NIKA Consulting
Last updated through AWLL3.6 ch 069.
Business name
NIKA Consulting (Delaware corporation; multi-office; Chicago HQ on the West Loop campus — original Alec Glass swap building plus rebuilt adjacent structure; temporary 550 West Jackson space during the adjacent rebuild as of AWLL3.6). Logo: Napoleonic “N” over Russian onion dome (Jeremiah Brown + Dave).
Location
- Current primary (through AWLL3.6 ch 069): West Loop campus, Chicago — original Glass/West Loop building still standing (rebuild of that structure is future canon, beyond this ceiling); adjacent building was purchased, linked by skyway, then torn down and replaced by a new structure (rebuild path through AWLL3.5–3.6). Temp HQ at 550 West Jackson during the adjacent work (see Offices). New adjacent floors: ~4 temp / ~5 permanent ~June 2003 path.
- Historical Chicago path: Woodlawn house → Union hall 53rd St (Hyde Park) → purchased Hyde Park office building → West Loop original (Alec Glass REIT swap — distinct building) → adjacent purchase + skyway → adjacent raze/rebuild (authoritative multi-site list:
## Offices below).
- Field work and client sites (e.g. Purina Mills, St. Louis / Gray Summit — AWLL1.10 ch 73+; law-firm Novell installs) — not NIKA offices; see Customers.
- City location files (required): Chicago_Illinois.md · Los_Angeles_California.md · Pittsburgh_Pennsylvania.md · Colorado_Springs_Colorado.md · Dallas_Texas.md · Durham_North_Carolina.md · Vancouver_British_Columbia.md
Dates of operation
| Milestone |
Date |
Source |
| Name chosen |
January 1985 |
AWLL1.10 ch 15 (Joyce conversation) |
| Capital: Don Joseph + Ray Adams $50k each (5% stock / 5% profits each) |
Mid-Jan 1985 |
ch 13 |
| Delaware incorporation package / attorney Samuel Jacobsen |
Feb–March 1985 |
ch 22, 28 |
| Bank accounts / PO Box; papers confirmed |
March 1985 |
ch 28–29 |
| Last day Steve at Nuvatec |
April 1985 |
ch 38 |
| Open for business |
Monday, June 3, 1985, 8:00am |
ch 48 |
| First full board meeting |
Mid-June 1985 |
ch 50 |
| Ongoing |
Through series |
Prologue ~2006 |
Business focus
Custom software and systems integration — IBM PC / Apple; union membership software (migrated from Steve personal contracts); construction estimation (Brown Construction); law-firm Novell installs + case tracking; shelved medical vertical early; remote Prime X.25 / Purina inventory-logistics (ch 52–73).
Owners / founders
| Person |
Role |
| Stephen Mark Adams (Steve) |
Co-founder; President; lead developer; ~majority / ~90% after Don Joseph death |
| Dave Kallas |
Co-founder; development lead |
| Julia Simmons |
Co-founder; ops / project lead |
| Cindi Spanos |
Co-founder; sales / marketing / customer service |
| Elyse Natalie Clarke |
Co-founder track; Treasurer / finance |
| Don Joseph Grossi |
Early investor ($50k); dies Nov 1985; shares → Joyce alone |
| Ray Adams |
Early investor ($50k); board |
| Joyce Louisa Abbadelli |
Secretary → Board Chair; Grossi representative |
Equity promise (founders/core): Dave, Julia, Cindi, Elyse — shares after 2 years continuous employment (book-value buyout if leave early). Tom Dodds hire does not get that deal.
Officers (May 17, 1985)
| Role |
Person |
| President |
Stephen Mark Adams |
| Treasurer |
Elyse Clarke |
| Secretary |
Joyce Abbadelli (later free for Chair; Stephanie Adams proposed) |
Board of Directors (elected May 17, 1985)
Joyce Abbadelli · Ray Adams · Wilbur Lambert · Richard Dalton (CS professor) · Elizabeth “Beth” Pater
(Dr. Bauer / Scott Bannerman asked earlier — university counsel forced decline.)
Offices
Running NIKA-owned or NIKA-leased sites (HQ, regional, development, temp). Not customer premises. Europe/Asia = customer installs only through AWLL2.8 — no permanent NIKA branches there. Chronological by Open.
| Site |
Address / building |
City |
State / province |
Country |
Role |
Open |
Close |
Series |
Book |
Chapter |
Notes |
| Woodlawn house office |
Woodlawn Avenue house (Hyde Park) |
Chicago |
Illinois |
USA |
primary Chicago |
June 3, 1985 |
~Sept 1, 1986 |
1 |
10 |
48 |
First ops at Steve/Ray house; open-for-business day |
| Union hall 53rd St |
Union hall / 53rd Street lease (Hyde Park) |
Chicago |
Illinois |
USA |
primary Chicago |
Sept 1, 1986 |
mid-Nov 1987 |
2 |
1 |
22 |
Office lease decision summer 1986; supersedes house as primary |
| Hyde Park office building |
Purchased Hyde Park building |
Chicago |
Illinois |
USA |
primary Chicago |
mid-Nov 1987 (close Nov 2, 1987) |
~Dec 4–7, 1992 |
2 |
2 |
14–25 |
Loan approved; move mid-Nov 1987; superseded by West Loop Glass swap |
| West Loop original (Glass swap) |
Alec/Lisa Glass property — REIT net-zero / lease swap; distinct West Loop building (not the adjacent) |
Chicago |
Illinois |
USA |
HQ / primary Chicago |
~Dec 4–7, 1992 (move); West Loop primary narrative Sept 4, 1994 (AWLL2.8 ch 1) |
|
2 |
5–6; 8 |
2.6 move; 2.8 ch 1 |
Daycare co-op space; Japanese suite remodel 2.8 ch 37–39; skyway later links to adjacent building; still standing through AWLL3.6 — rebuild of this original building is future chapter (beyond ceiling) |
