Mazda Great Lakes Alumni

(Updated Sunday, February 18, 2007 05:33 PM )

Additions or corrections? Please send a note to: Doug Wenzel

2002 News

December 2002 News   

• Does anyone know how to contact Tom Cosgrove?  Is he still in Chicago?  If you know, please let Erv know at ervlichterman@hotmail.com
• Jim Fouts had prostate cancer surgery on December 17, and came home a few days later. He's feeling good and will take it easy until mid-January.
• Judy Kidder was diagnosed with breast cancer and has had two surgeries since then. The tumor is gone and the surrounding tissue and lymph nodes are clear. As a precaution, she'll be starting radiation treatments in January, going 5 days a week for 6 weeks. She feels she'll be able to continue working during this time. The Davenport staff have been so good to her, she says it reminds her of the Mazda 'way"!  She appreciates the many prayers coming her way and says that they've helped!
• Bruce and Sharyll Brown asked that their sentiments be forwarded for a MERRY XMAS TO ALL!
• Mark Carpenter has added his new e-mail address:  mcarpenter@woodlandtruck.com
• Tim Strader has finished his teaching degree!  He has also just accepted a position with the Hazel Park school district to be their Lead Automotive Instructor and starts there on January 6, 2003.  His new e-mail address is mr-s@teacher.com
• Jim Dergance (Jimmy D) will be getting rid of his AOL e-mail address soon so be sure to use his jim_dergance@toyota.com address in the future.

November 2002 News   

• Paula Gundrum has moved North with Wayne and they are planning on getting married!  Congratulations Paula!  No date yet but her new address is:  13515 Bailey Rd. Bailey, MI 49303 (231) 834-9474. Home email: Pgun1679@aol.com
• Tim Strader has found us and added his information to the site!  Tim and Annette had a baby earlier this year. Nicholas was born January 18th 2002.  He came 3 months early and was 1 pound 15 ounces.  He spent 3 months and 1 week
  in NICU before he finally came home. He had 2 intestinal surgeries for NEC and spent a lot of time on the breathing machine and monitors.  However, he is 16 and a half pounds now!  They are still in Big Rapids. Tim left Ford to complete his teaching degree. He's graduating December 14. Big Party time! Everyone is welcome. He is looking into teaching at several schools and universities but nothing solid yet.
  
• Pat Lindquist's husband, Al, passed away this week. His service was on Wednesday.  You may remember that Pat worked for Bill Molag in Business Management with George Horton, Don VanRy and Bill. If you'd like to send her a note, her address is: 3469 Eastridge Ct. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506.
• Mark Carpenter has accepted a position at Woodland International Trucks as Inside Sales Administrator.  Congrats Mark!
• C & H has entered into a buy sell with DP Fox (Dan DeVos) for the sale of the Go Dealer Group. While this sale was not anticipated until very recently, it is a deal that is good for both parties. C&H had some unusual challenges at Go this past summer and this will allow them to move forward with other opportunities. Peter Cook will be a minority owner in the new organization.
  

October 2002 News   

• Lynnet Caras now runs operates her own day care. Her new email address is lcaras@chasetechnology.com  Congrats Lynnet!  You've got more patience than I do to handle all those kids!
• Jo-Ann Jordan (Burnham) sent an update on her daughter Amy's twins.  You might remember that the little boys were born July 5, weighing 1 pound 7 oz each.  They had many surgeries during those first few weeks.  They are now over 5 pounds and they are bringing little Teddy home this weekend and Nick a few days later.  Jo wanted to thank everyone for the prayers that got these babies through their first days and months and to ask for continued prayers for their growth and good health.  She said they don't know what the prognosis is for the babies, but continue praying for the best for them.  She said that her prayers go out to us and our families, too and she still thinks of us and all the good times we had.
• Jean Kelleher's mother, Geneva Connelly, passed away today (10/10/2002) in Boston. I'm sure Jean could use our thoughts and prayers right now, her address is:
  Jean & Bob Kelleher
  5436 Londonderry, S.E.
  Kentwood, MI 49508
  
• Scott Hullinger has resigned from Mazda North American Operations effective October 16.  Scott has decided to come back to Indiana and take a position with his father's company in Kokomo.  He will move back to the Indianapolis area and will be the Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Mier Products, Inc. (www.mierproducts.com) and The Hullinger Group. His work phone number will be (765) 457-0223. His work e-mail address will be shullinger@mierproducts.com (effective 11/20). His personal e-mail address will remain the same hullingers@aol.com.  His home address will be 450 Uxbridge Lane Carmel, IN 46032, Home Phone: 317-574-9908
  CONGRATULATIONS SCOTT!!!

