In 1989, after  more than a few conversations with friends and others, I applied for staff.  That application was one of the most daunting struggles ever!  I had never spoken about myself that way before.  I had an intention of leading the 6 Day - but no real qualification.   And, come to think of it, not a lot of aptitude either!  But I figured that first I had to be on staff, so I filled in all the blanks and sent it on.

The application evidently conveyed something.  I received a call and then had a "three-way" interview with the head of Human Resources and one of the trainers.  I was to begin work for him (part time) as his administrative assistant; the rest of my time was spent as a communicator in "the academy" - where the trainers were trained.

I went on staff for WE&A July 24, 1989 - I remember the date since it would have been my father's birthday.  Within a few days I couldn't help but notice Ruth - I had to walk past her desk every day to get the mail for my boss.  Maybe one of these days we'll post our versions of how we met and married - we each have a slightly different perspective on things. 

Most of what I did was what any executive assistant does - arrange appointments, provide reports, etc.  Werner was not a regular visitor to 62 First Street during that time, since he lived and worked on his boat in Sausalito.  In truth, I only encountered him twice - once at the Holiday Project ball, and then at the staff holiday party that year.  Even in those brief moments I was  impressed with his very commanding presence and awesome smile!

There were aspects of the business at that time that I couldn't understand; there were things that appeared to be done simply because Werner wanted them - not because they made any particular business sense.   Most of what I did was for my manager and for the trainers, but there were still a few things that I did on a weekly basis for Werner. 

Basically I was really absorbed in getting all my personal work done. I was less than successful at it; and I left WE&A after about 9 months on the job.  I missed the people and the camraderie - but I basically needed to get my finances together.  I stayed out here in California and went back into the home inspection field for the next 3 years.  Then spent close to a  year selling courses for a computer training franchise before my wife told me that a position had opened up with Landmark Education's MIS department - and once again I applied for staff. 

Only this time, the company was a different place to work.