EMP-29

Attention Class of EMP-29: If you are interested in learning more about your 15-year Reunion, please contact Patrick Hankey at 847.467.1307 or p-hankey@kellogg.northwestern.edu.

The past few months have been hectic ones for many of us. I've been busy launching my own consulting firm. Marren & Associates helps professional service firms improve profitability by designing analytical tools and process improvements that are easy to understand and painless to implement. We specialize in working with start-up operations and firms that have undergone significant changes. We target small-to mid-sized firms (primarily law firms) in the Chicago area and plan to expand to a handful of large cities throughout the Midwest in 2009. Check out our Web site at marrenassociates.com.

What a nice surprise to hear from J.J. Lhospital! He writes: "Thanks for your diligence herding contributions from this difficult bunch. I haven't been too good myself updating the classmates in the past. I am still in the Chicago area, although I have been traveling extensively overseas in the last several years. I am running a chunk of Alcatel-Lucent's Broadband business with a very distributed portfolio. Small world, I am back to speaking some French and spending time in Europe, after many years of U.S.-focused company profiles and assignments. I promise to make an extra effort to try to attend one of our next gatherings."

Vijay Rangineni also writes that his family is doing well and living in Hyderabad, India, which is one of the five tier-one cities in the country and also his hometown. Vijay moved from COO of GE Money to COO of business processing outsourcing for Satyam Company on Sept. 2. He also adds that kids are adjusting well to India and the family came to the U.S. for a visit in September.

It's always a pleasure hearing from Jeff Buchta, who continues in his role as vice president of sales – North Central Region for WS Packaging Group. He adds, "Let me know if any of you need help with primary labels, promotional labels and specialty packaging."

Jeff also updates us on his family: "Our son Peter and daughter in law Katy are moving back to Wisconsin with our only grandson Joseph. We are excited to have them close to home. Our daughter Kristen will be getting her doctor of physical therapy from Northwestern Medical School in December. Our son John will be graduating from University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, in December with a degree in marketing. Best wishes to everyone from EMP-29."

Lori Yokoyama writes that 2008 has been an exciting time for her. Under the recommendation and support of Consul General Shinoda, Lori was selected to travel to Japan as one of 13 U.S. delegates. During the 12-day trip, she met with dignitaries such Prime Minister Fukuda, Princess Takamado and ambassadors J. Thomas Schieffer, Kazuo Ogura, Hiroyasu Ando and Sadaaki Numata. The delegates travelled to Tokyo, Kyoto and Fukuoka Prefecture with the goal of enhancing Japanese and Japanese-American relationships.