Hi everyone, here are some updates from our class including new jobs, family updates, class gatherings.

First, Ravi Rawat has a career update. He shares his news, "I have accepted the position of vice president and general manager with an operating company of Dover Corp. in Portland, Ore. Dover Corp. is a leading diversified manufacturer of industrial products. I will be moving to Portland on Oct. 15." Everyone should know they are welcome to visit this fantastic city and Ravi will graciously host.

Steve Downer has a career update and a new move to report as well; he writes that in June he was promoted to be the commercial leader for GE Appliances for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He reports directly to Lorenzo Simonelli, the CEO of GE Consumer & Industrial EMEA. Steve, Lori and their two dogs Pete and Squirt have therefore relocated to Brussels, Belgium, and are settling in nicely. (We're sure Pete and Squirt are leaning on each other heavily during this transition). Steve has managed the transition with the aid of some of the most fantastic beers in the world and highly encourages visitors from EMP-64.

Not to be outdone, Kadir Kadhiresan shares a job update. He has left Boston Scientific to pursue a career in venture capital. He is now working for Johnson and Johnson Development Corp., the venture capital arm of JNJ. In his new role he will be responsible for investing in early to mid-stage medical device startups. He reports that he has not relocated to New Jersey, though he is considering investing in Continental stock with all his recent trips.

Speaking of potential investment opportunities, Wesley McDermott has joined Pioneer Surgical Technology Inc. in the role of vice president of new business development. Classmates will recall that this is the company Matthew Songer founded and for which he posed many compelling questions to our professors. Wesley and his family have relocated to Marquette, Mich.

Yolanda Daniel writes, "I have joined W.W.Grainger Inc. as vice president, internal audit (chief auditor) effective June 18."

And here is a welcome back to the States for one of our classmates! Denise DeMaio has returned from life abroad in Amsterdam. She and her family are now residing in Chicago and Denise is currently with LaSalle in Chicago. Classmates should disregard her newly acquired accent and her compelling desire for french fries with mayo.

Tom Ellis and his wife, Leah, had their first baby, a girl. Maya Elizabeth Ellis was born July 11 and weighed 7 pounds, 9 ounces. Matt McPartlin and his family have a new daughter as well. Maura Margarete McPartlin was born May 16 and also weighed 7 pounds, 9 ounces. Matt reports she is settling in very nicely, and much like her brother (born during our program), started sleeping through the night early on.

Michael Philips and Carolyn Amato report that Wilson Aihara's barbecue on Sept. 29 was a blast and he stuffed everyone with his Brazilian style cooking, pastries and libations.

In October, Angela Talton, Yolanda Daniel and Carolyn Amato had a girls' night out at Cuatro, a Latin American restaurant in the South Loop. Yolanda had just returned from a business trip to Mexico and decided that qualified her to speak Spanish at the restaurant. She hopes the next few weeks studying Spanish will enable her to order coffee a bit more accurately.

On October 26, John Potter's charity The Fairy Godmother foundation had their eighth Annual Boo Ball at Buzz the Club including some well disguised EMPers. Look for fun pictures in the next edition.

In upcoming news, please take note of the following events:

Russ Walker, our class wine expert, and Cristina Sierra, former social committee member (will y'all PLEASE stop complaining that the social committee never planned anything) are planning the first of many reunion activities during this, our first reunion year. To kick off the festivities, we've planned an informal dinner at a location to be named on Nov. 2 in Chicago (see, told you it was informal). Stay tuned for an evite with all details and we hope to see everyone there. Russ's recommendation: Sangria. Any kind will do the job.

Next, Paul Fitzpatricks's band Fitz & the Celts can be seen performing at the fifth annual Concert for Hope Nov. 9 at the Abbey Pub located at 3420 W. Grace. The performance begins at 7 p.m. and tickets are $35 each. For those who have seen Fitz's band perform in the past, it is not to be missed and the performance benefits Pediatric Cancer Research.

In the next edition we should have additional updates including a former MD's mysterious move to consulting, more career updates (yes, Cristina thinks she's finally going to get a job — or something like it), another international move and finally an update from Sandeep (who still appears to be "in transition" and therefore is not responding to e-mails and voicemails for updates). Any news, updates? Please contact csierra2006@kellogg.northwestern.edu or call me at 773.663.7886.