| West Loop adjacent (skyway building) |
Building adjacent to Glass/West Loop original; purchased after original; connected by skyway |
Chicago |
Illinois |
USA |
HQ expansion / annex |
after West Loop original (purchase date approx. from prose when known) |
demo target 2 Jan 2003 (structure torn down) |
2–3 |
various |
annex plan 3.5 |
Expansion site; not the Glass swap building; raze → new structure (next row) |
| West Loop adjacent — new structure |
Replacement building on the adjacent lot (post-demo) |
Chicago |
Illinois |
USA |
HQ expansion |
rebuild path 2003 (floors ~4 temp / 5 permanent ~June 2003) |
|
3 |
5–6 |
3.5–3.6 |
Gerald Brown GC; TIF; early-completion path; Town Hall May 27, 2003 |
| 550 West Jackson (temp) |
550 West Jackson |
Chicago |
Illinois |
USA |
temp HQ |
~late Dec 2002 (lease through moves ≤ 30 Dec 2002) |
|
3 |
5 |
annex plan |
Swing space during adjacent raze/rebuild (not for demolishing the original Glass building); still in use at Town Hall May 27, 2003 |
| Western / LA office |
CA regional office (street TBD in prose) |
Los Angeles |
California |
USA |
regional |
~Oct 9, 1987 |
|
2 |
2 |
14–19 |
Barbara Jaworski relocates; Western Region (Barb manager Dec 1, 1988); +2 LA support Oct 2001; VoIP 2002 |
| Pittsburgh Eastern office |
Eastern regional office |
Pittsburgh |
Pennsylvania |
USA |
regional |
~May 1989 |
|
2 |
3 |
— |
Mario Eastern Region manager (ch 46, Apr 17); Ralph; holiday parties with CA; VoIP 2002 |
| Colorado Springs |
Development / remote office («extra space») |
Colorado Springs |
Colorado |
USA |
development |
by 1994–95 (UI team ~late June 1995) |
|
2 |
8 |
— |
Nicole already on site; Terry leads UI/GUI then Skye Dir Dev; Graftons Oct 2001; Olivia COS reception ~2000; VoIP 2002 |
| Dallas |
NIKA presence / office post–Lone Star |
Dallas |
Texas |
USA |
branch |
~June 1995 |
|
2 |
8 |
48–67 |
Leases end 1995 + options; Dallas through Dec 1997 referenced; not Lone Star customer HQ; office rounds 2.10; VoIP Dec 2002 |
| Durham / Research Triangle |
Local support / branch (Raleigh–Durham cluster) |
Durham |
North Carolina |
USA |
branch |
by ~2000–01 (plans mid-1995) |
|
3 |
3 |
— |
Presence plans AWLL2.8; Hazeem local support by Jan 2002; Brett Mullens fired on-site Jan 18, 2002 (3.4 ch 1); VoIP 2002 |
| Vancouver / NIKA Canada |
Hastings Mill site → NIKA Canada |
Vancouver |
British Columbia |
Canada |
subsidiary HQ |
May 26, 2003 |
|
3 |
6 |
69 |
Purchase close; Eve Falvey division lead; HM release Aug 1 then wind development; ESOP if on roll Dec 31 |
Not listed (by design): London / Amsterdam / Munich / Tokyo / Singapore / Gorinchem — customer installs only (AWLL2.8); Boca Raton — corporate retreat / exec meetings, not a permanent branch; Reno — Lone Star remote / presence plan only, not confirmed lasting NIKA office in VoIP roster; Natick — former BLS site context, not tracked as ongoing NIKA branch here.
Employee roster (running through AWLL2.1 June 1987)
| Person |
Role |
Start |
End |
Notes |
| Stephen Mark Adams |
President → programmer / majority shareholder |
June 3, 1985 |
|
Public-face retreat after Cicero Sept 15, 1986 (ch 27) |
| Stephanie Adams |
CEO (figurehead → growing) |
Named Sept 15, 1986 |
|
Special board; age 19 UofC |
| Elyse Natalie Clarke |
Finance → CFO |
June 3, 1985 |
|
Titled CFO Sept 1986 |
| Julia Simmons |
Ops / project lead |
June 3, 1985 |
|
|
| Dave Kallas |
Development lead |
June 3, 1985 |
|
|
| Cindi Spanos Eggert |
Sales / customer service |
June 3, 1985 |
|
Married May 3, 1986 |
| Joyce Louisa Abbadelli |
Secretary → Board Chair |
1985 |
|
|
| Penny O'Neil |
Programmer (hourly / school-year limits) |
June 3, 1985 |
|
|
| Danielle “Dany” Keaton |
Programmer |
~July–Aug 1985 |
Dec 31, 1985 |
Fired performance (AWLL2.1 ch 1) |
| Mario Gage |
Sales / install / support |
~Aug 1985 |
|
|
| Tom Dodds |
Programmer (Prime / A-Rev; Purina / Waukesha) |
Oct 1985 |
May 1987 |
Independent consulting |
| Casey Russell |
Support / hire |
~mid-Apr 1986 |
May 5, 1986 |
Fired — leaked Jessica Indy address |
| Debbie Jones |
Programmer (Waukesha on-site) |
~May 19, 1986 |
|
|
| Zeke |
Support tech → install/field |
~June 9, 1986 |
|
Promoted field install fall 1986 |
| Natalya “Tasha” Zhukov |
Part-time intern ~20 hrs |
Aug 1, 1986 |
|
|
| Kaitlin Quinn |
Reception → half-time sales (probation) |
~Sept 2, 1986 |
July 17, 1987 |
Fired — propositioned Steve (AWLL2.2 ch 5) |
| Barbara Jaworski |
Support desk (phone) |
Jan 5, 1987 |
|
|
| Heather Masterson |
Programmer (medical/legal) |
Jan 12, 1987 |
|
Quad Cities → Chicago |
| Terry Penfield |
Programmer |
~Apr 1, 1987 |
|
|
| Kimberly “Kimmy” Bradford |
Part-time afternoon receptionist |
~May 1987 |
|
|
| Alonzo Johnson |
Programmer (IIT grad) |
~June 1, 1987 |
|
|
Employment changes
Hires
| In-story date |
Person |
Role |
Series |
Book |
Chapter |
Notes |
| June 3, 1985 |
Steve, Julia, Dave, Cindi, Elyse |
Founding ops |
1 |
10 |
48 |
Open day |
| June 3, 1985 |
Penny O'Neil |
Summer programmer |
1 |
10 |
48–49 |
Alice signs minor paperwork |
| ~July–Aug 1985 |
Dany Keaton |
