Kings Point Class of 1994

Greetings everyone, Blake Miller here staying busy as per usual. The entrepreneurial spirit continues and I’ve been glad to do some web/IT work with classmate Derek Parker. On a personal front, I guess the biggest news, by the time this is published and sent, is that I’ll be expecting bambino #1. Wifey is due early December and we’re uuber stoked! Enjoy the class notes recently submitted.

Jeremy Dehaai wrote in: “All is well out here in Central Illinois. Life is great for me - I have a wonderful wife (Krista), 3 fun children (9 - Miranda, 7 - Sydnie, and 5 - Justin), and work is going well! What more could I ask for? We have been living in Bloomington, IL for about 6.5 yrs and really love the area. I have been working for Plymouth Technology (industrial chemicals sales) for 5 yrs and am working in a Regional Sales Manager role. We are growing and business is going great, so that keeps me pretty busy. Krista and I bought an RV last August and have had a blast on many family camping trips. The kids absolutely love it and it has really given us the opportunity to have some good quality family time. We drove it down to Disney in March for the kids spring break and met up with Rayme Lacy and his family for an evening. We had a couple of cold beers and told some ’sea stories’ that evening. Timmy Green came up to Chicago a few weeks ago to make his 1st trip to Wrigley Field and he is now a huge Cubs fan! We met up with Chad Rice as well, who had just gotten married a week before! Needless to say, we had a pretty good time tossing back a few in the Wrigleyville area reminiscing about old times! I was hung over for days! FYI - I attached a picture of my family and a picture of Timmy, Chad, and I

Eric Lindberg sent in some updates of Tom Campbell and Brian Krell’s bike trip from our house in San Francisco to Los Angeles early in July. We enjoyed hanging out on the evening of the 5th of July and Brian and Tom arrived in LA on the 13th. I caught up with Tom both before and afterward. Congrats Tom & Brian and thanks for the updates and pics, Eric.

Dennis Jacko wrote in: “Been a bit and thought I’d drop you an update. I’m now the XO on USS PEARL HARBOR (LSD 52), an amphibious assault ship out of San Diego (where else?). In about another 18 months I’ll be taking over as the CO, so I’m right on track with my master plan to retire after spending an entire Navy career in San Diego without moving. I’m currently on deployment, and we’ve been hitting some of the real garden spots of the world - East Timor, Guam, Sri Lanka, all on the way to even more super cool places in Africa and the Persian Gulf…again. My wife, Michelle, was able to fly out to meet me in Darwin, Australia on short notice for some nice R&R. We had a hell of a time getting dipped into a couple of enclosures with giant salt water crocodiles in the ‘Cage of Death’ (pic attached). We highly recommend it for small children or for adults after a few beers.

Aron Rader sent in his update: “Our second child was born on March 11, Kai; he’s in the picture here with his older brother. Everyone is getting re-adjusted to the lack of sleep and unexpected wakeup calls. Hope all is well and nice work on the website! - Regards, Aron Rader”

Nicolle (McIntyre) Fowler wrote in with some quick notes: “I had lunch with Brian Murphy on my recent quick trip to NYC in May for the christening of a childhood friend’s baby girl.  So nice to see Brian, work is keeping him very busy with CV Starr & Co in NYC.  He and Jeanne and their three children are doing well and enjoy living on Long Island near Jeanne’s family.   I am also doing well in Fargo, ND, still doing boiler inspections which keeps me busy and out of trouble.  My husband and I have some exciting news, we will be having fraternal twins in November, we are still two weeks away from the ultrasound to tell boys/girls/one of each yet.  The twin part is a shocker, but we are excited and terrified all the same.  A lot of sleepless nights are in our future!  The babies will join our 2 ½ year old daughter Alyssa.

Bob Noiseux got in a last minute notice of a new email address and an announcement that he’s moving jobs to Berkshire Power as Plant Manager. Congrats Bob!

