A lot can happen in a year...

Wow, how did it get to be April, 2018, so fast? The older I get, the faster time seems to fly by. A year ago, I was working from home for Randtsad Sourceright supporting Honeywell's College Recruiting Program and training for the 2017 Ride for Myriam. Today, I'm back at Lowe's Corporate HQ in Mooresville, NC supporting their College Recruiting & Military Recruiting Programs. It is a great corporate culture and a lot of tremendous people work here.

As our Pastor shared yesterday, God ordains the clicks on the clock and it's up to us to know the gifts that He has given us and to insure we are putting them to good use. God creates in us a curiosity for the future, but what we are doing right now counts forever. Reflect on how you are using your time wisely and where you are struggling to trust time.

We will all be held accountable for the time we were given on this earth and how we used it. Life is but a mist, make the most of it.

Cancer affects all of us one way or another. Randstad North America has decided to ride 600 Km for a fourth consecutive year to support research on cancer. A courageous team of Randstad employees will leave Montreal on July 13th, and ride over 90 miles per day to arrive in Boston on July 16th. I have decided to join that team. When I was a kid, I rode my bike for fun and to deliver newspapers. In college, I rode on the Bike-a-thon team. Now, I'm riding for a purpose.

In 2014, Randstad Canada’s own, Myriam Laaouan, passed away after a tough battle with Leukemia. Myriam has been an inspiration to our team. I have also been inspired by my Randstad Sourceright FitCrew colleagues and my Mooresville Area Cyclist friends.

Participating in the 2017 Ride for Myriam is my way to help in the fight against cancer. I'm riding in honor and support of my friends and family that have been impacted by this horrible disease. I hope to raise at least $2500. Please consider supporting me in my efforts. Any amount is appreciated. 

Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.

Many thanks for your consideration and support. Please feel free to forward this to anyone who you think might be interested in joining the fight against cancer. 

Cancer affects all of us. Join me in the fight to help beat it. 

2012: A Great Summer of Work, Family and Interns

Hard to believe that schools starts for most of North Carolina students today. It has been a busy summer. We successfully wrapped up our Summer Internship Program at Lowe's Companies sending 77 interns back to school about two weeks ago. Time to prepare for another busy fall, as we head into college recruiting season. The attached picture was taken off the stern of a boat we chartered to celebrate the conclusion of our intern program. It's one of my favorite photos of the summer. Time to prepare for college football, cooler temperatures and the leaves changing colors.

Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Yes, it was a minor hit song by Great White back in 1989, but it recently took on new meaning in my life. After running over an in-ground yellow jacket's nest with the lawn mower last week, I was stung seven time, despite fleeing the scene in record pace. Tonight, the grass needed mowing again and I was forced to return to the site of the attack. Despite having taken steps to eradicate the pests, I was still jumpy when I got near that now vacant hole in the ground.

Sometimes I do my best thinking when cutting the grass and it hit me how many situations in life are similar to me needing to return to face my fears of being stung again. Life throws a lot of situations at us that we may not understand at the time or even days, weeks, or months later. That doesn't mean we should avoid returning to face our fears. In most situations, our fears out weigh the real danger. Don't miss out on some of life's greatest joys because of the fear of being stung or being hurt. Life is short and God is good, so face your fears head-on. Most times you'll find the hole in the ground is empty.

Pole Vaulters are one "wild and crazy" bunch

Both of my sons have have taken up pole vaulting as a sport in high school, so I have had the opportunity to attend my share of high school track meets over the last few years. Just watching the pole vaulting event and knowing what the ultimate goal is, amazes me.

I tried this "sport" as a kid in the backyard using the clothes line as my "bar". Yes, in those days, many suburban homes still had a rope in the backyard on which a family could hang clothes to dry. There was a long "pole" used to prop up the clothes line, so the wet clothes wouldn't drag the ground. That prop was my pole. I'm not sure I ever cleared the line, but I sure "took out" my share of clothes that were hung out to dry. When my Mom asked about the grass stains, I probably blamed it on the neighborhood dogs.

Lowe's College Team attends 2009 SIFE Nationals in Philadelphia

The 2009 National Exposition was held in Philadelphia, PA May 11th and 12th. In attendance at the career booth were Lowe’s employees representing corporate, distribution and stores were Mark Clark, Wayne Packer, Mary Beth Posluszy, Dan Tucker, Dianne Hahn, Pete Medrano, Holly Hill and Alicia Brown. Judging at the Semi-final and Final Rounds of Competition were Larry Stone, Bernie Smith and Wayne Crowley. Larry, Bernie and Wayne, visited our career booth prior to the start of the competition, talking with staff, students and faculty. Larry also tried out our basketball hoop game (which was a new addition this year). He showed great athletic skill and a competitive spirit as he showed us how it was done. The recruiting made the obligatory trip to South Philly to have an authentic cheese-steak at Geno's.

There were over 3,000 SIFE students from colleges and universities around the country (winners of their Regional event), who had come to compete for a chance to represent the U.S. at the World Cup in Berlin, Germany. This year’s Winner was Flagler College from St. Augustine, FL.

We met a lot of talented students and are currently working them into our process with the corporate, supply chain, regional and college positions that might be a good fit. Thanks to everyone for their support of SIFE!

If you would like more information about SIFE, visit their site at www.sife.org.

Charlotte Bobcats Mascot Rufus Lynx Visits Lowe's Mooresville CSC

I was returning from lunch one afternoon and who do I see out front our corporate office, none other than Rufus Lynx, the Charlotte's Bobcat's mascot. Just like I can't drive by our local Chick Fil-A without honking at the cow mascot that constantly prowls on a grass patch of ground, I had to go check things out. It turns out Rufus was visiting to help promote the local United Way campaign, which is a big deal at Lowe's. Since I had already turned in my pledge card, I figured it was okay to ask to have my picture made with Rufus. (After living in NC for almost three years, I've learned you don't get your picture taken, you get it made. You gotta love the South, I do.) Having a quick picture made with Rufus turned into a 30 minute ordeal as I soon learned that I had put my self in the middle of a video being made of Rufus and local Lowe's executives. Since I never got the call to be an extra when the movie "Leatherheads" was being filmed in nearby Statesville, I figured this was my big chance. It was a lot of fun, but I did miss out on 30 minutes of work that afternoon, but it was for charity. Thanks for understanding, boss!