EMP-11

Jim Ketchum wrote: "The big news from the Gulf coast is of course Hurricane Katrina. We missed the worst of the storm by about 50 miles. Should the storm have moved east, Fairhope would have looked like Gulfport and Biloxi; instead we suffered only minor damage. Personally our business survived, but we are off 20 to 25 percent since the storm and that of course makes cashflow a major concern. At home, we will probably need a new roof from all the shingles that were blown off, but compared to many [this is] only minor damage. My family is alive and intact, and the kids are back in school.

"We do have lots of evacuees coming into this area and needing stuff. Many of the shelters and Red Cross centers have lots of donations, but not as much cash. As the recovery continues and the stuff runs out, more cash will be needed and will go for specific needs of displaced persons. I would like to appeal to our classmates, and all EMP graduates to send cash to their favorite relief agency for this massive effort. If anyone is uncertain where to send their money, I offer our church's discretionary fund. Payments can be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Discretionary Fund, 28788 North Main Street, Daphne, AL 36526." Jim's e-mail address is Andreeswct@aol.com.

John Covell was chairman of the Institute of Internal Auditors 64th international conference held in Chicago in July. More than 1,900 delegates from 75 countries attended. There were over 110 speakers and a record number of sponsors and exhibitors. John's e-mail address is DLewis@unova.com.

Ron Nicholas and wife Joyce will be grandparents in March 2006. Good news, Ron and Joyce! Ron is in negotiations for follow-up consulting work in the Caribbean and some in the United States. Ron and I had a great time car pooling to Chicago for the 20th. Ron's e-mail is ronnicholas@charter.net.

Ed Pinelli has a daughter attending the University of Florida and a son at UNC - Chapel Hill NC. Ed's business is good and he is enjoying their empty nest. Ed's e-mail address is gelfond@bellsouth.net.

Steve Wertheimer writes that his daughter, Kate, is in her second year at NU and that they have a new puppy to train. Enjoyed seeing Steve and his wife and John Covell at the mini reunion. Steve's e-mail is SWertheimer@wcapgroup.com.

Denise Guardino wrote quite a bit that she says I cannot print, but here goes. Much of Denise's business concerns revolve around gas prices and Katrina. She is also in the midst of building a $20 million BMW/MINI dealership in Naperville, Ill., and selling another large business her employer owns. Denise and Tim's daughter, Lauren, just received her driving permit and is tooling around in a new VW Jetta. Tim is fishing in Wisconsin as Denise wrote me. He was spending time with his brothers. Denise's e-mail address is denise.guardino@billjacobs.com.

That's all for now as I am short of time. Car shows and biking in the Black Hills just takes an awful amount of time, don't you know.