Thanks for the submissions! I have updated our “MIA List” of missing email addresses on our website, www.kps94.org/MIA. And be sure to join our Facebook group “Kings Point Class of 1994” Till next round . . . ~Blake

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Greetings classmates!  I hope everyone has been well.  I’m reminded as of this writing that the last submission was not published in the magazine.  Your esteemed author missed the boat on getting it in on time.  I have updated the posts on our Blog site, www.kps94.org though so be sure to get updated there.

Nothing new with me on a personal or professional front – still kicking it strong being my own boss while surviving the slowdown in business.  Actually, things have been picking up during the first quarter of 2010 so good things are on the horizon.

James MacRitchie, Chuck Eaton and I partook in our annual and now, quite traditional “SausageFest 2010” with a ski/board trip to Jackson Hole, WY.   We changed things up this year by adding an extra day of skiing and got a few days at Grand Targhee along with some at Jackson Hole.  A great time was had as usual, less a “mis-borrowed” iPhone of mine that forced me to drop $500 on a new one – though the original was “returned” a week later to the hotel which I got back, and returned the replacement.  We’re already thinking of SSGFest 2011.

Getting on to a long overdue set of submissions . . . Tim Tran wishes a Happy new year to you all. I can’t believe it but I’ve been in the Bay Area for over 10 years. Eric Lindberg and I are re-starting up the Kings Point USMMA Chapter in San Francisco. In fact, we are organizing monthly meetings with the first one to take place on the Jeremiah O”Brien on January 26, 2010. Give me or Eric a call if you would happen to be in town and wanna join us.  It’s winter so I’ve been pretty active trying to get in as much snowboarding as possible. I’m also signed up for the ING Bay to Breaker in May. It should be fun. After that, it will be the San Francisco Full Marathon. My first time for a full so if you have any tips, I’ll take them.  That’s it for now. Hope to run into some friendly faces at the next reunion since I missed the big one in October last year.  Wishing you all success and prosperity in 2010!”

Mike Farrell wrote in after a long hiatus.  “I’m in Democratic Republic of Congo right now conducting port security assessments. I was able to get an internet connection and saw your e-mail (on one leg holding an antenna made of aluminum foil–lol!).  Doing fine here, minus mosquitoes and the heat. Family and I are still stationed in The Netherlands. I have been promoted to Commander and will be fleeting up to Executive Officer of the Europe office this summer. Kind of sad since this will be it for operational duties and I’ll be minding a desk from now on. Have not ran across many KP’ers in my work, but heard some delightful news about Wes Corbet from my Coastie colleagues working in Africa. Apparently he is doing well and has a good rep within the USCG…way to go Wes!  Missed the reunion but thought of everyone there. Hope it was a blast. Outside of being TDY a lot, family and I traveled to some neat places over the last year. Nestled ourselves in Ireland, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, and France.”

Speaking of Wes Corbett, he did drop a line and a photo.  With the success he had implementing the “Master Plan” in both West and South Africa, he decided to move it to the Middle East.  He believes they needed the help.

Dan Forter is “extending my stay as a project manager for FPL in Wisconsin.  It’s a good job and is always interesting.  The winter wasn’t too bad, but Trish and I are definitely ready for summer!”  Congrats Dan!

Hans Rittenger dropped a quick reminder that he’s making Waves in Florida on his toy jet ski. Oh, he’s still making Power too at Florida Power & Light (I think Hans is working at FPL, yea?)

Rayme Lacy wrote in a nice update and has kept in touch with a lot of our classmates . . . “I am now working for Siemens as a Field Service Engineer on nuclear plants. We moved back to my hometown of Satellite Beach, Florida. My kids are now going to my old schools. Chuck Gardner will probably be my daughters math teacher next year. Over spring break we meet up with Jeremy Dehaii and his family at Disney World. We both were staying in the campground in our RVs. We spent a few hours with them at the pool. Nick Morgan and family are coming down the first few weeks in June. We are going to spend a week with them sneaking beer into the water parks. Nick likes coming down that week because it is national gay week at Disney. If anybody is going to be down there at the same time look us up.. Next year we are going  to have a KP reunion at Disney during the same week. So far my family is in, the Morgan’s are in, and the (Aaron) Buckos are in. We are working on the (James) Desmet’s as well. All are welcome!”  Nick, we never knew!