Programmer |
1 |
10 |
57–58 |
|
| ~Aug 1985 |
Mario Gage |
Customer/install support |
1 |
10 |
59–60 |
|
| Oct 1985 |
Tom Dodds |
Programmer |
1 |
10 |
73 |
After Purina award |
| ~mid-Apr 1986 |
Casey Russell |
Support |
2 |
1 |
7–8 |
|
| ~May 19, 1986 |
Debbie Jones |
Programmer (Waukesha) |
2 |
1 |
10 |
|
| ~June 9, 1986 |
Zeke |
Support technician |
2 |
1 |
13, 16 |
|
| Aug 1, 1986 |
Natalya Zhukov |
Part-time intern |
2 |
1 |
22 |
|
| ~Sept 2, 1986 |
Kaitlin Quinn |
Receptionist |
2 |
1 |
23–25 |
|
| Jan 5, 1987 |
Barbara Jaworski |
Support desk |
2 |
1 |
35–38 |
|
| Jan 12, 1987 |
Heather Masterson |
Programmer |
2 |
1 |
36–39 |
|
| ~Apr 1, 1987 |
Terry Penfield |
Programmer |
2 |
1 |
43, 47 |
|
| ~May 1987 |
Kimmy Bradford |
Part-time receptionist |
2 |
1 |
49 |
|
| ~June 1, 1987 |
Alonzo Johnson |
Programmer |
2 |
1 |
49, 53 |
|
Quits
| In-story date |
Person |
Role |
Series |
Book |
Chapter |
Notes |
| May 1987 |
Tom Dodds |
Programmer |
2 |
1 |
50–53 |
Independent consulting |
Firings and layoffs
| In-story date |
Person |
Role |
Series |
Book |
Chapter |
Notes |
| Dec 31, 1985 |
Dany Keaton |
Programmer |
2 |
1 |
1 |
Performance |
| May 5, 1986 |
Casey Russell |
Support |
2 |
1 |
10 |
Leaked Jessica’s address → Anthony/Connie |
Role changes
| In-story date |
Person |
Change |
Series |
Book |
Chapter |
Notes |
| Sept 15, 1986 |
Stephanie Adams |
Named CEO |
2 |
1 |
27 |
Figurehead initially; special board |
| Sept 15, 1986 |
Elyse Clarke |
Named CFO |
2 |
1 |
27 |
|
| Sept 15, 1986 |
Stephen Mark Adams |
Public role → programmer |
2 |
1 |
27 |
Cicero moral-turpitude fallout |
| Fall 1986 |
Zeke |
Field install / on-site support |
2 |
1 |
32 |
|
| ~Apr 1987 |
Kaitlin Quinn |
Half-time sales under Cindi |
2 |
1 |
47–49 |
|
Customers
| Customer |
Contact / site (if known) |
Work / product |
Start |
End |
Series |
Book |
Chapter |
Notes |
| Unions (existing contracts) |
Chicago area |
Membership software |
Pre-NIKA → June 1985 |
|
1 |
10 |
48–49 |
Migrated from Steve personal consulting |
| Accounting firm (unnamed) |
— |
2 IBM PCs + Lotus 1-2-3 |
First operating week June 1985 |
|
1 |
10 |
49 |
First “actual customer” job |
| Brown Construction |
Gerald Brown |
Estimation software |
June 1985 |
|
1 |
10 |
48 |
Specs day-one |
| Allen & Baker |
Jamie’s firm |
12→20 PCs + Novell + support |
1985 |
|
1 |
10 |
61–84 |
Law-firm vertical |
| Multiple law firms |
Chicagoland–Milwaukee–Cincinnati |
WordPerfect + Novell + case software |
Summer–Fall 1985+ |
|
1 |
10 |
52+ |
|
| Purina Mills |
St. Louis / Gray Summit |
Inventory + logistics; X.25 |
Awarded Oct 4, 1985 |
|
1 |
10 |
73 |
Tom Dodds; ongoing AWLL2.1 |
| Milwaukee client |
— |
Closed sale |
1985 |
|
1 |
10 |
61–84 |
|
| Medical software pilots |
Wheaton & Lisle |
Reduced-rate test |
Late 1985–86 |
|
2 |
1 |
various |
|
| Waukesha County, WI |
John Forster |
Hourly contract ~18 mo → renew |
Award Mar 3, 1986; start June 2 |
Renewed Nov 1986 (through ~Dec 1987) |
2 |
1 |
2, 5, 33 |
Tom + Debbie on-site |
| Ford, Jackson, Finch (LA) |
California Plaza |
Novell + 100 seats |
Won May 7, 1986 |
|
2 |
1 |
11–12 |
Install ~June 24 Mario |
| Volstead & Braun |
Cincinnati; van Hoek partner |
Systems / install |
May 1986 |
|
2 |
1 |
12–13 |
Ongoing Ohio work |
| Cicero law office |
— |
(rejected) |
Sept 15, 1986 |
Sept 15, 1986 |
2 |
1 |
27 |
Moral turpitude / lifestyle — lost prospect |
| San Francisco / other law pipeline |
Cindi sales |
Proposals |
1986–87 |
|
2 |
1 |
24+ |
|
| Belarus Tractors / Windy City Trucking |
— |
Programming |
1987 |
|
2 |
1 |
49 |
|
| Bruce Grady CPA |
Jamie referral |
Novell fix |
May 1987 |
|
2 |
1 |
50 |
|
| Moore, Martin & Walker |
London / Amsterdam / Munich |
Legal systems install + training |
Sept 1994 |
|
2 |
8 |
5–17 |
European sites |
| SPSS |
London / Gorinchem / Munich / Tokyo / Singapore |
Video/server installs |
Sept–Dec 1994 |
|
2 |
8 |
7–34 |
Europe then Asia |
| Hart-Lincoln |
Chicago area |
Customer; FBI tech assist (Zeke) |
ongoing 1995 |
|
2 |
8 |
51, 64–65 |
Raids June 1995 |
| Lone Star Systems |
Dallas (Reno / Raleigh remotes) |
Near-acquisition → collapse; switcher conversion |
Apr–June 1995 |
mid-June 1995 (deal dead) |
2 |
8 |
48–67 |
Software sold back to DCP; poach customers/staff |
| Egon Zehnder |
Kai Lindholst |
NA office IT survey proposal |
~June 28, 1996 |
|
2 |
9 |
56 |
Multi-city; Canada/LATAM contingent |
| M & M Engineering |
Melissa Mascioli |
Contracts + joint Dante fight |
ongoing 1995–96 |
strained Jul–Aug 1996 |
2 |
9 |
63–64 |
Michelle no-contact blowback |
| Ford, Jackson & Finch |
Ben Jackson / Megan Burch |
Sam full-time IT support |
Sep 1996 |
|
2 |
10 |
10 |
Cover injured Megan |
| Peach Software → Athena |
Dante Puccini deal |
Acquisition; sole-proprietor division |
close ~30 Apr 1997 |
|
2 |
10 |
76–77 |
Mario / Tasha lead Athena |
AWLL2.1 developments (1986–1987)
- Office lease: Union hall 53rd St / Hyde Park from Sept 1, 1986
- v2.0 legal software with system-wide search (Spring 1987); competes with Boston Legal Systems
- Novell distributor path; Provo training for Zeke & Barbara
