EMP-51

Greetings alumni — trying to get back in the groove with the notes.

	Roger Mason EMP-51
	Coleman McDonough EMP-51 with wife Adeola and baby Michael

I’ll sadly open with the news of Mavis Sotnik’s passing. She was a shining star in our time at the Jacobs Center, and will be fondly remembered in our hearts. She would be so proud of the Kellogg EMBA program’s recent No. 1 ranking in BusinessWeek, and I’m sure she’s lifting one with us now and forever.

Here’s what we heard from those who answered the call for submissions:
Serge Tarazi checked in from sunny Phoenix with a short but sweet update that it’s work hard/play hard for him. Livin’ the dream!

Chris Keil is wondering where I am and what I’m doing. Me too!

Coleman McDonough continues to amaze. He passed along this message: “The world welcomes Michael Makalo McDonough who was born at 12:35 p.m. Feb. 12 in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. He came in at 20.75 inches and weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces.” Congratulations to Coleman and Adeola!

Steve “Love Boy” Sullins just celebrated his 40th. Two things on that: Proof that growing older doesn’t mean growing up. Photos are difficult to “develop” even in the digital age.

Roger Mason comes in from the cold: “In May 2009, I accepted an appointment in the Obama administration in the intelligence community. The director of national intelligence (DNI), retired Adm. Dennis Blair, tapped me to be first associate director of National Intelligence for Systems and Resource Analyses, ADNI (SRA).

“Basically, this position is the principal staff adviser to the DNI on what capabilities (technologies, people and systems) the intelligence agencies should build and how best to invest the $47 billion national intelligence budget. It's a high-intensity, high-tempo job but I am just thrilled to be serving in this capacity for our government.The DNI's unclassified website is dni.gov.”

Thanks Roger! At least we know there’s vigilance in your corner of the government.

Steve Monks passed this along: “Mary Sarah and I both qualified for the Boston Marathon in 2011, so we expect to be running that historic event. Mary Sarah ran last year and I was jealous, so I had to match her feat.
“My office moved from Delavan, Wis., to North Aurora, Ill., so we have been busy with moving to the Windy City area. We love it here and have found a new home in Glen Ellyn, Ill. It is a nice quiet suburb with a small-town feel. Hello to all of EMP-51.” Thanks Steve, I’m also glad to hear you’re enjoying the “grandparenting!”

Mike Crane passed along his open invitation and update: “I left Eastman in 2006 and joined Siemens VDO, getting back into the automotive world and back to Detroit after a three-year hiatus. In 2008, Continental Automotive bought the automotive portion of Siemens and I was given the opportunity to lead the hybrid and electric vehicle activities for North America. If you're in automotive these days, electric vehicles is a good place to be and even presents some growth potential. Our family is doing great and my wife and I are looking forward to celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary this summer. I would love to hook up with anyone who might find themselves in Detroit for lunch or even a Tigers game this summer!”

Here’s to long-lasting batteries, Mike! Thanks!

Finally, a special thanks to Helen Chionis and Elizabeth Crane for being an integral part of helping Susan and I deal with Susan’s breast-cancer battle. Susan is now cancer-free and working through the reconstruction process. It’s amazing how many people are affected by this disease. The upside is the incredible network of people who can help if you are willing to communicate about it and reach out. Early detection is the key! Pass it on.

Keep those cards and letters coming!