I started at Dell as a 22 year old "kid" who knew computers pretty well but who had also been kicked out of the University of Texas at Austin twice for academic performance reasons. I had just been let go from Sears when their business took a downturn, even though I had won several sales contests and consistently outperformed sales representatives who were much older and more experienced than I was. I was kinda down about life and didn't know what was next for me without a degree. All I had was 1) computer skills (unique at the time), 2) a belief in myself, and 3) Cindi, my fiancee at the time.
I was also running a computer bulletin board system (BBS) that kept me entertained at night as I stayed up late chatting about all sorts of things and learning more about computers. Through this BBS network (Fidonet), I met Michael Brundridge, a sysop who had recently started at Dell Computer Corporation and who eventually encouraged me to market my skills to Dell. I did, but in the wrong way. First I applied for a Dell sales position, having just done all of that selling for Sears. That application got me nowhere. Then Mike got me in the door to interview with Richard Wells, the manager of Dell's Technical Support organization. Richard grilled me on a few things and then eventually offered me a job, I think mostly because I knew modems. I was off and running, but I had no idea what Dell was all about or what I might do while there. All I knew was that I had a job, at $9/hour. I stayed in technical support and its big brother, International Product Support, for over six years, developing a very strong technical skill base but not growing much as a professional.
It was 1995 when a Dell friend encouraged me to interview for a position in New Product Operations (NPO), an organization that was best described as being the primary interface between Dell's manufacturing facilities and their rapidly-growing Server Engineering Development organization. They needed a project manager to help guide products out of the design phase and into the factories for full-volume production, and Mac (my Dell friend) thought I would be great at it. Little did he know that 1) my perception while in tech support was that Dell's manufacturing line was manned by monkeys, and 2) I had never managed a complex project in my life. Nonetheless, I interviewed for the job with Scott Estes (the manager), Carla Ortiz (rest her soul), and John Zwolak. I somehow sailed through the interviews and had myself a new job, but again had no idea what I was in for. Little did I also know how Dell would soon boom as it did, but that's another story.
It was in NPO that I became a professional. In 12 years there, I went from stumbling my way through new product manufacturing launches to ultimately managing a team of junior and senior project managers doing that same work. I was entrusted with many of Dell's most important Server projects, and I grew tremendously in the process.
In 18+ years at Dell, I had the honor of working with a host of truly wonderful people. The list is really too long to post, but I would be remiss to not post certain names.
- Mike Brundridge - It all started with Mike helping to get me in the door.
- Scott Estes - Gave me my start in NPO, trusting that my smarts and drive would be enough to negate my lack of manufacturing and project experience. He left Dell before he could see what I would do and become, but I'm sure that he would be proud.
- Carla Ortiz - my mentor for about a year in NPO, and truly one of the most beautiful people (both physically and spiritually) I have ever met. My heart broke in 1996 when she suddenly passed away, and hardly a day goes by that I don't think of her.
- Lisa Kaindl - a colleague and special friend for over ten years, I can always count on Lisa for a good laugh, a thought-provoking situation, or just to be fully present for me when I'm not quite myself. I can't imagine any time or any place that I wouldn't do anything for her. Just as nobody will ever replace Carla, so shall Lisa never be replaced. I love you, Lisa.
- Bill Sepulveda - Though we had our occasional moments of disconnect, Bill taught me a lot about what it means to be a responsible professional and not just a headstrong opinionated kid. Perhaps most importantly, he repeatedly kicked me in the rear to get me to go back to school. Eleven years later, after night class after night class, I have completed my undergraduate degree (with honors) and am three hours from completing my Masters. Thanks, Bill!
- Joe Taylor - My manager and Director for a couple of years, Joe gave me my most meaningful promotion and trusted me with business matters that I may not have been ready for, but his trust meant the world to me, and I never failed him. This guy meant so much to me that I seriously offered to follow him to Washington state when he left Dell.
- Karen Weyant - Despite our rocky start (I'm an ENFP, she an ISTJ) and the fact that we rarely see each other nowadays, our occasional hallway conversations and annual birthday lunches became very special to me.
- Katie Mills - This one is hard to explain, for we really hardly know each other, but there's just something about Katie that makes me happy. She makes me think, makes me laugh, makes me smile, and never fails to make me feel good about life.
- Susan Dempski - Another relatively new relationship that I hope never fades. All that I just wrote about Katie applies perfectly to Susan as well. Many times Susan helped to keep me grounded when I really needed it, whether she was aware of it or not.
- Paul Grossimon - For those who know Paul, seeing his name here may come as a surprise, but the fact is that it is through Dell that I met my trusted climbing partner. Anybody who has, time after time, kept me safe while I am 30-90 feet up in the air deserves to be on this list. :-)
