TISH TREK - THE JOB BLOG!!!
NEW POST 10/22: NEW POSITION for MORTGAGE CONSULTANT in Nyack, New York!!
My client is one of the largest banking and financial service organizations in the world. The domestic strength and extensive global network of this firm provides its employees with the best of both worlds - the friendliness of a local organization and the resources of a worldwide network - which guarantees diverse experiences and challenging career opportunities.
The mortgage consultant will generate and increase market share of high quality salable retail residential mortgage loans, primarily through realtor relationships, builder and branch relationships, while ensuring high customer service levels.
Develop and maintain long-term referral sources with branches, realtors, builders, attorneys and other external sources; service referrals from branches and other Company departments as appropriate.
Create a team environment in supporting assigned retail branches. Counsel high net-worth customers on various types of mortgage financing, choosing a program best suited to their needs; complete mortgage application, follow through to closing and resolve any problems, while ensuring salability and compliance guidelines.
Works closely with other branch employees (i.e. Financial Advisors and Premier Relationship Managers) to maximize cross-selling opportunities. Educate realtors, attorneys, builders, branches and public on mortgage programs through seminars, etc.
Complete other responsibilities, as assigned. Attain production goals, average loan size, fall-out and income expense goals; foster Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) relationships and community-oriented initiatives; represent the Corporation through interactions with realtors, builders and trade groups. Ensure compliance, operational risk controls in accordance with the firm or regulatory standards and policies; and optimize relations with regulators by addressing any issues. Promote an environment that supports diversity and reflects the brand. Maintain the company's internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit points together with any issues raised by external regulators.
Basic Qualifications:
· Experience in portfolio lending highly preferred
· Knowledge of wealth management financial products preferred
· Strong network of centers of influence in the market
· Minimum of an Associate's degree in business, finance, related field or equivalent experience
· Minimum of one year’s proven mortgage banking experience or equivalent or minimum of two years proven customer service experience or equivalent
· Proven communications, sales, interpersonal and presentation skills
· Knowledge of secondary market guidelines and compliance requirements
· Highly motivated and able to act independently
My client is an Equal Opportunity Employer: EOE/M/F/D/V of the highest caliber.
Send your resume to Tish509@comcast.net
OR call: Tish Ferguson @ 732-259-2780
Friday, October 22, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Recipes for the CFO: Who Cooked the Risk Books?
Welcome to TishTrek - THE JOB BLOG
Corporate Quote for the Day: "If you compete, don't cheat!" - Tish
In the world of Information Technology, protecting the inventions of the brilliant developers and engineers who are driving business successes behind the scenes is a tenet of our industry. When someone on a team threatens to compromise that principle, it's our duty to take steps to secure and protect the intellectual property of those inventors.
Many of you have lived the journey from CRT's to the PC, CRM to B2B; and from web services to electronic communications networks (ECN) with a passion others will never understand. Thirty years ago, imagining dark pool aggregators and alternative trading services (ATS) or advanced clearing operations was something joked about after watching Star Wars movies. You've lived all sides of this fascinating business as you moved your companies from archaic stockbroker workstations to modern day wealth management platforms; from back-office to middle office; and you cheered for that BPO during the ascent of straight-through processing!
The Six Sigma & CMM standards dedicated to execution services have moved to excellence in algorithms, sponsored access, smart order routing and beyond. The most seasoned among us, watched as the retirement of the tandem computing dinosaur gave way to the engineering wonders of UNIX workstations; until they were seamlessly superseded by NT. Three cheers for this delightful & never-ending ride!
Finally, virtual & cloud computing bursts on the scene to remind us that there are always dedicated professionals inventing, developing and creating solutions to help companies compete and execute business. Those customers who enjoy trading in multiple asset classes or who move goods between countries have information technology professionals to thank for inventing white board-to-execution solutions which have doubled the number of trading venues and markets they are able to access around the globe.
There are countless examples of these successes in product development, so here's today's plea:
If a leader in your company ever instructs you to infringe on the copyright privileges of another man's work (i.e. - that is if you're asked to copy proprietary computer programs or code, and/ or to steal trade secrets in any form to compete-like-a-cheat) - the only right answer is to run like hell to alert someone who has the authority to stop this request in its tracks.
Let me introduce you to a sales executive who - by cheating a competitor - taught all of us that it's always important to say something, if you see something. It was a bad day when the federal authorities raided the corporate headquarters of his employer - a respected market leader; what was particularily disturbing & disappointing is that a revered customer of this man had its offices raided too! What played out for the two years that followed was all thanks to the calculated actions & behaviors of a few. No employee population should have to go through this; never mind two seperate employee populations on the same day.
Employees in two states were evacuated from their offices by Federal Authorities who had arrived at their respective headquarters with guns drawn. Moving trucks backed into the buildings so they could remove everything the signed warrants & subpoenas gave them permission to take. Executives were ushered to interview rooms and to mobile sub-stations to answer questions. It felt like chaos for the 540 unsuspecting employees impacted, inconvenienced & shook up by these dramatic activities brought on by the determination, behaviors and executive mandates of a single sales executive looking for a fast commission. Equipment, tapes, documentation and other technologies were removed from the premises of the targeted facilities because of a serious complaint filed by a competing software services vendor in Federal Court.
Technical experts would later agree that the vendor's code had been stolen and reproduced. The sales executive's goal - in fact - was to infringe on the targeted vendor's copyrights and to willingly misappropriate trade secrets to meet some quota. He also instructed his employees to use their stellar influence and negotiation skills as well as their expense accounts to "inspire" employees at the customer site to help them execute this illegal plan. In the end, they convinced others to participate.
One evening after business hours, competitive intelligence was removed from a locked conference room at the customer branch where demo workstations had been set up for the vendor selection process. In short, copying the data code in question cheated the competitor. Perhaps, not a big deal to people who don't understand our business, but a very big deal indeed. It eliminated a legitimate opportunity for the IT team that created this market offering to benefit the competitive advantage it had worked so hard to create. After all, their ideas, research dollars, hard work and time had produced the winning solution in the first place.
The raids by the Feds, grand jury appearances, trial dates, finger-pointing, settlement term discussions among parties, people refusing to admit guilt, complex employee relations issues and amended complaints played out for over two years before a consent to judgement was agreed to. It was hard for the company to focus on much else and it was a difficult time for every employee forced to live with the consequences of these circumstances.
Those charged in this case used a defense which included blaming those employees at the branch who provided access and who helped to obtain and make copies of the materials at the heart of this case. The fact that no element of force was used during the breaking & entering at the customer site helped them. Unfortunately, an amended complaint would later arrive naming the client as a co-defendent in this copyright infringement case leaving the fate of $29 million in annual revenues and the technical solution for over 10,000 workstations hanging in the balance. Obviously, it was time to settle.
In the end, a confidential financial settlement along with an agreement to buy some of the petitioner's subsidiaries helped this case go away. Make no mistake - in this very public case - we're talking hundred of millions of dollars and client relationships ruptured forever. There were no winners.
Employees were terminated. Years later, the business unit in the middle of this scandal would be sold off in pieces... never to be heard from again.
But here's the problem with this outcome: The actual employees tied to this dismal chapter in corporate history were quietly dismissed and/ or shuffled out of these companies without a word. This put all of them - including the sales executive at the center of this case - inside the next unsuspecting company without anyone realizing that there was a direct & serious risk to their company tied to hiring them.
Since we have a responsibility to protect the revenues and assets of all companies, I suggest some kind of regulated system similar to the CRD System which tracks the U-4 & U-5 employment/ termination records of FINRA licensed employees in Fiancial Services. The mission is clear: to preserve the integrity of hiring processes tied to Global Information Technology because IT is - in fact - tied to every global financial transaction on the planet.
Perhaps, it should be called U-6 Deep-Six Compliance. How it would work: If IT personnel willingly use their skills and competencies to commit crimes or to take actions to compromise copyright laws, and/or to steal intellectual property, trade secrets, and proprietary systems from fellow professionals and competitors - there would be a process - rooted in law - which would prohibit them from working in the IT field and/or in any industry they intentionally worked to deceive or harm.
There are lots of legal settlements that play out in Financial Services. The infractions and crimes of the FINRA licensed people involved in such situations are always documented on U-4 & U-5 forms for all future employers to see. This kind of system needs to be duplicated in Information Technology.
The economic meltdown is reason enough to create a certified central authority to monitor & flag Information Technology professionals going forward. Perhaps some kind of Federal U-6 Deep-Six Officers Committee authorized to ban those trained in the IT industry altogether if necessary? Or - at a minimum we agree to ban people from those industries adversely impacted by actions intended to defraud others?
Of course, first we have to be focused on those cases already settled by the Federal Courts because they already know each person's role in these cases before settlement; then you'd have to create a legitimate mediation process so people could defend charges, etc...
Think about it: Does anyone have the names of all the revered Financial Engineers and/ or Quantitative Analysts who helped bring down Lehman or AIG? - Who are those people who took those jobs to cook the risk books?
Some of us know the names of honorable men and women who would not do this work. But few of us know the actual names of the employees who did. How can that be?
CEO Dick Fuld & AIG's Joseph Cassano were not the IT professionals behind the scenes creating the complex mathmatical formulas and designing the complex financial instruments which were built to hide the risk all companies had a fiduciary responsibility to mitigate. Where are all these people now?
How do you know you haven't already hired some of these integrity-challenged hires into your company? You don't because there is no system to protect you from them. So what do you think we should do about this complex recruiting challenge of our time?
You can write to Tish509@comcast.net to suggest solutions. Please contribute your ideas to this amazing challenge that does not have an easy answer - Thanks.
I promise to pass your professional opinion & suggestions to Governor Chis Christie in New Jersey & Mayor Bloomberg in NYC.
Best regards,
TishTrek
Corporate Quote for the Day: "If you compete, don't cheat!" - Tish
In the world of Information Technology, protecting the inventions of the brilliant developers and engineers who are driving business successes behind the scenes is a tenet of our industry. When someone on a team threatens to compromise that principle, it's our duty to take steps to secure and protect the intellectual property of those inventors.
Many of you have lived the journey from CRT's to the PC, CRM to B2B; and from web services to electronic communications networks (ECN) with a passion others will never understand. Thirty years ago, imagining dark pool aggregators and alternative trading services (ATS) or advanced clearing operations was something joked about after watching Star Wars movies. You've lived all sides of this fascinating business as you moved your companies from archaic stockbroker workstations to modern day wealth management platforms; from back-office to middle office; and you cheered for that BPO during the ascent of straight-through processing!
The Six Sigma & CMM standards dedicated to execution services have moved to excellence in algorithms, sponsored access, smart order routing and beyond. The most seasoned among us, watched as the retirement of the tandem computing dinosaur gave way to the engineering wonders of UNIX workstations; until they were seamlessly superseded by NT. Three cheers for this delightful & never-ending ride!
Finally, virtual & cloud computing bursts on the scene to remind us that there are always dedicated professionals inventing, developing and creating solutions to help companies compete and execute business. Those customers who enjoy trading in multiple asset classes or who move goods between countries have information technology professionals to thank for inventing white board-to-execution solutions which have doubled the number of trading venues and markets they are able to access around the globe.
There are countless examples of these successes in product development, so here's today's plea:
If a leader in your company ever instructs you to infringe on the copyright privileges of another man's work (i.e. - that is if you're asked to copy proprietary computer programs or code, and/ or to steal trade secrets in any form to compete-like-a-cheat) - the only right answer is to run like hell to alert someone who has the authority to stop this request in its tracks.
Let me introduce you to a sales executive who - by cheating a competitor - taught all of us that it's always important to say something, if you see something. It was a bad day when the federal authorities raided the corporate headquarters of his employer - a respected market leader; what was particularily disturbing & disappointing is that a revered customer of this man had its offices raided too! What played out for the two years that followed was all thanks to the calculated actions & behaviors of a few. No employee population should have to go through this; never mind two seperate employee populations on the same day.
Employees in two states were evacuated from their offices by Federal Authorities who had arrived at their respective headquarters with guns drawn. Moving trucks backed into the buildings so they could remove everything the signed warrants & subpoenas gave them permission to take. Executives were ushered to interview rooms and to mobile sub-stations to answer questions. It felt like chaos for the 540 unsuspecting employees impacted, inconvenienced & shook up by these dramatic activities brought on by the determination, behaviors and executive mandates of a single sales executive looking for a fast commission. Equipment, tapes, documentation and other technologies were removed from the premises of the targeted facilities because of a serious complaint filed by a competing software services vendor in Federal Court.
Technical experts would later agree that the vendor's code had been stolen and reproduced. The sales executive's goal - in fact - was to infringe on the targeted vendor's copyrights and to willingly misappropriate trade secrets to meet some quota. He also instructed his employees to use their stellar influence and negotiation skills as well as their expense accounts to "inspire" employees at the customer site to help them execute this illegal plan. In the end, they convinced others to participate.
One evening after business hours, competitive intelligence was removed from a locked conference room at the customer branch where demo workstations had been set up for the vendor selection process. In short, copying the data code in question cheated the competitor. Perhaps, not a big deal to people who don't understand our business, but a very big deal indeed. It eliminated a legitimate opportunity for the IT team that created this market offering to benefit the competitive advantage it had worked so hard to create. After all, their ideas, research dollars, hard work and time had produced the winning solution in the first place.
The raids by the Feds, grand jury appearances, trial dates, finger-pointing, settlement term discussions among parties, people refusing to admit guilt, complex employee relations issues and amended complaints played out for over two years before a consent to judgement was agreed to. It was hard for the company to focus on much else and it was a difficult time for every employee forced to live with the consequences of these circumstances.
Those charged in this case used a defense which included blaming those employees at the branch who provided access and who helped to obtain and make copies of the materials at the heart of this case. The fact that no element of force was used during the breaking & entering at the customer site helped them. Unfortunately, an amended complaint would later arrive naming the client as a co-defendent in this copyright infringement case leaving the fate of $29 million in annual revenues and the technical solution for over 10,000 workstations hanging in the balance. Obviously, it was time to settle.
In the end, a confidential financial settlement along with an agreement to buy some of the petitioner's subsidiaries helped this case go away. Make no mistake - in this very public case - we're talking hundred of millions of dollars and client relationships ruptured forever. There were no winners.
Employees were terminated. Years later, the business unit in the middle of this scandal would be sold off in pieces... never to be heard from again.
But here's the problem with this outcome: The actual employees tied to this dismal chapter in corporate history were quietly dismissed and/ or shuffled out of these companies without a word. This put all of them - including the sales executive at the center of this case - inside the next unsuspecting company without anyone realizing that there was a direct & serious risk to their company tied to hiring them.
Since we have a responsibility to protect the revenues and assets of all companies, I suggest some kind of regulated system similar to the CRD System which tracks the U-4 & U-5 employment/ termination records of FINRA licensed employees in Fiancial Services. The mission is clear: to preserve the integrity of hiring processes tied to Global Information Technology because IT is - in fact - tied to every global financial transaction on the planet.
Perhaps, it should be called U-6 Deep-Six Compliance. How it would work: If IT personnel willingly use their skills and competencies to commit crimes or to take actions to compromise copyright laws, and/or to steal intellectual property, trade secrets, and proprietary systems from fellow professionals and competitors - there would be a process - rooted in law - which would prohibit them from working in the IT field and/or in any industry they intentionally worked to deceive or harm.
