My Story

After reading a recent post from Michael Klemmer, Founder of Aerial Resupply Coffee,” “Innovate, Adapt, Overcome”, it really resonated with me. So, I thought I would draft out a synopsis of my life story that reflects my personal journey and the key points Michael shared.

Thank you, Michael!

?

My story, I hope you may find it insightful and encouraging.

I joined the Navy right out of high school, eager to embark on a thrilling adventure while transitioning into adulthood. After four exhilarating years of service, I longed to get back home to Silicon Valley. I left the Navy and with my GI bill, headed on to college. Having grown up in Silicon Valley I was excited to emerge myself in the science of advanced technologies, specifically computer science.

During my final year of college, I had the opportunity to join Eastman Kodak as they were making major acquisitions in the tech-driven Silicon Valley. I was convinced that I was getting in on the ground floor of a major global business transforming into a tech powerhouse, and with my deep focus on a career in technology, I was over the moon with excitement!

A number of years into my Kodak career the senior executives gathered in California for a deep dive into the company's progress, I couldn't help but feel a sense of adventure. I was eager to learn more about our tech acquisitions and how they were being converted into Kodak technologies, and what was to follow as the company transitioned into digital. Being deep into technology for a world recognized business was like going to Disneyland for me!

But as I asked about our progress with merging into a tech company, I was met with a lesson in humility. I was reminded that Eastman Kodak was a chemical company, and that our acquisitions were being converted into process controllers. While Kodak was a great company and very family-oriented, I abruptly realized my vision of being on the cusp of a major business conversion was my mistake and that they were not looking to convert to a digital world.

Feeling a bit disheartened, I decided to move on. I returned to school and took a short stint in tech consulting with many of the Silicon Valley giants, each 'gig' would teach me something new in the technical world that I kept compiling into my resume'. After a few years I was approached by my dream job in Microsoft. It was a thrilling adventure, and I was grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow in the tech industry.

As a huge tech enthusiast, my talent lay not in the ‘Nuts & Bolts’ not in the ‘Ones and Zeros’, but in the ability to articulate complex concepts to non-technical executives, enabling them to develop a solid strategy and plan that would capitalize on their investments in technology with a direct and documented outline to achieve their business objectives. This exposure to diverse opportunities in both the private and public sectors on a global scale was an unparalleled educational experience that I could not have obtained in any other way.

As a seasoned professional with over three decades of experience under my belt, 12 years with Kodak, and twenty years with Microsoft, with a multitude of individual contract gigs, in between, I can confidently say that twenty Microsoft years, like dog years, is a really long time. But, if given the chance to relive those moments, I would do it all over again without any hesitation. This time I was thinking that my career had been an adventure, filled with challenges and triumphs, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. However, my perspective has always been from the same side of the desk, helping those on the other side succeed, but always from a distance, partnered but not invested. That's why, when I decided to retire from Microsoft, similar to leaving Kodak, I did so with only great things to say about them. I had experienced the thrill of adventure and the satisfaction of success, and I knew that my journey was far from over.

As I was settling into my semi-retirement and pondering what’s next, making plans with my wife, wouldn’t you know it, fate had other plans. About a year after I had left Microsoft, I received a call from a fellow coworker at Microsoft, asking me to return for some high-level consulting with a global Fortune 50 company. I hesitated, but the opportunity was too good to pass up. Little did I know my return to the corporate world would be anything but relaxing.

When I arrived at the company's IT headquarters, I was greeted by a sense of chaos and uncertainty. They were an East-European company, and they were struggling to keep up with the rapidly changing landscape of technologies, since all but one of their technical vendors were US based. They were moving the majority of the global IT operations to St. Louis housed where one of their largest subsidiaries was head-quartered. My task was to help them navigate the challenges of their business culture differences between Easter Europe business culture and US business culture, to find a way forward through forming deeper partnerships with their US based IT vendors.

I quickly got to work, using my skills and expertise to help the company adapt to the new reality. It was a challenging time, but I was determined to make a difference. As I worked, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in what I was doing. I was part of a team that was making a real difference in the world, and I was grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it.

Despite the chaos, I found that I was enjoying the work. I was working on projects that were both challenging and rewarding, and I was surrounded by people who were passionate about what they were doing. It was a great feeling, and I knew that I was exactly where I was meant to be.

As the months passed, I continued to work with the companies leadership, helping them to navigate the challenges of the politics, regulations, and cultural differences ?to find a way forward. It was a difficult time, but I was determined to make a difference. And in the end, I knew that I had only partially succeeded. The company’s IT was stronger than ever, but the differences in business culture between eastern Europe and the US were too challenging to keep such an important and needed division (IT) almost disconnected from their business HQ.

The complexities of dealing with the US Federal and State Governments, oversight, and regulations were happening too fast for a cultural change to assimilate for them. They pulled their IT leadership back to their HQ, leaving a skeleton team of mid management state side.

Having freed up from this work, and once again thinking I had retired, my family and I moved down to South Carolina. Sweet tea with a touch of local Moonshine, and as one of my favorite songs go “Southern nights, Just as good even when you close your eyes, I apologize to anyone who can truly say that they have found a better way …”

Finally I thought; "Now I'm going to hang up the mic!”... NOPE, I get a call from a fellow 'Softie' at Microsoft. He wanted me to join his crew of independent contractors at Alescent, helping businesses optimize their investments in workforce alignment, technology adoption and management, and strategy. What really sold me was their billing model - they only get paid if they can show a direct correlation between their consultation and the actual monies saved. I thought that was pretty bold. Three years in and partnered with Alescent I launched ARC, the 'Applied Research Center'. We partner with leading research organizations to develop actionable materials, processes, and knowledge once again, that businesses can understand and apply. Our focus is on delivering this info in a language that's easy for the common person to grasp.

I celebrated my 70th birthday this year, and early next year my wife and I will be celebrating our 50th anniversary.?

You would think at 70, surely, I would be slowing down a bit? Nope, I just released my 2nd book through Amazon, “Marvels and Myths of AI (Artificial Intelligence)”. Once again, written for the non-technical audience. This is the second in a series of four books. The first book, “Innovation Debt”, shows the business where waste and redundancy exits and by recouping on this, simplifies the operations, reduces unnecessary work and stress on the workforce and most importantly recoups wasted spend, so you can finance the recommendations found in the following three books to advance your business.

The third book on workforce realignment, “The Human Side of the Equation”, and fourth book, “Value Realization Through Applied Ethics” are scheduled for release Q1 and Q2 of next year.?

I guess for me this is retirement. I really don’t know what I would do with my time if I didn’t have a passion to learn and a goal to share. I guess my tombstone will read, “To Be Continued”!?

So, if you're looking for an adventurous perspective on how to turn your passion, your 'Ad-vocation', into your Vocation, look no further. With my background and experience, I can provide you with the insights and knowledge you need to succeed in your own journey. Let's embark on this adventure together and make it a memorable one.

?

?