SEPTEMBER, 2008 CLASS NOTES
By the time you read this the leaves will be turning, Dartmouth football will be back in the spotlight and the election should be just around the corner.
Dave Merritt reports that after 23 years with the Colorado River Water Conservation District (the last 11 as the Chief Engineer) he left to open a West Slope office for HDR, a national, employee-owned engineering and architectural firm. He will be working in both Denver and Glenwood Springs on their water supply projects. He has another 13 months on the Glenwood Springs City Council and the Colorado Municipal League Executive Board, after which he will have to step down due to term limits
Mickey Stuart is still importing wine, but he is not following the traditional warehouse/distribution model. Instead he is consulting and providing French wine to American Airlines, several hotel groups and restaurants. The past two years he has also been working the commercial real estate market -- lots and land, plus collegiate housing around the country. You might describe Mickey as a "freelance" entrepreneur -- if it's got an upside he’s interested. He is still a single dad and his daughter Kitty is a sophomore at Ole Miss.
Don O'Neill planned to retire this summer (hopefully accomplished by the time you read this) after 32 years at The Hartford, where, for the last 20 years he has been involved in commercial real estate. When Hartford was spun off as a separate company by ITT in 1996, its direct real estate investments were sold and Don went on to manage investments in the then-nascent CMBS (commercial mortgage backed securities) arena. About five years ago, he took on an assignment to rebuild a more conventional real estate platform, which grew into a 20 person staff by 2008 that originates and manages both commercial mortgages and other private real estate investments. Don is looking forward to spending more time at the "ski house" in Vermont, and may now finally get around to writing the Great American Novel.
Steve Zrike writes that (as some of us already know), he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis a few years ago. (He’s missed a few of our class events because the MS has limited his mobility a bit.) A great deal of progress has been made in finding a cure for this dreaded disease which afflicts a half million Americans. He has benefited from Interferon therapy that, until recently, slowed the progress of the disease. He participated in Boston's MS Walk last April and would appreciate any support we could provide to help the cure.
Joe Jarrett emailed that he and wife Nancy are about to experience the joys of grandparenthood this fall. Earlier this year they were in Rye, NY, for Pete Ruegger's daughter's wedding. John Ryzewic, Bob Osborne, Bruce Frankel, Mike Furey, Pete Webster, Greg Fell with wife Gail and daughter Meghan , who was one of the bride’s maids, and a couple of 70's and 69's were there.
By now Wayne Hobin should have a revamped class website up and running – check it out. Keep the news coming!