There are lots of legal settlements that play out in Financial Services. The infractions and crimes of the FINRA licensed people involved in such situations are always documented on U-4 & U-5 forms for all future employers to see. This kind of system needs to be duplicated in Information Technology.
The economic meltdown is reason enough to create a certified central authority to monitor & flag Information Technology professionals going forward. Perhaps some kind of Federal U-6 Deep-Six Officers Committee authorized to ban those trained in the IT industry altogether if necessary? Or - at a minimum we agree to ban people from those industries adversely impacted by actions intended to defraud others?
Of course, first we have to be focused on those cases already settled by the Federal Courts because they already know each person's role in these cases before settlement; then you'd have to create a legitimate mediation process so people could defend charges, etc...
Think about it: Does anyone have the names of all the revered Financial Engineers and/ or Quantitative Analysts who helped bring down Lehman or AIG? - Who are those people who took those jobs to cook the risk books?
Some of us know the names of honorable men and women who would not do this work. But few of us know the actual names of the employees who did. How can that be?
CEO Dick Fuld & AIG's Joseph Cassano were not the IT professionals behind the scenes creating the complex mathmatical formulas and designing the complex financial instruments which were built to hide the risk all companies had a fiduciary responsibility to mitigate. Where are all these people now?
How do you know you haven't already hired some of these integrity-challenged hires into your company? You don't because there is no system to protect you from them. So what do you think we should do about this complex recruiting challenge of our time?
You can write to Tish509@comcast.net to suggest solutions. Please contribute your ideas to this amazing challenge that does not have an easy answer - Thanks.
I promise to pass your professional opinion & suggestions to Governor Chis Christie in New Jersey & Mayor Bloomberg in NYC.
Best regards,
TishTrek
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Recipes for the CFO: How the Books are Cooked! Chapter 3
Welcome to TishTrek - THE JOB BLOG!
Corporate Quote for the Day: "People who fail to live leader behaviors at home will not live them in the office... or anywhere else for that matter". - Tish
One day a global company sent out a $36,000 accounts payable check which represented a 25% fee on a $144,000 base salary for a Sr. Program Management position filled by the in-house corporate recruiter assigned to the Information Technology Applications Department. The check was returned to the Human Resources department because the post office box was no longer in service. The Director of Staffing executed a good faith effort to reach out to the vendor this check was payable to.
To the stunned disappointment of company management, it was discovered that the address associated with the PO box belonged to the company’s Sr. Vice President of Applications Development. He was in business with six members of his department and an in-house recruiter. It was a staggering wake up call to find out these employees had profited to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars over a four year period.
Worse yet, the employment candidates hired by this team also profited. It was later discovered that this troop of professionals had traveled in packs throughout their career and - in fact - had executed the same deceptive plan at their last employer where they had worked in the IT department of a NY hospital.
And here's an important kicker: The Employee Referral Program, which paid employees $5,000 for referrals that were hired, wasn't profitable enough. Instead of referring & hiring their candidates through this legitimate corporate staffing program, they concocted the more lucrative bogus/ fake employment agency plan.
These crooks killed cost-per-hire statistics and wasted the time of a lot of people. Recruiters and the external employment agencies who were out there working daily to deliver high caliber candidates had no clue that their candidates never had a chance to be hired by these decision makers & cheats inside the firm.
Think about this: Qualified candidates who arrived at this Fortune 500 company directly, through the employee referral program or from employment agencies not tied to these hiring managers took the time to dress, commute and interview with decision-makers on a hiring team who never intended to actually assess their skills or hire them.
If you believe that every candidate is a potential client or decision-maker of your products, services and market offerings, then you have a responsibility to take every step to protect their interests. Honoring the tenets of equal employment opportunity is a corporate priority across America, so all companies must work to keep candidates from being adversely impacted or rejected in a staffing process for reasons not tied to their skills, competencies, background, experience and credentials.
Kroll International, a white collar investigative firm based in NYC, helped this company solve this crime. Their experts informed company executives that these people often change company names, addresses, and contact information because they are not only in the business of cheating your company, but the tax man too.
In the end, the company ramped up it's vendor management processes and ran Dun & Bradstreet reports on every company paid an employment agency fee over a 4 year period. They also investigated all silent limited partners behind the person or people who carried the 51% ownership stake in each firm. This small step helped lead them to some of the shell companies used to execute these crimes and to the invisable faces profiting.
The company actually stopped executing business with staffing vendors whose invoices and resumes were tied only to PO boxes, (i.e. with no legitimate street addresses or facilities tied to them). This situation played out several years ago, so the challenge now is this: In our evolving age of remote technology, executing business through e-mail and cell phones has become so commonplace that it actually compromises a company's ability to flag any number of suspicious activities on the front-end. That's why vigilance and a complete commitment to world class processes on the back-end of your vendor management programs are more important than ever.
If you manage employees who are doing such things inside your company, then you are accountable. Lax and/or chaotic staffing standards, processes and transactional procedures cannot be an option. Every company owns the responsibility to mitigate risks that deny great employment candidates and high quality vendor partners the legitimate opportunity to compete. The success of your company depends on the programs that generate revenues and protect assets. Are you satisfied that you are doing well in all these areas?
Good Luck!
Best regards,
TishTrek
Corporate Quote for the Day: "People who fail to live leader behaviors at home will not live them in the office... or anywhere else for that matter". - Tish
One day a global company sent out a $36,000 accounts payable check which represented a 25% fee on a $144,000 base salary for a Sr. Program Management position filled by the in-house corporate recruiter assigned to the Information Technology Applications Department. The check was returned to the Human Resources department because the post office box was no longer in service. The Director of Staffing executed a good faith effort to reach out to the vendor this check was payable to.
To the stunned disappointment of company management, it was discovered that the address associated with the PO box belonged to the company’s Sr. Vice President of Applications Development. He was in business with six members of his department and an in-house recruiter. It was a staggering wake up call to find out these employees had profited to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars over a four year period.
Worse yet, the employment candidates hired by this team also profited. It was later discovered that this troop of professionals had traveled in packs throughout their career and - in fact - had executed the same deceptive plan at their last employer where they had worked in the IT department of a NY hospital.
And here's an important kicker: The Employee Referral Program, which paid employees $5,000 for referrals that were hired, wasn't profitable enough. Instead of referring & hiring their candidates through this legitimate corporate staffing program, they concocted the more lucrative bogus/ fake employment agency plan.
These crooks killed cost-per-hire statistics and wasted the time of a lot of people. Recruiters and the external employment agencies who were out there working daily to deliver high caliber candidates had no clue that their candidates never had a chance to be hired by these decision makers & cheats inside the firm.
Think about this: Qualified candidates who arrived at this Fortune 500 company directly, through the employee referral program or from employment agencies not tied to these hiring managers took the time to dress, commute and interview with decision-makers on a hiring team who never intended to actually assess their skills or hire them.
If you believe that every candidate is a potential client or decision-maker of your products, services and market offerings, then you have a responsibility to take every step to protect their interests. Honoring the tenets of equal employment opportunity is a corporate priority across America, so all companies must work to keep candidates from being adversely impacted or rejected in a staffing process for reasons not tied to their skills, competencies, background, experience and credentials.
Kroll International, a white collar investigative firm based in NYC, helped this company solve this crime. Their experts informed company executives that these people often change company names, addresses, and contact information because they are not only in the business of cheating your company, but the tax man too.
In the end, the company ramped up it's vendor management processes and ran Dun & Bradstreet reports on every company paid an employment agency fee over a 4 year period. They also investigated all silent limited partners behind the person or people who carried the 51% ownership stake in each firm. This small step helped lead them to some of the shell companies used to execute these crimes and to the invisable faces profiting.
The company actually stopped executing business with staffing vendors whose invoices and resumes were tied only to PO boxes, (i.e. with no legitimate street addresses or facilities tied to them). This situation played out several years ago, so the challenge now is this: In our evolving age of remote technology, executing business through e-mail and cell phones has become so commonplace that it actually compromises a company's ability to flag any number of suspicious activities on the front-end. That's why vigilance and a complete commitment to world class processes on the back-end of your vendor management programs are more important than ever.
If you manage employees who are doing such things inside your company, then you are accountable. Lax and/or chaotic staffing standards, processes and transactional procedures cannot be an option. Every company owns the responsibility to mitigate risks that deny great employment candidates and high quality vendor partners the legitimate opportunity to compete. The success of your company depends on the programs that generate revenues and protect assets. Are you satisfied that you are doing well in all these areas?
Good Luck!
Best regards,
TishTrek
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Recipes for the CFO: How the Books are Cooked! - Chapter 2
Welcome to TishTrek - THE JOB BLOG!
Corporate quote for the day: "When there is no integrity, you have no brand." - Tish
A Fortune 500 company moved its offices from Manhattan to Jersey City in the late 1980's. At the time, there was a federally mandated change in I-9 Immigration Processing, so - as a precaution until the full extent of the mandate was understood by the firm - an employee in Human Resources was given the responsibility to retrieve citizenship documentation from contractors. Many worked for the Information Technology consulting firms that were chosen to facilitate the company’s move across the Hudson River. While focused on this assignment, it was discovered that over an 18 month period the company had been billed for 32 IT contractors who did not exist.
There were management teams who willingly signed off on timesheets and invoices for work that had never been performed. Timely payments had been made to the vendor, checks were cashed, etc... In this case, the managers were not silent partners of this particular consulting firm. Their approach to profit was to willingly take compensation from the firms whose revenues had been enhanced by their willingness to commit fraud.
Interestingly enough, the payouts to managers had come from other shell companies & limited partnerships which were conveniently registered to the same address of the IT consulting firm that had "won" the telecommunications contract. Their job was to set up a network infrastructure between the New York and New Jersey facilities which - in this case - had to be connected by way of tunnels under the Hudson River.
Why we should be outraged by situations like this is because it is an absolute affront to all the honest, hard working employees inside your company; and it's not fair to those tremendous partners in the IT vendor community who do execute their business with the best interest of your company in mind and with the appropriate level of excellence and integrity every single day. In these situations, these business leaders don't even get the opportunity to compete; and the company's shot at a best value-best buy proposition is totally undermined and compromised.
When we fail to address issues like this, we are forcing employees in good-standing to be managed by people we hired who lack honesty, integrity and other leader behaviors which research confirms has followed them since they were kids.** So what should you do?
It takes high caliber hires and excellent recruitment screening processes to keep repeat negative behaviors from adversely impacting your bottom line, so take the hiring process in your company more seriously today than you did yesterday. Then, ask yourself if it ever dawned on you to make someone responsible for physically counting all those contractors you are being billed for around the globe?
Remember that it takes world class processes in procurement and purchasing to battle white collar criminals who look forward to enhancing themselves off the back of your company anytime you give them the opportunity to do so. Today's advice is to start that audit of your end-to-end vendor management practices & policies.
Finally, do something to help innocent employees stuck in the middle of these awful schemes behind the scenes by promoting an MTA-like campaign which accentuates the values driving your firm. The theme: "If you see something, say something. Our success depends on it!"
Time is money, start now.
Best regards,
TishTrek
**Lominger Behavioral Studies
Corporate quote for the day: "When there is no integrity, you have no brand." - Tish
A Fortune 500 company moved its offices from Manhattan to Jersey City in the late 1980's. At the time, there was a federally mandated change in I-9 Immigration Processing, so - as a precaution until the full extent of the mandate was understood by the firm - an employee in Human Resources was given the responsibility to retrieve citizenship documentation from contractors. Many worked for the Information Technology consulting firms that were chosen to facilitate the company’s move across the Hudson River. While focused on this assignment, it was discovered that over an 18 month period the company had been billed for 32 IT contractors who did not exist.
There were management teams who willingly signed off on timesheets and invoices for work that had never been performed. Timely payments had been made to the vendor, checks were cashed, etc... In this case, the managers were not silent partners of this particular consulting firm. Their approach to profit was to willingly take compensation from the firms whose revenues had been enhanced by their willingness to commit fraud.
Interestingly enough, the payouts to managers had come from other shell companies & limited partnerships which were conveniently registered to the same address of the IT consulting firm that had "won" the telecommunications contract. Their job was to set up a network infrastructure between the New York and New Jersey facilities which - in this case - had to be connected by way of tunnels under the Hudson River.
Why we should be outraged by situations like this is because it is an absolute affront to all the honest, hard working employees inside your company; and it's not fair to those tremendous partners in the IT vendor community who do execute their business with the best interest of your company in mind and with the appropriate level of excellence and integrity every single day. In these situations, these business leaders don't even get the opportunity to compete; and the company's shot at a best value-best buy proposition is totally undermined and compromised.
When we fail to address issues like this, we are forcing employees in good-standing to be managed by people we hired who lack honesty, integrity and other leader behaviors which research confirms has followed them since they were kids.** So what should you do?
It takes high caliber hires and excellent recruitment screening processes to keep repeat negative behaviors from adversely impacting your bottom line, so take the hiring process in your company more seriously today than you did yesterday. Then, ask yourself if it ever dawned on you to make someone responsible for physically counting all those contractors you are being billed for around the globe?
Remember that it takes world class processes in procurement and purchasing to battle white collar criminals who look forward to enhancing themselves off the back of your company anytime you give them the opportunity to do so. Today's advice is to start that audit of your end-to-end vendor management practices & policies.
Finally, do something to help innocent employees stuck in the middle of these awful schemes behind the scenes by promoting an MTA-like campaign which accentuates the values driving your firm. The theme: "If you see something, say something. Our success depends on it!"
Time is money, start now.
Best regards,
TishTrek
**Lominger Behavioral Studies
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Recipes for the CFO: How the Books are Cooked!
Welcome to TishTrek - THE JOB BLOG:
Bloomberg News reported on Thursday - September 9th that 1/3 of the corporations surveyed worldwide revealed they are the victims of fraud & embezzlement.
After listening, I only had one thought: This is news?
Then I thought about my kids: OMGosh - One third? Who raised these people? Then you have to push yourself to ask: Who hired them?
As a result of these revelations, I've decided to start a short series to educate others on how corporate crooks cook-the-books:
In Company A, it became critical to introduce world class procurement procedures and to focus on managing the acquisition of talent for all full time, part time, on-shore, off-shore and U.S. contract personnel through ONE office after the company's Chief Information Officer and 8 other senior business officers were terminated.
Here is what a Big 4 consulting firm & others helped Company A figure out:
Executives - some who had been with the firm for decades - had set up anonymous Consulting LLC firms where it was not transparent that the same managers entrusted to make the contract personnel decisions for the firm were actually partners, stakeholders and/or benefactors in the vendor firms selected by them.
While enjoying their executive pay packages, these people profited off of every hour of service performed by consultants in their departments to the tune of millions of dollars over many years. For years, the way many companies approached consulting procurement - especially in the area of information technology - created a ripe environment for this illegal activity to play out.
The unethical people who willingly participate in these kind of activities cause the pay and bill rates of consultants to sky-rocket in their companies and across the U.S. because these employees successfully create a “clandestine system” that allows them to hide behind the LLC header and manipulate the information and financing on both ends of the process. The level of deception is just mind-boggling to comprehend.
How secure are your company's purchasing and procurement practices? Is the wrong talent arriving at your company because every hire or contractor has to be funneled through contracting firms silently tied to your in-house executives? Bloomberg News already answered that question for us when they surveyed global companies.