- Christmas 1986 bonuses; headcount growth toward ~18
- Steve majority stock retained; Joyce + Ray investors
AWLL2.1 developments (1986–1987)
- Waukesha contract renewed Nov 1986; year-end transition planning
- Sept 1986: Cicero client rejects firm over Steve's lifestyle; Stephanie Adams named CEO (figurehead/signatory); Elyse Clarke CFO; Steve retains majority stock, programming role only
- Staff growth: Barbara Jaworski, Kimberly O'Shea, Heather Masterson, Alonzo (IIT); Zeke → field install/support; Kaitlin part-time sales
- v2.0 legal software release with system-wide text search (Spring 1987); competes with Boston Legal Systems
- Novell distributor certification proposed; medical + legal packages; Tom departs May 1987 for independent consulting
AWLL2.2 developments (June 1987 – Nov 1988)
Employment changes (delta)
| In-story date |
Person |
Event |
Role |
Ch |
Notes |
| July 17, 1987 |
Kaitlin Quinn |
Fired |
Reception/marketing |
5–6 |
Propositioned Steve; severance |
| ~Aug 1987 |
Kimmy Bradford |
Role change |
Full-time receptionist |
5–6 |
|
| ~Aug 1987 |
Greg Burroughs |
Hire |
Programmer |
5–6 |
|
| Sept 1987 |
Cassie Spiatza |
Hire |
Support |
14 |
LA co-work path with Barbara |
| Oct 9, 1987 |
Barbara Jaworski |
Relocate |
CA office (still NIKA) |
14–19 |
|
| End 1987 |
Tom Dodds |
Quit |
Programmer |
19, 25 |
Waukesha wind-down |
| May 1, 1988 |
Kayla Meadows |
Hire |
Sales |
38, 44 |
|
| Apr 29, 1988 |
Heather Masterson |
Quit |
Programmer |
41 |
Marrying; Denver |
| ~June 1, 1988 |
Jeri Lundgren |
Hire |
Programmer |
44–48 |
ROCOR / Windows |
| ~June 1, 1988 |
Jefferson Greene |
Hire |
Programmer |
44–45 |
|
| Aug 15, 1988 |
Joey Gerhardt |
Hire |
Work-study |
44–45 |
|
| Nov 17, 1988 |
Andy Stevens |
Hire (pending) |
LA support |
77 |
|
Customers / commercial (delta)
| Customer |
Event |
Ch |
Notes |
| Dante Puccini / DP Engineering |
Major account / crisis |
4–24, 46 |
Novell/Mac; later cancels maintenance |
| Hyde Park office building |
Purchase |
14–25 |
Loan approved; close Nov 2, 1987; move mid-Nov |
| cc:Mail |
Product standard |
15 |
With Novell, WordPerfect |
| Volstead & Braun |
Piracy settlement |
35 |
9 of 12 infringers become customers |
| Belarus Tractors (Milwaukee) |
Ongoing |
41, 48, 60, 76 |
Viktor Bykov; Chris Gibson |
| Ford, Jackson, Finch (LA) |
Best customer |
77 |
Windows demo planned |
| ROCOR / Archbishop ALYPY |
Membership software |
62 |
Jeri + Steve |
| User Group |
First annual ~Sept 1988 |
65 |
Sheraton O’Hare |
Officers / structure
- Steve continues programmer / majority shareholder; public-face retreat from AWLL2.1 stands
- Regional sales: West Cynthia/Barbara LA; Central Kayla; East Mario
- Steve lectures IIT Mon/Fri mid-semester when Scott leaves (ch 53+)
AWLL2.3 developments (Nov 1988 – Dec 1989)
Employment / org
| Date |
Person |
Event |
Ch |
Notes |
| Dec 1, 1988 |
Barbara Jaworski |
Western Region Manager |
1 |
+ raise |
| Jan 1989 |
Andy Stevens |
Western support (FJF) |
1, 21 |
|
| Jan 23, 1989 |
Kimmy Bradford |
Accounting clerk |
26 |
Off reception |
| ~Feb 1989 |
Keri Smalling |
Receptionist hire |
29 |
|
| Apr 17, 1989 |
Mario |
Eastern Region manager |
46 |
Pittsburgh with Ralph |
| May 22, 1989 |
Mikela Kovaç |
Hire |
47 |
Medical software |
| May 22, 1989 |
Pradeep Bhattacharyya |
Hire |
47 |
Consulting |
| June 5, 1989 |
Shauna Dawson |
QA |
50 |
|
| June 5, 1989 |
Richard Nagle |
On-site support |
50 |
|
| 1989 |
Penny O’Neil |
Maternity leave >1 yr |
42 |
Away through Amber |
| Sept 5, 1989 |
Cecelia Jorgenson |
LA consultant hire |
64 |
|
| Dec 18, 1989 |
Chris Gibson |
Interview |
70 |
Not hired in-book |
Customers / offices
- Pittsburgh Eastern office opens ~May 1989
- FJF / LA demo Jan 1989 (Windows legal); West Coast team
- DP Engineering (Dante) re-certify / difficult account
- Logistics software sale close ~March 15, 1989 (ESOP stock)
- Belarus Tractors Milwaukee ongoing
- Microsoft SQL conversion; dual DOS/Windows
- Holiday party Dec 13, 1989 (CA + Pittsburgh teams)
AWLL2.4 developments (Dec 1989 – June 1991)
Leadership
| Date |
Change |
Ch |
| Through June 30, 1990 |
Julia acting CEO |
11 |
| July 1, 1990 |
Steve acting CEO (Stephanie not ready) |
11, 20 |
| Ongoing |
Elyse CFO/ops; Dave tech; Cindi sales |
|
Employment delta
| Person |
Event |
Approx |
Notes |
| John Reynolds |
Hire programmer |
Apr 1990 |
Alonzo’s team |
| Oksana Klimenko |
Hire programmer |
~June 1990 |
Tasha’s team |
| Jody Pancook |
Hire programmer |
1990 |
IIT grad |
| Tim |
Quit |
Oct 1990 |
Marriage / less travel |
| Katy O’Connor |
Quit |
~Nov 1990 |
Vermont B&B |
| Lauren |
Leave NIKA with Katy path |
1990 |
|
| Eve Dunham |
Hire candidate |
1991 |
Cindi’s call |
| New grads |
Start July 1, 1991 |
planned |
|
Customers / legal
- Dante Puccini / DP: major fixed-fee + royalties control software (signed ~May 1990); Greg lead
- BLS competitor; Nelson, Reed, and Pulver convert from BLS to NIKA Legal
- BLS lawsuit June 17, 1991 (MA court; $5M + injunction; NIKA named) — ch 68
- FBI visit June 18, 1991 re aldermen/unions (Silver Shovel rumored) — ch 68
