EMP-48

Well, it's been some time since we have had some class notes but I'm glad to say that with Bernie Birt's help, we are back and better than ever!

Jim Callahan joined the Massachusetts-based law firm of Bowditch & Dewey as a partner, practicing corporate and real estate law. Jim also ran the Antarctica Marathon in March. He got himself in tremendous shape, closely follows the Red Sox and believes the Celtics will win yet another championship for New England. His wife and two girls are doing well and he wishes well to everyone in EMP-48!

I heard from Mary Ellen Gleason: "Hi all! Progress continues with my role as president and CEO of The Phoenix Symphony, which I have been doing for about five and a half years. This is a lifestyle job with seven-day-a-week activities with customers, concerts and business nonstop, and I love it! After the intensity of EMP-48, the symphony was a nice next step. Since I love music and business, this has been a terrific combination. Since I am a challenge junkie I get all I want in terms of opportunities for problem solving and effecting positive outcomes. I do work with my husband, Kim, since he is the principal trombone. This has been nice and also stressful as Kim is a member of the orchestra and I am management. I also joined Young President's Organization (YPO), which has been a big lesson in the dynamics of family businesses, the art of accumulating personal wealth and what it means to be a leader in a holistic way. I have gotten involved with the symphony industry trade association, and I have become a student of the symphony business model, which is all about being a community treasure and a defining characteristic of a great community.

"Recently our mayor in a very public forum told the audience that I was like a bulldog with my teeth in his arm. So about two months later, in another public forum with our mayor and governor, I made the declaration to everyone that while the mayor recently mentioned my teeth were clenched on his arm, he is now on notice that I am moving my teeth from his arm to his wallet!

"Our boys, Eliot and Jacob, have been pursuing what now seems like the family business of music and performing. Eliot is at the end of his career as a soprano, and he recently decided to play the harp because it is a 'chick magnet.' Jacob, our younger son, is studying the clarinet when he is not conquering the renegade populations in the vast regions of the ancient Roman Empire (electronically).

"For my own fun, I have been much more serious about the viola. I go to Blue Hill, Maine, each August to play chamber music at Kneisel Hall, which is a humbling and exhilarating activity. I feel so fortunate to have gone to Kellogg. I have the opportunity to use what I learned from all of you, as well as the technical training and insights from our class work. I look forward to hearing from fellow EMP-48 classmates and if you are in Phoenix for business or pleasure, please be in touch and I'm sure I could rustle up some tickets to a concert."

Kat Webb dropped a quick note to say hi: "I'm married with two young kids: Luka (5) and Stella (3). We live in sunny Boulder, Colo., and after a couple years off as a stay-at-home mom, I returned to work this year for Crocs Inc. (you know, the colorful rubber shoes). It's good to be working again. I still keep in regular touch with Michelle Heying and Brian Burdorf, and on the more rare occasion, Steve Makk and Jim Callahan. In fact, Brian and Kim are coming over for dinner this weekend while they're in Denver (where they just bought a condo downtown). Looking forward to hearing about you all in the next edition of Kellogg news."

Ken Bastin wrote to report: "I am still in Milwaukee, running a clinical robic radiosurgery program for patients with brain tumors and continuing to serve as group president since completing EMP-48. I'm also serving as an administrator of the cancer care service line for Aurora Healthcare in Wisconsin. I remain professionally satisfied with diversity in my jobs, and have a healthy and happy family. I wish my EMP-48 classmates happiness and good health."

Wayne Lallman is still in Nebraska with Angela and his three children. He has recently begun a tax advisory company with several locations and is as good-looking as you may remember.

Tom Cleves resides in Tennessee and was recently named vice president of investor relations for International Paper. He and his family are doing very well.

Since we last spoke, several fun things have happened in Chris Ricciuti's household. Sloane and Delaney were born 18 months ago and are doing great. Chris and Annette celebrated 10 years of mariage (12 years of being together!). I left IBM in 2004 (with some serious career counseling from Tom Cleves, Jim Callahan and Kevin Nichols) and started a consulting firm for a $1B company with many of my IBM friends. A year later it was purchased and became part of a $70B company and it continues to be a lot of fun! We now reside in Summit, N.J., where I lived while attending Kellogg, having completed a few-year stint living just outside New York City (Hoboken, N.J., home of Frank Sinatra and baseball!). I recently connected with a group of my oldest friends from my hometown (called the "Band of Brothers" long before the HBO special of the same name) and found out one of "brothers," John Carroll, was Kellogg class of 2000! I always knew he was wicked smart. My new mantra: So When I Need Some Other Newsworthy Stories For Class Notes, Know Stuff Will Be Communcated As Quickly As I Receive It!

Steve Swinson sent a quick update:  "I have been in Houston since September 2005.  I am president and CEO of Thermal Energy Corp. (TECO), which  provides energy to the member institutions of the Texas Medical Center.  TECO's board recently approved a $370 million expansion.  Funding for the first phase of this project closed last month. Jenny and I really enjoy Houston, especially the winters."

Shawn Carsten wanted to connect with everyone and shares:  "I'm happy to say we have returned to the great state of Texas (Houston).  After five years overseas, I'm looking forward to reconnecting with both family and friends.  It has been difficult keeping up with everybody, but I'm sure it will improve now that we have returned. The kids are getting bigger, and they are huge soccer (football) fans.  They will have to readjust to American sports, but since one has already had a visit to the emergency room after playing football, I'm sure they will quickly adjust to their new country.  Lynn and I are looking forward to catching up with our old friends from Kellogg.