Oh and by the way, the other reason corporate vigilance in this regard is important is to position your company to recognize the people and vendors who do these things and those who don't. I can promise you that these scams have kept some of the greatest companies on the planet from executing business that would have helped your company.
Make no mistake, you can't stop illegal activity. But introducing world class procurement/ purchasing procedures, researching all stakeholders who profit on the vendor-side and hiring people who live Leader Behaviors will definitely make it harder for those determined to cook your books.
Good luck.
Best regards,
TishTrek
Bloomberg News reported on Thursday - September 9th that 1/3 of the corporations surveyed worldwide revealed they are the victims of fraud & embezzlement.
After listening, I only had one thought: This is news?
Then I thought about my kids: OMGosh - One third? Who raised these people? Then you have to push yourself to ask: Who hired them?
As a result of these revelations, I've decided to start a short series to educate others on how corporate crooks cook-the-books:
In Company A, it became critical to introduce world class procurement procedures and to focus on managing the acquisition of talent for all full time, part time, on-shore, off-shore and U.S. contract personnel through ONE office after the company's Chief Information Officer and 8 other senior business officers were terminated.
Here is what a Big 4 consulting firm & others helped Company A figure out:
Executives - some who had been with the firm for decades - had set up anonymous Consulting LLC firms where it was not transparent that the same managers entrusted to make the contract personnel decisions for the firm were actually partners, stakeholders and/or benefactors in the vendor firms selected by them.
While enjoying their executive pay packages, these people profited off of every hour of service performed by consultants in their departments to the tune of millions of dollars over many years. For years, the way many companies approached consulting procurement - especially in the area of information technology - created a ripe environment for this illegal activity to play out.
The unethical people who willingly participate in these kind of activities cause the pay and bill rates of consultants to sky-rocket in their companies and across the U.S. because these employees successfully create a “clandestine system” that allows them to hide behind the LLC header and manipulate the information and financing on both ends of the process. The level of deception is just mind-boggling to comprehend.
How secure are your company's purchasing and procurement practices? Is the wrong talent arriving at your company because every hire or contractor has to be funneled through contracting firms silently tied to your in-house executives? Bloomberg News already answered that question for us when they surveyed global companies.
Oh and by the way, the other reason corporate vigilance in this regard is important is to position your company to recognize the people and vendors who do these things and those who don't. I can promise you that these scams have kept some of the greatest companies on the planet from executing business that would have helped your company.
Make no mistake, you can't stop illegal activity. But introducing world class procurement/ purchasing procedures, researching all stakeholders who profit on the vendor-side and hiring people who live Leader Behaviors will definitely make it harder for those determined to cook your books.
Good luck.
Best regards,
TishTrek
Sunday, September 12, 2010
This Mosque: Silence is not an option
Yesterday, Harry and I took our 9th Anniversary Journey on the SeaStreak Commuter Ferry to honor those murdered before our eyes during that enormity of horror known as 9-11.
While waiting for the boat, we met amazing & caring people who were headed to NYC to march against the proposed mosque. Harry and I thanked them for marching for us. We told them we supported them & that we appreciated the fact that they cared enough to use their feet to voice their opinions. Several times I casually blurted out, that I don't march but that I do write letters to the editor. Before we left the ferry to begin our trek towards Wall Street, we ended by thanking them for working to make a difference regarding this important issue of our time.
After our solemn walk to Ground Zero and St. Paul's Church... I realized that I shouldn't be simply thanking others for doing something that I should be participating in. So...
We changed our plans and marched with 9-11 families and thousands of others yesterday to protest this mosque - the planned global symbol of conquest called Cordoba House. I marched for all the reasons I outline in my letter to the editor below. It was published on Friday, September 3rd in The Ocean Star newspaper in Ocean County, NJ.
What I learned first hand over the past 20 years is that silence produces deadly results...
- TishTrek
----- Original Message -----
From: Tish Ferguson
To: letters@theoceanstar.com
Sent: Friday, August 27, 2010 12:52 AM
Subject: Hearts break and 9/11 History will repeat itself...
Dear Editor,
It's been 17 long years since the first World Trade Center attack and it's the ninth anniversary of 9/11, so make no mistake, Iman Feisal Rauf knows the protests in downtown Manhattan are not about mosque-building or freedom of religion and he's using this knowledge to his full advantage.
In the early 1990’s, many of us commuted past the make-shift mosque one floor up from the Chinese restaurant at Journal Square, Jersey City which was used as a camouflaged safe house by blind Shiek Omar Abdel Rahman to inspire young men to want to murder all of us. No one marched to remove that mosque.
In 1993, we watched in stunned disbelief when that same blind shiek masterminded the truck bomb explosion plot that blew a 10-story gaping hole inside the World Trade Center. Only 6 dead & 1,042 injured, so they vowed to come again. On 9/11 – we watched in absolute horror as others finished the job. No one marched to remove the mosques tied to these murderers.
In July 2010, it was reported that Al Qaeda follower Adnan Shukrijumah created his 2007 and 2009 plans to blow up New York City airports & subways in the clandestine corridors of his dad’s Brooklyn mosque. No one is marching to remove that mosque.
In honor of this 9th Anniversary, perhaps we could pause to remember the marching that was NOT done in front of mosques over the last 20 years. Perhaps we can celebrate the under-reported high percentage of U.S. citizens who actually do respect and cherish the tenets of religious freedom for all.
On this 9th anniversary of 9/11, my heart breaks for the 17th year in a row. After I honor our dead, I will bypass the unfortunate diversion created by Iman Rauf and salute those who taught me this: When you ignore history, history becomes destined to repeat itself.
God help & bless America.
Respectfully submitted,
Tish Ferguson
2404 Maria Place
Pt. Pleasant, NJ 08742
732-259-2780 – Cell
732-714-8483 - Home
While waiting for the boat, we met amazing & caring people who were headed to NYC to march against the proposed mosque. Harry and I thanked them for marching for us. We told them we supported them & that we appreciated the fact that they cared enough to use their feet to voice their opinions. Several times I casually blurted out, that I don't march but that I do write letters to the editor. Before we left the ferry to begin our trek towards Wall Street, we ended by thanking them for working to make a difference regarding this important issue of our time.
After our solemn walk to Ground Zero and St. Paul's Church... I realized that I shouldn't be simply thanking others for doing something that I should be participating in. So...
We changed our plans and marched with 9-11 families and thousands of others yesterday to protest this mosque - the planned global symbol of conquest called Cordoba House. I marched for all the reasons I outline in my letter to the editor below. It was published on Friday, September 3rd in The Ocean Star newspaper in Ocean County, NJ.
What I learned first hand over the past 20 years is that silence produces deadly results...
- TishTrek
----- Original Message -----
From: Tish Ferguson
To: letters@theoceanstar.com
Sent: Friday, August 27, 2010 12:52 AM
Subject: Hearts break and 9/11 History will repeat itself...
Dear Editor,
It's been 17 long years since the first World Trade Center attack and it's the ninth anniversary of 9/11, so make no mistake, Iman Feisal Rauf knows the protests in downtown Manhattan are not about mosque-building or freedom of religion and he's using this knowledge to his full advantage.
In the early 1990’s, many of us commuted past the make-shift mosque one floor up from the Chinese restaurant at Journal Square, Jersey City which was used as a camouflaged safe house by blind Shiek Omar Abdel Rahman to inspire young men to want to murder all of us. No one marched to remove that mosque.
In 1993, we watched in stunned disbelief when that same blind shiek masterminded the truck bomb explosion plot that blew a 10-story gaping hole inside the World Trade Center. Only 6 dead & 1,042 injured, so they vowed to come again. On 9/11 – we watched in absolute horror as others finished the job. No one marched to remove the mosques tied to these murderers.
In July 2010, it was reported that Al Qaeda follower Adnan Shukrijumah created his 2007 and 2009 plans to blow up New York City airports & subways in the clandestine corridors of his dad’s Brooklyn mosque. No one is marching to remove that mosque.
In honor of this 9th Anniversary, perhaps we could pause to remember the marching that was NOT done in front of mosques over the last 20 years. Perhaps we can celebrate the under-reported high percentage of U.S. citizens who actually do respect and cherish the tenets of religious freedom for all.
On this 9th anniversary of 9/11, my heart breaks for the 17th year in a row. After I honor our dead, I will bypass the unfortunate diversion created by Iman Rauf and salute those who taught me this: When you ignore history, history becomes destined to repeat itself.
God help & bless America.
Respectfully submitted,
Tish Ferguson
2404 Maria Place
Pt. Pleasant, NJ 08742
732-259-2780 – Cell
732-714-8483 - Home
Saturday, September 11, 2010
9-11-10: A Journey to honor all of them & God
Today 9-11-10, Harry and I are retracing the steps of our 9-11 journey on that SeaStreak Ferry to honor those who died and to thank God for the 9th year in a row for the gifts he showered on us that day...
Nine years ago today: After our ferry took the first couple of hundred people from the chaos @ Pier 11 in the East River, it was HE who ushered us safely past Governor's Island and past the feet of Lady Liberty and under the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. We prayed with HIM and it was HE who comforted us in the middle of that water.
HE fervently urged me to look away and I listened. After the second tower fell, I literally turned my body completely around and looked only to the east and the south so the power of the magnificent ocean would give my breaking heart strength. HE encouraged me to use the Sandy Hook landscape to try to counter the view of the enormity of horror that was so painfully seared & freshly etched in my mind.
God drove the SeaStreak Commuter Ferry that morning... I will never forget. I am always grateful.
May all those who died in New York City, Washington, and Pennsylvania rest in everlasting peace. May all the hearts their lives touched beat to a drum that allows great memories to live on; and may the tears of millions help wash away the pain so we can clearly see what awaits all of us on the other side of this experience. God bless America.
With Deep Respect & Love,
Harry & Tish Ferguson
Nine years ago today: After our ferry took the first couple of hundred people from the chaos @ Pier 11 in the East River, it was HE who ushered us safely past Governor's Island and past the feet of Lady Liberty and under the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. We prayed with HIM and it was HE who comforted us in the middle of that water.
HE fervently urged me to look away and I listened. After the second tower fell, I literally turned my body completely around and looked only to the east and the south so the power of the magnificent ocean would give my breaking heart strength. HE encouraged me to use the Sandy Hook landscape to try to counter the view of the enormity of horror that was so painfully seared & freshly etched in my mind.
God drove the SeaStreak Commuter Ferry that morning... I will never forget. I am always grateful.
May all those who died in New York City, Washington, and Pennsylvania rest in everlasting peace. May all the hearts their lives touched beat to a drum that allows great memories to live on; and may the tears of millions help wash away the pain so we can clearly see what awaits all of us on the other side of this experience. God bless America.
With Deep Respect & Love,
Harry & Tish Ferguson
Friday, September 10, 2010
9-11 Anniverary: God Bless America
On Tuesday, September 11th 2001, I wrote the following:
Our View from NY Harbor on 9-11:
This morning 8:30 a.m., we boarded a Seasteak America Inc. Ferry in the Atlantic Highlands and then headed for New York at exactly 8:45. It was a clear day. We had overslept. As we watched out the window, we saw what looked like smoke billowing from the top of the World Trade Center. A fellow commuter called his wife. She confirmed there was a fire.
Moments later, over a ferry radio system the news arrived that - in fact - a hijacked plane had hit the World Trade Center. There was stunned silence while no one could remove their eyes from this view in the horizon as this terrifying history played out...
Our ferry continued under the Verrazano Bridge. As we continued to watch and as we drew closer to the Statue of Liberty, suddenly there was a fireball that we thought was bringing down an entire side of the WTC. A loud and breathtaking gasp filled the air. Whether it was our focus on the flames engulfing the first building or a matter of our view, none of us saw a plane coming... Moments later more radio communication at sea informed us that a second plane had actually hit the second tower. Fear and silence filled the air...
After being informed that Downtown Manhattan, the New York Stock Exchange, and all associated buildings were closing and being evacuated - we were told that the air around Manhattan had been "sanitized," which meant it had become a no-fly zone. Any plane trying to fly in that space would be shot down. Our eyes and our collective fear scanned the skyline and silently we prayed that all other landmarks would be protected, and that we - feeling somehow vulnerable in the middle of this water - would be safe too.
The crew of the Seastreak informed us that we were going to Pier 11 near South Street Seaport to help as many people as possible who were attempting to leave the city. There were thousands of people trying to get back to NJ. We could only take a couple hundred. We could only hope that more ferries would arrive there soon. We watched swarms of people begin their trek northbound towards the Brooklyn Bridge as they tried to beat the unknowns and the aftershock of what was to come.
As we pulled away from the dock, we looked up to the sky from the East River and watched the smoke pour over Wall Street from atop the Woolworth Building, the AIG building, and JP Morgan Chase. It was not like anything we had ever seen. Two of the largest buildings the world had ever known were spewing pieces from their silver shells which were brilliantly highlighted by the sun as they rained down on the East River, the Hudson River, and NY Harbor... This sad, reflective and horrifying moment reminded us that each reflection in the sky somehow symbolized a human life that wasn't returning home today.
Then came the news that our Pentagon had been hit... Our confusion and sadness heightened. The mushroom cloud that followed after these magnificent and incredible structures succumbed to the terrors of our society made us all realize that this was war.
A few hundred passengers on a simple commuter ferry alarmed, dazed and stunned, some with tears streaming, some with more fear than others - all of us frozen and bound together by a silence louder than any voice we had ever heard. It was the voice of "terrorism." - Tish Ferguson, 9/11/01 - 11 a.m. (portions of this piece were published in The Asbury Park Press & The Ocean Star, NJ - Sept., 2001)
***************
Later that day, my 8 year old son Scott got off his school bus in Pt. Pleasant, NJ and ran into my arms as I sat on the front steps of our home with my friend, Cheryl.
"Mommy! he yelled out. "Did you hear what happened today?"
"James said a giant plane flew into a big building in New York City!"
I threw my arms around him and hugged him as if it were the day he was born, and answered, "Yes, Honey. We heard about it. And Mommy loves you to the moon and back!"
By,
Tish Ferguson
A Quote for that day:
"What though the radiance which was once so bright
Be now for ever taken from my sight,
Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower;
We will grieve not, rather find
Strength in what remains behind"
— William Wordsworth, (Intimations of Immortality)
Our View from NY Harbor on 9-11:
This morning 8:30 a.m., we boarded a Seasteak America Inc. Ferry in the Atlantic Highlands and then headed for New York at exactly 8:45. It was a clear day. We had overslept. As we watched out the window, we saw what looked like smoke billowing from the top of the World Trade Center. A fellow commuter called his wife. She confirmed there was a fire.
Moments later, over a ferry radio system the news arrived that - in fact - a hijacked plane had hit the World Trade Center. There was stunned silence while no one could remove their eyes from this view in the horizon as this terrifying history played out...
Our ferry continued under the Verrazano Bridge. As we continued to watch and as we drew closer to the Statue of Liberty, suddenly there was a fireball that we thought was bringing down an entire side of the WTC. A loud and breathtaking gasp filled the air. Whether it was our focus on the flames engulfing the first building or a matter of our view, none of us saw a plane coming... Moments later more radio communication at sea informed us that a second plane had actually hit the second tower. Fear and silence filled the air...
