One Door Closes, A Familiar One Opens

I have detailed my departure from AMR in a previous blog. However, before I had even ceased to be employed there, I was in talks to go to work for an offshoot of the company for which I worked almost two decades.

In December, my former employer, SGS Tool Company, sold their bur manufacturing division to an Irish company, ATA/Procut. My former boss, Ed, contacted me and asked if we could meet to discuss a possible opportunity. We met at Starbucks and discussed the changes with the new ownership and good/bad times at SGS.

To make a long story less boring, Ed wanted me to come in for an interview with the transitional manager appointed by the new owners. I went, taking a copy of the article on burs I had published in Cutting Tool Engineering, just to show off a bit. The manager was a bit of a dour Irishman and I came away from the interview feeling uncertain.

Three days later, on a Sunday, Ed called me with a job offer! The salary was much more than I was making at AMR, the vacation was better, the benefits were better and the possibility of international travel existed. Take that, AMR!

I start Friday. Today is actually my last "goof off" day as I have plans to meet people for lunch every other day this week. To say I am excited is an understatement! I will be working with some of my favorite people, in a field I know intimately and might even get to see Ireland! There is no downside!!!

Wish me well :-)