Thanks for the submissions!  I have updated our “MIA List” of missing email addresses on our website, www.kps94.org/MIA

Be sure to join our Facebook group “Kings Point Class of 1994” Till next round . . . ~Blake

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Greetings everyone, Blake Miller here staying busy as per usual. Here are some updates that were sent in to me.

Brian Peters wrote in “I was promoted to lead all of GE Water’s indirect chemical distributors in North America. The family will be relocating to the Philadelphia area where GE Water’s headquarter is located.”

Tom Blenk wrote in from Dubi saying “I am still with ABS. Everything is going well.”

Brian Murphy sent in…”My family and I got together with Matt Lavin and his family up in Cooperstown, NY, over Memorial Day. Matt and his wife, Ericka, now have four kids, with the newest addition, Parker, joining the clan in 2008. Matt is also in the process of moving from the Coast Guard base in Cape Cod, where he was flying helicopters, down to Elizabeth City, NC, where he will begin training on the C-130. As for me, things are going well. I’m still with Starr Marine Agency (coming up o 15 years) in New York, heading up the hull department. I now handle the international hull portfolio as well, which is fun but very challenging. Jeanne and I have had a busy and fun summer with our kids - Grace is 5 1/2, Patrick is 4, and Kate is 2 1/2. Attached is a picture of the gang from our vacation in the Adirondack mountain’s in July.

I got together with Matt Andrews and Garrett Cousineau a couple of months back. They are both with the tanker-broker Quincannon Associates in NYC and are doing well.

Homecoming was a lot of fun, and it was great seeing everyone again. Matt Ross made the trip down from Maine and stayed with us for a couple of days. He is currently sailing as Chief Mate with Chevron and is enjoying himself. It was great catching up with him.

I was in Wilmington, Delaware, earlier this week for a meeting with a tug company. As I was leaving the office, I ran into Pete Slootmaker, who had sold the company its Z-drives for its tugs. Pete works for HRP in Chester, PA, and we hope to catch up more soon.

Jim Kim has moved back to Atlanta after some time in Korea. Jim is a General Manager with GE in their Energy Services division. He’s in NY for some training and I hope to catch up with him while he’s here.”

Brian Krell wrote from the bridge of the Monseigneur, at anchor in Galveston “Well I missed homecoming, but for a good reason. I was out sailing as a deck officer for the first time! I finally decided to get out from behind the lawyer desk and do what I should have done 15 years ago, sail! I have been sailing as an Engineer for the last couple of years. I finally managed to get out and sail as a deck officer (go dualies!), and it just happened to be on the exact same ship that I first sailed on as a 3rd engineer on, the Monseigneur (an American Heavy Lift ship).

Before I shipped out, I went and checked up on Gavin Hughes in the Philippines. Well, a little more than a check up, I ended bringing my bicycle and pedaling around the Philippines with him for a month! Here is a picture of him and I after playing volleyball with the locals.”

John Bellissimo wrote in about the last reunion: “We had a very nice collection of ‘94 make it out to the homecoming festivities this past October - not only from all over the country but Europe and Asia/South Pacific as well. For some this was the first time back to KP since graduation - and being from Kings Point is a lot better than being at Kings Point. Despite the weather a good time was had by all and the bonds formed as classmates were still quite apparent throughout the reunion weekend. Professor Jacques Szaluta delivered an update to the class of 1994 during the dinner party and for those classmates who were not in attendance; he passes on all the best regards. A special thank you to Matt Hartzell, Steve Liano, Matt Andrews, and Tim Green for their generous financial sponsorship of the event. Also a big thank you to Blake Miller for creating the website payment functionality and maintaining kps94.org. Planning for 2014 (20th reunion) will commence 4 years from now - if anyone is interested in assuming this responsibility (I think I heard Angie and Michelle were…) please don’t be shy to raise your hand. And I encourage those who couldn’t make it this time to seriously consider future attendance.”

