When I joined Tandem in 1984 I knew that I had become a part of a great company. A six week sabattical every four years! What kind of company is that good to its employees? Then I met Jimmy. That’s when I knew. He had a sense of family and that translated into a great respect for his employees. Don’t we all have a Jimmy story?
Jimmy’s philosophy trickled down to senior management and further down. Jerry Peterson and Bob Marshall were stand-up guys, reachable and understanding. How about Larry Laurich? Great guy. As a salesman I had great latitude in determing the strategy for every sales campaign. There was great respect for my judgment. The result was success. Sometimes I lost. There was no retribution, just a slap on the back and a “Good Try.” I can’t speak to the other aspects of the organization but my gut tells me that our opinions were considered. I went to a couple of President’s Councils. Jimmy and his senior management listened.
How about beer bust? What company in the civilized world would take that insurance risk week in and week out. Great chance to meet and mix with everyone. Reward events! Spectacular!
Anyone who reads this has to get a sense of loss. Boy, I sure wish I was still there…in that moment of time when we celebrated “The Billion Dollar” goal. Remember the Cyclone video? How proud were we of what we had collectively achieved? Then there was the loss of Dave Dempsey. Who didn’t cry when he passed. I shutter every time I see a Tandem Group email announcing the passing of yet another. Why does it hurt? It’s because we were family or the closest thing that you can feel in a corporation. No, it’s family. I am sure there are still conversations amongst us. Jan Seamons, Tom Moylan, Paul Brown, Bainy, Maurice Cotton and Pete Hackenson are on my regular call list. Friends forever.
Take a minute and call an old Tandem friend. You won’t regret it.
So, my wife Ann and I are retired. Well, sort of. We chose Prescott Arizona as the final resting place for the grail. It is the best place we have ever lived. Nice people, great weather and the mountains. Come visit and consider a life changer. After all, we transitioned from the greatness of Tandem to some other place. Perhaps a move to Prescott will feel like we did when we first started Tandem.
Call me. Let’s talk, or itn the cowboy vernacular, “Let’s Palaver.”