Brothers from the late 1970s gathered in Northridge in July to celebrate the 50th birthday of Bruce Thompson, including Michael Dykstra, James Lipow, Greg Hill, David Shiokari, David Pulaski, Wayne Smith, and Thomas Concannon. The group indulged in three cases of chardonnay for a wine tasting, and four magnums of some nice meritage reds (blends). If the name Tom Concannon sounds familiar, perhaps you have had a “Concannon Petite Syrah” or one of their other offerings. Tom’s family sold the winery shortly after he left UCLA, but he was raised with it his entire life. The family vineyard started in 1883, and was in the family until the early 1980s. Concannon helped the less experienced paletes enjoy them better.
Mike Dykstra was part owner of a medical practice and is now teaching high school sciences. Jim Lipow was in construction and is now teaching special education. Greg Hill is with the Bureau of Land Management, doing the mapping, restrictions, etc. for the southwest deserts.
Dave Shiokari owns his own capital business. Dave Pulaski owned a rival to JD Powers, and is now at MetLife. Wayne Smith is an attorney. Tom Concannon is a manager/VP at a division of Oracle.
Among those who could not attend: John Snodgrass, Senior VP at Morgan Stanley; and Mike McFarlin, owner of an insurance company and part time actor.
Bruce Thompson owns a small freight company, and his son just graduated Washington University in St. Louis in an accelerated BS/MS in five years. “So my wife and I just got an $8000 per year raise, in cash,” he says.