1998

Beth Gertz writes: “I am happily resettled in my beloved London. I am working at one of Europe’s largest charitable foundations, The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (ciff.org), leveraging my Kellogg and BCG experience to tackle global health and poverty challenges. I am spending some time in Delhi and various Southern/Eastern African countries, so do look me up if you’re in these neighbourhoods or passing through London.”

Jason Spievak updates: “Life is good here in Santa Barbara. Pretty much 72 and sunny year-round, as we watch the rest of the country dig out from one brutal storm or another. Kids are all doing great. Ben (12) graduated from elementary school as school president, county math super bowl champ and avid water-polo player. We always know how long it’s been since those timeless and magical Kellogg days, as we’re pretty sure Ben was conceived after that chilly Memorial Day BBQ on Lake Michigan the weekend before Kellogg graduation. His sisters Sophie and Chloe (10, 8) are also doing great. Lynette is doing well and is bringing up some amazing kids while juggling photography, workouts and travel.

“Lots of great accomplishments, but mostly thankful that everyone is healthy and growing. Our new company, RingRevenue, is also doing well and growing rapidly. We’re up to nearly 20 people today and hiring. Extra credit for Kellogg grads, of course. Please let us know if you want to join a fun company in the digital media space. You’ll have to live in Santa Barbara, of course. But did I mention the 72 and sunny? We’re also opened in London this year so we’re looking to hire there for business development and other roles. We’ll be in the U.K. and Italy this summer, both for work and fun. I had the chance to quaff a pint with Shawn Luetchens last month and hope to do the same with more of the Kellogg crew in London this summer.”

Ellen (Chung) Kinney and Chris Kinney moved to London a year ago from their home base of Seattle. Ellen is a marketing director at Barclays Bank and Chris heads licensing sales for the U.K. enterprise and midmarket customer group at Microsoft. Ellen and Chris comment: “We are enjoying our stay in London and have reconnected with many Kellogg alumni. Our little ones Deirdre and Moira love living here too!”

David Zwick writes: “After spending the last 13 years abroad in New York and Hong Kong, we’ve just returned home to Chicago. As trip treasures, I got a wife (Julie) in New York and a baby in Hong Kong. Zachary Zwick was born on March 3. He was made in China. Looking forward to many Chicago re-connections.” Contact David at davidzwick@yahoo.com.”

Eric Fullmer got hitched to one of his yoga classmates, Evelyn Tellez, in Costa Rica and proceeded to churn out two beautiful babies back-to-back, Julian and Mia. Eric comments: “Applying advanced management techniques, I was able to accomplish all of this in the span of 17 months. As a serial entrepreneur at my boutique VC firm Novita Capital, my current projects in Costa Rica include the consolidation of a low-cost hospital chain, the construction of the first high-end assisted living community, and the launch of a line of natural skin care products that has a proprietary high-antioxidant green coffee extract for sale in the U.S. In May, I was able to catch up with Sue Jung when she visited the country for a crunchy holiday at a yoga and meditation retreat. I continue to be surprised that so few Kellogg classmates take me up on the offer of free dinner and travel advice in Costa Rica, the world’s greenest, happiest country according to the New Economics Foundation.”

Steve Farsht and Stephanie Gordon (Farsht) ‘97 were able to spend a fun day with Tracy (Cotter) Germani and Fede Germani in South Beach. Stef and Steve’s two girls bonded with the three Germani boys — they already planned when they will all attend Kellogg together. The Farshts are happy living in Chicago and the Germanis are the smart ones living in a good climate in Miami.

The families of Steve Farsht '98, Stephanie Gordon (Farsht) '97, Tracy (Cotter) Germani '98 and Fede Germani ’98 spent a fun day together in South Beach