- User Group LA late Sept 1990
- Margaret Lundgren smear campaign vs Jeri/NIKA (police/DCFS closed)
Other
- Steve silent partner Katy’s Place Vermont B&B (Jamie papers)
- Security upgrades (alarms, PO box, shredder) after Lundgren
AWLL2.5 developments (June 1991 – June 1992)
Leadership
- Steve steps fully into CEO / financing control (early 1992 “new me”); still majority owner
- Board: Joyce Chair, Al Barton, Beth Pater, Cmdr Karl Schumacher (on-page)
- BLS acquisition / integration dominates (Natick; 5.1 + Light; ~2-year support sunset)
Employment delta
| Person |
Event |
Approx |
Notes |
| Samineh “Sam” Soleymani |
Hire Principal Software Engineer |
Sep 3, 1991 |
Greg successor track |
| Kajri Cooke |
Hire Level III Windows UI |
~Mar 9, 1992 |
|
| Cèlia Cavaco |
BLS training / hire path |
Mar 1992 |
|
| Ally |
Starts with Cèlia |
Mar 1992 |
|
| Jeannette Orozco |
Hire programmer (IIT) |
Jun 15, 1992 |
|
| Kanye Frye |
Hire programmer (IIT) |
Jun 15, 1992 |
|
| Katy O’Connor |
Already quit (Vermont B&B) |
1990–91 |
Fire recovery; Steve silent partner |
Legal / external
- BLS lawsuit continues → acquisition path / settlement pressures
- FBI interviews Jun–Jul 1991 (Stone/O’Toole; Meade); Steve refuses informant role
- Margaret Lundgren residual smear context; Howard/Jeri engagement rumor
- Crain’s / Computerworld coverage → sales inquiries
- West Loop path with Alec/Lisa Glass property (late book) — distinct building (REIT swap), not an intermediate to a different HQ
AWLL2.6 developments (June 1992 – August 1993)
Org / real estate
- Office move ~Dec 4–7, 1992 into Glass / West Loop original building; daycare co-op space; Hyde Park studio apt for staff/Board (housing, not HQ)
- Alec Glass REIT net-zero building/lease swap survives Lisa crisis — this is the original West Loop HQ building
- Later (see Offices): buy adjacent building + skyway; adjacent later razed and rebuilt; original Glass building rebuild remains future canon
- BLS integration continues (~93% maintenance uptake)
Employment delta
| Person |
Event |
Approx |
Notes |
| Lucas North |
Hire receptionist |
~Aug 1992 |
Covers Penny maternity |
| Penny |
Maternity leave |
Summer 1992 |
Son Andrew |
| Keri |
Contract administrator |
1992 |
|
| Jeri Lundgren |
Last day May 31, 1993 |
→ Lundgren Foundation June 1 |
Level III replacement (Brenda Starr track) |
| Ross Brown |
Hire SF coverage |
Feb 1993 |
|
| Charlie |
Body-shop / Dante contract |
1993 |
|
Other
- NIKA apartment used for Jessica trial separation and employee stays
- Japan training (Sensei Hiro) postponed after Jessica crisis
AWLL2.7 developments (Aug 1993 – Sept 1994)
Org / titles (Apr 1, 1994 package)
- Dave → VP Software Development (reports to Julia)
- Cindi → VP (regularized)
- Mario, Barb, Zeke → Regional Directors
- Stephanie Adams path: Spurgeon Capital (start Mar 7, 1994) → NIKA SVP → CEO (~3 years)
- Michelle York → office manager path (Board accepts dual relationship)
- Kimmy gatekeeper / office redesign; pregnant (Gary’s)
Employment delta
| Person |
Event |
Approx |
Notes |
| Maddie Harris |
IIT intern |
Fall 1994 plan |
ch 43 |
| Mikela Kovaç |
Resigns |
Sept 1, 1994 |
False claims; waiver deadline Sept 13 |
| Chris Gibson |
Maternity leave planned |
~Nov 1994 |
Due end Dec |
Policy (book end)
- Jamie Ferguson ultimatum: never hire anyone Steve has slept with (or resign counsel)
- Married couples chain-of-command waivers (Dave/Julia; Penny/Terry)
- No discounts beyond published schedules
- Europe offices London / Gorinchem / Munich path; Asia via Sam
Legal
- Brandon Littleton / Lomax & Milton lawsuit threads
- Mikela severance waiver pending signature
AWLL2.8 developments (Sept 1994 – July 1995)
Org / real estate
- West Loop original (Glass swap building) is primary Chicago HQ; Steve day-to-day CEO again (ch 1 West Loop narrative)
- Japanese suite remodel («washitsu» / «yōshitsu»; Shinto shrine from Japan; Kimmy/Michelle/Penny desks; monk Kaito blessing) — ch 37–39
- Campus later expands with adjacent building + skyway (see Offices); not a second unrelated HQ
- Colorado Springs extra space; Nicole maintenance engineer already there; Terry leads UI/GUI team with Skye, Vickie (+ Kajri path)
- Dallas / Raleigh-Durham / Reno presence plans after Lone Star collapse (leases end 1995 + options; Dallas through Dec 1997 referenced)
- Europe/Asia: customer installs only (London, Amsterdam, Munich, Tokyo, Singapore) — no permanent NIKA branch offices opened
Employment delta
| Person |
Event |
Approx |
Notes |
| Rob Zlinka |
Death |
Sept 8, 1994 |
US Air 427 crash Pittsburgh approach; memorial Mt. Carmel Sept 30 |
| Mikela Kovaç |
Exit / settlement |
Oct 1994 |
Hostile/affair fallout; 2 months’ pay + release; framed personal reasons |
| Wes Cranston |
Hire path (consultant, Charlie’s team) |
~Oct 1994 |
ch 22 interview/sign-off |
| Skye Gaston |
Hire developer (ex–Lone Star) |
~June 9–12, 1995 |
→ Colorado Springs path |
| Vickie Vance |
Hire developer (ex–Lone Star) |
same |
Married; daycare co-op |
| Bruce Gallatin |
Hire phone/on-site support |
