It was the summer of 1996.
I had been working at the L. J. Houze Glass factory in the art dept. Had been there for five + years now. It was a Union shop. We had about 100 union employees. Every job there was a union job unless you were in the front office. I had been an artist at my first job for 1 yr and this job for 5 years. A position came open as a Production Mgr assistant. I applied...and at the same time, I had recently applied as an artist at another Co. Either way, I knew it was time for me to make a change.
I was offered the Co. job at the glass factory going from Union to a Co pos. as assistant Production Mgr. and then, I was also offered the other position as an artist. I didn't take that assistant prod. mgr job and decided to stay in as an artist instead. I can only imagine where I might be now, had I taken that fork in the road. The road of production and not art.
Fast forward 2016, I've been a Digital Tech for 2 & 3/4ths of a year. That's been completely different yet similar. It involved delivering art to screen and screen development, not "doing" art but having that knowledge proved to be very valuable. Also, having that screen "print" background, knowing what I know, has also helped a lot for the customer. I was taught some valuable skills in this position and the best part was working with the customers. That's the part I loved most and I think the customers saw this and appreciated that about me. All in all, again, I wouldn't change a thing.
M&R IS indeed a great company to work with. I've seen the back end of M&R and can say, they ARE indeed a great Co. Rich himself, IS indeed a great guy. He is what he says he is, Does what he says he will and yes, Customer service IS great there. With that said,
Today, is my last day of employment with M&R. Starting tomorrow, I will be the Gen Mgr. of Arena Imprints in Nashville TN overseeing Print Prod, Scrn Rm, and the art dept. and overarching quality control among a few other "projects" I'll be involved in up front.
Now, I think back to the fork in the road and know, how beneficial that job would have been for me today, with overseeing about 45 people at this new job and all of the other paths I'd of taken since then related towards production.
I wouldn't change a thing, but I know, I will be getting into some new challenges. I imagine some of the issues I will come up against, you all have been there, and got the tee shirt. Something you may consider as simple as breathing, I may consider a major hurdle and need my buds.
Thanks to RICH and the guys in the Digital Dept. for the opportunity to work with such a fine group!
