Tech Topics - Fall 2007 - (Page 33)

Burdell&Friends GARY MEEK Nick Jones has retired as program annotator for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra but he still performs in the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus. never heard of this work. They said to me, ‘You’ve gotten us to do this piece, now how in the world are we going to sell it?’ “I said, ‘Every choral person in town knows this piece. Get out to the church choirs and the choral groups and let them know about it.’ Whatever the reason, it sold well and it did well. It won three Grammy awards when we put out a recording of it and it has become our Atlanta Symphony calling card.” Jones sang in the chorus for more than a decade before working for the Atlanta Symphony full time. He taught high school math and music and had gigs as a television announcer and radio host. He also was a volunteer coordinator for the Atlanta Botanical Garden in its early days. “I just did lots of part-time things until the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra called me up and … asked me if I would be interested in a part-time job assisting the choral administrator and the guy who was doing publications, PR and program notes.” Ten months after accepting the job in 1981, he became the full-time writer of program notes after the untimely death of his predecessor. Although he didn’t have an extensive background in journalism or writing, Jones said he was in the honors English class at Tech and “never had any trouble in writing or public speaking.” “I’m a very picky person about grammar and spelling, and punctuation especially,” he said. “I’ve had my headbutting sessions with lots of editors on the publications end, who know how they want things, and I know how I want them.” If there’s anything Jones has learned from his career, it is “to be open to what comes next,” he said. “I fell backward into this job. I didn’t know it was coming. … I didn’t consciously prepare for it but I was ready when it came along. And, of course, I learned a lot on the job after it started. “I hear so many people who decide who they’re going to be, what they’re going to do and then work toward that goal. I have to admire them for being able to do that, because it’s not something I’ve ever been able to do, but I wonder if they’re missing a lot by not being open to other opportunities that come along.” Following his retirement in June, Jones had a three-week vacation before getting back to work. He immediately began writing notes for the next Atlanta Symphony Orchestra CD and program notes for Franklin Pond Chamber Music, a summer training academy for young string players in Atlanta, and the Pensacola Symphony’s entire upcoming season. He also often writes liner notes for many of his Atlanta Symphony colleagues’ solo CDs. Jones may not spend much time on calculus or differential equations these days, but he credited his Tech experience with teaching him valuable life lessons. “To me, what I got out of Tech was the independence of living on my own for the first time, the responsibility of doing my work and getting myself to the right place on time, learning to function as an adult in the world and learning to go look up information when I don’t know the answer, because that’s certainly what I do now,” he said. “People think I know so much in my job, but what I mainly know is where to go look it up.” mechanical engineering department at the Higher Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology of the University of Gabes in Tunisia. Jennifer Peckham Johnson, IE 95, and her husband, Michael, of Boise, Idaho, announce the birth of a son, Brennen Harper, on April 24. Johnson is a sales engineer with Eaton. Michael Brian Kirschner, ESM 93, MS EE 97, is a founder and the chief marketing officer of Catalyst Natural Gas, a privately owned, owner-operated natural gas marketer based in Atlanta. He and his wife, Jennifer, live in Roswell, Ga., with their children, Christopher and Caitlyn. Bill Lindler, IE 92, has joined Visiprise as Western regional sales manager. Visiprise Inc., a leader in integrated manufacturing operations solutions, has been named one of Atlanta’s fastest-growing private companies by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Lindler has relocated to Durango, Colo., with his wife, Gretchen, and children, Christian, 4, and Sabine, 9. Susan K. Lineberry, M Arch 97, has been promoted to vice president and project manager at KPS Group Inc. and has become a shareholder in the firm. Lineberry began her career with the firm more than 10 years ago as an interior designer and architectural intern. She recently earned LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Meagan McMullen, ME 99, a teacher and teacher trainer, in June moved to Tanzania, Africa, where she will spend one year helping develop schools in the villages. Allie Schechter Melson, IE 98, and Brandon Melson, ME 98, of Roswell, Ga., announce the birth of twins, Connor Holland and Audrey Cecelia, on Oct. 12. Allie is a senior business analyst for ACS Government Healthcare and Brandon is a sales pacing manager for GE Energy. Sara Nelson Meyers, IE 98, and Jeff Meyers, Mgt 98, of Marietta, Ga., announce the birth of a daughter, Lily Anne, on April 18. Sara is a senior forecast analyst for Southern Co. and Jeff is a product and marketing manager for Hewlett Packard. Albert Joseph Miller, ME 97, and his wife, Karen Bearman Miller, announce the birth of a son, Bennett David, on April 17. Bennett joins brother Spencer, 2, at the family’s home in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Miller is a senior sales engineer for Eaton Corp. Travis Moody, IE 90, has published a book, “Financial Breakthrough: God’s Plan for Getting Out of Debt,” which is available at Barnes & Noble, travismoody.com and Amazon.com. Moody is a senior group leader with Target Distribution and lives in Maumelle, Ark., with his wife, Carol, and four children. Jared Norflis, IE 99, and Ebony Hofler Norflis, IE 00, announce the birth of a son, Jackson, on Aug. 23, 2006. Jared is a manufacturing development manager with Miller Brewing Co. The family lives in Hamilton, Ohio. J. Patrick O’Donnell III, Mgt 99, and his wife, Hunter Ferguson O’Donnell, ISyE 02, announce the birth of a son, James Patrick O’Donnell IV, on Jan. 17. Hunter is a fulltime mother. Patrick works in commercial and investment real estate at Prudential Georgia Realty and is a director at J. Patrick O’Donnell Inc. Custom Homes. Julia Panousis, BC 96, and Angelo Panousis, BC 94, announce the birth of a son, Costas John, on April 14. Costas joins brother Gregory TECHTOPICS | FALL 2007 33 http://travismoody.com http://Amazon.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Tech Topics - Fall 2007

Contents Mail Call Alumni House Historic Renovation 007 Buzz Bash Dazzling Daylilies Living History Cover Story: Key to the City The Hill Tapping Technology Robotics Rivalry No Easy Ride Giving Back Balancing Act Student Life Burdell & Friends Epic Story of Heroism Yellow Jackets Very Good Team Passport to Retirement Real World

Tech Topics - Fall 2007

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