After being informed that Downtown Manhattan, the New York Stock Exchange, and all associated buildings were closing and being evacuated - we were told that the air around Manhattan had been "sanitized," which meant it had become a no-fly zone. Any plane trying to fly in that space would be shot down. Our eyes and our collective fear scanned the skyline and silently we prayed that all other landmarks would be protected, and that we - feeling somehow vulnerable in the middle of this water - would be safe too.
The crew of the Seastreak informed us that we were going to Pier 11 near South Street Seaport to help as many people as possible who were attempting to leave the city. There were thousands of people trying to get back to NJ. We could only take a couple hundred. We could only hope that more ferries would arrive there soon. We watched swarms of people begin their trek northbound towards the Brooklyn Bridge as they tried to beat the unknowns and the aftershock of what was to come.
As we pulled away from the dock, we looked up to the sky from the East River and watched the smoke pour over Wall Street from atop the Woolworth Building, the AIG building, and JP Morgan Chase. It was not like anything we had ever seen. Two of the largest buildings the world had ever known were spewing pieces from their silver shells which were brilliantly highlighted by the sun as they rained down on the East River, the Hudson River, and NY Harbor... This sad, reflective and horrifying moment reminded us that each reflection in the sky somehow symbolized a human life that wasn't returning home today.
Then came the news that our Pentagon had been hit... Our confusion and sadness heightened. The mushroom cloud that followed after these magnificent and incredible structures succumbed to the terrors of our society made us all realize that this was war.
A few hundred passengers on a simple commuter ferry alarmed, dazed and stunned, some with tears streaming, some with more fear than others - all of us frozen and bound together by a silence louder than any voice we had ever heard. It was the voice of "terrorism." - Tish Ferguson, 9/11/01 - 11 a.m. (portions of this piece were published in The Asbury Park Press & The Ocean Star, NJ - Sept., 2001)
***************
Later that day, my 8 year old son Scott got off his school bus in Pt. Pleasant, NJ and ran into my arms as I sat on the front steps of our home with my friend, Cheryl.
"Mommy! he yelled out. "Did you hear what happened today?"
"James said a giant plane flew into a big building in New York City!"
I threw my arms around him and hugged him as if it were the day he was born, and answered, "Yes, Honey. We heard about it. And Mommy loves you to the moon and back!"
By,
Tish Ferguson
A Quote for that day:
"What though the radiance which was once so bright
Be now for ever taken from my sight,
Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower;
We will grieve not, rather find
Strength in what remains behind"
— William Wordsworth, (Intimations of Immortality)
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Jersey Girl Takes On The World - katecferg.blogspot.com
Welcome to TishTrek - THE JOB BLOG!
I was stopped in my tracks today by my daughter Kate's blog: "Jersey Girl Takes On The World" - katecferg.blogspot.com - which I had not read most of August. This is a moment moms & dads wait for..
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
My How Time Flies
My baby brother turned 17 today! I cannot believe it. I think I am in more shock right now than my parents are (although mom did cry last night and placed two pacifiers in a cake – yes, Tish really did that. Scott and I were a tad freaked out). In NJ, we receive our driver’s license at 17, and Scottie passed his test this morning. I felt like a middle-aged weeping mother as I ran outside in my running clothes to watch him leave with my car (this could be an issue) for work. I forced him to take the picture you see above. I then proceeded to tell him to drive safe, turn down his music, and watch for pedestrians. Oh boy, this is going to be fun.
Each year that I grow older never seems to phase me. I welcomed the last 21 birthdays with excitement for that next chapter in my life; I can officially drive (17), I can officially drive without a probationary license (18), I can buy cigarettes even though I don’t smoke (19), I am officially no longer a teenager (20), I can drink legally (21!). But when you watch those younger than you grow and hit ages that you remember quite well (they day I took my driving test seems like yesterday. I still remember the outfit I wore to school), it becomes scary. My brother is no longer little; he’s no longer the baby. He’s one year away from adulthood. He drove the car away, and I felt a part of my childhood drive away with him. Where’s that boy who I used to play school with? Where is that kid I taught to swim? I still remember (thanks to countless views of old home movies) the way he used to whine “Katie” when he wanted something. He now debates politics with me, talks about colleges, and comes to me when he has questions about friends and relationships.
I’m very blessed to have the bond I have with my brother – a bond that will hopefully grow even stronger with time. We’ve grown closer as we’ve grown older, and I now think of him as one of my friends. We still bicker like cats and dogs, and I think he secretly wants me to move out as quickly as possible so that he can once again commandeer the downstairs (he also wants a cool place to stay in the city). I picked him up from the airport last night, and we chatted about his trip and his birthday. He was nervous to take the test, and I was nervous for him. But when I woke up this morning, there was the text that shouted “I am now a licensed driver!” The text scared me half out of bed (he actually passed?!), and then a sense of pride washed over me. He did it. That little, slightly annoying, used to be chubby, trumpet player in the school band boy grew up over night….and I never saw it coming.
Happy Birthday Scottie! I love you! xoxo DON’T text and drive!
Posted by Kate at 10:05 AM on August 11th, 2010.
This message has been approved by The Mom. :)
I was stopped in my tracks today by my daughter Kate's blog: "Jersey Girl Takes On The World" - katecferg.blogspot.com - which I had not read most of August. This is a moment moms & dads wait for..
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
My How Time Flies
My baby brother turned 17 today! I cannot believe it. I think I am in more shock right now than my parents are (although mom did cry last night and placed two pacifiers in a cake – yes, Tish really did that. Scott and I were a tad freaked out). In NJ, we receive our driver’s license at 17, and Scottie passed his test this morning. I felt like a middle-aged weeping mother as I ran outside in my running clothes to watch him leave with my car (this could be an issue) for work. I forced him to take the picture you see above. I then proceeded to tell him to drive safe, turn down his music, and watch for pedestrians. Oh boy, this is going to be fun.
Each year that I grow older never seems to phase me. I welcomed the last 21 birthdays with excitement for that next chapter in my life; I can officially drive (17), I can officially drive without a probationary license (18), I can buy cigarettes even though I don’t smoke (19), I am officially no longer a teenager (20), I can drink legally (21!). But when you watch those younger than you grow and hit ages that you remember quite well (they day I took my driving test seems like yesterday. I still remember the outfit I wore to school), it becomes scary. My brother is no longer little; he’s no longer the baby. He’s one year away from adulthood. He drove the car away, and I felt a part of my childhood drive away with him. Where’s that boy who I used to play school with? Where is that kid I taught to swim? I still remember (thanks to countless views of old home movies) the way he used to whine “Katie” when he wanted something. He now debates politics with me, talks about colleges, and comes to me when he has questions about friends and relationships.
I’m very blessed to have the bond I have with my brother – a bond that will hopefully grow even stronger with time. We’ve grown closer as we’ve grown older, and I now think of him as one of my friends. We still bicker like cats and dogs, and I think he secretly wants me to move out as quickly as possible so that he can once again commandeer the downstairs (he also wants a cool place to stay in the city). I picked him up from the airport last night, and we chatted about his trip and his birthday. He was nervous to take the test, and I was nervous for him. But when I woke up this morning, there was the text that shouted “I am now a licensed driver!” The text scared me half out of bed (he actually passed?!), and then a sense of pride washed over me. He did it. That little, slightly annoying, used to be chubby, trumpet player in the school band boy grew up over night….and I never saw it coming.
Happy Birthday Scottie! I love you! xoxo DON’T text and drive!
Posted by Kate at 10:05 AM on August 11th, 2010.
This message has been approved by The Mom. :)
Hank Greenberg: Labor Day Man of the Year!
Welcome to TishTrek - THE JOB BLOG!
Introducing my pick for 2010 Labor Day Man of the Year: Hank Greenberg!
Let's honor former AIG CEO Maurice "Hank" Greenberg who created 50 years of labor opportunities while satisfying millions of customers around the globe!
This weekend, as unemployment soars to numbers not to be believed - it's important to remember The House that Hank Built and to understand why celebrating Mr. Greenberg is long overdue:
The Wall Street Journal's 8/13 editorial "Eliot Spitzer's Last Admirer" reads like The Murder on the Orient Express. There is someone powerful connected to the destruction of American International Group in every car.
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo followed Eliot Spitzer's lead as the proverbial trainman - the new collector of fares in the largest public conveyance of our time. They jumped in and targeted AIG CEO Maurice "Hank" Greenberg mostly because at least twenty-four corporate counter-parties (and gubernatorial supporters) needed to funnel 100% of their risk through someone else's company in order to execute the calculated CDO-subprime business that hammered the economy. If you ever worked at AIG, then it's crystal clear that AIG employees on the inside and their counter-parties on the outside could never have collusively infested our financial system with fraudulent transactions off the back of AIG without getting Mr. Greenberg out of the way.
For 40 years, Hank Greenberg was a fierce and tenacious global leader who created competitive advantage which improved the lives of millions of consumers and employees around the world. Having said that, he was often wholly despised by the power-elite deal-makers in Manhattan because when a financial deal crossed his desk at 70 Pine Street with risks he refused to assume or representing a penny less than the profit he demanded for his shareholders, he stood up and walked away from the transaction leaving lots of commission-hungry fast-money types angry and disappointed.
Agatha Christie wrote, “The whistle means that help is near, Madame," so how come Attorney General Cuomo isn't following the stench and blowing his whistle to identify the real public officials, HUD executives, lending institutions, rating agencies, and traders whose actions were shrouded by clandestine alternative investment vehicles built to defraud others? The WSJ's advice to AG Cuomo is correct: Before that trip to Albany, he should embrace transparency and turn over the 700,000 pages of documents and deposition testimony of those key witnesses who helped all the faceless people destroy The House that Hank Built. But no one's holding their breath because Mr. Cuomo and Mr. Greenberg remind all of us that there are two types of men in this world - those who build things up and those who tear things down.
Respectfully submitted,
TishTrek
Former Manager, Professional Staffing
American International Group, Inc.
72 Wall Street
New York, NY
Introducing my pick for 2010 Labor Day Man of the Year: Hank Greenberg!
Let's honor former AIG CEO Maurice "Hank" Greenberg who created 50 years of labor opportunities while satisfying millions of customers around the globe!
This weekend, as unemployment soars to numbers not to be believed - it's important to remember The House that Hank Built and to understand why celebrating Mr. Greenberg is long overdue:
The Wall Street Journal's 8/13 editorial "Eliot Spitzer's Last Admirer" reads like The Murder on the Orient Express. There is someone powerful connected to the destruction of American International Group in every car.
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo followed Eliot Spitzer's lead as the proverbial trainman - the new collector of fares in the largest public conveyance of our time. They jumped in and targeted AIG CEO Maurice "Hank" Greenberg mostly because at least twenty-four corporate counter-parties (and gubernatorial supporters) needed to funnel 100% of their risk through someone else's company in order to execute the calculated CDO-subprime business that hammered the economy. If you ever worked at AIG, then it's crystal clear that AIG employees on the inside and their counter-parties on the outside could never have collusively infested our financial system with fraudulent transactions off the back of AIG without getting Mr. Greenberg out of the way.
For 40 years, Hank Greenberg was a fierce and tenacious global leader who created competitive advantage which improved the lives of millions of consumers and employees around the world. Having said that, he was often wholly despised by the power-elite deal-makers in Manhattan because when a financial deal crossed his desk at 70 Pine Street with risks he refused to assume or representing a penny less than the profit he demanded for his shareholders, he stood up and walked away from the transaction leaving lots of commission-hungry fast-money types angry and disappointed.
Agatha Christie wrote, “The whistle means that help is near, Madame," so how come Attorney General Cuomo isn't following the stench and blowing his whistle to identify the real public officials, HUD executives, lending institutions, rating agencies, and traders whose actions were shrouded by clandestine alternative investment vehicles built to defraud others? The WSJ's advice to AG Cuomo is correct: Before that trip to Albany, he should embrace transparency and turn over the 700,000 pages of documents and deposition testimony of those key witnesses who helped all the faceless people destroy The House that Hank Built. But no one's holding their breath because Mr. Cuomo and Mr. Greenberg remind all of us that there are two types of men in this world - those who build things up and those who tear things down.
Respectfully submitted,
TishTrek
Former Manager, Professional Staffing
American International Group, Inc.
72 Wall Street
New York, NY
Monday, August 16, 2010
The Chosin Few: Daniel Sharkey, NJ President
Welcome to TishTrek - THE JOB BLOG!
Tip-of-the-Day: Extra curricular activities and making time to honor the work & sacrifices of others can teach you a lot about yourself and others while you wait for that next job opportunity! Volunteer activities also provide unbelievable opportunities for networking with outstanding people.
Identify an activity or volunteer effort that you care about; then run out and do something meaningful to make a difference!
The press release below was published in The Ocean Star in Ocean County, New Jersey on May 13th, 2005. Running the Memorial Day Parade that year turned into a very personal and remarkable experience which enhanced my life because it bolstered my historic perspective and my knowledge about a few of my hometown heroes - including my Uncle Dan Sharkey and my neighbor & friend, former Pt. Pleasant Mayor Pete Marone.
Uncle Dan is my mother's brother and back in 2005, he had been my uncle for 47 years. Like many of the men and women of the Greatest Generation, he rarely talked about the time spent in the Korean War and had never discussed his role in the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir with our family. Think about it: a local Memorial Day Parade created a vehicle for him to share and for us to learn about his shocking first hand experiences 55 years years ago.
In 2010, Uncle Dan was elected President of the NJ Chapter of the Chosin Few. Below is his story...
Press Release: Point Boro to honor the Chosin Few
Point Pleasant's Fourth Annual
Parade Committee has announced
that the 2005 Memorial Day Parade
is scheduled for Sunday, May 29 at
1 p.m. on Bridge Avenue.
There will be a program and
wreath-laying ceremony at the
Community Park immediately following
the parade. Music will be
provided by students in grades five
through 12 from all four Point
Pleasant Borough schools.
Five Grand Marshals have been
selected to highlight the diverse
experiences and accomplishments
of America's military personnel and
veterans throughout the world. In a
multi-week effort leading up to
Memorial Day, the committee
wants to share the details of the historic
events and the accomplishments
of this years' honorees.
This week, the committee is proud to
profile Grand Marshal No. 1 - the
survivors of the "Heroic Ordeal" of
the Korean War called the "Chosin
Reservoir Campaign."
The parade committee believes
that etched in the experiences and
faces of the members of the
"Chosin Few" is a truth worth
repeating this Memorial Day — the
riveting reality of how approximately
20,000 allied troops [17,000
of them men of the 1st Marine
Division] were attacked by 120,000
Communist Chinese forces during
sub-zero winter conditions is one of
the great examples of bravery and
teamwork in our time.
Though incredibly outnumbered in the
mountains of North Korea, near the
Chinese boarder in November and
December 1950, they successfully
destroyed and/or effectively disabled
all seven Chinese divisions
that were holding our American-led
U.N. forces at the reservoir. Against
all odds, they escorted 91,000
North Korean refugees to freedom
— a liberating act that successfully
repelled communism in the worst
of conditions.
Mayor Martin Konkus and the
council will salute with reverence
these distinguished survivors and
the sacrifices of their comrades,
especially those who gave their
lives in numbers unparalleled in our
history.
“On Sunday, May 29, we will
pause at the Community Park and
remember the 15,000 allied casualties,
2,500 killed in action, 5,000
wounded in action, and the 7,500
who suffered severe frostbite and
cold injuries while fighting what
historians have called one of the
‘most savage battles in modern
warfare,’” said committee representative
Tish Ferguson.
