Congratulations to Jimmy Johnson and Team Lowes Racing!!

No, this isn't turning into a NASCAR page. The day after Jimmy Johnson won the Nextel Cup Championship, the Lowe's Corporate HQ employees were greeted by one of the #48 cars parked out front of our Mooresville facility. (See attached photo) It was a great sight. I learned that day from the Hendricks Motor Sports representative that this wasn't the car that won the championship the day before. There are actually 7-8 cars at any given time that are used for the various races and appearances.

This past Tuesday (11/28/06) marked my one year anniversary with Lowe's. Wow, time sure flies when you are having fun. I work with a really good group of people, but I still miss many of work friends back at what is now CGI-AMS in beautiful, but highly congested Fairfax, VA. I'm still waiting for some of them to visit like they say they will do, but with email, voicemail, instant messaging and blogging, we're never too far away. Two of my recruiters and one of my coordinators have received well deserved promotions this year, so it has been a good year in Corporate Recruiting.

There is so little time and so much to do between now and Christmas, how will everything get done at work and at home? The first 10 Chrsitmas letters have been sent. Now, I'd better get busy on my 2007 Recruiting Strategy.

Who needs Indianapolis when you've got the Lowe's Motor Speedway?

Wow, how quickly one forgets their Hoosier roots when they move into the heart of NASCAR country. Growing up in Indiana, you automatically have open-wheel racing in your blood. Although at the time, it wasn't even called open wheel racing, Indianapolis was just racing period. Cindy and I had the opportunity to view the Bank of America 500 from the Lowe's Corporate Suite at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Although it was previously called Charlotte Motor Speedway, the track is technically in Concord, NC, about 20 miles through the back roads to Mooresville.

What a great experience. Our trip included a self guided tour of the pit area before the race and then settling in to our comfy seats behind the protective glass. Complete with personal Nextel computer TV sets to keep tabs on all the action and stats and all the food and drink you need, just a few steps away. The only disappointment was that Team 48 Lowe's finished second behind Kasey Kahne that night. If the truth must be told, we did sneak out a little before the end of the race to get a jump on traffic. I hope Mr. Niblock, our Lowe's CEO didn't notice we were gone.

Home of Lowe's Companies, Inc.

Thought it only appropriate that I show where I spend my daytime hours. We are right off I-77 at Exit 33 in Mooresville, NC 28117. Technically, we are located at 1000 Lowes Blvd, but don't try to find it on MapQuest or Goggle Maps, because it's not there. We are about one mile from the closest point to Lake Norman and about the same distance to fine dining at Jeffrey's, Wise Guys or Vinnies.

Where in the world is Mooresville, NC USA

Mooresville, NC is an old milling and manufacturing town about 20 miles north of Charlotte, about 4 miles east of I-77. State Routes 115, 150 and 150 run through the middle of the struggling downtown area. There are some good antique and resale shops, but many of the mainstream stores are fleeing for more profitable areas. There is a great 1800's style hardware store you must visit. It's called D.L. Turner, right on Main Street. Something must be done to stabilize the downtown area to encourage more businesses to stay and to encourage new business to relocate downtown. With new shopping areas popping up on the other side of I-77, the downtown area may continue to struggle. Watch for some great shopping to come to Mooresville Towne Square and Mooresville Crossing in early 2007.

There are a few dining options in downtown Mooresville. Greg's Bar BQ and Ted's Kickin' Chicken on the casual side and Soiree' on the fancier end. I haven't made it to Soirre' yet. Greg's has a definite small town feel to it and the pulled pork dinner is a must try.

Remembering 9/11...5 years later

Please take time to pause today and reflect and pray for those that lost friends, family and loved ones five years ago today on September 11, 2001 in NY, DC or PA. God bless.

Those that forget the past are doomed to repeat it.

How can it be September already?

Where did the summer go and why does it unofficially have to end at Labor Day? We live in North Carolina, so it should still be considered summer well into late October.

Life at Lowe's Companies Inc. Corporate is still going great. Retail is tough, but it is also challenging and rewarding. There are a lot of opportunities available outside the typical store positions.It's very good for the soul to be associated with a company that is growing and run by people that really care. Sure there are internal politics, but any company with over three employee's will have that, to some extent. For those of you that don't know, I work at Lowe's Companies Inc Corporate Center/HQ/General Office/CSC in Mooresville, NC, just off I-77 at Exit 33. It is a spectacular corporate campus. We are about a mile from the shores of Lake Norman, about 3 miles from beautiful Davidson College and only about 25 minutes from Uptown Charlotte. It's another whole unrelated issue why Charlotte calls their downtown area, Uptown

No regrets what so ever about giving up the congestion of the Northern Virginia and Washington DC area for Western North Carolina. Although we do miss our neighborhood and church friends back in Centreville, VA.

Learn more about the jobs that Lowe's has available at www.lowes.com/careers

Later,

Wow, It's almost a year later...

I almost forgot I had created a blog. We are now living in Mooresville, NC in southern Iredell County, just off Lake Norman. I am a Manager of Corporate Recruiting for Lowe's Companies, Inc. (What a great company!!) Please shop at Lowe's for all your home improvement needs and avoid that Orange Evil Empire. The attached photo is a sunrise over Lake Norman taken sometime in early 2006. If you would like to negotiate publishing rights to this photo, please leave me a comment.