September 2002 News   

• Former Import Motors employee and later VW dealer Norm Burruss passed away this past month.
• Our very own Holly McGavin sang the National Anthem at the Berlin Raceway on Sat, Aug 24. (Woodland International Trucks was that night's
  sponsor). She did such an awesome job singing, that later they announced over the P.A. that she was crowned "Sweetheart of the Race." Simultaneously, one of the drivers came up and handed her a big bouquet of flowers.  Keep up that voice and someday soon you may not need that day job Holly!
• Kelly DesSaint has added her e-mail address to the site -- Welcome!  katsdessaint@chartermi.net
• Cal Verduin has a new e-mail address:  Calpatv@aol.com
• Jim Buffington has a new personal e-mail address:  golfnut@triton.net
• Some belated news... John Belcher started with Hyundai in June as a DPSM for the Detroit area.  The Belcher family will be staying in Rockford, MI for the time being.  His work e-mail is jbelcher@hmausa.com
  
• Some of you probably remember Alan Schapel from MNAO.  He's the new Midwest Regional General Manager!
• Congratulations Chuck Fallos!!!  Chuck's district in WI had a great sales month!  Their Mazda sales were up 61% while the Midwest region as a whole was up 39%.  For the entire year through August, Chuck's district is up 13% and the Midwest region is up 8%.  And we all thought they just bought beer and cheese up there!

August 2002 News   

• Our very own Larry Goff has a piece of his artwork up at the new Grand Valley Artists gallery (800 Monroe Ave.). I saw it last week and the piece is called "Blue Water Sentinel".  If it hasn't sold already you'll find it in the center of the main gallery -- Congratulations Larry! 
• Check out the "Pictures" section for a view of the most recent get-together of a few of our out of state friends!
• Diane Reardon has a '98 MPV EX All-Sport 4WD for sale in the "Mazda Classifieds" section of the site.  The price has just been lowered so check it out!
• Bob Fellmer's e-mail address has changed slightly to bob.fellmer@kohler.com
• Janet Korcal has a nice shiny diamond ring to show us all at the next get-together! Yes, it's true! Janet and Lonnie haven't set a date yet but it will be sometime in the next year.
• Hal Paulsen has a new e-mail address:  halp@att.net
  
• Ross Fried, Mazda North America Operations western region general manager, died on July 4 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 3 weeks earlier. He was 47 and had two young children.
• An MNAO source just got back from Japan where they went over Global Launch Plans for the RX-08 and drove the car at Myoshi.  The car will do better than .9 Gs lateral and that's before final shock and tire tuning!  MSRP is supposed to be around $27K with 18" wheels and a 6 speed manual. 

July 2002 News   

• Steve and Jo Veldkamp have an addition to their family!  Ashley Marie arrived without complication at 1:29 p.m.7/29. Ashley is 7lbs, 11oz. and is 20'' long. Big sisters Tori and Chelsea are very excited and proud.
• Barb Abrahams has a new home (both personal and career) Her new home address is 272 Arthur Street Marne, MI 49435 Ph#: 616-677-6161. She's now working at Grand Rapids Auto Auction with Mark Capel.
  
• A few weeks ago, Jo Burnham's daughter Amy (the one who went to Bowling Green) gave birth to twin boys at 23 1/2 weeks. They're a little over one pound and still hanging on through stomach, lung, and heart surgery. Jo says "They're so precious and have unbelievably strong little fighters. (Their father is all Greek and they literally have my Irish French blood running through their veins as I was a match for donation.)"  They live in Minneapolis and Jo is in Florida working so it's hard for her to be with them for long. These are her 9th and 10th grandchildren. Jo said she knows we have some powerful prayers in GR and knows they would help so much.  Please take a minute and pray for the twins!
  
