Class Note 1984
Issue
Sept - Oct 2019
I’m not going to lie: Writing the ’84 column this month is going to be rough. My shirking-his-duties co-secretary Eric Grubman should be writing it but he’s out sailing a big boat in the Caribbean. I’m in Syracuse, New York, kayaking my little boat. What’s wrong with this picture?! But I promise this won’t stop me from bringing you the latest news of our great class.
Tracy Newsome reports, “After spending 27 years in Seattle, I decided it was time to trade in my Washington apple for a Georgia peach and moved to Atlanta about 10 months ago. I’m loving the warmer weather and sunshine, friendliness of the people, and cost of living. After working in marketing for Microsoft for several years I’ve recently opened my own information technology marketing consulting business. One of the best parts of being in Atlanta is being able to hang out with my best friend, Kevin Carson.”
I wonder if Eric is sipping a fruity drink with an umbrella on his yacht right now. I bet David Cumberbatch knows because in addition to his lawyering, he owns a successful travel business.
And speaking of another class entrepreneur, Susie Reynolds started a new company called Mindhood, in part because of the mental health crisis among teens and college students that is being amplified by 24/7 connectivity and social media. Yes, everyone is on their phones too much! Except for Eric Grubman. He won’t take my calls! Susie piloted the Mindhood program at Dartmouth last summer building mindful college communities through intentional use of technology and face-to-face relationships. Where? Dartmouth fraternities. Why? For some unknown reason, several ’84s are the lead trustees in fraternities, and they invited Susie to speak to the current students about digital wellness. Gig Faux at Phi Delt, Scott Sipple at Beta, Jim “Sid” Calmus at TDX, JB Daukas at Chi Gam (former Kappa Sig), and Phil Forneau at Bones Gate. With those introductions, Susie reached more students across sororities, the Student Mental Health Union, sports teams, and student government. One of the most valuable takeaways for Susie was realizing that Gen Z will solve this problem with digital distraction and negative impact of social media if we ask them to create, innovate, and activate their own solutions.
And our own Hali Croner was featured recently in the Marin (California) Magazine. Hali is the CEO of the Croner Co. and took over the business from her father and his business partner in 1999. Since then Hali’s been running the show, and she was its first employee to look at compensation in the emerging world of video game production. According to Hali, her dad still drops by the office in between tennis and golf games. But there’s no question who’s boss. “My father has been a model of how to step back when it’s time for someone else to come forward,” Hali says.
Speaking of stepping forward…Eric Grubman, it’s time to put down the mai tai and return to land.
—Juliet Aires Giglio, 4915 Bentbrook Drive, Manlius, NY 13104; julietgiglio@gmail.com; Eric Grubman, 2 Fox Den Way, Woodbridge, CT 06525; (203) 710-7933; grubman@sbcglobal.net
Tracy Newsome reports, “After spending 27 years in Seattle, I decided it was time to trade in my Washington apple for a Georgia peach and moved to Atlanta about 10 months ago. I’m loving the warmer weather and sunshine, friendliness of the people, and cost of living. After working in marketing for Microsoft for several years I’ve recently opened my own information technology marketing consulting business. One of the best parts of being in Atlanta is being able to hang out with my best friend, Kevin Carson.”
I wonder if Eric is sipping a fruity drink with an umbrella on his yacht right now. I bet David Cumberbatch knows because in addition to his lawyering, he owns a successful travel business.
And speaking of another class entrepreneur, Susie Reynolds started a new company called Mindhood, in part because of the mental health crisis among teens and college students that is being amplified by 24/7 connectivity and social media. Yes, everyone is on their phones too much! Except for Eric Grubman. He won’t take my calls! Susie piloted the Mindhood program at Dartmouth last summer building mindful college communities through intentional use of technology and face-to-face relationships. Where? Dartmouth fraternities. Why? For some unknown reason, several ’84s are the lead trustees in fraternities, and they invited Susie to speak to the current students about digital wellness. Gig Faux at Phi Delt, Scott Sipple at Beta, Jim “Sid” Calmus at TDX, JB Daukas at Chi Gam (former Kappa Sig), and Phil Forneau at Bones Gate. With those introductions, Susie reached more students across sororities, the Student Mental Health Union, sports teams, and student government. One of the most valuable takeaways for Susie was realizing that Gen Z will solve this problem with digital distraction and negative impact of social media if we ask them to create, innovate, and activate their own solutions.
And our own Hali Croner was featured recently in the Marin (California) Magazine. Hali is the CEO of the Croner Co. and took over the business from her father and his business partner in 1999. Since then Hali’s been running the show, and she was its first employee to look at compensation in the emerging world of video game production. According to Hali, her dad still drops by the office in between tennis and golf games. But there’s no question who’s boss. “My father has been a model of how to step back when it’s time for someone else to come forward,” Hali says.
Speaking of stepping forward…Eric Grubman, it’s time to put down the mai tai and return to land.
—Juliet Aires Giglio, 4915 Bentbrook Drive, Manlius, NY 13104; julietgiglio@gmail.com; Eric Grubman, 2 Fox Den Way, Woodbridge, CT 06525; (203) 710-7933; grubman@sbcglobal.net