“The parade committee hopes
the citizens of Point Pleasant and in
the surrounding communities will
join this solemn but beautiful occasion
to honor these brave men
whose life experiences remind us
that ‘Freedom is not free,’” she
added.
While accepting the Grand
Marshal invitation on behalf of the
"Chosin Few," New Jersey Chapter
President Michael Sheehan of
Manasquan explained the meaning
of this survivor group in this way,
"Point Pleasant is really honoring
those we left behind — Those were
the "Chosin" and we, the survivors,
are the "Chosin Few".
Other local residents who are
survivors of this incredible battle
will join Mr. Sheehan at the parade.
Among those who are confirmed to
participate are former mayor and
past grand marshal - Peter Marone
[US Army -3rd Infantry Division's
50th Anti-Aircraft Artillery
Battalion] of Point Pleasant and
Dan Sharkey [USMC - 1st Marine
Division] of Point Pleasant Beach
and Dover Township. All members of the "Chosin
Few" are welcome to participate.
Contact Chosinfewnj@aol.com or
Tish Ferguson, Parade Committee
Member at (732) 714-8483.
What's your neighbor or uncle's story? Take the time to ask them!
Best regards,
TishTrek
Tip-of-the-Day: Extra curricular activities and making time to honor the work & sacrifices of others can teach you a lot about yourself and others while you wait for that next job opportunity! Volunteer activities also provide unbelievable opportunities for networking with outstanding people.
Identify an activity or volunteer effort that you care about; then run out and do something meaningful to make a difference!
The press release below was published in The Ocean Star in Ocean County, New Jersey on May 13th, 2005. Running the Memorial Day Parade that year turned into a very personal and remarkable experience which enhanced my life because it bolstered my historic perspective and my knowledge about a few of my hometown heroes - including my Uncle Dan Sharkey and my neighbor & friend, former Pt. Pleasant Mayor Pete Marone.
Uncle Dan is my mother's brother and back in 2005, he had been my uncle for 47 years. Like many of the men and women of the Greatest Generation, he rarely talked about the time spent in the Korean War and had never discussed his role in the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir with our family. Think about it: a local Memorial Day Parade created a vehicle for him to share and for us to learn about his shocking first hand experiences 55 years years ago.
In 2010, Uncle Dan was elected President of the NJ Chapter of the Chosin Few. Below is his story...
Press Release: Point Boro to honor the Chosin Few
Point Pleasant's Fourth Annual
Parade Committee has announced
that the 2005 Memorial Day Parade
is scheduled for Sunday, May 29 at
1 p.m. on Bridge Avenue.
There will be a program and
wreath-laying ceremony at the
Community Park immediately following
the parade. Music will be
provided by students in grades five
through 12 from all four Point
Pleasant Borough schools.
Five Grand Marshals have been
selected to highlight the diverse
experiences and accomplishments
of America's military personnel and
veterans throughout the world. In a
multi-week effort leading up to
Memorial Day, the committee
wants to share the details of the historic
events and the accomplishments
of this years' honorees.
This week, the committee is proud to
profile Grand Marshal No. 1 - the
survivors of the "Heroic Ordeal" of
the Korean War called the "Chosin
Reservoir Campaign."
The parade committee believes
that etched in the experiences and
faces of the members of the
"Chosin Few" is a truth worth
repeating this Memorial Day — the
riveting reality of how approximately
20,000 allied troops [17,000
of them men of the 1st Marine
Division] were attacked by 120,000
Communist Chinese forces during
sub-zero winter conditions is one of
the great examples of bravery and
teamwork in our time.
Though incredibly outnumbered in the
mountains of North Korea, near the
Chinese boarder in November and
December 1950, they successfully
destroyed and/or effectively disabled
all seven Chinese divisions
that were holding our American-led
U.N. forces at the reservoir. Against
all odds, they escorted 91,000
North Korean refugees to freedom
— a liberating act that successfully
repelled communism in the worst
of conditions.
Mayor Martin Konkus and the
council will salute with reverence
these distinguished survivors and
the sacrifices of their comrades,
especially those who gave their
lives in numbers unparalleled in our
history.
“On Sunday, May 29, we will
pause at the Community Park and
remember the 15,000 allied casualties,
2,500 killed in action, 5,000
wounded in action, and the 7,500
who suffered severe frostbite and
cold injuries while fighting what
historians have called one of the
‘most savage battles in modern
warfare,’” said committee representative
Tish Ferguson.
“The parade committee hopes
the citizens of Point Pleasant and in
the surrounding communities will
join this solemn but beautiful occasion
to honor these brave men
whose life experiences remind us
that ‘Freedom is not free,’” she
added.
While accepting the Grand
Marshal invitation on behalf of the
"Chosin Few," New Jersey Chapter
President Michael Sheehan of
Manasquan explained the meaning
of this survivor group in this way,
"Point Pleasant is really honoring
those we left behind — Those were
the "Chosin" and we, the survivors,
are the "Chosin Few".
Other local residents who are
survivors of this incredible battle
will join Mr. Sheehan at the parade.
Among those who are confirmed to
participate are former mayor and
past grand marshal - Peter Marone
[US Army -3rd Infantry Division's
50th Anti-Aircraft Artillery
Battalion] of Point Pleasant and
Dan Sharkey [USMC - 1st Marine
Division] of Point Pleasant Beach
and Dover Township. All members of the "Chosin
Few" are welcome to participate.
Contact Chosinfewnj@aol.com or
Tish Ferguson, Parade Committee
Member at (732) 714-8483.
What's your neighbor or uncle's story? Take the time to ask them!
Best regards,
TishTrek
Friday, August 13, 2010
Connie Vuocolo: a giant who left too soon
Welcome to TishTrek - THE JOB BLOG!
Conrad (Connie) Vuocolo was an engineer with the NJ Turnpike Authority and he owned and operated a body shop and gas station on Route 35 South in Pt. Pleasant Beach.
We grew up in the same community. Years later, he and my dad would work together on the Turnpike. Connie Vuocolo was a proud Elk first,(NJ Lodge #1608), a tireless volunteer, a civic leader who cared enough about issues to run for local office; and he was a man who dedicated much of his life to veterans causes.
When he passed away in October - 2007, I sent a letter to the editor @ The Ocean Star newspaper in Ocean County, New Jersey. Below is a copy of what was published on Friday, October 19th, 2007.
You see... In the end, I loved Connie like a brother and revered him as my friend because for thirty years - I never had to let a parade pass me by.
What would people who touch your life write about you? - Tish
----- Original Message -----
From: Tish Ferguson
To: editor@theoceanstar.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 3:39 AM
Subject: Conrad Vuocolo - The Quiet Acts of a Giant.
Dear Editor,
In 1979 - our friend - the late Conrad Vuocolo, who died too soon this week on October 15th, offered to lend me and a group of cousins his flatbed truck when we signed up to compete in our first Lion's Club Inner Tube Race. Because of Conrad's generosity, friends, family and neighbors would participate by building ten more floats over the next decade for this glorious event that the late Gene Bissey and other local icons transformed into a fesitival for all seasons - a result brought on by the energy of gregarious and positive men who honored all of us by simply sharing their love of life and humor with the community.
For those of us in mourning this week, we find comfort in knowing that Conrad Vuocolo was another one of those larger-than-life characters whose high voltage tactics managed to leave the masses laughing in the aisles during good times and bad. His generosity, wicked humor and giant heart livened up community events and always inspired spontaneous fun including weekend festivals that turned backyards and driveways into the kind of gathering posts that were reminicent of nostalgic reunions of times gone by. It's hard to imagine how a group of people could laugh harder than we did at our first few float festivals especially since we could count on Conrad to laugh the loudest at the expense of most of us who were present.
Our last legitimate parade entry in an Inner Tube Race would be September, 1991, but Conrad would later revive the excitement of these experiences by introducing children of all ages to the wonders of the motorized float at the Pt. Pleasant Halloween Parade, Memorial Day Parade, Pt. Beach Homecoming and the Panther Football Spirit Parades. There could be no motorized float without Conrad sitting in the driver's seat of his All-American Towing trucks every single time.
Each year Conrad would shout that caller ID or changing his phone number could save him from the perils of this repeat request. But don't be fooled, he smiled wryly over the years as no less than hundreds of local children leaped onto his flatbeds dressed as cheerleaders, sports figures, 101 Dalmations, Cruella Deville, dog catchers, characters from their favorite books, leprechauns, the ghosts of Y2K, pirates and princesses of the Caribbean, Lucille Ball, and members of the Brady Bunch too. We had so much fun!
Conrad, who is a member of the Pt. Pleasant Elks, would have denied it, but during last year's 2006 Chamber of Commerce Halloween Parade, several of us observed the emotion and pride shining in his eyes as he drove and escorted our 25th and final float down Bridge Avenue. This fun-loving small town hero drove 70 costumed kids and a few crazy adults right into the arms of their final first place trophy. The Nick@Nite and TV Land themes created a wonderful ending to an awesome journey that began for a small group of us on the streets of this incredible town thirty years ago. The entire day was an upbeat and unbelieveable experience!
This week, the only thing that's unbelieveable is that one of our down-home good guys is now gone. Conrad Vuocolo made a difference in the lives of kids and in our community by simply showing up and being himself. I know for a fact, that he enjoyed escorting children, football supporters, friends and especially veterans in any local parade. This Halloween, I ask all those kids and adults who ever travelled on one of the All-American Towing Trucks during a parade to take a moment to laugh aloud over something that pleases you.
A smile or a hardy laugh is the perfect way to honor the memory of this humble man with a sense of humor who was a friend to more people than anyone can imagine. We offer our deepest respect and condolences to Conrad's wonderful parents and to the entire Vuocolo Family at this difficult time.
Respectfully submitted,
Tish Ferguson
Pt. Pleasant, NJ
Conrad (Connie) Vuocolo was an engineer with the NJ Turnpike Authority and he owned and operated a body shop and gas station on Route 35 South in Pt. Pleasant Beach.
We grew up in the same community. Years later, he and my dad would work together on the Turnpike. Connie Vuocolo was a proud Elk first,(NJ Lodge #1608), a tireless volunteer, a civic leader who cared enough about issues to run for local office; and he was a man who dedicated much of his life to veterans causes.
When he passed away in October - 2007, I sent a letter to the editor @ The Ocean Star newspaper in Ocean County, New Jersey. Below is a copy of what was published on Friday, October 19th, 2007.
You see... In the end, I loved Connie like a brother and revered him as my friend because for thirty years - I never had to let a parade pass me by.
What would people who touch your life write about you? - Tish
----- Original Message -----
From: Tish Ferguson
To: editor@theoceanstar.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 3:39 AM
Subject: Conrad Vuocolo - The Quiet Acts of a Giant.
Dear Editor,
In 1979 - our friend - the late Conrad Vuocolo, who died too soon this week on October 15th, offered to lend me and a group of cousins his flatbed truck when we signed up to compete in our first Lion's Club Inner Tube Race. Because of Conrad's generosity, friends, family and neighbors would participate by building ten more floats over the next decade for this glorious event that the late Gene Bissey and other local icons transformed into a fesitival for all seasons - a result brought on by the energy of gregarious and positive men who honored all of us by simply sharing their love of life and humor with the community.
For those of us in mourning this week, we find comfort in knowing that Conrad Vuocolo was another one of those larger-than-life characters whose high voltage tactics managed to leave the masses laughing in the aisles during good times and bad. His generosity, wicked humor and giant heart livened up community events and always inspired spontaneous fun including weekend festivals that turned backyards and driveways into the kind of gathering posts that were reminicent of nostalgic reunions of times gone by. It's hard to imagine how a group of people could laugh harder than we did at our first few float festivals especially since we could count on Conrad to laugh the loudest at the expense of most of us who were present.
Our last legitimate parade entry in an Inner Tube Race would be September, 1991, but Conrad would later revive the excitement of these experiences by introducing children of all ages to the wonders of the motorized float at the Pt. Pleasant Halloween Parade, Memorial Day Parade, Pt. Beach Homecoming and the Panther Football Spirit Parades. There could be no motorized float without Conrad sitting in the driver's seat of his All-American Towing trucks every single time.
Each year Conrad would shout that caller ID or changing his phone number could save him from the perils of this repeat request. But don't be fooled, he smiled wryly over the years as no less than hundreds of local children leaped onto his flatbeds dressed as cheerleaders, sports figures, 101 Dalmations, Cruella Deville, dog catchers, characters from their favorite books, leprechauns, the ghosts of Y2K, pirates and princesses of the Caribbean, Lucille Ball, and members of the Brady Bunch too. We had so much fun!
Conrad, who is a member of the Pt. Pleasant Elks, would have denied it, but during last year's 2006 Chamber of Commerce Halloween Parade, several of us observed the emotion and pride shining in his eyes as he drove and escorted our 25th and final float down Bridge Avenue. This fun-loving small town hero drove 70 costumed kids and a few crazy adults right into the arms of their final first place trophy. The Nick@Nite and TV Land themes created a wonderful ending to an awesome journey that began for a small group of us on the streets of this incredible town thirty years ago. The entire day was an upbeat and unbelieveable experience!
This week, the only thing that's unbelieveable is that one of our down-home good guys is now gone. Conrad Vuocolo made a difference in the lives of kids and in our community by simply showing up and being himself. I know for a fact, that he enjoyed escorting children, football supporters, friends and especially veterans in any local parade. This Halloween, I ask all those kids and adults who ever travelled on one of the All-American Towing Trucks during a parade to take a moment to laugh aloud over something that pleases you.
A smile or a hardy laugh is the perfect way to honor the memory of this humble man with a sense of humor who was a friend to more people than anyone can imagine. We offer our deepest respect and condolences to Conrad's wonderful parents and to the entire Vuocolo Family at this difficult time.
Respectfully submitted,
Tish Ferguson
Pt. Pleasant, NJ
Friday, August 6, 2010
What inspired you during your interview?
Welcome to TishTrek - THE JOB BLOG!
If that moment in your life arrives when some organization asks you to help them build a private bank from the ground up or to participate in transforming the way a business is executed on the planet, I say to all employment candidates - your moment has most certainly arrived. Run, don't walk and no looking back! www.morganstanley.com / Careers - eoe/m/f/d/v.
Okay. Run or walk, but be sure to side-step the fallen branches across sidewalks!
Best regards,
Tish
If that moment in your life arrives when some organization asks you to help them build a private bank from the ground up or to participate in transforming the way a business is executed on the planet, I say to all employment candidates - your moment has most certainly arrived. Run, don't walk and no looking back! www.morganstanley.com / Careers - eoe/m/f/d/v.
Okay. Run or walk, but be sure to side-step the fallen branches across sidewalks!
Best regards,
Tish
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Hey Mommy, how was your commute today?
If you are in favor of the 13-story mosque @ Ground Zero, you can skip this post. - Tish
February 26th 1993, 9/11 and the bombings in London (while vacationing with my husband) in 2007 changed my life & thinking forever, (i.e. Embrace the wonderment of everyday because it could be your last). Some of my earlier posts captured those experiences, but this is what's on my mind today:
For years, on my way to work @ my job at ADP Brokerage Services Group I literally walked past the make-shift mosque one floor up from the Chinese restaurant in Journal Square, Jersey City as I headed to-and-from the NJ Path Train station. This mosque was used as a camouflaged safe house by Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman to inspire young men - who worshipped HIM daily - to want to murder all of us.
