EMP-50

Doug Yakola and Carrie Wismer EMP-52 welcomed Lucy Chase Yakola on June 13. Lucy weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces, and measured 21 inches. Doug shared that his growing family is doing well and that both he and Carrie are just thrilled with the miracle of Lucy.

	Marcella Castillo-Ruyle with her mommies Steph EMP-50 and Maja
	Terrell Anderson EMP-50 and his family at his wife's graduation
	Peter and Jane (Karpinski) Ott EMP-50
	Scott Kell EMP-50 on a recent vacation.
	EMP-50 classmates gathered at the home of Brigid Mattingly EMP-50 (far right) for the Derby.
	Joe DeSantis EMP-50 with his family
	Doug EMP-50 and Carrie with Lucy Chase Yakola

Jane Karpinski married Peter Ott on Aug. 4. Jane and Pete were surrounded by family and loved ones on a picture perfect summer day in Chicago. There was a great deal of laughter at the Kellogg table were the bride and groom were toasted (several times) by Roland Wikstrom, Michelle Gile, Rochelle Michalek, Cynthia Downes, Sam Coady, Bernadette Birt and Sarita Rao.

Unfortunately Scott Kell couldn't join us at Jane's wedding because he was on the family's annual holiday to the shore. Rochelle and I had the chance to spend a Saturday afternoon drinking beers with Scott. He shared that he was enjoying the startup lifestyle was excited about his company's new efforts.

Bill O'Connell has been spending much of his time in Ames, Iowa, and is helping our country's green efforts by raising funds for a company called Soy Works Corporation. The company's focus is on creating biodegradable packing products.

Joe DeSantis shared that he left Avon after nearly 15 years and formed a small private equity firm, BDS Investments, with two other partners. They currently own a small exterior-surface cleaning business in Alpharetta, Ga.: HydroDynamic USA. Additionally, Joe co-founded a small Internet business that helps people and organizations raise funds for various charitable causes. He is just getting that moving and share that it is a very exciting time. The name of the company is Charitable You. Joe also accepted a position with Office Depot as a senior director of supply chain strategy. He and his family are based in Atlanta. Matthew has started middle school and the twins just started kindergarten. Lastly, Joe and family just finished building a vacation home in Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. (near Destin). The home is primarily for investment and they are renting it to guests, as well.

E.J. Donaghey wrote, "Wayne Rothchilds, Dee Keyser, Drew McElvain and I had lunch together at the Cheesecake Factory in Lincolnshire, Ill., on July 17. It was a Penguin reunion. Sarita, if you can tie Wayne or Dee down, their start-up, Neat-Oh! International, is their life's work right now. It would be nice for our classmates to extend their support and encouragement to them. To me Wayne and Dee represent a great Kellogg story of classmates/teammates that went into business together after graduation and using their MBA experience." Wayne and Dee, you have great support from your fellow penguins. Hopefully we will hear from the both of you soon!"

Dave Hebeda shares the following with the class: "New job? Well sort of. I'm the corporate controller of Abraxis BioScience in Schaumburg, Ill. We manufacture generic pharmaceuticals and a new chemotherapy drug (Abraxane), which uses a new breakthrough technology that effectively eliminates the solvents in the chemo. Run into other classmates? Unfortunately, I run into Rob Thomsen just about weekly since he moved one street over from me. When not working I am feeding my mid-life crisis (turned 40 in June) by playing with my band, "Still Breathing."

Michelle Gile writes, "Hope this finds everyone doing well — just a quick update for me. I am taking the plunge and making the move to New York, still working with Pfizer. I am taking on a brand new position in the company as account director. As with any new position it is a work in progress and I am actually working two AD positions until all filled. The pace is crazy and the commute from Denver to New York is very nerve racking. This could be the part that kills me before I am even moved. Giving up the mountain view, no humidity and open Colorado space is going to take some adjustment but I think I can handle it. Let the home hunting begin! I will keep everyone posted on where I end up settling — going to look at a few areas in and around the city as this move will hopefully be the last move of my professional life (unless of course I meet Mr. Wonderful) so I need to be sure I like where I live and have room to move." I had a chance to catch up with Michelle on trip to N.Y. recently and she was narrowing in on a place in Brooklyn and really seems to be adjusting to her new job."

Rochelle Michalek, dog pimp to all Kellogg grads, can be found on every network in Chicago. Rochelle is the executive director of PAWS and has played a key role in the successful launch of their new center on Clybourn. Rochelle has been able to put her Kellogg skills to fabulous use and this is one of the many place where she has been instrumental in making this cause even more successful. If you're ever in the market for a dog or kitten, give Rochelle a call.