EMP-56

Hello EMP-56! As this Kellogg update is being published I am amazed that nearly a year has passed since graduation. It seems like we were just wrapping up our capstone course with Professor Isenman and attending all the celebrations a few weeks ago! Has it really been that long since I've seen some of your smiling faces? I hope that you will all join me in making a commitment to attend at least one of the many social events planned for the coming spring and summer seasons. Be sure to check the event calendar on our class' new Web site.

Well, with another six months of history behind us, it's no surprise that EMP-56 has much to report. I'll start with what I consider to be the most important life happenings — family news. After all, isn't this why we work?

Tom Tromiczak married his radiant bride, Tina, on Oct. 9 in Chicago. They shared a beautiful ceremony and reception with family and friends, including Maureen Hogan and Nora and Sean Conroy. Following their big wedding event, Tom and Tina spent 10 days relaxing in beautiful French Polynesia. EMP-56 is very happy for you, Tom and Tina, and we look forward to hearing more news from the Tromiczak family!

Charles Fortner had a very busy winter, both personally and professionally. Most important is the arrival of his beautiful daughter Elizabeth Ann (Ellie) in January. Charles reports that she has a very sweet disposition and a big appetite (guess she gets that from Dad!) EMP-56 is very happy for the Fortner family and we hope your new addition is healthy and happy always. On the business front, Charles sold his piece of mc.net and is now general manager of ANET Internet Solutions, a Chicago-based ISP. Our thanks go to Charles and ANET for hosting our class Web site.

Career moves continue to be hot news for EMP-56:

Shumin Wang made a very big move in October, leaving her company after eight years and joining a China-based startup focused on specialty chemicals consumed in semiconductor manufacturing. Shu is chief technology officer and is based in Shanghai. While semiconductor fabrication has been growing quickly in China, the supporting chemicals supply chain has not, and Shumin is very excited to join the leadership team of this first-of-its-kind startup in China. Congratulations, Shumin! It is very exciting to see another EMP-56'er in a C-level role!

Ken Seymens has joined Duff & Phelps LLC, a national investment banking firm. Ken's efforts are focused on raising capital for a medical technology company, with the agenda of expanding the firm's strength in healthcare technologies.

Doug Miller has also taken on new responsibilities at his company, Motorola. Moving away from development engineering, Doug is now leading the marketing and business development team for the newly formed radio access platform innovation division. Doug's team is focused on designing and developing the next generation common platform for Motorola's base station products.

Ping Yu has joined Motorola as a senior business manager. Working with many of Motorola's very talented teams, Ping will be developing total market solutions for secured, high-speed wireless broadband networks (mobile and stationary). In addition, Ping will be focused on intelligent transportation system applications for a variety of industries, including homeland security, public safety, traffic and transit fleet management. Motorola is lucky to have another big brain from our Kellogg class!

Dave Pidduck has returned to Canada, accepting the role of vice president of Baxter's medication delivery business there. He, Bonnie and the kids have now settled into a home north of Toronto with a few acres and lots of fresh air.

Jim Ahlborn was promoted in December to vice president of finance at Tuthill Corp. Serving as the lead financial officer, we know that Jim will continue to apply his leadership, strong ethics and financial prowess to drive further business success for Tuthill. Congratulations, Jim!

Pat O'Connor is putting his Kellogg MBA to work in an expanded role at Lake Forest Hospital. As executive director, revenue cycle, Pat is responsible for managed-care contracting.

Jim Clewlow is now chief investment officer at CenterPoint Properties Trust. In this new role he will be coordinating the acquisition and disposition of industrial investment properties in the greater Chicago area, with a goal of transacting up to $1 billion in business. Another C-level job for EMP-56! Congrats, Jim!

David Watts has taken on new responsibilities, assuming the role of director of group consumer finance for HSBC. He is responsible for opening HSBC's consumer finance business across the globe, currently focusing heavily on Asia (China and India), central Europe and South America. If we give Dave a little more time, he'll be ready to prof for Global Initiatives in Management.

Matt DesRosiers has taken on the role of president for Baytree Management Inc., a division of Baytree National Bank and Trust Co. Matt's group provides medical billing and practice management for the medical community (which is something he knows a bit about). We'll look forward to seeing this small company grow under Matt's leadership over the coming years.

Brian Bancroft left Sara Lee in February, accepting the position of vice president and chief procurement officer with a company we all know well, Oil Dri Corp. Brian will lead the organization's efforts to achieve operational excellence in its purchasing activities and achieve optimum value from its assets. A C-level trifecta for EMP-56! Congratulations, Brian!

I am now vice president of marketing and business development for KONE Elevator Escalator, the U.S. division of KONE, headquartered in Finland. Based in the Quad Cities, I will lead the organization's market turnaround efforts for sales, marketing, national accounts and product line-management.

Finally, on a humorous note, Scott Corley offers us the ultimate job announcement for Kellogg World: "Late in 2004 Scott Corley was surprised to get a call from game publisher Electronic Arts, offering him the newly created position of CEO by proxy. This novel position includes all of the financial benefits of being CEO of the company, but none of the effort or potential legal liabilities. While the actual CEO of the company continues to do his job, Scott gets the credit, and the cash! Congratulations to you, Scott!" Think there's any chance one of us can negotiate this deal? If you figure it out, loyalty to EMP-56 requires that you share the secret!

Work-life balance continues to be a focus for EMP-56 and we've had a few interesting events worth mentioning:

EMP-56 was well represented in the Chicago Marathon, with Melissa Fabio, Dave Sulfridge, Rob Stoppeck and Curtis Smith finishing the race in great form. Congratulations!

Surprised by cold weather, EMP-56's spirit was not dampened as we enjoyed a great Wildcat football outing Nov. 20. It is always wonderful to see a Wildcats victory (even if you also share alumni status with Illinois). We had a good crowd of classmates and family out for the game and tailgating. Our thanks go to Matt DesRosiers and Melissa Fabio, who did a fantastic job organizing the tailgate, cooking delicious brats and keeping the fires burning.

Well, EMP-56, there's our winter update. Keep the good news coming and I hope to see you all very soon!