Mike Haddad, Jeff King and Rob Mallin (all '87)

I wanted to thank the committee members who helped organize our 20th reunion in May. It was a great event and truly worth the effort. If I've missed anyone, please accept my apologies. I'm working from memory here: Rich Mandel, Melody Jeffrey, Blair Trippe, Lexi Van de Walle-Owsley, Rich Aaronson, Mike Holling, Vic O'Brien and Rab Ker. Also, thanks to Beth Truta from the Kellogg alumni office, who did a tremendous job coordinating everything for us.

The turnout was fantastic. I think most people were as surprised as I was to be reminded how many friends and acquaintances we had at Kellogg. There was a feeling of instant connection, as if the last 20 years were just some kind of long nap and we were all back together again at a TG in the second-floor lounge, although the lounge looked a heck of a lot better and the drinks were vastly improved.

For those of you who weren't able to make it, I wish I could give you complete updates on all the people I spoke to, but the Patron margaritas and a convenient lack of paper and pen prevented me, I'm afraid, from recording those conversations. I can tell you most of the people I saw, although this is by no means a complete list of those attending.

Let's see. There was Gordy Prend, Roy Jones, Ann Schaefer-Reid, Tim Grell, Ken Bloom, John Blunt, Blake Hobson, Claudio Marcus, Susan Rubin Elfannt, Susan Dane (Hoy) Shields, Paul Embree, Paul Schulz, Chip Gilbertson, Dave Rector, Lexi, Blair, Melody, Vic, Mike H., Mark DeVries, Russ and Connie McFee, Melissa Peterman, Jeff King, Jeff Coyner, Barb (Balph) Jones, and lots more.

From the conversations I can recall, I can tell you that Mark DeVries is leading multiple lives as husband/father/breadwinner AND rock band member. I felt unworthy talking to him. I can barely manage the husband/father/breadwinner gig.

Paul Schulz is riding centuries (100-mile bicycle marathons) in Wisconsin. Again I'm feeling pretty unworthy. I've been trying to get my rear in gear to ride just one century in the past seven years! Maybe 2007 will be the year.

Ken Bloom has moved on from playing with dolls (CFO at American Girl). Now he's president and CEO of Liberty Safe. If you're thinking about locking up your valuables or firearms, drop Ken an e-mail.

Tim Grell's daughter (suitably named Augusta) is following in dad's golf-shoe footsteps.

Claudio Marcus is busy reinventing the ad industry, working for a company called Visible World. I do a lot of work with Claudio at Comcast and have really enjoyed being able to continue our Kellogg friendship into our professional lives.

Blake Hobson is a publicly elected official in the Chicago area and is already planning his 2012 run for the presidency.

Melissa Peterman is still the funniest woman alive not on a comedy show.

On Steve Sears: I got a magazine in the mail called Deliver and an article in it features Steve. He is vice president of marketing for Stacy's and the brainchild behind a really cool marketing campaign.

There were many more stories at Reunion. Too bad we can't all get together more than once every 20 years. Even the 17-year cicadas have more frequent reunions. What do you say we try for the 'Five-Year Plan?' After all, in five years it will be our 25th. Can you believe it? Mark your calendars now for 2012.

If you'd like to add any reunion notes or have current class news, please drop me a note. Hope everyone is enjoying their summers (or winters for those Down Under). Till next time.