On Feb. 1, 1999 I drove to work at the AAA-Chicago Motor Club, where I had been vice president, public affairs for many years. As was the custom in my office, I brought a cake with me to share with my staff, as it happened to be my birthday.  

But I told them to hold off on the celebration until later in the day. 

I put in a call to the office of Richard Bensen, then president of AAA-CMC, to ask for an appointment. A few hours later, I sat in his office and explained that after 18 years at AAA, it just might be time to write a new chapter in my life. My good friend, Joe Sameh, had offered me a part-time position handling marketing for his healthcare telecommunications company, American Mediconnect. It was just the opportunity I needed to start a consulting practice. 

Bensen immediately offered me a consulting position with AAA, and shortly after, Sara Marberry asked me to help with some assignments for the Center for Health Design. And my consulting practice was up and running. 

Meanwhile, my staff was stunned to hear I was leaving (but happy to eat the cake I brought). 

Over the ensuing years, I partnered with Sara Marberry to evaluate Web sites; and I partnered with Louie Pukelis to do PR strategy for the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Dan Ryan and Kingery Expressway Reconstruction projects and the Illinois Tollway’s Congestion Relief Program. 

Many clients (and advisors) have provided me with opportunities and have been supportive of my work.  

As I celebrate my first 10 years as a strategic communications and Internet consultant, I’m using this page of my Web site to publicly thank them for making the first 10 years possible by trusting me and my colleagues with their projects. (If I left your name off the list, please contact me, and I’ll apologize to you, and add your name to the list.)

Sharif Abou-Sabh, Joseph Adler, Inez Altman, Bob Benjamin, Richard Bensen, Heidi Berenson, Carl Blackwell, Dr. Stephen Boas, Richard Brill, David Brimm, Karen Brown, Jerry Caamano, Hedvah Campeas-Cohen, Kathleen Cantillon, Ian Carrus, Jennifer Chulski, Mike Claffey, Thom Clark, Jeffrey Conlin, Mark Couzin, Steve Coven, Jerry Cox, Michelle Damico, Tom Dardis, Riley Davis, John DeAngelis, Hank DeZutter, Carole Dibo and Regina Dove… 

Also, Grace Dumelle, Sarah Ebner, Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, Al Finley, Dr. Elysa Fisher, Marianne Floriano, Randy Frapart, Pete Friedmann, Richard Ghetzler, John Greuling, Jerry Gruebel, Jim Hall, George Hanus, Arnie Harris, Ian Harris, Clayton Harris III, Bob Herrick, Ellen Hopkins, John Janicik, Greg Kameika and Craig Kantor…

Also, Kelly Kaylor, Michael King, Beth Kloos, Marisa Kollias, Lon Kramer, Pat Kremer, Amy Kritzman, Ron Kritzman, Judy Kupchan, Estee Lehrer, Lia Lehrer, Michael Lehrer, Shirley Lewis, Janet Lifshitz Sameh, Russ Loebe, Sara Marberry, Diane Margolin, Joelle McGinnis, Beryl Michaels, Harvey Miler, Ray Minkus, Richard Moline, Christi Morelli, Sharon Morgan and Kim Morreale-McAuliffe…

Even more: Jim Mullins, Rich Nelson, Debbie Nick, Diane O’Keefe, Rachael Patterson, Wally Podrazik, Ray Pokorny, Jeanne Polydoris, Robert Portogallo, Howard Prager, Susan Prather, Louie Pukelis, Nora Pukelis, Nicole Puracchio, Chana Rosen, z”l, Bill Rubin, Jeff Rutter, Ken Saffir, Joe Sameh, Janet Scott, Dr. Gerry Soff, Lori Stark, Roz Stein, Jill Stewart, Diana Stewart, Paul Swanstrom, Heather Tarczan, Neil Tesser, Tim Touhy, Jacek Tyszkiewicz, Bob Vallera, Helen Vancura, Marilyn Vincent, Rick Vulpitta, Mike Wiater, Mark Weiner and Suzanne Woolford. 

Thanks to all of you!