by Gary Dolderer

Every once in awhile, in one's professional career, an opportunity / experience comes along that measures up to be one of the most meaningful of all. For me, just being apart of the DMA International Council’s Operating Committee (OpCom) was momentous in itself, but to be asked to Co-Chair the Council with Mark Bridges of Mokrynski Direct was something I would never have expected nor imagined. First of all, to be along side some of the most truly gifted international direct marketers in our industry provided me with a rare and wonderful opportunity from which to learn many facets of our industry. As important, it has been a lot of fun, and I very much value the lifelong friendships I have developed.

Global-Z's Data Center team, located in historic Bennington, Vermont enjoy hearing the local folks share the common expressions of the region that help define what it's like to live and work in such a beautiful place. For example “If you don't like the weather... just wait a minute!” You see, the weather changes quite a lot, and quickly in Vermont, so the climate that you like most is just around the corner. In late February we'll often hear that “The sugar's runnin'!” This is when the spring thaw sees the maple trees pour their sap... if you haven't tried real Vermont maple syrup on your pancakes, you haven't lived! “You can't get there from here.” (Maine readers may claim this one... but it's an original Vermont expression. We checked.) There are a 1001 ways to get from anywhere in Vermont to anywhere in Vermont. Don't be in a hurry. There's no direct route between any two points, and during our spectacular fall foliage season you'll be glad there isn't. Drive slowly, take some of the paths less traveled (many of the best are unpaved roads) and you'll fall in love with Vermont, too!

How do local Vermont expressions relate to Chinese postal data, you ask? Well, this is GZ News' Fall issue and we wanted to have a little fun relating a local expression to what any direct marketer can attest to when marketing to China.

Traveling internationally? Know anybody that is? One snapshot and a cool iPod Nano could be yours!

Beautiful sights deserve beautiful sounds. Global-Z is having our first "Around the World Photo Contest" for our GZ News readers. One lucky winner will receive an Apple iPod Nano just for taking a picture. If you or someone you know will be visiting an international landmark like, say, the Great wall of China, the Taj Mahal, the Pyramids of Egypt you're half way to winning the iPod! Simply print out our Around the World Photo Contest (click here) and include it in the foreground of the picture of the international landmark (see the example... minus the cheesy... and contest- disqualifying photo editing... by clicking here). Pretty well any well known, signature landmark in any international (i.e., non-US) country will qualify the photo for our contest. Pass on GZ News... anyone can play! (other than Global-Z team members and their families... sorry GZers!)

We will post submitted photos on our website and provide updates in our Spring issue of GZ News. Good luck!... and have a fun trip! Thanks for bringing Global-Z with you!

Jennifer Eastman brings almost twelve years of skill and experience to benefit our clients' broad- reaching global data processing challenges. Please share in our thanks and congratulations to Jennifer!

Jennifer started in our Data Entry Department in January of 1995. She moved on to our tape librarian position and then into the Production Department, where she has been a data specialist for the past seven years. Jennifer enjoys working at Global-Z because of its people and great work environment.

Jennifer lives in North Bennington, VT with her husband and two children.

Leonid Garder, co-founder and Director of Research & Development at Global-Z International, emphasized how fortunate Global- Z is having her on our team, emphatically singing her praises: "Jenn is a dedicated and loyal employee!"

Jennifer's email address is jeastman @globalz.com