Jeff Turi '92 with wife Donna in Nepal

1992

Rep: Rafael (Riff) Coven
510 South Ann St., Ste. 401
Baltimore, MD 21231
Tel: 410.675.0674
dcoven1992@kellogg.northwestern.edu

Jim Winett tells me that Mike Simmons has developed a great app, Viper SmartStart, that is winning big awards.

Tom Scarpello lives in Japan and works on the Infiniti brand and spends a lot of time between there, Mexico City and the US.

Donna and Jeff Turi recently travelled to a remote village in the Everest region of Nepal to help build a two-room school. Jeff comments: "We lived with a local family for two weeks and did manual labor to convert a rocky hillside into flat land, a foundation and earth-bag walls. It was an incredibly eye-opening and rewarding experience. The people of Nepal are so friendly and were willing to share the meager items that they have. It made us realize just how fortunate we are in the U.S."

Jen Haldeman writes: "After taking my last company public in 2010 (Zogenix), I am starting a new adventure. It's my third VC-backed company. I am EVP of marketing at MedVantx in San Diego. We are a disruptive channel in the pharmaceutical industry, providing in-office first month of therapy, patient adherence follow-up and home delivery. You may never have to stand in line at CVS again! More power to the consumer! Loving new role as wife and step-mom to a 12- and a 24-year-old. Fantastic trip to Turkey last summer, everyone should check it out."

Gary Zentner has been busy developing of a new investment fund, Allerand Specialty Finance, with a couple of local partners in Jupiter, Fla. The fund is actively pursuing investment opportunities in the form of high-yield debt and is targeting unique businesses that have both substantial collateral and significant growth opportunities but can't obtain traditional financing to back their growth. In addition, he has teamed up with John Martin '95 on a side project which could lead them to Hollywood - California that is, not Florida. They are actively negotiating with one of the literary world's super-agents, Andrew Wylie, to acquire the movie rights to a book they read over a decade ago.

Gary recently met with former roomie, Jeff Mora, when he was in town for a conference. Gary also hosted Jamie Crouthamel for their annual golf round in West Palm Beach, Fla. Gary encourages all classmates to get in touch when they visit the West Palm Beach area. Bill Lafontaine left DeltaWing Racing Cars and joined Bankers Financial Corporation in St. Petersburg, Fla., as their chief marketing officer.

Susan Landay writes: "The big news in my household right now is that my husband's new book came out at the end of January and hit No. 4 on the New York Times bestseller list in its first week. Everybody keep your eye out for Defending Jacob by William Landay."

Wendy Church decided to take some serious time off and do some traveling for a year or two: "I went to Burning Man and am looking forward to trips to Russia and Ireland. Currently, I'm learning Russian, mountain biking, spending time with family and lots of reading. Also working on infusing my own tequila. Cheers."

Mark Andersen launched CareerNav.com, which offers career coaching using a new model. Mark comments: "CareerNav isn't for Kellogg grads since Kellogg already provides its alumni excellent, free career coaching. However, we're well suited for your non-Kellogg friends and family members who want to work with a great coach. Check it out or contact Mark at Mark@CareerNav.com." Mark's got five great coaches on his site, two of whom also coach Kellogg alumni. He also had an awesome ski weekend with John Bagan, Mark Cozzi and David Geithner at Deer Valley in January.

Peter Bell, EVP for programs and services at Autism Speaks, was appointed by President Obama as a member of the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities.

Vinita Gupta, group president and CEO for the U.S. business of pharma company Lupin, was named in a list of "Leaders to Watch Out For."

John Harknett is moving down to Campinas, Brazil, to start a three-year stint with International Paper.

George Thornton moved the family from Toronto to Chongqing, China, so he can manage the launch of Ford's product blitz in China. George comments: "What was once an ancient citadel is now a booming manufacturing and high tech provincial mega-opolis of 20+ million people. Debra, Graziela and Gillian are adjusting to a very different life-style, but enjoying it. Drop us a line if you're passing through."

After 20 years, here's a shout from Debbie and Scott LeFevre and family: "At Kellogg, we had two young boys. Now we have five sons, a daughter, a daughter-in-law, and a new grandson (Jackson). We're happy and enjoy an active life near Salt Lake City (Bountiful, Utah). Drop us a line at slefevre@fatpot.com."

Craig Witt also loses his Class Notes virginity after 20 years: "Patty and Tim Krein visited Kyle and Craig Witt in Austin, Texas last July 4 weekend while visiting their son at Fort Hood. Craig left IBM after 17 years and is ramping up his new career as a trader in the financial markets. Both couples reminisced about their Kellogg/Joint Ventures adventures, shared stories about their very old children, and are still debating whether they should have hung onto Kafe Kellogg."

"The Scotsman Down Under" Dougal Henderson writes: "My family spent an awesome four-week vacation in Panama. Very beautiful there with the rainforests, mountains, deserted island beaches, majestic flora and fauna. The indigenous population has retained land rights in its reservations and zealously guards its culture. They are mostly thriving. I think Australians have a lot to learn from Panama in how to manage relations with indigenous peoples. We did every outdoor sport imaginable. I look forward to visits from any alumni."

Another antipodean classmate, David McConnell writes: "Life in New Zealand continues apace while we recover from the massive 2011 earthquake which devastated Christchurch. My company's construction teams helped provide relief and rescue teams in the aftermath. Last year, I accepted the chairmanship of ATEED (Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development), an organization tasked with setting and driving the strategy for development of our largest city's economy. My wife's café business has also grown rapidly which she does in addition to looking after me and the kids."

Scott LeFevre '92 and family that includes five sons, a daughter, a daughter-in- law, and a new grandson (Jackson)

Patty and Tim Krein ’92 visited Kyle and Craig Witt ’92 in Austin, Texas on July 4 weekend while visiting their son at Fort Hood

A Kellogg ski weekend with Mark Andersen, John Bagan, Mark Cozzi and David Geithner, all '92 at Deer Valley in January