During many morning commutes, the blind Sheik sat a mere arms-length from me on the wall in the open Square surrounded by dozens of these young adoring followers dressed in traditional white garb as they waited for others to arrive by Path Train.
In 1993, they blew a 10-story gaping hole inside the World Trade Center using a bomb placed in a U-Haul truck they had rented from a gas station at the foot of the Bayonne Bridge in New Jersey. Only 6 dead & 1,042 injured, so they vowed to come again. On September 11th, 2001 - others finished the job.
This week, the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to put a 13-story mega-mosque-monument at the foot of that place where 9/11 hijackers murdered nearly 3,000 of my fellow commuters. Muslims aren't destroying America. Our blood drips from the hands of the self-absorbed children of the Greatest Generation whose attack on our country from within is fueled by their devotion to insane political correctness run amok.
- Make no mistake, I respect all religions and I have a long past performance history of embracing diversity in all its forms. I could not succeed in my work or life if this was not the case. Having said that, I vote they build a mosque - the same 13-story mosque - build it anywhere, but no - not there. Not here - not in the shadow of Ground Zero.
The 9/11 Families and the eye witnesses of this tragedy and enormity of horror have no chance of ever fully recovering from this day until the day we die, so we can't allow people - who defy transparency from around the globe - to use this sacred ground to mock us with grandeur.
My prayer for the next generation is that they can commute to their jobs in peace and always make it home to their kids.
"Hey Mommy, how was your commute today?"
"It went great, but I hope you know how happy I am to be home with you!"
"Now - Which is it: Chinese food or Pizza Express?"
Respectfully submitted,
Tish
PS - That Terrorist Attack Everyone Forgot: And who was the Mastermind - Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman from that make-shift mosque in Jersey City - (I'll never forget. - Tish)
From Wikipedia
The 1993 World Trade Center bombing occurred on February 26, 1993, when a truck bomb was detonated below the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. The 1,500 lb (680 kg) urea nitrate–hydrogen gas enhanced device[1] was intended to knock the North Tower (Tower One) into the South Tower (Tower Two), bringing both towers down and killing thousands of people.[2][3] It failed to do so, but did kill six people and injured 1,042.
The attack was planned by a group of conspirators including Ramzi Yousef, Mahmud Abouhalima, Mohammad Salameh, Nidal A. Ayyad, Abdul Rahman Yasin and Ahmad Ajaj. They received financing from Khaled Shaikh Mohammed, Yousef's uncle. In March 1994, four men were convicted of carrying out the bombing: Abouhalima, Ajaj, Ayyad and Salameh. The charges included conspiracy, explosive destruction of property and interstate transportation of explosives. In November 1997, two more were convicted: Yousef, the mastermind behind the bombings, and Eyad Ismoil, who drove the truck carrying the bomb
February 26th 1993, 9/11 and the bombings in London (while vacationing with my husband) in 2007 changed my life & thinking forever, (i.e. Embrace the wonderment of everyday because it could be your last). Some of my earlier posts captured those experiences, but this is what's on my mind today:
For years, on my way to work @ my job at ADP Brokerage Services Group I literally walked past the make-shift mosque one floor up from the Chinese restaurant in Journal Square, Jersey City as I headed to-and-from the NJ Path Train station. This mosque was used as a camouflaged safe house by Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman to inspire young men - who worshipped HIM daily - to want to murder all of us.
During many morning commutes, the blind Sheik sat a mere arms-length from me on the wall in the open Square surrounded by dozens of these young adoring followers dressed in traditional white garb as they waited for others to arrive by Path Train.
In 1993, they blew a 10-story gaping hole inside the World Trade Center using a bomb placed in a U-Haul truck they had rented from a gas station at the foot of the Bayonne Bridge in New Jersey. Only 6 dead & 1,042 injured, so they vowed to come again. On September 11th, 2001 - others finished the job.
This week, the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to put a 13-story mega-mosque-monument at the foot of that place where 9/11 hijackers murdered nearly 3,000 of my fellow commuters. Muslims aren't destroying America. Our blood drips from the hands of the self-absorbed children of the Greatest Generation whose attack on our country from within is fueled by their devotion to insane political correctness run amok.
- Make no mistake, I respect all religions and I have a long past performance history of embracing diversity in all its forms. I could not succeed in my work or life if this was not the case. Having said that, I vote they build a mosque - the same 13-story mosque - build it anywhere, but no - not there. Not here - not in the shadow of Ground Zero.
The 9/11 Families and the eye witnesses of this tragedy and enormity of horror have no chance of ever fully recovering from this day until the day we die, so we can't allow people - who defy transparency from around the globe - to use this sacred ground to mock us with grandeur.
My prayer for the next generation is that they can commute to their jobs in peace and always make it home to their kids.
"Hey Mommy, how was your commute today?"
"It went great, but I hope you know how happy I am to be home with you!"
"Now - Which is it: Chinese food or Pizza Express?"
Respectfully submitted,
Tish
PS - That Terrorist Attack Everyone Forgot: And who was the Mastermind - Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman from that make-shift mosque in Jersey City - (I'll never forget. - Tish)
From Wikipedia
The 1993 World Trade Center bombing occurred on February 26, 1993, when a truck bomb was detonated below the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. The 1,500 lb (680 kg) urea nitrate–hydrogen gas enhanced device[1] was intended to knock the North Tower (Tower One) into the South Tower (Tower Two), bringing both towers down and killing thousands of people.[2][3] It failed to do so, but did kill six people and injured 1,042.
The attack was planned by a group of conspirators including Ramzi Yousef, Mahmud Abouhalima, Mohammad Salameh, Nidal A. Ayyad, Abdul Rahman Yasin and Ahmad Ajaj. They received financing from Khaled Shaikh Mohammed, Yousef's uncle. In March 1994, four men were convicted of carrying out the bombing: Abouhalima, Ajaj, Ayyad and Salameh. The charges included conspiracy, explosive destruction of property and interstate transportation of explosives. In November 1997, two more were convicted: Yousef, the mastermind behind the bombings, and Eyad Ismoil, who drove the truck carrying the bomb
Monday, August 2, 2010
Join the Beating Heart inside our Nat'l Sales Organization!
Welcome to TishTrek - THE JOB BLOG!
Help Wanted:
Financial Reporting Analyst needed for Morgan Stanley Smith Barney's Sales & Marketing Strategy Organization in Charlotte, NC. This team is the beating heart inside our National Sales Organization!
Over 18,100 Financial Advisors & 130 Private Banker new hires need your analysis, metrics, assessments, and business intelligence to chart their course to WIN! Send your resume to patricia.ferguson@morganstanley.com - www.morganstanley.com / Careers
eoe/m/f/d/v.
Apply today. Tell friends!
Tell friends about this one too:
WANTED: Commercial Banking & Lending Manager for Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. to support those repeat HNW clients whose hard work produces revenues between $10MM - $500MM each year. If you're the expert in Lines of Credit, Term Loans, Owner Occupied Real Estate & Standby Letters of Credit that I'm looking for, send resume to: patricia.ferguson@morganstanley.com!! Act Now @ www.morganstanley.com / Careers
eoe/m/f/d/v.
Ask yourself these questions to figure out if you should apply:
1) Have you been responsible for New Business Development or Account Management of Middle Market Business Clients? What was your company's definition of a Middle Market Client?
2) Have you managed the development and delivery of products and/or functionality to enhance revenues or create efficiencies for the benefit of clients in this market?
3) Have you held positions where you were responsible for assessing Target Market Exposure or Risk?
4) Force rank your expertise in the following areas: Relationship Management, Originations, Underwriting, Portfolio Management, Loan Servicing, Funding Disbursements, and Payments.
5) Are you a HUNTER (New Business Development Expert) or a FARMER (Manage Client Relationships closed by others, identify and execute ADD-ON Sales Opportunities & manage on-going Customer Support & Service.
6) Have you managed a Commercial Lending Function in the past? YES / NO - How many years?
If you answered 60% of these questions with confidence, you should apply. We'll call this tonight's 60/40 Approach! If you only fit 40% of this profile, watch for other opportunities.
Good luck! Keep watching our job boards!
Best regards,
Tish
914-225-8832
Help Wanted:
Financial Reporting Analyst needed for Morgan Stanley Smith Barney's Sales & Marketing Strategy Organization in Charlotte, NC. This team is the beating heart inside our National Sales Organization!
Over 18,100 Financial Advisors & 130 Private Banker new hires need your analysis, metrics, assessments, and business intelligence to chart their course to WIN! Send your resume to patricia.ferguson@morganstanley.com - www.morganstanley.com / Careers
eoe/m/f/d/v.
Apply today. Tell friends!
Tell friends about this one too:
WANTED: Commercial Banking & Lending Manager for Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. to support those repeat HNW clients whose hard work produces revenues between $10MM - $500MM each year. If you're the expert in Lines of Credit, Term Loans, Owner Occupied Real Estate & Standby Letters of Credit that I'm looking for, send resume to: patricia.ferguson@morganstanley.com!! Act Now @ www.morganstanley.com / Careers
eoe/m/f/d/v.
Ask yourself these questions to figure out if you should apply:
1) Have you been responsible for New Business Development or Account Management of Middle Market Business Clients? What was your company's definition of a Middle Market Client?
2) Have you managed the development and delivery of products and/or functionality to enhance revenues or create efficiencies for the benefit of clients in this market?
3) Have you held positions where you were responsible for assessing Target Market Exposure or Risk?
4) Force rank your expertise in the following areas: Relationship Management, Originations, Underwriting, Portfolio Management, Loan Servicing, Funding Disbursements, and Payments.
5) Are you a HUNTER (New Business Development Expert) or a FARMER (Manage Client Relationships closed by others, identify and execute ADD-ON Sales Opportunities & manage on-going Customer Support & Service.
6) Have you managed a Commercial Lending Function in the past? YES / NO - How many years?
If you answered 60% of these questions with confidence, you should apply. We'll call this tonight's 60/40 Approach! If you only fit 40% of this profile, watch for other opportunities.
Good luck! Keep watching our job boards!
Best regards,
Tish
914-225-8832
Friday, July 30, 2010
With Thanks to our "Wizard of Oz": Dr. Mehmet Oz
Welcome to TishTrek - THE JOB BLOG!
During Lent for 15 years, our family (8 kids & 2 parents) gave up watching television during that season of 40 days & 40 nights leading up to Easter Sunday which forced us - of all things - to spend time playing board games, (no video games folks!), reading books and talking to each other! (My parents were clever, huh?) Anyway...
Every year, we were ONLY allowed to watch ONE TV program and that was the yearly repeat production of the Wizard of Oz. It was awesome! My Dad's Jersey City St. Peter's Prep High School friend and teammate, Bobby Bratton, would join us with his family - Mrs. Bratton, Maureen, Deirdra, and MY Timmy - one single Sunday every Lenten Season to watch Judy Garland & the Wizard of Oz crowd do their flying house routine on our first color TV, (PS - this is a true story...)
Forty years later... and it all comes full circle:
This week, a Harvard educated great guy named, Dr. Mehmet Oz, and his Team saved MY Mrs. Bratton's life @ Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City. Some weeks do not get better than this.
If you need Heart Valve Replacement, you don't have to be afraid if Dr. Oz is with you. Mrs. "B" went into surgery a few days ago and I had confidence in the outcome because I knew she was wearing the same Ruby Red Slippers we had watched for 15 years during the Lenten Season. Only this time, God clicked his heels so the sparkle of the slippers could light the way as Mrs. "B" made her way back home to Pt. Pleasant Beach. OMGosh - It worked! - Amen.
Just me @ TishTrek :)
During Lent for 15 years, our family (8 kids & 2 parents) gave up watching television during that season of 40 days & 40 nights leading up to Easter Sunday which forced us - of all things - to spend time playing board games, (no video games folks!), reading books and talking to each other! (My parents were clever, huh?) Anyway...
Every year, we were ONLY allowed to watch ONE TV program and that was the yearly repeat production of the Wizard of Oz. It was awesome! My Dad's Jersey City St. Peter's Prep High School friend and teammate, Bobby Bratton, would join us with his family - Mrs. Bratton, Maureen, Deirdra, and MY Timmy - one single Sunday every Lenten Season to watch Judy Garland & the Wizard of Oz crowd do their flying house routine on our first color TV, (PS - this is a true story...)
Forty years later... and it all comes full circle:
This week, a Harvard educated great guy named, Dr. Mehmet Oz, and his Team saved MY Mrs. Bratton's life @ Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City. Some weeks do not get better than this.
If you need Heart Valve Replacement, you don't have to be afraid if Dr. Oz is with you. Mrs. "B" went into surgery a few days ago and I had confidence in the outcome because I knew she was wearing the same Ruby Red Slippers we had watched for 15 years during the Lenten Season. Only this time, God clicked his heels so the sparkle of the slippers could light the way as Mrs. "B" made her way back home to Pt. Pleasant Beach. OMGosh - It worked! - Amen.
Just me @ TishTrek :)
Securities Based Lending Head: IS IT YOU?!
Welcome to TishTrek - THE JOB BLOG!
HELP WANTED: Executive Director, Securities Based Lending to DRIVE the management, P & L, and growth of the Securities Backed Lending Program inside Morgan Stanley's NEW Private Bank. Are you ready to leverage your experience & skills to develop "White Board-to-Execution" programs that support Financial Advisors as they work to increase Securities Backed Lending penetration across the United States? Call my cell @ 732-259-2780 or apply on-line @ www.morganstanley.com / Careers - JOB ID# 70968. EOE/M/F/D/V.
So - you ask - who am I actually looking for and what kind of experiences and/or background will it take land an interview with the Executive Management Team doing the hiring for this GREAT POSITION?
Are you currently Head of Large & Structured Transactions or Head of Securities Backed Lending to support the High Net Worth clients in your current company?
Could this job be for you?
- Have you been responsible for the management, P & L, and growth of your company's Securities Backed Lending Programs (Reg T, Reg U & Letters of Credit)and are you in charge of developing Lending Offerings for Ultra High Net Worth & HNW Clients?
- Have you established new compensation methods for Financial Advisors to increase Securities Backed Lending penetration and established key metrics for monitoring the success of such program?
- Earlier in your career, did you successfully negotiate, structure and close transactions with total credit facilities in excess of $200 million?
- Have you been there, done it, and delivered successes in the SBL space throughout your career which gives you the unique experience to establish High Net Worth/Ultra High Net Worth lending strategy for one of the world's leading companies?
- Have you ever advised key clients/prospects on lending solutions - regardless of asset class - which may have included, but was not limited to, alternative investments, operating units, equity collars, unsecured, and single stock (control and/or unrestricted)? Have the loans been underwritten based on borrower, their capacity, collateral and purpose of the facility?
- Have the loan sizes been in excess of $100 million?
- Have you authorized and coordinated the distribution, marketing and positioning of securities backed loans to clients and Financial Advisors?
- Have you been responsible for end-to-end product management of lending programs including underwriting, technology related interfaces, pricing, and product management?
- Have you introduced new pricing strategies by client type which resulted in a significant increase of lending balances in the HNW client segment?
- Have you been in charge of overseeing client spread management which helped baseline client rates with the credit marketplace?
- Have you ever introduced new preferred rate exception processes to streamline process and ensure proper governance?
- Have you ever introduced new loan origination tools, technologies or methodologies and/or collateral evaluation engines to streamline lending processes and/or to enhance the client experience?
