EMP-31
It's
been a while, EMP-31ers. Hope all is well. Without further
delay and with much thanks to this issue's contributing, er,
rather primary, editor, Larry Silman, here is the news:
Larry reports that Greg Oslan is doing well
in California. Julie is busy raising their girls (Jacqueline,
11, and Leslie, 9) and is active in volunteer and charity
work at Stanford. Narus, Greg's latest turnaround project,
is well on its way to being a success. He says they've established
themselves as "the leader in providing a common IP software
platform for the delivery of
security, lawful intercept, packet analysis and billing applications
for IP communications carriers around the world." We
have no idea what most of that means, but they're expected
to be profitable this year and looking forward to capitalizing
on the progress. Greg hopes to see everyone in a couple of
months, hopes everyone is well and still cannot hit a golf
ball into the fairway.
In
other news, Bob Poltarak is still with Avnet, but has relocated to Tampa, Fla. In addition to
surviving (barely) the implosion of the telecom market, he's
now recovering from four hurricanes, two alligators and a
reputation as a local rebel, since he occasionally tries to
drive around Tampa at speeds approaching 40 miles per hour.
Steve
Brown's farm didn't take
off quite as well as hoped, but his new business, making children's
clothing from hemp, is really starting to get off the ground.
Early delays, due mostly to an inventory fire, have been overcome
with a strong revenue performance in the fourth quarter. Steve
is looking ahead to a "totally awesome" 2005.
While
continuing his career at Burlington Northern Santa Fe in Fort
Worth, Texas, Dave Stropes
is enjoying his life as husband, father and co-chairman of
his local gardening club. In 2005 Dave will begin a new chapter
in his educational development by enrolling in the graduate
program at the Brillcream Barber College in Southlake, Texas.
Beating
all the odds, Jim MacLaughlin is still working at Motorola. On the personal side,
he made it to the semifinals at last year's USABDA national
championships in both the rumba and Viennese waltz categories.
Way to go, Jim!
Meanwhile,
Larry closes with some personal news: "I've been with
European charge-card supplier AirPlus International for just
over a year (while still living in Chicago). The North American
operation is a bit like working at a startup, but without
the immediate worries about making payroll since the company
is well-established and growing around the world. The position
has meant endless travel, both domestically and abroad, but
the business is growing and some semblance of order is within
sight." Larry is also the newly adopted father of a beautiful
2-year-old shepherd/husky mix, which he almost named Mulica
until he realized he might only see it every other week."
Lee
Esler is proud as punch
to report that he has been in touch with many of our classmates
as part of his work at Spencer Stuart as they navigate career
changes and new opportunities. Many of our classmates have
done quite well since our days in Evanston, which should come
as no surprise.
World
traveler Lynn Monika says: "Life in SF continues to be good. It is a really wonderful/beautiful
place to live. I love it. I am currently not working due to
a layoff from my last company, which ran into start-up issues.
It was a great senior-level position doing business and technology
management. I have spent the time with family, connecting
with friends, doing some travel as usual, enjoying California
... and looking into what comes next. I am very glad I had
this time with my dad recently, since he passed away just
a few weeks ago from a long battle with Parkinson's disease.
I was very close to him and will miss him dearly, but am comforted
knowing he is now resting peacefully. I am now spending time
refocused on my job search. I hope this finds all of you doing
well and enjoying life!"
Gary
Binkowski has another
successful move under his belt, as he is now CFO and treasurer
of Organized Living Inc. Mike Collins and Jay Crookston
have very little news to report, but both remain very happy.
Mike Mulika and I ran into each other outside his office in Chicago's Prudential
building. Mike's back in high tech as president and CEO of
Bridge Networks. Please keep the updates coming. Take good
care, Tim
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