Brian O'Connell, a member of the 1988 mass communications class, began his career in Chicago, putting together sponsorship packages for such artists as the Beach Boys, Moody Blues, Paula Abdul and The Judds. In 1993 he joined Cellar Door Productions in Florida as a marketing director and starting booking country acts at local clubs. Three years later he moved to Washington, D.C. and became the first country music talent buyer for that market. In 2001 he moved to Nashville to assume the role of president of Clear Channel Entertainment and president of Live Nation - Country Touring/Nashville. He received the Academy of Country Music Award in 2001 and 2004 as the Talent Buyer/Promoter of the Year and was also nominated in 1998, 2000 and 2003. In 2006, he was named Promoter of the Year by both Pollstar, the most prominent trade publication in the concert industry, and the International Event Buyers Association (IEBA). He is a member of the board of directors of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music, and serves as a director of the IEBA. In the aftermath of Sept. 11, O'Connell promoted and produced The Country Freedom Concert in Nashville to raise funds for the Salvation Army's 9-11 relief efforts. He also works with the United Service Organization (USO) to take many of the acts he promotes on USO tour overseas. Artists that Brian currently promotes and produces on a National basis are Rascal Flatts, Toby Keith, Brooks and Dunn, Brad Paisley, and Tim McGraw.

Jerry Dipert '69 - April 6th, 2005 Daily Herald article. Read the Article >>

Theta Chi Zeta Psi ( Phi Theta /Western Club) Alumni Memorial Dedication and Golf Outing in Macomb, Illinois on during the weekend of the 21st of May.

• Golf Outing On WIU Harry Musato Golf Course
• Memorial Dedication Ceramony at the Golf Course following the golf outing the afternoon of the 21st of May
• Alumni barbeque to follow the Memorial Dedication: Time & Place to be annonced
• Cocktails at the "Change of Pace"

The Theta Chi Zeta Psi (Phi Theta/Western Club) Alumni organization would like to invite you to help us support the educational needs of promising young adults at our alma mater. We have established an endowment to fund undergraduate scholarships at Western Illinois University. These scholarships will assist students who have a financial need and who are serious about completing their education.

Presently, the endowment has a principal balance of approximately $100,000. Earnings from this fund are used to provide tuition assistance to four students annually who meet eligibility criteria. Our objective now is to increase the principal balance and the earnings so that we can extend assistance to more students.

We hope that you will consider making a donation to the endowment and, if you are part of a corporate matching plan, that you will request a corporate match for your donation. All contributions should be sent directly to:
Theta Chi Zeta Psi Alumni Scholarship
C/O Bill Kotzum, Treasurer
8200 Pine Bluff Court
Darien, IL 60561

Thank you for extending a helping hand to make a brighter future for these students.

Sincerely,

Theta Chi Zeta Psi Alumni Board of Directors

Chairman Bill "Bird" Kotzum '69 held the investment committee meeting today 2-17-05 at Corvette Mikes offices. David Onion '80 and Ralph Hinkle '70 also assist in preparing for a recommended investment strategy to the entire board at the March 6th, 2005 Board meeting.

WIU Theta Chi Founding Father Bill Kotzum '69 begins a new career working with his life long love, Corvettes. After 25 years in operations and finance in after markets with Borg Warner, Echlin, Dana, and Standard Motors Products, Bill Kotzum has prospered as co-owner and operator of Corvette Mike's, a corvette dealership and parts operation that recently opened its third location. The newest location, in Burr Ridge Illinois, joins operations in Anaheim, CA and Plymouth, MA.
Bill currently serves as are Alumni Corporation treasurer and if you want more info about Bill or Corvettes (who doesn't) click here to view his press release.

Final scholarship plans are being developed for a presentation to the full Alumni Board on March 6th 2005. We plan to launch our scholarship fund this fall at WIU.
Pictured are Rob Bialk, Vic Caricarto, John Bokum, and Ralph Hinkle.

In his spare time Ralph Hinkle '70 is the C.E.R.T. (Community Emergency Response Team) director for Milton Township. Several months ago, Milton Township formed a Citizens Corps Council under the guidance of FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security that would be maintained by Milton Township. One of the goals of this council was to help identify organized groups and individuals that could assist not only themselves, but also their neighbors and the township in time of major disasters. For more details go to the Milton Township website.