• Duke Gold's mother and Larry Gold's wife Judy (Speedway Mazda in Indianapolis, IN) died July 24. See more information at... http://www.indystar.com/article.php?obgold25a.html
• Michelle Primm of Cascade Auto Group (Cascade Mazda in Cuyahoga Falls, OH) sent us all a really nice note!  It read in part... "Mazda Great Lakes and its staff is sorely missed out here in "dealerworld".  Can't imagine there ever will be such an ethical, honest, and conscientious group of people for dealers to work with.  For years my dad told me when Great Lakes is gone you will get an education.  He's right again!  Please pass the Primm Family's "Thanks for the memories" to all.  We miss you!"
• Ken Woltjer's father, Ted Woltjer, Sr., aged 90, of Jenison, passed away Saturday, July 20. Funeral services were Tuesday, 7/23. He leaves his wife, Elizabeth, of 66 years, along with 6 children, 23 grandchildren, and 46 great grandchildren.  I'm sure Ken would appreciate a note or card right now.
• Kim Peterson had a 10 lb baby girl on June 24. Her name is Samantha Marie.  Please congratulate Kim and Mike on their new family addition!
  
• There's a new section on the web site called Mazda Classifieds.  Since so many of us still have Mazda's and related "stuff", we've now got a section to advertise those things for sale.  Check it out!
• Tom and Terry Meeusen have moved to Jenison!  Their new address and phone number is: 8604 Caprice Dr., Jenison, MI 49428  (616) 667-0546.
  
• Gerilyn May is now the HR coordinator for the GO Group.
• Ron Hambly is now working at Oak Crest Manors in their maintenance dept.
• Jim Richter has gone back into automotive consulting with a company called Net Profit, Inc. based in Alabaster, AL (Birmingham). Their primary customers are AutoNation, American Honda, and DaimlerChrysler.
• Chad Lodenstein left Kawasaki in June to take a position as an instructor in the automotive program at GRCC. He is teaching in the Occupational Training program, separate from the college's credit automotive service program. They are moving to a brand new building (Tassell M-Tec facility) next month and he is the only automotive instructor in the occupational training program, so he has his hands full. The previous instructor retired at age 75, after about 30 years with the college.  Chad's new e-mail address is clodenst@grcc.edu

June 2002 News   

• Peter Cook was honored at Cornerstone University on June 5.  "Cornerstone University is pleased to announce Mr. Peter C. Cook as the 2002 recipient of the C. John Miller Business Leadership Award. This distinguished honor is presented by the Board of Trustees not more than annually to a man or woman who has demonstrated excellence, integrity and significant achievements in business."

May 2002 News   

• Chuck Fallos has a new home e-mail address:  cjfallos@mtc.net
• Sheryl Leatherman and family have moved!  New address: 2962 Manitou Dr. NE.
• Barb Abrahams is now a Grandma!  Her daughter Julie had a little girl - Grace Elizabeth, on May 20, at 12:10pm.  Grace weighed 7lbs. 10oz. and was 20-1/2" long.  Congratulations Barb!
• Larry Goff's new E-mail address is ThornALG@MSN.com and you can frequently find him at the Grand Valley Artists, Inc. new Gallery and classroom located at 800 Monroe NW.
• Tom and Terry Meeusen have new e-mail addresses!  Tom: t.meeusen@attbi.com  and Terry: poogieoogie@attbi.com
• Kevin and Cheryl Clements welcomed their second child, a daughter, Grace Marie Clements, on May 2.  Grace weighed 6 lbs. 10 oz. and joins her brother Noah in the Clements family.

April 2002 News   

• Update on Bruce Brown... He is still going to physical therapy almost everyday.  He hopes to come to Michigan in June or July.  His email address is Brogarth@aol.com
• Rod Helgeson has accepted a promotion to Field Sevice Engineer with Hyundai.
• Steve Heiss has accepted a position with Hyundai as Field Service Rep in Indiana.
• Phil Barnes recently obtained his Network+ certification and continues to work toward additional certifications.
• Bob Hahn found out that Gordie McDowell's wife past away 2 weeks ago.  Gordie's wife had been sick for quite some time.
• Our friends at Woodland International are looking for a part time parts delivery person. Hours would be approximately 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM M-F. If anyone is interested or knows of a qualified candidate, please contact their parts director, Dave Hindenach at 241-6366.