same |
|
| Neil Atkins |
Hire sales (Eastern) |
same |
|
| Jill Forest |
Hire sales (Central) |
same |
|
| Gabe Newell |
Hire sales (Western) |
same |
|
| (offers) |
8 offers / 6 accepted |
June 1995 |
Jeff Blumenthal among original targets; not all joined |
| Penny O’Neil |
Threatened quit → returned |
May 22–30, 1995 |
Marginalized feeling; Jackie path |
| Cynthia Norwood |
National Sales Manager |
June 13, 1995 |
ch 65 forms |
| Cèlia Cavaco |
National Service Manager |
June 13, 1995 |
Phone + on-site combined model |
| Terry Penfield |
Leads Colorado Springs UI/GUI team |
~late June 1995 |
Promotion toasted |
Customers / commercial
| Customer |
Work |
Notes |
Source |
| Moore, Martin & Walker |
Legal systems install/training |
London, Amsterdam, Munich |
ch 5–17 |
| SPSS |
Video/server installs |
London, Gorinchem, Munich, Tokyo, Singapore |
ch 7–34 |
| Hart-Lincoln |
Customer; FBI tech assist (Zeke) |
Raids 1995 |
ch 51, 64–65 |
| Lone Star Systems |
Near-acquisition → collapse |
Software/copyrights sold back to DCP; poach customers/staff; courts vs Nathan Edwards |
ch 48–67 |
| Lone Star clients (switchers) |
Conversion / free support; “Lone Star” GUI mode |
June 1995+ |
ch 58, 65, 70 |
Competitors / legal (book)
- Dante / DP–LP Engineering (Atlanta) / Peach Software — hostile interference; Lone Star devaluation scheme
- Brandon Littleton pushed out → Texas teaching; murdered San Antonio (reported Mar 1995 / Lisa Glass leverage)
- BLS residual/source-code history referenced
- Cease-and-desist hiring; emergency injunction denied June 8–9, 1995
- FBI Hart-Lincoln full raid June 12 (Zeke support)
Policy / culture
- Steve ~75% coding focus (Jan 1995 town hall); Kimmy day-to-day gatekeeping
- Penny/Terry separation announced to leadership (divorce path)
- Cliffhanger continuity: Albert missing July 28, 1995 (household, not NIKA ops)
AWLL2.9 developments (July 1995 – Aug 1996)
Org / culture («kami»)
- Headcount past 100; multi-office stress; Steve prioritizes culture/relationships over “just another corporation”
- Break-in Oct 1995 (side door/desks; nothing critical); later ID’d as CPD academy recruits (Ted Farley); Outfit deny ordering it
- Dante/LP Engineering war continues; starve Hastings Mill / Chickasaw; sole-proprietor legal product plan; M&M alliance strained by Michelle no-contact
- Terry/Skye dating request denied; handbook exception path tightened (Dave/Julia pre-existing only)
- Michelle York resigns Nov 1995 → M & M (Kimmy-like role); Eve Falvey → office manager
- Deborah Rice hired as in-house counsel (accept Apr 1996; first day June 3); Steve discloses intimacy list to Deborah only
- Dave Kallas culture clash / burnout → path toward IIT lecturer + degree (soft landing)
- Cindi drinking crisis; EAP/buddy system
- Employee children’s college stipend idea (~$500/2yr, $1000/5yr service) drafted for spring announce
- Steve reducing programming load until Stephanie CEO (Jan 1, 1998)
Employment delta
| Person |
Event |
Approx |
Notes |
| Michelle York |
Resigns |
Nov 13-ish, 1995 |
→ M & M with Melissa |
| Eve Falvey |
Hire / promote office manager |
Nov 19+, 1995 |
Armed receptionist track → OM |
| Support engineers (3) |
Hire |
mid-Nov 1995 |
Charlie consultant path |
| Irvin Miller |
Hire accounting clerk |
~Jan 12–13, 1996 |
Offer |
| Margaret Stevens |
Hire multi-role admin |
~Jan 12–13, 1996 |
Reception/accounting/CS path |
| Eleanora Velt |
Hire developer |
Jan 25, 1996 |
No-veto; housing help |
| Deborah Rice |
Hire in-house counsel |
start June 3, 1996 |
Kent/IIT 3L; Bar by 12/31/96 |
| Robby Ingram |
Hire developer (IIT) |
May 17, 1996 offer |
|
| Teri Schaffer |
Hire developer (UofC) |
May 17, 1996 offer |
|
| Lenora Jackson |
Hire developer (Northwestern) |
May 17, 1996 offer |
|
| Jodie Billings |
Internship papered |
May 17, 1996 |
Starts ~weeks after late July |
Customers / commercial
| Customer |
Work |
Notes |
Source |
| Hastings Mill / Chickasaw Systems |
Competitive pressure |
Treated like Lone Star path vs Dante |
ch 5+ |
| Fort Mitchell (unnamed firm) |
Legal software meet-and-greet |
Cincinnati area |
ch 40 |
| Volstead & Braun |
IT/server review |
Existing Cincinnati |
ch 40 |
| Egon Zehnder (Kai Lindholst) |
NA office survey proposal |
Chicago/NY/Atlanta/LA/SF; begin July desired |
ch 56 |
| M & M Engineering |
Contracts + Dante fight |
Strained Jul–Aug 1996 by Michelle no-contact |
ch 63–64 |
Cliffhanger
- Lisa Glass missing; Willow’s pimp knife ambush on Clinton Street (~Aug 2, 1996)
AWLL2.10 developments (Aug 1996 – Aug 1997; Epilogue Jan 1998+)
Org / succession
- Stephanie Adams → CEO Jan 1, 1998 (planned from Aug 1996; summer 1997 acclimation); Steve returns to programming / President
- Dave Kallas sabbatical (public resignation) → IIT lecturer / Master’s; return right promised
- Terry Penfield → VP Development (Chicago, ~Sep 3, 1996); Skye Gaston → Director of Development, Colorado Springs
- Bob Larson expanded corporate hiring / campus recruiting lead (Boca Jan 1997+)
- Peach Software acquisition close ~30 Apr 1997 → division Athena (Mario Gage lead; Tasha CTO/Dev Director for division)
