Penn State Chapter of Delta Upsilon at Penn State University
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1536078
Embracing a True Brotherhood Ned Eldridge '79 on DU Bonds, Career Success "N othing comes easy," Ned Eldridge '79 said, thinking about his college experience and commitment to the Delta Upsilon brotherhood. He took immense pride in becoming a DU at Penn State, and Ned continues to value the skills and connections he made during his formative college years. UNDERGRADUATE DEVELOPMENT Ned joined Delta Upsilon during junior year after networking with some brothers he knew from Penn State Behrend. While it's hard to pick just one favorite memory, he enjoyed the group atmosphere and always being there for his brothers. "If you messed with one of us, you messed with all of us. We looked out for each other." Ned's half year as social chairman filled an important role for the fraternity. He was responsible for several aspects of organizing DU social events, and Ned credits that position for helping him prepare for professional ventures beyond college. "Don't be afraid to learn everything you can while you are still in school," he said. Ned's rounded experience at Penn State provided various opportunities for personal development alongside DU involvement. "I took more than 20 gym classes in 12 terms just for the fun of it. That was how I earned a minor in PE." CAREER VENTURES After graduation, Ned worked as a teacher and counselor at a juvenile institution before earning his MBA. He then spent nearly five years as a banker with Mellon Bank. In 1989, he began his first entrepreneurial venture working with a friend in the automatic transmission parts business before they sold their company, Recon, in 1998 to a private equity firm where Ned transitioned from the CFO into a role as VP of manufacturing. "In June 2007, I was retired for about seven months before I started eLoop," he added. eLoop evaluates equipment for companies during their IT refresh cycles, either refurbishing and reselling usable IT equipment or recycling older technology. "We service more than 500 companies in the region and sell more than 3,000 IT assets per month." PERSONAL LIFE Decades beyond college, Ned is grateful to remain connected with some DU alumni brothers like Bill Gray '78, Tom Trasser '81, Andrew Barnes '83, and Chet Zuchelli '84. "During football season, I see many others at the games. As we get older and have more time on our hands, we seem to be getting the brothers back together again. It's wonderful!" Ned married his college sweetheart, Nancy, in 1981. They have three children, who are all Penn State graduates, along with four grandchildren. In his spare time, Ned enjoys staying active, traveling with family, and gathering with family for birthdays or holidays. You can connect with him at neldridge@growthcatalyst.com. Page 3 James Kennedy Jr. '62 appreciates Delta Upsilon's role in guiding him to leadership positions and meeting his wife, Kathleen. They are both retired on a 190-acre ranch in Cedar City, Utah, with a half-mile border on Bryce Canyon National Park. Email: kathyandjim.kennedy@gmail.com John Eisenhard '69 is fully retired, living part of the year in Vail, Colo., and part in Easton, Pa. He enjoys traveling, visiting with grandchildren, and keeping up with Scott Glaus '69, Philip Mortensen '69, and Rich Walters '69. Email: jersenhard1129@gmail.com Philip Mortensen '69 is still working part time in his NYC office at age 78, though he mostly works from home in Branford, Conn. He and Yue Feng enjoyed two cruises in 2024. Email: pmortensen@bartonesq.com Kurt Krieger '83 lives in York, Pa., and he has been in the fitness business for more than 35 years. Email: kurtgolds@aol.com Sean Kern '90 retired from the U.S. Air Force in September 2024 and now works as a director at SAIC. Sean lives in Williamsburg, Va. Email: sean.c.kern@gmail.com Tony Gilbert '95 is an agricultural diplomat currently posted in Lima, Peru, until summer 2027. Email: ajgilbert@yahoo.com Todd Wolk '02 and his long-term partner, Joseph, are getting married in August 2025. Todd resides in Stamford, Conn. Email: toddwolk@gmail.com Brenden Finn '12 and his wife, Danielle, welcomed their son, Tommy, in October 2023. Brenden lives in Beaver, Pa. Email: btf5029@gmail.com David Wagner '14 and his wife, Rebecca, live with their two young sons in Toronto, Canada. Email: wagnerdavec@gmail.com "DU was a great experience for me. I made lifelong friends and hope others get to live that dream themselves!" Alumni News