1990 — Full-Time

Kellogg World is only published three times a year, which is kind of scary given how fast each deadline for the next issue approaches. Time is really flying I guess, which means I must be having a whole lot of fun, right? My goal is to have the summer go by as slowly as possible. At the end of the summer, for the next issue, I'll have a big surprise for you — but I'm not allowed to talk about it in advance.

This issue brings news from three classmates from whom we've not heard in a while, which I hope encourages more of you to write and tell us what you are up to.

Mike Backus writes: "After 11 years of freelance consulting, I've taken a job that requires me to go to the same place every day at a set time. I'm the senior vice president of Analytics for AIM, a radiology management company in Northbrook, Ill. With any luck we will be coming to a health plan near you soon. Something about Jill and I having two boys under age 3 and the need for steady income instead of steady free time prompted the change. My suggestion for all those stuck commuting from the city to the suburbs is www.gcmtravel.com/gcm/maps_chicago.jsp. Yes, I'm still racing SpecMiata. My 3-year-old learned how to start the car a few weeks ago."

Mike is one of the few classmates that I run into all over Chicago a few times a year, whether at a street fest or a fund-raising or cultural event.

After reading about himself in Kellogg World courtesy of Scott Gode's recent letter to us, Hiroshi Sone wrote in to clarify a few things and set the facts straight:

"Yesterday I found in the mailbox at our home a spring 2007 copy of Kellogg World. As usual, I first looked at 1990 Class Notes, which filled me (and my wife, Mayumi) with fun. Scott's note about us is absolutely fabulous. Here is an update about the most important agenda: No. 1, Cherry Coke. Early this year we finally found Cherry Coke on sale at one of the supermarkets nearby for the first time. We of course bought a dozen or so cans. A few days later, when we went to the same supermarket to obtain more, Cherry Coke was all gone. And since then, sadly enough, Cherry Coke has never reappeared on the shelf of that supermarket. It was as if it had been just a dream. Now, at our home, only two or three cans are left.

"No. 2, Kraft ranch dressing. We tried similar dressings of different Japanese brands several times, but they were never up to our strict standard.

"My professional career after Kellogg has been mostly dual-management consultation specializing in M&A and English education. As for the former, after working at McKinsey Japan in the mid-1990s, I became an independent consultant and focused on small-size M&A between American and Japanese companies. I worked on several deals with Sandy Haviland and his colleagues in Connecticut.

"As for the latter, in 2001 I founded an English-language school in Tokyo. I remember I learned at the No. 1 business school that the president and CEO of a corporation has absolute power, especially when he or she has 100 percent ownership. But, in reality, it turned out that as founder, president and CEO, I have very little freedom and discretion in the decision-making process, while Mayumi has virtual control and sovereign authority both at the office and at home. Sigh. I would highly appreciate it if any of my dear Kellogg classmates could distract Mayumi's attention by bringing some Cherry Coke and Kraft ranch dressing to Tokyo."

Hiroshi, I'll look into sending you a care package when I get back from my next trip out and about the U.S.

And last but not least, Susan Schaberg wrote to tell us what she's been up to since graduation. "I opened my own dermatology practice in Edwardsville, Ill., a growing suburb about 23 miles from St. Louis. I'm from Edwardsville, so it was like coming home. I worked three years prior at the Carbondale Clinic in Carbondale, Ill. I left and opened my own office April 2.

"However, right after I opened my new practice, I had a routine echo cardiogram for mitral valve prolapse. I was completely asymptomatic, running/exercising every day, etc. Unfortunately, the echo showed a need for open heart surgery for mitral valve repair. Would not wish it upon anyone, but the recovery is moving along. I was discharged May 4. Now, I'm doing most normal things, including walking 1.5-plus miles a day, but not driving or working for a month. If any Kellogg grads live downstate or are passing through, please stop by."

Wow, Susan, glad to hear that you are getting better. I hope by the time you read this you've recovered 100 percent.

Greg Casagrande, founder, chairman and president of the South Pacific Business Development (SPBD) writes that his Samoa-based micro-lending organization has enjoyed continued recent success. According to Greg, SPBD recently surpassed the $5 million mark in cumulative funding. Since its inception in January 2000, SPBD has issues 15,296 loans.

When you read this, I will have celebrated my 25th college reunion in Boston. Talk about time flying. Only three more years and we'll be getting together again for our reunion. In the meantime, please take five minutes out of your day and drop us a note to tell us what you've been up to. We really want to hear from you. I'm still hoping to hear from Dean and Laura Egerter sometime soon. Have a great summer everyone.