- Lone Star tax-scheme collapse; FBI raids; no NIKA purchase of Lone Star; switcher conversion continues
- Epi: after Deborah’s last intimacy + treatments — company policy: no sexual intimacy with anyone at NIKA
- Kitchen Cabinet preserves «kami»; Y2K boom; avoid Epic Systems (small-practice medical focus)
Employment delta
| Person |
Event |
Approx |
Notes |
| Dave Kallas |
Sabbatical / public resign |
Aug 1996 |
Lecturer IIT + degree path |
| Terry Penfield |
Promote VP Development |
~Sep 3, 1996 |
Relocate to Chicago |
| Skye Gaston |
Promote Dir Development Colo Springs |
Aug–Sep 1996 |
Replaces Terry there |
| Keri |
Quit → Spurgeon Capital |
Sep 1996 |
Understudy Stephanie’s Spurgeon ops role |
| Sam (NIKA IT) |
Assignment |
Sep 1996 |
Full-time assist Ben Jackson @ Ford Jackson Finch |
| Peach staff |
Convert or resign |
~May 1997 |
NDA / non-compete on Athena path |
| Bob Larson |
Expanded remit |
Jan 1997+ |
Corporate hiring lead |
Customers / commercial
| Customer |
Work |
Notes |
Source |
| Ford, Jackson & Finch |
Sam IT support |
Megan Burch cover |
ch 10 |
| Peach → Athena |
Acquisition / division |
Sole-proprietor product track |
ch 76–77 |
| Lone Star / EB Systems |
Collapse / switchers |
Strictly Legal residual (Epi) |
ch 74–76; Epi |
| Egon Zehnder |
Support path |
Boston office plan |
ch 5 |
| Volstead & Braun |
Lost (Epi) |
Shenanigans; Ben van Hoek new firm |
Epi |
Legal / security
- Murray Matheson coded messages; Noel Spurgeon prison escape thread; full immunity Steve + NIKA
- Lisa Glass arrested Texas ~May 1997; extradition; Epi likely life; Scuderi still free
- Willow pimp attack Aug 2, 1996 resolved as street threat (wrist break); not confirmed Outfit payroll
AWLL3.1 developments (Jan–Dec 2000)
Org / culture
- Stephanie Adams still CEO; Steve programming + mentoring; regional face-to-face «kami» visits
- ~200 employees (~half Chicago) by Oct 2000
- 15th anniversary Jun 3, 2000 — 100 shares/employee bonus (1-yr vest)
- Dot-com / NASDAQ crash stress; EB Systems race-to-bottom flyer; escrow/keys team (Penny lead)
- Mandatory sexual-harassment training (carrier); Liz vs Bob/Cindi Title VII culture fight
- Policy: no staff sexual intimacy (post-Deborah); Liz Carullo known exception until she ends adulting Aug 2000
- Volstead & Braun software-theft suit cloud
Employment delta
| Person |
Event |
Approx |
Notes |
| Liz Carullo |
Hire personal advisor + corporate counsel |
starts Jun 12, 2000 |
Replaces Deborah path |
| Deborah Rice |
Exit counsel |
Aug 2000 |
Follows Krissy / Cincinnati orbit |
| Big Jim |
Quit (Pittsburgh programmer) |
May 4, 2000 |
Contract firm |
| Mick |
Hire COS programmer |
Aug 2000 |
Replaces Al |
| Kendra Jefferson |
Hire developer |
Aug 21, 2000 |
Body-shop layoff |
| Clark Brody |
Hire senior QA |
Aug 21, 2000 |
From SPSS |
| Olivia |
COS receptionist |
Apr 2000+ |
~6 weeks in by first COS visit |
Customers / competitive
| Item |
Notes |
Source |
| Chickasaw / Hastings Mill |
Stay vs EB price war |
ch 55 |
| EB Systems |
Aggressive competitor / flyer |
ch 55 |
| User Group leaders |
Ben van Hoek, Jocelyn Mills, Ben Jackson, Ned Jenkins |
ch 17 anniversary |
| Bogotá / BA clients |
Oct 2000 travel |
ch 57–59 |
AWLL3.2 developments (Boxing Day 2000 – Sep 11, 2001)
Org / culture
- Steve WFH 3–4 days/week post-Mayo (propranolol / Doctor Clara Brown); full-time office planned ~Apr 2001
- Inner Circle formalizes as household/Kitchen-Cabinet analogue (Suzanne, Leigh, Natalie, Jackson + Steve)
- Staff Philosophy Club curtailed (summer → executives only)
- EB Systems competitive/legal war continues; encryption keys to Liz; merger press with Knowles & Jackson / Virtual Law Clerk
- Lee Edwards harassment complaint (Margaret/attorney); Anne Nelson pattern-hunt / Crain’s optics
- Robert Mueller/DMCA rant (Dmitry Sklyarov arrest) Sep 4 — personal because it hurts NIKA vs EB
- Stephanie board mediation logistics collide with Sep 11 Seattle candidate
Employment delta
| Person |
Event |
Approx |
Notes |
| Dave Kallas |
Return employment agreement |
mid-May 2001; active ~July |
With Terry role shuffle |
| Tasha |
→ GM Athena |
~May 2001 |
|
| Mario |
→ Eastern Region refocus |
~May 2001 |
|
| Terry Penfield |
Released to Spurgeon CIO-class offer |
Jul 1, 2001 |
Keeps NIKA shares + bonus |
| Megan Burch |
NIKA relationship partner (from FJF) |
from 1 Jul 2001 |
Ben Jackson retires 30 Jun |
Customers / commercial
| Item |
Notes |
Source |
| Ben Jackson / FJF |
Retires Jun 30, 2001; ~14 yr NIKA relationship |
ch 37 |
| Star Light Motel (Paul Reynolds) |
Partnership investment; expansion ~Aug 1 |
ch 47, 50 |
| EB Systems |
Ongoing war; half EB clients lost to Big Three (Cindi) |
ch 68–73 |
| Chickasaw / Hastings Mill |
Still in competitive set |
ch 68 |
Cliffhanger / book end
- September 11, 2001 — second plane hits South Tower; «the old world died, and a new one was born»
AWLL3.3 developments (Sep 11, 2001 – Jan 14, 2002)
Note: Canonical narrative for 9/11 day continues in ch 1+; do not import Chapter000 9/11 timeline into bible files.