- Are you the one accountable for the functional responsibility for Lending Products?
- Have you managed and developed a staff of product and credit specialists which helped propel your company forward?
If you have been accountable for 70% of the responsibilities listed above, I want to know you! Call my cell @ 732-259-2780 or apply on-line @ www.morganstanley.com to JOB ID# 70968. The job is currently listed as Retail Banking - Securities Based Lending - Executive Director. The New York Federal Reserve just approved Morgan Stanley's application to become a Private Bank on July 1st, 2010, so away we go...
I hope you'll join us.
Good luck in our recruiting process if this job compliments your background!
Best regards,
Tish
HELP WANTED: Executive Director, Securities Based Lending to DRIVE the management, P & L, and growth of the Securities Backed Lending Program inside Morgan Stanley's NEW Private Bank. Are you ready to leverage your experience & skills to develop "White Board-to-Execution" programs that support Financial Advisors as they work to increase Securities Backed Lending penetration across the United States? Call my cell @ 732-259-2780 or apply on-line @ www.morganstanley.com / Careers - JOB ID# 70968. EOE/M/F/D/V.
So - you ask - who am I actually looking for and what kind of experiences and/or background will it take land an interview with the Executive Management Team doing the hiring for this GREAT POSITION?
Are you currently Head of Large & Structured Transactions or Head of Securities Backed Lending to support the High Net Worth clients in your current company?
Could this job be for you?
- Have you been responsible for the management, P & L, and growth of your company's Securities Backed Lending Programs (Reg T, Reg U & Letters of Credit)and are you in charge of developing Lending Offerings for Ultra High Net Worth & HNW Clients?
- Have you established new compensation methods for Financial Advisors to increase Securities Backed Lending penetration and established key metrics for monitoring the success of such program?
- Earlier in your career, did you successfully negotiate, structure and close transactions with total credit facilities in excess of $200 million?
- Have you been there, done it, and delivered successes in the SBL space throughout your career which gives you the unique experience to establish High Net Worth/Ultra High Net Worth lending strategy for one of the world's leading companies?
- Have you ever advised key clients/prospects on lending solutions - regardless of asset class - which may have included, but was not limited to, alternative investments, operating units, equity collars, unsecured, and single stock (control and/or unrestricted)? Have the loans been underwritten based on borrower, their capacity, collateral and purpose of the facility?
- Have the loan sizes been in excess of $100 million?
- Have you authorized and coordinated the distribution, marketing and positioning of securities backed loans to clients and Financial Advisors?
- Have you been responsible for end-to-end product management of lending programs including underwriting, technology related interfaces, pricing, and product management?
- Have you introduced new pricing strategies by client type which resulted in a significant increase of lending balances in the HNW client segment?
- Have you been in charge of overseeing client spread management which helped baseline client rates with the credit marketplace?
- Have you ever introduced new preferred rate exception processes to streamline process and ensure proper governance?
- Have you ever introduced new loan origination tools, technologies or methodologies and/or collateral evaluation engines to streamline lending processes and/or to enhance the client experience?
- Are you the one accountable for the functional responsibility for Lending Products?
- Have you managed and developed a staff of product and credit specialists which helped propel your company forward?
If you have been accountable for 70% of the responsibilities listed above, I want to know you! Call my cell @ 732-259-2780 or apply on-line @ www.morganstanley.com to JOB ID# 70968. The job is currently listed as Retail Banking - Securities Based Lending - Executive Director. The New York Federal Reserve just approved Morgan Stanley's application to become a Private Bank on July 1st, 2010, so away we go...
I hope you'll join us.
Good luck in our recruiting process if this job compliments your background!
Best regards,
Tish
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Soraya Lamilla: Harmony in Every Language!
Welcome to TishTrek - THE JOB BLOG!
In my little town, I grew up believing because incredible people like Soraya Lamilla were within my reach to watch...
Soraya Lamilla
1969 – 2006
A few years ago, The Pt. Pleasant Foundation for Excellence in Education saluted the brilliant life of Pt. Pleasant Borough High School’s 1987 Valedictorian and Alumni Hall of Fame Member Soraya Lamilla. In 2006, Soraya succumbed to breast cancer at the age of 37. Upon her death, the Asbury Park Press wrote, “Soraya stood out at Point Borough and around the world.” She became one of the most recognized voices in the Latino music world, but she also volunteered to become “the voice” in the international Hispanic community in the fight against a disease that had already taken the life of her mother, aunt and grandmother.
In 1996, she was voted MTV Latino Best Video by a Female Artist for “De Repente.” Dozens of other awards followed. This incredible Spanish-English recording star and Latin Grammy winner used her fame to become an influential spokesperson for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the National Institute of Health, Cancer Cares, and other organizations dedicated to education and awareness of breast cancer around the globe. In 2004, she was honored by Billboard Magazine with its Spirit of Hope Award.
Soraya represented a commitment to excellence of the highest caliber. The day before she died, she posted a letter of remarkable courage on her website which inspired millions of her fans. She wrote, “I have not lost this battle, because I know the fight was not in vain. Instead it will help end a larger battle, which is early detection to prevent this terrible disease.”
Soraya Lamilla was a poetic artist and a beautiful woman-of-action whose mission was understood in every language. She had a wonderful voice.
Best regards,
Tish
In my little town, I grew up believing because incredible people like Soraya Lamilla were within my reach to watch...
Soraya Lamilla
1969 – 2006
A few years ago, The Pt. Pleasant Foundation for Excellence in Education saluted the brilliant life of Pt. Pleasant Borough High School’s 1987 Valedictorian and Alumni Hall of Fame Member Soraya Lamilla. In 2006, Soraya succumbed to breast cancer at the age of 37. Upon her death, the Asbury Park Press wrote, “Soraya stood out at Point Borough and around the world.” She became one of the most recognized voices in the Latino music world, but she also volunteered to become “the voice” in the international Hispanic community in the fight against a disease that had already taken the life of her mother, aunt and grandmother.
In 1996, she was voted MTV Latino Best Video by a Female Artist for “De Repente.” Dozens of other awards followed. This incredible Spanish-English recording star and Latin Grammy winner used her fame to become an influential spokesperson for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the National Institute of Health, Cancer Cares, and other organizations dedicated to education and awareness of breast cancer around the globe. In 2004, she was honored by Billboard Magazine with its Spirit of Hope Award.
Soraya represented a commitment to excellence of the highest caliber. The day before she died, she posted a letter of remarkable courage on her website which inspired millions of her fans. She wrote, “I have not lost this battle, because I know the fight was not in vain. Instead it will help end a larger battle, which is early detection to prevent this terrible disease.”
Soraya Lamilla was a poetic artist and a beautiful woman-of-action whose mission was understood in every language. She had a wonderful voice.
Best regards,
Tish
Friday, July 23, 2010
Meet Colleen Rocafort: Leader in Hair Care Product Research
Welcome to TishTrek - THE JOB BLOG!
Dear Job Seekers. I posted a Blog entry the other evening, but I was tired and I failed to communicate some of the points I wanted to make about the person I was honoring. A new follower pointed this fact out yesterday, so I got up early this morning and gave this Blog Entry the time it deserved. I hope you will re-read it. Thanks. - Tish
I want you to meet a very special person who became living proof to her seven brothers and sisters that operating with a quiet confidence, staying focused on a steady path and making hard work "THE" priority every day makes a difference in your career, your life in general and in the lives of others:
I'm talking about my sister Colleen Marie (Hart) Rocafort, who is a 1976 alumni of Montclair State University in New Jersey. She received a BA in Chemistry & certification from the American Chemical Society. She went on to become the 2nd graduate of the MA- Cosmetic Science Program at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, NJ. We were excited for her as we all ran to look up the definition of "Polymer Science" in the dictionary! I have looked up to her my entire life and I count her as one of the most inspiring professional women I've had the privilege to know. She is a renowned author/co-author in her field of research & development and counts 16 U.S. patents among her accomplishments!
Our parents, Michael and Cecilia (Sharkey) Hart were the children of Irish and Polish immigrants who came to this country to give their children a better life. When Colleen graduated from college, she became the first member of our family to graduate from a university. So many of us have been in awe of her journey and are so proud of the accomplishments she has earned as a result of her commitment to excellence in education and hard work. Her love of science and determination prepared her to succeed in so many ways...
While working full time, she concurrently worked like heck to receive that Master Degree from Farleigh Dickinson University - the pride in our parent's eyes will never be forgotten. For a period of time, she transferred her enthusiasm for & knowledge of chemistry to aspiring college students while serving as an Assistant Professor in Chemistry at St. John's University in New York. Since 1995, she has instructed several Continuing Education Program (CEP) courses in person and via Webinars for the National Society of Cosmetic Chemists. Her courses include Conditioners, Hair Treatments, Aerosol Technology, Hair Fixatives and Styling Products, Polymers, and two Hands-On Lab courses on Formulating and Testing Hair Styling and Polymeric Fixatives, and Hair Conditioners.
For over thirty years, she served as an active member and officer of the N.J. Federation of Business and Professional Women's Club, Inc. - USA where she led programs throughout the United States which encouraged women to leverage their talents to reach their goals. In our hometown, she was inducted into the Pt. Pleasant Borough High School Alumni Hall of Fame where she was honored for becoming a global leader in hair care product research and development and recognized for efforts which contributed to the success of others.
Colleen is an active member of several professional associations such as the Society of Cosmetic Chemists (SCC), the American Chemical Society (ACS), and the Textile Research Institute (TRI) Princeton Board of Trustees where she serves her field and her colleagues worldwide with a jaw-dropping commitment that would exhaust most of us to think about. She held many senior positions and recently served as president of the SCC, which is a national association which is part of the International Federation of the SCC (IFSCC).
Two years ago, she received the National SCC Merit award for her outstanding service and distinguished leadership in Society activities especially for serving as the National SCC's 57th president, as Editor of the Journal of SCC, as a member of Committee on Scientific Affairs (COSA) and as an instructor for the Continuing Education Program spanning over 25 years as a member of the Society.
At the award ceremony held in the ballroom of the New York City Hilton, one person after another from countries around the world got up and spoke about this beautiful chemist and leader who inspires them and members of their profession everywhere. They went on to state that "she takes care of everyone with a warmth and generosity that is hard to describe. She mentors others during career changes or crisis, inspires young people around the globe to consider chemistry as a profession, volunteers to manage the details of forums & trade shows to elevate events to world class status, gives speeches that leave people speechless," and the list went on...
My brothers and sisters and I roared with joy and laughter a couple of times during these speeches because they were all talking about the very same person we grew up with. She was always taking care of us. She had executed with the same level of caring & excellence in our house since she was a child. To this day, she's THAT older sister who always has your back, who will defend your interests like a pit bull and who embraces you and helps you move forward no matter what the circumstances. During this breathtaking moment in New York City it was obvious that our Colleen had transferred her respect for others and the leader behaviors she had operated with since childhood to her life's work and she had obviously made a giant difference. With tears in my eyes, I almost burst with pride that afternoon!
Colleen's thirty-plus year career included management positions in Playtex Corporation and International Specialty Products. She is currently a global executive in hair care research & development with BASF which is headquartered in Germany. Before that, she was Director of Global Hare Care Research and Development for Ciba Specialty Products, Inc., which was acquired by BASF last year. She manages research teams in five countries and she is regarded as an industry leader; because of these facts - she has been invited by companies and trade organizations in over 20 countries to share her research with others. I believe my sister, who is always quietly working to mentor others, purposely sent our family postcards from every country she traveled to as a reminder to my children - Kate & Scott - that the possibilities ahead of them are endless.
Colleen Marie (Hart) Rocafort, who is the second oldest of eight children, is an extraordinary person and human being. I have loved her and respected her my entire life. She started her journey as a shy person with a mission, but quietly she has always had the courage to take risks, stay the course and apply her talents. As a result of these facts, she took a unique journey which transformed her into a respected thought leader and voice in her field. My family and I know that her story began in our house when we were kids where she received encouragement and gained confidence("You are able, if you think you are" was our family motto!) and in our town where she found mentors in high school who armed her with the tools, knowledge, and information to succeed the world over. Oh and there were ten of us in the house, so I admit she had a lot of home-grown fans too!
Colleen is married and resides in Florida. Last week, her son was "officially accepted" into the Florida State University Criminology Graduate Program! The cycle of success continues thanks to her incredible example. You see - My nephew enjoyed having mentors (my sister and her husband) in his house his entire life! I've had Colleen to look up to for all of my 52 years and I can't thank her enough.
Okay job seekers, what risks are you willing to take to move your career to the next place? Are you a tad shy? Worried you can't get ahead or network appropriately because you're not a Type A personality? Think again! In lots of careers, this is GREAT news - thoughtful research and a humble calculated path works just as well! So go for it; find your inner confidence and run like hell! My sister Colleen did and it worked. She's respected around the world!
Best regards,
Tish
Dear Job Seekers. I posted a Blog entry the other evening, but I was tired and I failed to communicate some of the points I wanted to make about the person I was honoring. A new follower pointed this fact out yesterday, so I got up early this morning and gave this Blog Entry the time it deserved. I hope you will re-read it. Thanks. - Tish
I want you to meet a very special person who became living proof to her seven brothers and sisters that operating with a quiet confidence, staying focused on a steady path and making hard work "THE" priority every day makes a difference in your career, your life in general and in the lives of others:
I'm talking about my sister Colleen Marie (Hart) Rocafort, who is a 1976 alumni of Montclair State University in New Jersey. She received a BA in Chemistry & certification from the American Chemical Society. She went on to become the 2nd graduate of the MA- Cosmetic Science Program at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, NJ. We were excited for her as we all ran to look up the definition of "Polymer Science" in the dictionary! I have looked up to her my entire life and I count her as one of the most inspiring professional women I've had the privilege to know. She is a renowned author/co-author in her field of research & development and counts 16 U.S. patents among her accomplishments!
Our parents, Michael and Cecilia (Sharkey) Hart were the children of Irish and Polish immigrants who came to this country to give their children a better life. When Colleen graduated from college, she became the first member of our family to graduate from a university. So many of us have been in awe of her journey and are so proud of the accomplishments she has earned as a result of her commitment to excellence in education and hard work. Her love of science and determination prepared her to succeed in so many ways...
While working full time, she concurrently worked like heck to receive that Master Degree from Farleigh Dickinson University - the pride in our parent's eyes will never be forgotten. For a period of time, she transferred her enthusiasm for & knowledge of chemistry to aspiring college students while serving as an Assistant Professor in Chemistry at St. John's University in New York. Since 1995, she has instructed several Continuing Education Program (CEP) courses in person and via Webinars for the National Society of Cosmetic Chemists. Her courses include Conditioners, Hair Treatments, Aerosol Technology, Hair Fixatives and Styling Products, Polymers, and two Hands-On Lab courses on Formulating and Testing Hair Styling and Polymeric Fixatives, and Hair Conditioners.
For over thirty years, she served as an active member and officer of the N.J. Federation of Business and Professional Women's Club, Inc. - USA where she led programs throughout the United States which encouraged women to leverage their talents to reach their goals. In our hometown, she was inducted into the Pt. Pleasant Borough High School Alumni Hall of Fame where she was honored for becoming a global leader in hair care product research and development and recognized for efforts which contributed to the success of others.
