EMP-20

Dennis Michalak writes: “I have finally landed a new position and will be working for TRICOR in Nashville, Tenn., which is a state-owned company but does not receive any state appropriated funds. TRICOR is a financially self-sustaining organization. I will be the plant manager for their cook chill operation with a dual role as plant manager for the fluid milk operation located in Bledsoe County, Tenn. Both operations produce foodservice products for their prisons in Tennessee.

“The workforce is manned by inmates, and the mission is to provide them the opportunity to participate in rehabilitation programs that will provide job training and life skills for reintegration into society. The Cook Chill Operation is a state-of-the-art facility and is only at 15 percent capacity. In addition to providing operational expertise, I will also have responsibility to develop additional sales to all state penitentiaries, state colleges and universities and other state-operated facilities. The position will utilize all of my food manufacturing knowledge, formal MBA education, Six Sigma Black Belt Certification and my passion to improve the social responsibly of for-profit organizations.”

Walter Herbst updates: “The firm my son Scott and I started, Herbst Produkt, is getting a kick start as we have our third partner in Shanghai. The Shanghai office allows us to successfully compete against other firms as we have the ability to take our clients through tooling, manufacturing and supply chain management, which for a design firm, dramatically sets us apart. The basic ethos of the firm is a very high standard for design. Coupling that with a complete service to deliver products is clearly our competitive advantage.”

Dan Silvestri writes: “I retired from Microsoft in 2002, and started a website covering Door County Wis. Our site, DoorCountyNavigator.com, helps people who are heading to Door County with our in-person reviews of inns, B&Bs, resorts, restaurants, shops, activities and more. With over 85 videos on the site, people who are interested in Door County get a lot of great info all in one place. Our sister sites, DoorCountyDining.com, DoorCountyRentalsByOwner.com and Door-County-Camping.com all help travelers to Door County as well, as well as our presence on Facebook and Twitter, too.

“My wife Janice and I just celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary, and our daughter Amy started at the University of Missouri (School of Journalism) in August, after graduating from St. Ignatius College Prep.”

Bets Lillo writes: “Abbott was named top dealmaker for the fourth consecutive year, so my work in M&A integration continues to be challenging and interesting. I’m continuing to notch down my marathon PR, and enjoyed pacing my daughter (15) for her first half marathon at Disney in October. Fall is my favorite time of year, as I get to chase around cross-country courses cheering for my son (he races for Loras College). My husband is still a good sport about all the running, though he has not yet taught our three giant dogs how to trot alongside and carry water.”