EMP-32

Greetings classmates! I hope this column finds you healthy and happy. I am going to start this column by reminding, begging and pleading all of you to PLEASE update your contact information at Kellogg's alumni Web site (alumni.kellogg.northestern.edu) so that we can all remain in touch! I no longer have a distribution list that I maintain for our class. The ONLY WAY you can ensure that future communications reach you is by using Kellogg's broadcast email platform. If you are not keeping your email contact information up to date with Kellogg, then you will continue to miss any/all emails from me. Now, that would be a tragedy!

The highlight of this column has got to be the Kellogg Alumni Club of Chicago's annual golf outing, which took place at Seven Bridges Golf Club back in August. Hugh Hamill had played in this event in years past and made the suggestion that, instead of trying to organize an EMP-32 outing, let's jump on the alumni club's bandwagon and participate.

The event proved to be a lot of fun the KACC hosted a nice dinner afterwards and you would all be proud to know that the EMP-32 table was clearly the most boisterous and lively. I want to take this opportunity to personally thank Dan Haight and Patricia Shafer for playing alongside yours truly. I had a blast!

Left to right (top row): Hugh Hamill, Dan Haight, Carol Karney; 2nd row: Louisa Hayward, Jorge deCastillo, Arun Menawat, Patricia Shafer (all EMP-32)

Speaking of Patricia Shafer, she let me know that she is a contributing author to a book, which is now available through bookstores and Amazon, and is rapidly climbing the sales list! The book is entitled Enlightened Power – How Women are Transforming the Practice of Leadership. It is very exciting to have Patricia's chapter on "Deeper Power" included in a book in which 40 women leaders share their research, ideas and personal experiences on the contributions that women are making to the ways we think about leadership. Ironically, the week after Patricia let me know about the book, my own company sent me a copy as they have made it required reading for our executive staff. Congratulations Patricia!

Jeff Dahl dropped me a note to let me know that he took a couple years off to teach high school, but is now back in the corporate world as a senior vice president with LSG Sky Chefs — a company that currently handles about 30 percent of the global airline catering business. His first six months were spent back in Asia, based in Hong Kong again, rebuilding the sales and marketing organization. Since January, Jeff has been back in the U.S. running the south and west operations and re-engineering the business model. Jeff also noted that some of his Kellogg gleanings have really helped him with this effort. Great to hear! Mike Kaysen wrote to let me know that he is a partner with the consulting firm New Vista Group. New Vista specializes in assisting companies with customer-centric strategies and solutions to increase revenue, attract and retain customers and build stronger channels of distribution. Per Mike, New Vista Group is fortunate to have a great list of clients that keep him challenged and busy. Earlier in the year, Mike was named president and now splits his time between working directly with clients and managing the company.

Left to right, holding their valuable prizes: James Chang, Hugh Hamill, Louisa Hayward, Dan Haight, Carol Karney, Patricia Shafer, Jorge deCastillo, Arun Menawat (all are EMP-32)

Last but not least, I will share with you my most recent chapter in the "small world" category. Earlier today I caught a flight from Newark to Chicago. As I was racing to board the plane, who was boarding directly in front of me but our very own Tim Angst! Tim and I spent the two-hour flight getting caught up with our own lives, as well as folks we had been in touch with from EMP-32. Tim and his family continue to enjoy Northern California living, most notably the wine tasting and golf. He was able to spend a majority of the summer in Spain with Ann and the kids ... life is good!

Please continue to keep in touch. Loretta Razny: I am going to take you up on your offer to organize a Happy Hour! Let's get that on everyone's calendar as soon as possible.

Stay safe, stay healthy and I look forward to seeing you soon.