Thanks for your input and feedback – Until next time . . . smooth sailing! ~Blake!

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Greetings everyone, I hope everyone has had a great spring following a pretty dismal winter. I also hope everyone’s jobs, careers and lively hood are going well. Another quiet quarter, but some big news for the Fall Homecoming.

It’s a great pleasure to announce once again the Kings Point Class of 94’ Fifteen (15) Year Reunion which will be held the weekend of October 2nd 3rd and 4th. We have built a custom area on our website just for the homecoming to send details, announce, and have all the information there. So please visit www.kps94.org for more information. We certainly hope to see many of you there as it will be a memorable one.

Things have been fairly quiet for the last quarter; have heard from a couple of you. Personally my business Pro Motion Design (web, marketing, graphic design, custom development) has actually been growing this year. I have hired yet another Office Administrator/Marketing Assistant to help both internally and with my external clients and projects.

Many of you may have seen the recent blog post, but I have teamed up and did some work for our classmate Matt Hartzell & his company with a website overhaul and some new printing jobs. For more information please visit the Kings Point website (kps94.org), or visit Matt’s new website www.hartzellindsrvcs.com. If anyone is looking for help with their website, graphic design or marketing, or online marketing certainly let me know.

I actually had the chance to see James MacRitchie back in March where we partook in “Sausage Fest” annual ski trip…I don’t know number seven? Although it was only James this time. Chuck Eaton another usual “regular” had a bum knee. James and he flew out to San Diego and spent a couple of days visiting, then a few days skiing at Mammoth. The skiing was terrible, but the visit and trip was great as usual!

Blake Miller & James MacRitchie in Mammoth

Bruce Skillman wrote in . . . . “This may be my first time writing in to this in a long time. Hope all is well with you and your family. I just can’t believe that it has been actually 15 years since we left Kings Point. Wow. That is amazing. I am still living in the New Orleans area and enjoying the life that the southeast has to offer. I have finally turned pro in 06′ and have been married to a great girl for three great years. Today is our third wedding anniversary. No kids but our yellow lab Charlie is alot like the “Marley and Me dog” which keeps us both on our toes.

I still find time to hit the pool and swim when I am not busy working. I am still shipping out as Chief Mate. I have had my Master’s license since 06′ but have not had the opportunity to sail as Master. I have patience and actually enjoy the movement about the vessel that the job requires.

To the class, I am hoping to make it back to KP for our 15 year reunion, there are no promises with the work schedule. To all of you that have survived the riggers of life out of school the past 15 years, I wish you all the best. One of these days, I am going to be lucky enough to make it to a reunion.”

Robert Upton updates us with: “Hello Bake, Just thought I would touch base with you. I am currently living in Savannah, Georgia and working as a pilot. I am married and have three kids; two boys, and a baby girl. Everything is great here. I recently ran into Rick Mangubat, also 94. He is currently sailing as Captain on the Maersk Tangiers and I was his pilot the other night. I added this picture of us, and as we were about to sail. Congrats on your new marriage and hopefully we will see you in NY this October.“

Mike Farrell wrote in with this: “Hello Everyone! I hope all finds you well. I am stationed with the USCG in Rotterdam, NL. Life is well and has treated my family and I great. Arrived here in summer 2008 and I am conducting port security assessments for the Coast Guard in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Unfortunately I will not be able to attend this year’s reunion, but I hope all of you who attend have a good time. My contact info is below (mobile is best) and hope to hear from you. Cheers and God Bless! Cell: +31(0)62-316-9593”

Hugh Healey sent a note in from Guam with: “Hi Blake, I’m emailing from the tropical island of Guam, “where America wakes up first”. I was given the opportunity within Horizon Lines as the General Manager of Guam and Micronesia a little over a year now. My wife Sarah and I are enjoying this part of the world, and we are expected our second child (son) any day now. Guam is on the brink of a major military build up, so no rest for the wicked. On a second note, I had the opportunity of traveling to Shanghai, China to visit Fred Castonguay and Matt Hoag. Fred was a gracious host and I still owe him money from our golf rounds. Hope all is well! Hugh”

