Shirley Paddock EMP-57 with two running buddies from Eli Lilly who ensured she got out of bed at 7am to run in 12 degree weather in February to prepare for the Indianapolis Mini-Marathon. With the help of EMP-57, Shirley raised more than $12,000 for the Leukemia Society.

Roma and Vik Ghai received a new addition to their family and their finest Christmas gift to date. Weighing 6 lbs., 8 oz. and measuring 19 inches, Vardaan Ghai was born Dec. 14. Vardaan has been growing up fast. Every day he comes up with an new trick to keep his parents amused and brings them so much joy with his chubby cheeks and chin. Vik says, "Come on over and Vardaan will thrill you with his grin!" Roma took four months off and enjoyed every moment of pure mommyhood and now she isn't all that excited to return to PwC in March. Vik's been busy building his new venture, Quantum Secure. In the past 18 months, Vik has been chasing CFOs and CSOs and security directors and consultants from San Francisco to New York to London to Bangalore and advising them. "Quantum Secure has been a very exciting and demanding endeavor, although breaking into this $120-billion market wouldn't have been possible without on-going valuable advice from Team K mates Ash Brooks and Tim Vlamis and good wishes from everyone at EMP-57. Thanks to everyone for those lovely e-mails blessing Vardaan!"

Mike Alesandro recently won the prestigious position of IBM software manager of the Americas.

On Feb. 20, Paul Caudill started a new job as senior vice president of operations with VeraSun Energy, the nation's second-largest producer of ethanol. VeraSun has the two largest dry-mill, fuel-grade ethanol production plants in service in the nation: one in Aurora, S.D. and the other in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Paul is responsible for running our two operating plants (55 employees each), managing VeraSun's expansion strategy (the company has another plant under construction in Charles City, Iowa, and two more being engineered) and running its ethanol distribution logistics function.

In January, Chile elected its first woman president. Michelle Bachelet obtained 53 percent of the popular vote, becoming the first Latin American female president elected in a democratic election. Pablo Halpern was her chief strategy adviser during the campaign. This is the second time Pablo has played a role in a winning presidential election.

Over the holidays, Bill and Lillian Luu went on a two-week Amazon and Andes trek in South America. Despite Lillian's encounter with altitude sickness, this was truly a trip of a lifetime. The Luus came away with a deeper appreciation for Peru's rich history and culture, the spirit of its people and its endless natural beauty.

Jenny Ose reports there "is no dirt" from Zweibrücken, Germany. She has, however, taken up snowboarding while on a recent trip to Whistler, and has been frequenting the beer gardens of Austria.

Shirley Paddock completed the Indianapolis Mini-Marathon (13.1 miles) in May in two hours and 22 minutes. She had a great time and wants to sincerely thank those of you who donated to the Leukemia Society as part of her commitment to running the half-marathon. Because of the wonderful generosity of EMP-57, she was the top fundraiser for the Michigan, Illinois and Indiana chapters of the Leukemia Society's Team in Training, raising more than $12,000 to help fight leukemia!