March 2002 News   

• Jim Fouts is now with Heart of West Michigan United Way.  His new e-mail address is jfouts@unitedwaycares.com
• Carolyn Fellmer is well into her new career at GreenRidge Realty.  Her new e-mail address is cfellmer@greenridge.com
• Doug Wenzel has accepted a position with Enhanced Network Solutions (ENS) www.ensi.com  He is opening up their new Grand Rapids office.
• Joan Wilson has added her e-mail address to "Where are they now?"
• Scott Hullinger has moved to the west side of Chicago.  See "Where are they now?" for the details.
• Chuck and Judy Fallos have a new e-mail: cjfallos@mtc.net
• It's been two years since the closing of MGL.  Did it go as fast for you as it did for me?

February 2002 News   

• Doug Wenzel is in the job market after two years at Hi-Tech.  If you know of anyone in the IT business looking for a good salesperson, point them to Doug's resume at http://www.doug.wenzel.org
• The full text of the MGL E-Plan has been placed on the web site in the E-Plan News section.
• Hal Paulsen has added his address:  Hal Paulsen, Happy Trails Resort, 17200 W. Bell Rd. #1657  Surprise, AZ 85374  (623) 544-4693
• Update on Bruce Brown: He came home from the hospital about a week ago. He had gotten pneumonia and it really took him down, recovery seems too long to him!
• Holly Hansen's husband Jason has received a lot of air time with his new song "United We Stand".  He has a web site at http://www.jasonmiles.org where you can order a copy.
• Becky Decker has moved North!  Her new address is:  8171 - 104th St., Howard City, MI  49329  (231) 937-5163 and her new home e-mail address is bdecker42759@aol.com

January 2002 News   

• The MNAO news page has been updated.  http://www.mglalumni.com/MNAO.htm
• Chad Lodenstein is teaching an evening auto-tech class for GRCC this semester and is coming up on two years with Kawasaki.
• Jimmy D (Jim Dergance) was named DM of the year for Toyota's Midwest Region.  
• Scott Hullinger was named DM of the year for Mazda, and was promoted to Business Development Manager. He's moving to Chicago in February.  
• Jim Sliter had a terrific year and was only 1/3 a point shy of being named DCSM of the Year. He was promoted to DM in Indiana and West Ohio.  
• Tim Dooley was promoted and is now the Regional Service/Parts Training Manager.  
• Chuck Fallos (Wisconsin), Andrew Gardner (Chicago), and Matt Nyenhuis (Michigan) are still the heart of the DM team for Mazda and a big reason why the Region was up 20% over 2000.  
• Gerhard Tscheschlok (Illinois), Jim Schneider (East Ohio), and Steve Lockwood (Michigan) are still holding the DCSM team on course, and were the key reasons the Region hit it's objectives (the only Region to do so in 2001).  
• Bill Doelfs took Jim Schneider's place as Area Parts Manager.
• Update on Bruce Brown:  He went back in to the hospital after his second surgery because he couldn't breathe and he is still in ICU. He has fluid on the lungs -- not determined from what yet. This was from Saturday 1/26.  Bruce's address and phone number are 7505 Mabry Ct NE
  Albuquerque, NM 87109 (505) 856-2120.
• Drew Balcam is still with Toyota, but is now working out of the Lousiville Region.  In his five years with Toyota, he's had 4 different districts (both service and sales).  Drew has a son who is now 18 months old.  Drew's e-mail address is Drew_Balcam@toyota.com

• Judi Rabbai has e-mail!! Her address is jrabbai@aol.com

• Bruce Brown is in intensive care after surgery on a 75% clogged artery.  He also has a 100% clogged artery, but they decided not to
  operate on that one.  According to an MRI, they have found out that he's had 3 stokes, 1 heart attack & an aneurysm in his stomach. They will be operating on the aneurysm as soon as Bruce has recovered from the heart surgery. Both Sharyll & Bruce are in good spirits & expect a full recovery.

• Melodie LaHuis is now working at Alticor (Amway).  Her new e-mail address is melode.lahuis@amway.com

• Kevin Clements' new address is 2250 Rolling Meadow Dr. NE Belmont, MI  49306.  (616) 863-9593.

• Steve Heiss is a Grandfather for the second time!  Little Grace is the new addition.

• The new GO Mazda facility should be open sometime in the first half of February!  The Grand Opening event is scheduled for April 17, 2002 and all of us are invited!

• Paula Gundrum's new work e-mail address is: pgundrum@iminformation.com

• Jim Fouts has a new e-Mail address: jdfouts@prodigy.net

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