Wes “Weasel” Corbett contacted me all the way from Nigeria and wrote: “What’s new buddy. About to finish a jack-up repair project in Dubai and then heading back home. Just wanted to get some news from that side of the planet. Ran into Javier Bru (’98)…one of the Panamanian Plebes…he’s the Flag Surveyor for the project. I don’t think he recognized me…good thing I think. – Weasel”

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Greetings for another quarter passed beneath us.  I don’t have much new to report right now as frankly, I’ve been pretty swamped with work and life in general.  With that, I haven’t had time to personally respond to everyone or put a lot of excess in this issue though I do continue to see new submissions and input which is great, and very rewarding!  I’ll pass some bigger news next issue. . .onto you guyz and girlz!

David Olsen was the first to write in for this issue . . . “We live in Gloucester, VA where I have been working as the Marine  Superintendent for a tug and barge operation in West Point, VA, while  continuing to serve as LCDR with the USCGR, stationed with the  National Strike Force in Elizabeth City, NC.  I am the proud father of  three children: Elly (9), William (7), and Virginia (2).  Currently, I am enrolled in the executive MBA program at William and Mary, and am anxiously anticipating the last day of class on August 1, with subsequent graduation in September 2008. Looking forward to a celebratory trip to Peru in August, with my brothers and Mom, as we hike part of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu!”

John “Buck” Hazel is still kickin in Indianna playing with his sons and toys. 

John submitted a picture with him and three of his four sons…Jack, Hunter & Joseph (Jake is 4 mos.) out on a snowmobile ride. 

Chris “Wolfy” Wholfeld sends his greetings and a big ‘caw’ from the Pacific Northwest.  “In the next month I cast off my ankle monitor, cross  Deception Pass bridge, and head south for Corpus Christi, TX.  Anybody know a good place to nest down there?  

My lovely wife Marla is expecting our first Prowler in September so wish her well… She shot down my name choice of LeBron but we’ll find a happy medium.  I am constantly in awe of what this woman can accomplish!!”  

Hans Rittinger announced his little girl, Lola Michelle Rittinger, will be 1 year old on April 1st. (No Joke).  Hans writes “We are all out in Bremerton, WA. I’ve been working at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for Electric Boat Corporation. USS Jimmy Carter Submarine project. Real hush hush stuff. (haha).”  

Derek Paschal sent in some bad news.  “On November 14, 20007, about 3 weeks after I got married and 1 week before my wife and I were to leave for our honeymoon, I was hit by a car while riding my bicycle home from work.  I have been commuting to work by bicycle for almost 4 years now.  Anyhow, I ended up flying over the car and ended up with a broken collarbone.  So I am now healed up enough to start riding my bicycle again, but I am horribly out of shape.  So the next few months of riding to work won’t be a lot of fun.  My wife and I have rescheduled our honeymoon for November 2008, so hopefully I won’t get hit by a car in between now and November.  Other than that, everything is going really well.” 

Joe Couillard writes in and states that he left Maersk Line Limited in Virginia and have moved to Houston, TX to be the Fleet Technical Superintendent for Skaugen Petro Trans, an offshore Lightering Company.  ”I am responsible for a small fleet of Offshore Supply Boats that hall our lightering equipment and six newbuild Lightering tankers.  By the time this prints I should be settled in my new house.  It is in the community around the Redstone Golf Course which hosts the Shell Houston Open.  I will be moving in during the week of the open so that should be interesting.  Look me up if you live in the Houston area, my email is joe@couillard.us 

Fred Castonguay is looking for visitors in China if anyone wants to drop by ;)  Fred writes “I am still in Shanghai having a ball and available for visitors should people make it out this way.”

Our updated wouldn’t be complete without the insight from Wes “The Weasel” Corbett . . . “The fight for the People’s Liberation of the Niger Delta is going well.  My cover as a shipyard manager for an expatriate company thus far has worked.  If anyone is in the area, please come visit.  Take the Warri River (the main river of the Niger Delta) as far inland as you can until you come to the first low bridge; I am on the right in a bright light blue uniform with fluorescent yellow stripes… stunning in the mid-day sun.”  

