END OF THE LINE

[GM2FOCUS]

I am often a man of too many words, but to praise all that helped me make the last 40 years and seven months a memorable career, I wanted to post this topic in appreciation. We often fail to count our blessings amid the stress and pressure of daily deadlines.

From the inspiration of that first 62 Impala 327 in June of 1972, to the 68 Chevelle SS396 the summer of 1974 not to mention an old 235 six cylinder that My Dad said ok to me totally disassembling at age 14 for hands on training here it is:

Thanks to the first parts manager, Bob S who said yes to hiring a 21 year old hard working lad in Oct 1975, off the farm that only knew how many valve keepers a V8 took and very little about anything more than drivetrain. Thanks to Don Harden to believe in me enough to give me a second chance, bringing me from driver and chief battery filler to the status of counterman.

Mr. Bob McDorman, Jeff P, Dick O, JB, Denny and Stoney in the fast and furious late 70's,

Mr Dan Tobin, who took a chance on a guy who had never managed anything, (except to catch or get caught by my wonderful wife), in August of 1982,

Barb S, Dave V, Ron Y, George M, Dave L, ,,,Jim & Mike Fagan, Mr Bob Clapper and Lisa H in Wisconsin,

Ron A, Roger C, Greg S, Ron W, and Greg J,

Mr Dale H, had a big hand in keeping me in line and sending a good word up the line.

Too many stops to cover for a guy that didn't always do it the right way, but always kept trying to climb the ladder of success. Some of the gentlemen and ladies mentioned are no longer with us, but I have thanked them personally in the past and that would remind us to count every day as an opportunity and an adventure.

Also at least a hundred other parts people that made a difference along the way, Thanks!

Traveling Wilburys -" End Of The Line", if you have heard this song you understand it's relevance, if not you might take 4 minutes and find it on YouTube, sorta says a lot. Gene G.

[camaroman]

Well said. Enjoy the next chapter in your life.

[JMShocker2010]

Congrats! When working for Jim and Mike Fagan, did you ever come across a man named Doug Fisher?

[X476]

Enjoy this next chapter, I'm sure you deserve it.

[Denise Trimble]

Congratulations! I wish you happiness and peace for the next leg of your journey, and onward.

[Richard]

Meet Mr Dan Tobin at his Pontiac store in Ohio several years ago when we were there for a Pontiac Vibe club meeting and show. He was a very nice guy, I could see him giving you a chance.

[GM2FOCUS]

Congrats! When working for Jim and Mike Fagan, did you ever come across a man named Doug Fisher?

YES, I did and wow "flashback" I had forgotten the name, he worked with the service advisors as I recall and I left out an outstanding gentleman who opened up my insight to management more, Bob Pearson. Bob was doing consulting and parts inventory analysis for Jim and Mike.

I also never worked with Mike Nicholes personally, but had the good fortune to speak with him on the phone several times with issues and opportunities.

Also attended a seminar with Chuck Elliott on ADP skills and management utilization, another good man that was an ongoing resource for me.

I am sure I am still missing some, after all the brain was full of deadlines, order cutoff times and group numbers,

Thanks to them and thanks for the help with the memory recall JMShocker.

[GM2FOCUS]

Meet Mr Dan Tobin at his Pontiac store in Ohio several years ago when we were there for a Pontiac Vibe club meeting and show. He was a very nice guy, I could see him giving you a chance.

Richard, Dan is a go-getter with a big smile and the willingness to take a risk to move ahead, and he did!

Dan had Oldsmobile and Pontiac in the past, and both are gone now but Dan and his crew are still hitting on all cylinders as far as I know. He recently landed the Chevrolet franchise in NW Columbus and Dublin area. I bet he has a big promo all set for Chevy and the Memorial Golf tourney.

[JMShocker2010]

Doug and his wife Joanne ( who just passed away 2 years ago) were like second parents to me. I spent every day for 9 years with them. Him and I started a landscape company company of all things. But my family has a long line of people in the auto business so I decided to go to work for my father. But Doug and I hang out about once a week still and he stops in the dealership all the time to see whats going on. I use to help with the office work for the consulting business while Joanne was sick. That's why Fagans popped when I read that. What a small world. we are only about an hour and a half or two hours south of Fagan's dealership.

[DWoodward]

good luck to you in your retirement, i too am fast approaching my 40 year mark and retirement . i both look forward to it and dread it at the same time