6/12 And the winner of the "where in the world is...Bill Coates award" is:
David Hunter. David writes:
Bill Coates continues to live in College Station. I think he and Jan
love the environment, particularly because of the schools and neighborhood for the kids. Bill has been working with
a group in Bryan called ClinkFind. They are involved with data management software development and last I talked
with Bill, he was involved with sales and marketing in the insurance, healthcare, and financial segments. Bill had worked
with this group while he was with iiX. They developed our agent's web building tool. I see Bill driving by every
couple of weeks and we wave.
I'm moving to Dallas at the end of the month. Have family there and since all the kids
are gone now, don't have a reason to stay in College Station.
A thought: David is a talented guy. If you know anyone who's looking for top-notch
consultantcy in the Dallas area, give David a call.
**************
6/11/04 UPDATE FROM ACORD/LOMA and IASA
As usual it was like old home week at these two back-to-back
conferences (both in Las Vegas - drat!)
There were the stalwarts - Craig Deere (OnBase Software),
Barry Klein (with his press badge), Doug and John Roller (Duck Creek Technologies), and Rich
Boudreau, at both.
At ACORD, Kris Gillard (QualCorp) and I split a room so we had
a chance to catch up on who, what and where; Mike Loguercio was there briefly but rushed off for a family
emergency (we hope it wasn't serious, Mike). Bill Hunt (XDimensional Technologies) has lost half of
himself - and looks terrific!
AMS had a city-block sized booth where Becky Clegg was, as always,
warm and welcoming. Otherwise I didn't recognize many of the faces...although I finally got to meet Michael
Krassner after all these years.
Phil Handy (Insurity) also looked as if life is agreeing with
him. The Duck Creek Technologies' coffee & dessert party was
the absolute best! Maybe it was the chocolate fondue waterfall - thanks, Doug.
Oh...and I think I saw Richard Roy from the back at a buffet table -
that was enough.
People whose names were on the attendee list but I missed - Paul Areida
(President, American Driving Records) and Mike Garofalo (BISYS Ins. Svcs); Julie Schieni
(Swingtide - working with David Wroe) and Vinny Savarese (Afni Ins Svcs).
Rooming with Kris in Vegas brought back memories... we wanted to say, "goodnight
Jim."
At IASA - a surprise! Lance Berg, MIA for 9 years, surfaced
with at SRC Software. Lance, his lovely wife Mary and daughter Sarah (age 9) recently moved to Austin. Folks,
Lance is a bit like Leslye... he has not aged a day!
Ed Thomas let me know that the market is starting to open up and any
road warrior who might be ready to put his/her foot in the water again, should give him a call. Bill Goff
(Infinity Systems Consulting) was wheeling and dealing as usual. Saw Rich Boudreau briefly as he was
heading off to California for meetings with David Wroe.
I stopped to speak with Charlie Schein (AGO Ins Software) and wound
up reminiscing with his boss, Larry Martin, about Mark Kasson. Mark used to work for Larry. He's
still missed.
All in all, two good conferences for catching up - but why do they have to put ATM's
in casinos??
***********
6/14 It was good to hear from Vera Kasson:
The end of next month (July) marks 3 years since Mark left us and
we miss him. At times it seems like yesterday, and at others it seems a lifetime ago. Scott and I moved in
June of 2002 from our Gentleman's Farm in Esperance, NY to Saratoga Springs, NY. I love it here, although Scott
would probably prefer to be in a more rural setting. For some time, Mark and I (well, I guess mostly me) had talked
about moving here anyway. Scott will be 10 at the end of July and is very, very involved in ice hockey (almost
all year) and baseball during the summer. From September 'till April we do a great deal of traveling with his
hockey teams. He has his Dad's athletic ability and does quite well. He still wants to be a pro hockey player
someday. I think, though, if the sports thing doesn't work out for him, he has a career in sales ahead of him - he's
a really good negotiator (like his Dad!) - it seems to come naturally to him!
I'm a full-time, stay-at-home Mom now and really enjoying it!
I'm so busy every minute of every day that I don't know when I'd work if I wanted to! I volunteer at Scott's school
a great deal and am involved in his sports activities. I've kept our summer home at a nearby lake, and we enjoy going
there still. This summer Scott's learing to sail, which has been a longtime love of mine. I've met a wonderful
man, Frank Florio, whom I've been dating, and he spends a great deal of time with Scott and me. He is in sales
in the industrial water treatment industry. Fortunately, he really enjoys sports, and Scott and he are often in the
yard throwing a ball or shooting hockey pucks!
I'd love to hear from any AMSer - our e-mail address is MVKasson@aol.com. Life's not the same without Casey (as many of us knew him), but
it is good again.
********
POPULATION EXPLOSION STARTS IN CALIFORNIA!!
May 20, 2004 - from Norma and Preston Fields
We have a new addition
to our family, Daniel Leland Fields was born on March 31, 2004 I have attached a picture of Daniel and Samuel, now 8
years old. Samuel loves being a big brother and sometimes let's Preston and me be the parents!
********
April 28, 2004 - from Amy and George Baggott
We are thrilled to announce that Phoebe and Jessica
have a new playmate!
Roxie arrived yesterday and you can see a picture
of her at http://www.baggott.net/roxie/
More in the next couple of days - All our love - Amy and George
**********