Nicolle (McIntyre) Fowler just got home on maternity leave for a while with our new baby girl - Alyssa Nicolle Fowler!  She was born Feb 19, 2008 at 7:34pm. 

She was 8 lbs 0 oz and 19 1/2 inches long.  Nicolle writes “She has brown hair like her dad - but there is a hint of red, so I’m holding out some hope that it could change!  Everyone is happy and healthy at our house.  I’m still doing boiler inspection for the State of North Dakota and will have to go back to work full time by the end of April.  We are anxiously awaiting the spring - as does everyone who lives in a cold climate!!” 

James DeSmet wrote that they have the “4^th bun in the oven” and graciously attached two pictures of his new oven/range unit he’s in charge of at GE.  Neither were jokes: he’s got his 4^th kid on the way, and his product line is launching a new version this summer.  So if anyone has any appliance questions, hit James up.  If you need a 4^th child, see your spouse or girlfriend… preferable the former.  

UPDATE, UPDATE . . . I’ve received two notices of news and highlights of a few of our own from others, so we’re tooting your horn for you! 

Tommy Blenk . . gotcha!!  “ABS today announced three senior management appointments and one assistant management promotion in the Pacific Division as part of its strategic initiative to strengthen the coordination and administration of core service delivery to clients. The appointments take effect on April 1, 2008. . . .

Providing assistance to Han (Country Manager) will be Thomas Blenk, who will assume the post of Assistant Country Manager, Korea.  Blenk will move from his current position as Principal Surveyor at the SPP Shipyard.”  Thanks DeSmet for the links.

Hugh Healey is making some big jumps too!  “CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 13 PRNewswire-FirstCall - Horizon Lines, Inc. (NYSE: HRZ), the nation’s leading domestic ocean shipping and integrated logistics company, has announced the appointment of Hugh Healey to the position of General Manager, Guam.  Mr. Healey will be responsible for overseeing all of Horizon Lines’ Guam operations, as the Pacific island is poised for trade growth related to U.S. military expansion.”

Dan Brodeur wrote in and “ran into Sean Murphy while on work in New London, CT last Nov.  We grabbed dinner and he took me out for a spin in his Porsche Boxter.  Pretty nice ride!  Heard from Jim Gagne, he is doing well out in China and I believe he is moving off the mainland to Hong Kong with a new job.

I am still coaching high school varsity volleyball in NH, going into my 5th year.  We are also in our second year with the Great Bay Volleyball Club (www.greatbayvolleyball.com).  I am the head coach of the 16-2 team this year, and currently we are ranked 9th in all of New England.  Our 16-1 team is #2 in New England.  So far it’s been a pretty good year!” 

Jason Knoll and Deborah Knoll (Versluis) 95′ wrote in and sent a few pictures. 

“We are now in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.  Jason accepted the Production  Manager Position at Bay Shipbuilding in June.  We love Wisconsin!!  We have been married for almost 12 years and have two girls:  Ashleigh Faith age 10 and Emma Grace age 7.  I will be teaching at the elementary school this fall and I got my Master in Education about 5 years ago and have been teaching ever since.”

Art Miller wraps up this quarter’s issue with his submission including a picture of his family around the holiday time. 

“I have been living in Temecula, Ca for the last 4+ years.  I married my college girlfriend soon after graduation and have (3) great kids.  Recently I was hired by Oldenburg Group Inc - Lakeshore as their after market sales manager for everything west of Michigan including overseas.  It is nice to be back in the Marine industry.  Just in the last couple of months I’ve ran into a bunch of Kings Pointers.  If anyone needs unrep equip, ship board cranes, davits, winches, anchor windlasses etc, give me a call.  Or if you live in the So Cal area give me a call.” 

Thanks for your input and feedback - I’ve enjoyed keeping things up to date!  Until next time . . . smooth sailing!  ~Blake!

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