. We've dealt with most of the business issues we had and it's time for the company to be led by someone who knows something about childcare. My successor has been with us nine years and is better qualified than I to head the company from this point forward. I get to resume my position as an unpaid board member, so I'm back in the job market.

"First thing I'll do is go back to Key West for the fourth time and have another try at the Hemingway Look-a-like title. Deanna and Mike Weiss will return for their fourth time, as well. It's nice to be 18 again. Lastly, Grite and I are selling our place in Colorado and have bought another near Red Lodge, Mont., where we'll start to spend most of our time after July 1. Maybe I'll get a job as a forest ranger. Our kids are great; life is good. By the way, Cheryl (Duda-Harte) and Eric's daughter, Madison, is beautiful. Hey Cheryl, how about a family picture for your classmates?"

Chris followed up with this: "Please add the fact that Cheryl (Duda-Harte) and Eric are coming to Key West also. That makes three of four contests for them, taking off last year for Madison's birth."

Dr. Carolyn R. Bengtson has changed jobs. She writes: "I am no longer in the health plan business. I have left the dark side, seen the light, and have returned to my roots on the provider side of health care. I am vice president for case management at Rockford Memorial Hospital, where I oversee the case management department and work with medical staff to improve the efficiency of care delivery. Much of what I do is process improvement, working to increase patient throughput and helping the doctors to understand the business of medicine. My position is new. I am creating it as I go, which brings its own unique challenges. My husband and I have bought a house in South Carolina and have a plan, as yet quite undefined, to move there within five years." Reach Carolyn at 815.971.5390 or via email at bengtson@rhsnet.org.

Leslie Schmid keeps tabs on her favorite EMP-39ers. She writes: "Hope all is well. Chicago has been a great place to relocate. Not much new for me, but I am heading to Beijing in a few days to bike through China with my son (21) and husband (not 21). Chris Storm and I met up this year and had a good time working on a project. Geoff Wheeler ventured to Chicago a few months ago to see the travel exhibition at McCormick Place. Luckily for us, there was a Johnny Walker Exhibit with tasting.Š"

Finally, Terry Myers has been busy. He checked in with this update: "In September I merged Myers & Hill into Three Dimensional, Management Consultants. Our new Web site is now up and running. Check it out: 3-dllc.com. Walt Tomenga and I are helping clients and building cash flow. We're looking for new business opportunities within the continental United States and Canada."

Terry has been busy, sending out excellent reviews of several of the leading business books over the last several months. Thanks Terry, now I don't have to buy the book!

Keep smiling, Tim Wulf