1997 — Full-Time

Stephanie Gordon and Steve Farsht ’98 moved back to Chicago this summer. After 11 years in the Twin Cities, they have decided to relocate closer to Stef’s family. They most likely will settle in a home in Lincoln Park or Lakeview, a complete change from their suburban Minneapolis lifestyle! Their girls (6 and 4) will (hopefully) adjust to city living (no more biking in the streets). Stef is keeping her part-time job at Target doing strategy work and Steve is still running a financial services company based in Minneapolis.

Drew Quartapella founded BlackArch Partners LP. BlackArch is a mergers and acquisitions firm focused on middle-market advisory assignments. Drew founded the firm with his former business partner and co-founder of Edgeview Partners LLC (a firm that Drew founded in 2001 and sold to a New York-based financial services firm in 2007). Other founding shareholders of BlackArch include alumni of Edgeview Partners and Harris Williams & Co. (a Richmond, Va.,-based mergers and acquisitions firm). BlackArch employs 12 professionals and is based in Charlotte, N.C.

Todd Tracey, his wife Millicent and their two daughters are moving to Park City, Utah. Todd would love to connect with any folks in the area or just passing through (he says he's sorry, but they are already booked for Sundance). Using a search fund as an acquisition vehicle, Todd closed on a company in February that distributes medical products in the plasma and blood collection verticals. He has taken over as CEO, replacing the retiring owner. The company is located in a suburb of Salt Lake City. Todd's advisory board during the search process consisted of an all KSM ’97 team — John McWeeney, Katy Keim and Warren Heffelfinger. 

Nico Ortiz turned 40 last September in classic "Beer Guy" style by drinking liters of Spaten in the Schattenhammel tent at Oktoberfest in Munich. Aside from that milestone he continues to run Turtle Mountain Brewing Company, which is 11 years old and counting, and the Fat Squirrel Pub & Grille, which is 20 months old and counting. Any alums who are taking a road trip through New Mexico are encouraged to look up Turtle Mountain and stop in for a beer. Nico doesn't see many Kellogg grads in New Mexico. 

Marc Fienberg released the DVD of his feature film, Play the Game (playthegamemovie.com), in May. It’s a story about him (while at Kellogg) and his 80-year-old grandfather, both single and dating. The grandfather's role is played by none other than Andy Griffith. There are many amazing parts to Marc's life story (inlcuding leaving the corporate world and moving to L.A. to pursue a dream). One amazing aspect of his story is that the film was 100-percent funded by Kellogg alumni. Talk about the power of networking.