1954
After five years of dedicated public service struggling to rebuild the Bonneville Power Administration, Peter Johnson resigned as administrator of the federal power marketing agency in July. Peter cited in his reasons for leaving that "a period of turbulence is largely behind us" and that "Bonneville was fiscally sound." He also acknowledged that he was exhausted from trying to shore up Bonneville financially. When Peter arrived at the agency in 1981, he discovered "Bonneville was insolvent." For 10 years the agency had not repaid its debts to the Treasury, and, adding to his difficulty, the Northwest was rocked in 1983 by the Washington Public Power Supply Systems record $225 billion default, which led to the abandonment of two of the utility's unfinished nuclear plants. To meet bond repayments and other fixed costs, Peter raised the region's electricity rate 700 percent and suspended work on two of the three nuclear units. His courageous decisions in the face of much opposition have left "the agency in strong fiscal health and in a period of relative calm at the moment." On announcing his resignation, Peter was praised by Energy Secretary John Herrington, who said that he had served with "great distinction" and "has helped restore the financial stability and viability of the Bonneville Power Administration and the region that he serves." Peter is moving back to McCall, Idaho, from Portland and said he plans to take a one-year sabbatical leave because "people need renewal if they are to remain vital." Our congratulations to you, Peter, for having the courage to fight an unpopular battle for the long-term good of your region.
If you saw Chuck Myserian spending a lot of time at the Wakefield Cooperative Bank, it wasn't because he was clipping coupons. Chuck's wife, Meredith, had her paintings on display at this Wakefield, Mass., bank for a full month. Meredith paints with oil, acrylic, and watercolor, and also works with crafts and makes and designs her own greeting cards. Her work has been displayed in the North Shore of Boston and on Cape Cod.
George Graboys, president of Citizens Financial Group and chairman and chief executive officer of Citizens Bank in Providence, has been elected to the board of directors of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. George is active in a number of national, state, and local organizations including the Government Relations Council of the American Bankers Association, the National Conference of Christians and Jews, the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education, the Rhode Island Urban Project, and the International Institute of Rhode Island. One would think that all these activities would leave George with little time for fun and games, but he and Lois recently returned from a trek into the wildest parts of Africa to visit son Kenneth, who is contributing his effort to helping improve that less priviJeged part of the world.
If you want a square deal in Chicago the person to see is Phyllis Wilson, wife of that Arthur Andersen top executive Paul Wilson. Phyllis has opened a business selling low-cal brownies under the name "Square Deal." So if you are looking for good taste in Chicago, don't look for Charlie the Tuna, look for Phyllis Wilson.
Our congratulations to Don Berlin for his stellar performance as head agent in the 1986 Alumni Fund Drive. Don won second place in the Green Derby for the class of 1954 by leading the class in giving $182,340 103.6 percent of the goal. This amount was raised by 525 donors, 83.3 percent of the total class members. Don provided not only leadership but did much of the work himself by following through on recalcitrant agents and reluctant givers. Another great job, Don. The class continues to owe you a vote of thanks.
Anybody looking for Sonny and EllieSilmore? You might well be because we haven't been able to get them back to Hanover these many years. Sonny and Ellie are alive and well and living in Pittsburgh and Hilton Head. After selling out his interest in a metal brokerage business, Sonny is still involved in bringing buyer and seller together in the world of metals. It seems, however, he spends a good part of his time protecting his low handicap at their home in Hilton Head. You would never believe that these two ever-young- looking people are the parents of two married daughters and a college-aged son.
It's football season-let the good times roll! The class executive committee will meet in Hanover over the Harvard weekend with a full range of social and business activities open to the whole class. For those of you who haven't participated in a John Gillespie Dartmouth Night minireunion, let me tell you, Harvard Weekend is not one to miss. John and Sandy see that no moment is left unfilled, and once again our Hanover hosts, John andBetty Heston, are graciously entertaining all '54s in Hanover on Dartmouth night. I hope you won't miss this great weekend in Hanover with old friends in the best of old places.
100 Highland Avenue Seekonk, MA 02771
