EMP-51

Greetings, alumni.

I'm back with you after a travesty of miscommunication that marked the first time you did not have anything to read in Kellogg World. Now you know what it's like to be in EMP-50.

This time the B.S. was a bit more camouflaged, but still related to our favorite B.S. subject, Coleman. No, he didn't spend $10,000 on duty-free electronics for his new love. It was only $8,245.36. Again, all writings Coleman are suspect!

As for this edition of EMP-51 Class Notes, who knows what the editors will allow; good luck sorting the fact from fiction. You will find my commentary offset by brackets.

Chris Keil sends in our first tidbit:

"Even though Marc Zimmermann has been spending his time being a CFO and a father and trying to be a professional golfer, he still has time for his passion, pro football. He had the unique opportunity to follow a friend's son through the NFL combine. He got to track and write about Ty Hill's move up the charts from an unknown in a small town to all ACC performer the last two seasons and potentially the first CB drafted in the April draft."

[Thanks Chris! As you'll see below, many of us are leading double lives!]

Speaking of Chris, I'm sure you all got the notice of Paoni's "retirement" from teaching in the EMP program. Of course, Chris missed the e-mail, but after a thoughtful forwarding of it, Chris has been lighting candles and placing wreaths at the base of his e-mail server daily. Rob Sit informs us he's moving on to teach a class called Unlocking the Power of PowerPoint. Paul Wiers piled on with a smiley face. Sorry... I must take a break...getting a bit misty here...

OK, I'm back. Wow... that was a three-tissue break!

Shi-Qing Wang is keeping us up to date on the quiet one, Davin Lee, who has recently been promoted to vice president and general manager of the industrial and communications power products group at Intersil. Shi-Qing reports he's gallivanting in California, Taiwan and Shanghai. Give me an update on how the celebration went, guys!

Barbara Oppelz EMP-51 enjoys the Newport Beach evening with the He family.

Barbara Oppelz EMP-51, Angela Titus '91 and Jeanine Niyonzima EMP-54 enjoy the Kellogg/Harvard alumni event in San Diego this spring.

Dave Jerrett checked in to see if he might be able to replace Dale Jarrett in the No. 88 Ford Fusion to try to save on embroidery costs, etc. Come to homestead and hop in the car for a ride; we'll go from there! He writes, "Same old here, my friend. Remember, I live in Green Bay. Nothing ever changes, other than maybe our starting QB this year. Good riddance! Here's hoping the Lions do well with the WR they select in the first round of the 2006 draft!"

Coleman McDonough EMP-51 met up with Lance Connelly '05 in Nigeria during Lance's 6-month assignment with Chevron (one of Coleman's clients). Kellogg West Africa is building!

Steve "Love Boy" Sullins gives us the obligatory Coleman McDonough update:

"Coleman e-mailed me a couple of times. He was bringing his girlfriend from Nigeria up to London for a weekend in May and wanted to use my place. A year ago I would have said OK, but after he slept on the couch this last trip, there was a two-week period where I was each night getting some very strange insect bites around my scalp and neck — who knows if I now carry malaria or not? — and so I had to decline politely. I'm sure I'll see him this summer at some point."

[By the way, Sullins is an excellent houseguest! We've cleared over $500 on eBay with all the crap he's left in our basement (skis, coats, boots, etc.). It covered the fumigation and then some. You should invite this man to your home — soon!]

Bill Wynne EMP-51 celebrates in the victory circle at the Long Beach Grand Prix.

My apologies go to Rob "Speed Racer" Moll and Serge Tarazi for not hooking up with them while I was in Phoenix for the NASCAR race. I've been scolded accordingly and will do better next time! In any case, Serge reports, "Things are hectic, business is busy and travel is a killer. Otherwise, all good!"

Randy Hopper checked in to let us all know he's fit as a fiddle and walking in the local Heart Walk. Thanks Randy — hope you got lots of dough for the cause! You all should know he's now pursuing the role of recording mogul with his recently formed Tall Corn Productions. A nice fit with his current media empire.

After a few e-mail misfires, Coleman got through with the following:

Coleman McDonough and girlfriend Deola raise the Northwestern flag in Nigeria.

Coleman McDonough EMP-51 and girlfriend Deola in Nigeria.

"Breaking News: Lagos, Nigeria, April 1: Coleman McDonough has terminated his employment with KPMG Americas and has entered into the Partnership of the KPMG Africa practice in Lagos, Nigeria. Coleman will be responsible for the KPMG Nigerian internal audit services practice along with taking charge of the energy and natural resources group. Coleman will be based in Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria. [Coleman is obviously a student of the Joseph Kruzich School of Third-Person Writing!]

"For me, life is actually too good at this moment. I am working very hard, however, enjoying what life has to offer me, here in Nigeria. Although I travel frequently (internationally), its times like this when one finds themselves disconnected and a great distance from family and friends in the United States. One comes to realize what family and friends have to offer in the form of love, care and friendship. I dearly miss my family and friends.

"I am also very lucky to have met Deola, a Nigerian woman. Our friendship has blossomed into a significant relationship, which is very important to me and has allowed me to personally grow more than one would ever imagine.

"And then, of course, there is Steve Sullins, the closest of my friends in London. It is great to have a friend who is only a 6 hour flight away. I always think back to our Kellogg program days and how we all tried to stay in touch and visit each other. It was fantastic, though I may have worn out my welcome, especially in Puerto Rico and Texas. They were great times and the memories of those times are what allow me to keep my sanity here in Nigeria." [Keep? Didn't know it was there!]

Derrick Marris provided this update:

"I'm still working at Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies as the general manager of commercial security. I was interviewed for Industry Week magazine this summer and the article is now online. It will published in the magazine in September." [Thanks Derrick — keep it coming!]

Anthony Marino is consistent with his economy of words:

"Graduated my son from the Ohio State and he's working for Accenture. California has many beautiful people. Picked up responsibility of all direct to customer sales at Toyota financial. Planning to launch a Toyota credit card. Not surfing yet."

[There you have it! Thanks Anthony!]

Dr. Eugene McMahon is representing his new hometown of Barrington, R.I.

Personally, I continue to enjoy my assignment in the racing world and look forward to seeing you at a track soon!

I've also picked up a part-time gig as an adjunct lecturer at one of our local universities. Rest assured, I'll be leveraging my knowledge on classroom management (picked up from our retired adjunct lecturer). Love that Kotler text!

I'm still looking for a chairperson(s) for our 5-year Reunion. Let me know if you're interested or want to nominate someone (Hederick); we'll take a vote.

Thank you for your continued support and communication. Keep those pictures, cards and letters coming — you're what makes it great!

P.S. This installment of EMP-51 Class Notes marks the ninth round of "Can You Guess the B.S.?" To enter, you must reply back to me with some news about you and your guess as to which of the aforementioned stories is not true. There will be numerous prizes awarded for correct answers. Multiple guesses are allowed.