Jobs.

Unlike my dad who began and ended his career with the same co., I have held more jobs than I can possibly remember.  Something I learned very early in life. Take care of your boss and never piss him off..  If he looks good, you look good. The first job I can recall was as an usher in the Ritz Theater working for Pug Hawkins. They have also included sweeping out the drug store, working behind the soda fountain, and selling a few over the counter Rexall products.  I have never drawn unemployment (not that I wouldn't if I were eligible) and had never been fired until August of 1993.  I took a sales job in the computer industry (on straight commission) in order to move from Oklahoma City(anything please!). I can't say that it bothered me because by then I already had another job with Man Power in the same industry.  That job turned into the job I used to finish my career. It was an IBM contract with Boeing and "yes" it was negotiated by a woman!

In the years that had gone before I worked at everything from package boy for a super market to a VP of sales for several companies.  I may have been good at sales but it never came easy.  I've worked in that capacity for Monroe, Bristol Labs, French's, Continental Life (sold charter policies), Andrews Tower Co., American Bakeries (regional Manager), Stokley Vancamp, American Impacts Corp (VP of sales)., Management Recruiters (Office Manager OKC and Plano, Tex), John A Brown Co (VP Info Systems, member board of directors)., First National Bank of OKC, and Microage (just a salesman thank god!),. to name a few. Many of the jobs came my way because they came after me, a few came because I started the conversation.

I traveled a lot in some jobs (46 out of 48 states), very little in others.  Starting with the Monroe-bot 11, most of my jobs were related to computers. I remember making two big mistakes, 1) I lost everything in a divorce, and 2) thought I could make more money being in business for myself.  Both were disasters I cannot forget.