Maj. Jason E. George, MBA '04
Remembering Fallen Soldier and Natural Leader

The Ross community is mourning the loss of Maj. Jason E. George who was killed in action in Iraq May 21. George was on foot patrol in Baghdad's Dora district when a suicide bomber detonated an improvised explosive device that killed three American soldiers along with at least 25 Iraqi civilians. George was 38 years old.

George created a huge and loving b-school family during his time in Ann Arbor. Known affectionately on campus as "JG" or "the Tank," he is described by those who knew him as hilarious, adventurous, loyal, and kind. He had a gravitational pull that drew people to him, regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity. And he was an Eagle Scout who loved Ford cars and Michigan football.

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Peter Hoekstra, MBA '77
Congressman to Run (and Bike) for Governor's Seat

Rep. Peter Hoekstra is no stranger to a challenge. When he decided to leave office furniture giant Herman Miller Inc. to run for Congress in a western Michigan district, he did so on a shoestring budget against a 26-year incumbent. Biking across the district and meeting people face to face, he won that election in 1992.

In Congress, Hoekstra became chairman of the House Select Committee on Intelligence and now is the ranking Republican. But Hoekstra decided not to run again when his term expires in 2010, and instead wants to lead the state of Michigan. He may not have the statewide name recognition of some of the other Republican challengers for the open seat (the current governor is term-limited) but he still has a bike.

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Amy Bailey & Megan (Barry) Thomas, MBA '96
Classmates Reconnect as Career Coaches

Like all good coaches, Amy Bailey and Megan (Barry) Thomas see opportunity where others perceive crisis. They are career coaches. And in the midst of the current economic downturn, they are finding ways to transform their own futures, even as they help clients do the same.

Bailey (top) and Thomas met and discovered they had Ross in common post-graduation. Bailey had been working in brand management at Kraft Foods and Applebee's before she created Bailey Coaching and Consulting in Kansas City. Thomas was a VP heading an account service group inside an independent ad agency before she founded Firsthand Coaching in Birmingham, Mich.

"We met by sheer coincidence while getting our training through the same institute," Bailey says. "Michigan connected us, but our future careers got us back together." Today they trade professional advice and guidance; Thomas even sits on Bailey's advisory board.

Both firms specialize in career and leadership coaching. Both cater to corporate and individual clients. And both have identified similar trends in the marketplace.

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