Org / culture
- Disaster response Sep 11; work resumes; Philosophy Club wartime liberty debates
- NIKA Managed Services stands up (remote backup/hosting) — Steve expansion Oct 26
- Dante 2: Knowles & Jackson claims vs NIKA (+ SKJ, Patent Partners); reply due Feb 15, 2002
- Janice Parker IL Dept of Labor sexual-harassment cover-up nuisance + prior press
- Demographics stated ~65% F; multi-faith incl. Muslims; Durham hate-poster speech fight (Hazeem)
- Boca travel policy: CEO/CIO/CFO/President not all travel together
- Estrella employment exception negotiated (Penny Question); no sex while employed-track
Employment delta
| Person |
Event |
Approx |
Notes |
| Peggy Fischer |
Rejected |
Sep 13, 2001 |
Assistant CTO interview gut veto |
| Harper Atkinson |
Hire Assistant CTO |
interview Oct 5; starts Dec 3, 2001 |
|
| Mary & Martha Grafton |
Offer letters |
Oct 18, 2001 |
Colorado Springs |
| +2 LA support engineers |
Hire |
Oct 18, 2001 |
Small firms / medical |
| Rebecca Steadman |
Accept Project Lydia |
Oct 26, 2001 |
|
| Reed Leonard |
Hire Senior Software Engineer |
Nov 21, 2001 |
Step 3; ASAP |
| Aisyah Kuftaro |
Transfer to Chicago |
approved Nov 21; Dec 16 |
NIKA apartment until lease |
| Janessa Hamilton |
Temporary LA cover |
Nov 21, 2001 |
6 months train replacement |
| Noelle |
Partial reallocation |
from Dec 3, 2001 |
3 mornings/week Managed Services |
| Hillary Holmes |
Hire Assistant Office Manager |
emp Jan 1; start Jan 2, 2002 |
Kimmy trains |
| Hazeem |
Hire (local support Durham) |
by Jan 14, 2002 |
Reports hate poster |
| Amara Chaudhary / Brock Shaw |
Interviews |
Jan 2, 2002 |
Not confirmed hires |
Customers / legal
| Item |
Notes |
Source |
| FJF (LA) |
Key client; Oct trips |
ch 20–23 |
| Former EB clients vs Knowles & Jackson |
Litigation; NIKA may testify |
ch 13 |
| Muhammed Kuftaro stores |
SKJ Partners investment diligence |
ch 26, 31 |
AWLL3.4 developments (Jan 14 – Jul 17, 2002)
Org / culture
- Policy: no physical intimacy with anyone at NIKA (Elyse only stated exception path; ch 54)
- 17th anniversary ~Jun 3, 2002 office parties
- Strictly Legal kill → convert to NIKA Legal; buy VLC division; remnant bankruptcy path; Melinda O'Brien eyed to run VLC; staff → NIKA ~Jun 30
- Steve steps back from ops (code + kami + advice only) after VLC integration
- EB Systems espionage / Volstead & Braun / Knowles & Jackson investigation (Cincinnati May)
- NIKA Legal first real customer target July (spoken ch 8)
Employment delta
| Person |
Event |
Approx |
Notes |
| Brett Mullens |
Fired for cause |
Jan 18, 2002 |
Durham; Islamophobic poster; key-card/print logs |
| Hope Schobert |
Fall internship offer path |
~May 20, 2002 |
Dave; Summer via Beth WiT |
| Carl |
Hire candidate (VLC) |
~Jun 25, 2002 |
Julia/Dave/Zo path |
| VLC staff |
Convert to NIKA |
~Jun 30, 2002 |
Melinda Baltimore week |
Customers
| Item |
Notes |
Source |
| Strictly Legal / VLC accounts |
Acquisition + conversion; guard vs Hastings Mill / Chickasaw |
ch 61–75 |
| Volstead and Associates |
Conversion planned |
ch 75 |
AWLL3.5 developments (Jul 17 – Dec 24, 2002)
Org / culture
- Samineh “Sam” Soleymani resigns (announced ~Aug 19; last day 30 Sep 2002); Brenda succession / NIKA Fellow path
- Larry Jefferson new employee by early Oct
- IRS audit clean; ESOP/SEC share wording fix (small fine path)
- Adjacent West Loop building (skyway-linked expansion; often called annex) raze/rebuild: demo target 2 Jan 2003; TIF; lease 550 West Jackson through moves ≤ 30 Dec; Gerald Brown GC — original Glass/West Loop building not demolished here (its rebuild is future)
- GlucoTech (Tempe) due diligence — Dante funds; quarterly AZ visits
- Cole, Nichols & Smith (CA) sues NIKA; SF settlement 23 Dec — waive fees except replacement server + Ross Brown time
- VLC/Cisco VoIP WAN cutover path (offices CS, Pittsburgh, Durham, Dallas, LA)
Employment delta
| Person |
Event |
Approx |
Notes |
| Samineh Soleymani |
Quit (retire/cash-out) |
last day Sep 30, 2002 |
Travel with Levi; volunteer tech |
| Brenda |
Promote path (Sam’s role) |
Aug 2002 |
Executive comp; Fellow |
| Larry Jefferson |
Hire |
by early Oct 2002 |
“Dad’s new employees” |
| Ross Brown |
Onsite rebuild (Cole) |
Dec 2002 |
SF client |
Customers / legal
| Item |
Notes |
Source |
| Cole, Nichols & Smith (CA) |
Lawsuit → settlement Dec 23 |
ch 61–66 |
| GlucoTech (Tempe) |
Investment advisory / DD |
ch 51–52 |
| VLC VoIP cutovers |
Internal product path |
ch 16 |
AWLL3.6 developments (Dec 24, 2002 – May 27, 2003)
Org / culture
- Temp offices 550 West Jackson; adjacent building rebuild continues; new structure on adjacent lot early-completion path (original Glass building still stands — rebuild future)
- NIKA Legal 2004 Trial Manager module work
- Annual Boca corporate retreat Jan 2003
- Jones-Lambert crisis: DB dump / sabotage; Pro Legal clone; NY court; stay after Abel findings
- Rivals: CalSoft (Zane); CS Software / HK Systems / Natick — Drake / Fonseca / Rose
- Policy: cashier’s check/wire before restore; compete don’t chase court
- Melinda: Jones-Lambert undercover-style audit; VLC audit manager
- Hastings Mill → purchase May 26, 2003 Vancouver → NIKA Canada (Eve Falvey division lead); HM release Aug 1 then wind development; ESOP options if on roll Dec 31
- Town Hall May 27 Chicago; adjacent new bldg floors 4 temp / 5 permanent ~June
- Jessica: NIKA employees off-limits for Steve dalliances (reiterated)
Employment delta
| Person |
Event |
Approx |
Notes |
| Eve Falvey |
Role: lead NIKA Canada post-HM |
May 26, 2003 |
Division of NIKA |
| Melinda |
Audit / VLC path |
Mar–May 2003 |
JL undercover face |
| (no mass hires named) |
Canadian HR / ESOP legal planned |
post-close |
|
Customers / commercial
| Item |
Notes |
Source |
| GlucoTech |
Contracts signed Dante/SKJ; quarterly AZ |
ch 26, 65 |
| Egon Zehnder |
Major DB upgrade; Canada + LATAM + US |
ch 26, 32–33 |
| Jones-Lambert |
Hostile / toxic after sabotage |
ch 49–50 |
| Hastings Mill → NIKA Canada |
Closed May 26 Vancouver |
ch 69 |
| CalSoft |
Competitor not customer |
ch 49–53 |
- Predecessor internship employer: Nuvatec (Downers Grove) — Steve starts internship Jan 1984 (AWLL1.9 ch 6; Scott Bannerman); exits April 1985 (AWLL1.10 ch 38); Jennifer hired there
- AWLL1.9: NIKA name floated by Dave (ch 22); incorporation/funding talk only — no employees or customers until June 1985
- Volstead_and_Braun.md — later licensing/ethics conflicts (AWLL2+)