We're saddened by the news of the sudden and unexpected passing of Fred Meils in August. Fred was retired from the Pepsi-Cola Company after 26 years of service. An obituary with details of Fred's life will appear in a later issue. Please contact me with reminiscences of Fred for an In Memoriam tribute on our class Web page.

Stanford University Stanford Law has a new professorship, named after alumnus Bill Neukom, who recently retired from being the principal representative to Microsoft during its battles with the federal government.

Paul Hale has become managing director at the media-centric investment bank, DeSilva & Phillips, having moved from Veronis Suhler Stevenson where he was in a similar position for the last 15 years. Previously Paul was president and publisher of American Heritage Publishing Co. and vice president of Esquire. While at Time Inc. he helped initiate Money and People magazines, which were considered among of the most successful magazine launches ever.

The South Carolina House of Representatives has honored Bill Barnett III for his outstanding contributions to business, civic affairs and education in South Carolina. Bill is mayor of Spartanburg and has received numerous awards from the state and his local community. He and 10 other prominent citizens launched the Palmetto Institute, a research and educational organization aimed at improving the standard of living of citizens of South Carolina as reflected in per capita income. When not carrying out these civic duties, Bill is CEO of Barnett Co. and Barnett Development Co. of Spartanburg.

You thought Tanzi's would be a great place to work, but the official "Best Company to Work For" in New Hampshire is Hypertherm, whose president, Richard (Dick) Couch Jr., has taken the employee-friendly philosophy to new heights. Dick recently announced that over the next 10 years he will be giving 30% of the company stock to the over 550 associates who work for Hypertherm, which is cited as an innovator in plasma cutting technology.

Jay Evans writes. "Planing retirement adventures, my wife and I have picked up a 42 foot Catamaran off charter. We sailed it to Cape Cod from Ft. Lauderdale with the help of two Dartmouth old salts, Rick Van Mell '63 and Mel Converse '61. It's named Salty Dog in honor of the dance Dartmouth freshmen learn. We plan to live on board in the Bahamas next winter. Connect with our e-mail if you'll be in the neighborhood. (hasty_jay@Yahoo.com)."