Colleen is an active member of several professional associations such as the Society of Cosmetic Chemists (SCC), the American Chemical Society (ACS), and the Textile Research Institute (TRI) Princeton Board of Trustees where she serves her field and her colleagues worldwide with a jaw-dropping commitment that would exhaust most of us to think about. She held many senior positions and recently served as president of the SCC, which is a national association which is part of the International Federation of the SCC (IFSCC).
Two years ago, she received the National SCC Merit award for her outstanding service and distinguished leadership in Society activities especially for serving as the National SCC's 57th president, as Editor of the Journal of SCC, as a member of Committee on Scientific Affairs (COSA) and as an instructor for the Continuing Education Program spanning over 25 years as a member of the Society.
At the award ceremony held in the ballroom of the New York City Hilton, one person after another from countries around the world got up and spoke about this beautiful chemist and leader who inspires them and members of their profession everywhere. They went on to state that "she takes care of everyone with a warmth and generosity that is hard to describe. She mentors others during career changes or crisis, inspires young people around the globe to consider chemistry as a profession, volunteers to manage the details of forums & trade shows to elevate events to world class status, gives speeches that leave people speechless," and the list went on...
My brothers and sisters and I roared with joy and laughter a couple of times during these speeches because they were all talking about the very same person we grew up with. She was always taking care of us. She had executed with the same level of caring & excellence in our house since she was a child. To this day, she's THAT older sister who always has your back, who will defend your interests like a pit bull and who embraces you and helps you move forward no matter what the circumstances. During this breathtaking moment in New York City it was obvious that our Colleen had transferred her respect for others and the leader behaviors she had operated with since childhood to her life's work and she had obviously made a giant difference. With tears in my eyes, I almost burst with pride that afternoon!
Colleen's thirty-plus year career included management positions in Playtex Corporation and International Specialty Products. She is currently a global executive in hair care research & development with BASF which is headquartered in Germany. Before that, she was Director of Global Hare Care Research and Development for Ciba Specialty Products, Inc., which was acquired by BASF last year. She manages research teams in five countries and she is regarded as an industry leader; because of these facts - she has been invited by companies and trade organizations in over 20 countries to share her research with others. I believe my sister, who is always quietly working to mentor others, purposely sent our family postcards from every country she traveled to as a reminder to my children - Kate & Scott - that the possibilities ahead of them are endless.
Colleen Marie (Hart) Rocafort, who is the second oldest of eight children, is an extraordinary person and human being. I have loved her and respected her my entire life. She started her journey as a shy person with a mission, but quietly she has always had the courage to take risks, stay the course and apply her talents. As a result of these facts, she took a unique journey which transformed her into a respected thought leader and voice in her field. My family and I know that her story began in our house when we were kids where she received encouragement and gained confidence("You are able, if you think you are" was our family motto!) and in our town where she found mentors in high school who armed her with the tools, knowledge, and information to succeed the world over. Oh and there were ten of us in the house, so I admit she had a lot of home-grown fans too!
Colleen is married and resides in Florida. Last week, her son was "officially accepted" into the Florida State University Criminology Graduate Program! The cycle of success continues thanks to her incredible example. You see - My nephew enjoyed having mentors (my sister and her husband) in his house his entire life! I've had Colleen to look up to for all of my 52 years and I can't thank her enough.
Okay job seekers, what risks are you willing to take to move your career to the next place? Are you a tad shy? Worried you can't get ahead or network appropriately because you're not a Type A personality? Think again! In lots of careers, this is GREAT news - thoughtful research and a humble calculated path works just as well! So go for it; find your inner confidence and run like hell! My sister Colleen did and it worked. She's respected around the world!
Best regards,
Tish
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Hiring is THE Competitive Advantage!
Welcome to TishTrek - THE JOB BLOG!
NEWS ALERT: 30 Mortgage Professionals need to be hired in Chicago this weekend: Mortgage Advisors, Sr. Loan Officers, Underwriters, Processors, & Closers go to JOB ID# 73750 @ www.morganstanley.com / careers. Google Morgan Stanley's NEW Super Jumbo Mortgage offering to discover what has attracted the attention of the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Private Banking clients.
This week, I'm also proud to scream from the hilltops that we just closed & hired the
100th NEW Private Banker for 2010! On July 1st, the New York Federal Reserve approved Morgan Stanley's application to become a Private Bank, so away we go!!
Our COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE starts with the hiring process and you, so keep watching our job boards, keep sending friends and those former colleagues you've always respected! Opportunities will evolve all year in this "white board-to-execution" effort!!! - Thanks for your referrals!
Best regards,
Tish
NEWS ALERT: 30 Mortgage Professionals need to be hired in Chicago this weekend: Mortgage Advisors, Sr. Loan Officers, Underwriters, Processors, & Closers go to JOB ID# 73750 @ www.morganstanley.com / careers. Google Morgan Stanley's NEW Super Jumbo Mortgage offering to discover what has attracted the attention of the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Private Banking clients.
This week, I'm also proud to scream from the hilltops that we just closed & hired the
100th NEW Private Banker for 2010! On July 1st, the New York Federal Reserve approved Morgan Stanley's application to become a Private Bank, so away we go!!
Our COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE starts with the hiring process and you, so keep watching our job boards, keep sending friends and those former colleagues you've always respected! Opportunities will evolve all year in this "white board-to-execution" effort!!! - Thanks for your referrals!
Best regards,
Tish
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Take Some Risks - Colleen Rocafort did!
Welcome to TishTrek - THE JOB BLOG:
Dear Job Seekers,
I re-thought and re-wrote this Blog Entry thanks to Follower Larry Reno! Go to Friday, July 23rd.
Enjoy!
Best regards,
Tish
Dear Job Seekers,
I re-thought and re-wrote this Blog Entry thanks to Follower Larry Reno! Go to Friday, July 23rd.
Enjoy!
Best regards,
Tish
Saturday, July 17, 2010
OMGosh... Thank you.
Dear Friends - Do you know what George Steinbrenner's SECOND love was after his New York YANKEES? ANSWER: The Ohio State University Buckeyes !!! -
This one's for you, Sir: O-H-I-O!! - George's astonishing commitment to OSU will benefit young adults for generations!
The tribute OSU is preparing is simple, understated and incredible all in one breath! Wow - I'm going to work everyday this year to try to be there. AND - PS - I'm a Met Fan. God Bless George Steinbrenner.
Our beautiful Kate graduated from this place on June 13th, 2010 - so yes, yes... - we know how completely great Columbus, Ohio is. Thank you, Ohio.
Tish and Harry Ferguson - the mom & dad from Pt. Pleasant, NJ
from New Jersey
This one's for you, Sir: O-H-I-O!! - George's astonishing commitment to OSU will benefit young adults for generations!
The tribute OSU is preparing is simple, understated and incredible all in one breath! Wow - I'm going to work everyday this year to try to be there. AND - PS - I'm a Met Fan. God Bless George Steinbrenner.
Our beautiful Kate graduated from this place on June 13th, 2010 - so yes, yes... - we know how completely great Columbus, Ohio is. Thank you, Ohio.
Tish and Harry Ferguson - the mom & dad from Pt. Pleasant, NJ
from New Jersey
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Norman Wolfson: Celebrating my #1 PR Man!
Welcome to TishTrek - THE JOB BLOG!
The summertime is the best time to reminisce about Norman Wolfson - the Public Relations Giant from Mantoloking, NJ & New York City - who my cousin met commuting on NJ Transit.
Norman told me if I loved to write, to do one of two things: "Stalk local newspapers until they give you a weekly column OR start a BLOG!!!!" Norman - I listened. Tonight's Blog Post is for you, Sir.
My letter to the editor below was published in 2007 shortly before this friend & iconic figure in my community died. My letter was my response to his last column in The Ocean Star in Pt. Pleasant Beach, NJ. His poignant public goodbye to reading fans everywhere... brought on this e-mail to The Ocean Star:
----- Original Message -----
From: Tish Ferguson
To: editor@theoceanstar.com
Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 8:58 PM
Subject: This one is for Norman Wolfson - thx!
Dear Editor,
The indomitable spirit of the wonderful Norman Wolfson shined on our community as he warmed and honored all of us with the word, "Adieu," in his letter to The Ocean Star on October 26th. God Bless you Norman. These words are for you:
I met Norman in his Manhattan office 24 years ago. I still remember the enchanting sketches of Disney characters on the walls and the understated trinkets that hailed him for his distinguished career as a creative professional dedicated to his craft. As he talked about his work from newspaper to public relations, he down-played it as something any man could do, but reminded us gently that it was so important to pick a profession that you enjoyed because you have to spend most of your life doing it.
Through my cousin, Kathy, and his daughter, Amy, I have followed what we call "The Awesome Adventures of Norman" for many years. This wonderful, funny, creative, energized and interesting man with an easy smile leaves people laughing aloud every single time you are in his presence. His Herculean and paradigmatic efforts in the The Ocean Star, (A Pt. Pleasant, NJ local newspaper), which ended two weeks ago, gave us a glimpse into his unique and amazing view of the world. His keen observations allow readers to marvel about the essence of what it is he must be thinking. As a result, I found myself racing to the 7-11 at the crack of dawn on Fridays reaching for that column, that letter, that unique perspective from the gentleman who has spent his life dedicated to defining the magnificence of his ideas and personal experiences.
As The Ocean Star readers saw first hand, Norman brilliantly celebrates life by painting his awesome pictures one word at a time. I always enjoy the superfluity of Norman's style especially when he uses playful, but honest words and expressions to describe the mind of a writer, life events, political views, moments in passing and friends. He writes about love, and loss, and humanity. Those of us who followed his work for years bowed our heads in reverence as he told us to come closer so he could poignantly create life-like snapshots that honored the legacy that was his beautiful late wife Betty. Readers loved Betty, as we wept with and for him.
When Norman honored the Cancro Family during a Jersey Mike's Sub Anniversary, I sent the article to friends across the country because the content of that piece transcended the "art of enunciation." Who could forget Norman's description of a local young rising star? She has "the gift" he explained - a talent to write with an eloquence beyond her years. Brittany Manzo, an aspiring college student from Pt. Beach, had made a difference in Norman's life because her hard work and art inspired his intellect and emotion at a wonderful point during his journey. As the artist of this tapestry, Norman seemed joyful and at peace knowing that a talented scholar, like Brittany, was poised with potential and skill to pick up the pen and finish the sentences when others could write no more. On so many levels, this local literary hero was triumphant! Fridays just won't be the same.
Finally, no one can write about Norman without talking about his sense of humor which has served as the best medicine for all people who ever touched his life. Allow me to end by telling a true story that Norman has repeated for years. It was 2 a.m. at the old Pt. Pleasant Hospital Emergency Room; he and I were stretched out on gurneys separated by a curtain with the support of each of our spouses within reach. He was the patient that night who used his positive energy to electrify the entire ward by telling one joke after another as he insisted that the medical staff take care of all the younger and prettier patients in "his audience" first. When the attending nurse opened the curtain to move Norman to an x-ray station in his fancy nightgown, I finally realized it was him! We literally screamed with laughter! Norman turned to his wife and said, "Oh no Betty! Thank goodness you're with me! It'll be all over town tomorrow that I was caught in bed at Pt. Hospital with Kathy Sharkey's cousin, Tish!"
Norman - Your words and your legacy are etched in the hearts and minds of many. We wish you well today and always with the same passion and energy that makes you the legendary and timeless scribe that you are. Thank you so much.
Respectfully submitted,
Tish Ferguson
2404 Maria Place
Pt. Pleasant, NJ 08742
(732)714-8483 - Home
(732)259-2780 - Cell
When my letter was published in the local newspaper, Norman Wolfson called me at my home to critique it. His hospice nurse handed him the phone. It was a moment to live for by every standard. He told me he liked it and that he was crying because he had no clue I had followed his great work for so many years...
A short time later, when our Norman passed away peacefully - his daughter invited me to his funeral and I was humbled. In a single moment, I knew that speaking up had somehow made a difference in the life of someone who had spent over 50 of his years lighting up the lives of others by simply promoting everything that inspired him.
Norman Wolfson was one of the most creative & positive people you could ever meet and he was blessed with opportunities to share his gifts with small towns in New Jersey and an entire nation simultaneously. AND so - he did just that.
If you haven't landed that job yet, use the time to write or to say something to someone about some event that made a difference in your life. When you say it or write it, people will hear it and read it AND you'll remember it too! Positive vibes will follow...
Employed or not - YOU can make a difference in your own life and in the lives of others by working everyday to stay your great self! Don't get discouraged - make it a great weekend. The job will come...
And yes - In closing: This is what my #1 PR GUY Norman Wolfson said to me 27 years ago: "As he talked about his work from newspaper to public relations, he down-played it as something any man could do, but reminded us gently that it was so important to pick a profession that you enjoyed because you have to spend most of your life doing it."
Best regards,
Tish
The summertime is the best time to reminisce about Norman Wolfson - the Public Relations Giant from Mantoloking, NJ & New York City - who my cousin met commuting on NJ Transit.
Norman told me if I loved to write, to do one of two things: "Stalk local newspapers until they give you a weekly column OR start a BLOG!!!!" Norman - I listened. Tonight's Blog Post is for you, Sir.
My letter to the editor below was published in 2007 shortly before this friend & iconic figure in my community died. My letter was my response to his last column in The Ocean Star in Pt. Pleasant Beach, NJ. His poignant public goodbye to reading fans everywhere... brought on this e-mail to The Ocean Star:
----- Original Message -----
From: Tish Ferguson
To: editor@theoceanstar.com
Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 8:58 PM
Subject: This one is for Norman Wolfson - thx!
Dear Editor,
The indomitable spirit of the wonderful Norman Wolfson shined on our community as he warmed and honored all of us with the word, "Adieu," in his letter to The Ocean Star on October 26th. God Bless you Norman. These words are for you:
I met Norman in his Manhattan office 24 years ago. I still remember the enchanting sketches of Disney characters on the walls and the understated trinkets that hailed him for his distinguished career as a creative professional dedicated to his craft. As he talked about his work from newspaper to public relations, he down-played it as something any man could do, but reminded us gently that it was so important to pick a profession that you enjoyed because you have to spend most of your life doing it.
Through my cousin, Kathy, and his daughter, Amy, I have followed what we call "The Awesome Adventures of Norman" for many years. This wonderful, funny, creative, energized and interesting man with an easy smile leaves people laughing aloud every single time you are in his presence. His Herculean and paradigmatic efforts in the The Ocean Star, (A Pt. Pleasant, NJ local newspaper), which ended two weeks ago, gave us a glimpse into his unique and amazing view of the world. His keen observations allow readers to marvel about the essence of what it is he must be thinking. As a result, I found myself racing to the 7-11 at the crack of dawn on Fridays reaching for that column, that letter, that unique perspective from the gentleman who has spent his life dedicated to defining the magnificence of his ideas and personal experiences.
As The Ocean Star readers saw first hand, Norman brilliantly celebrates life by painting his awesome pictures one word at a time. I always enjoy the superfluity of Norman's style especially when he uses playful, but honest words and expressions to describe the mind of a writer, life events, political views, moments in passing and friends. He writes about love, and loss, and humanity. Those of us who followed his work for years bowed our heads in reverence as he told us to come closer so he could poignantly create life-like snapshots that honored the legacy that was his beautiful late wife Betty. Readers loved Betty, as we wept with and for him.
When Norman honored the Cancro Family during a Jersey Mike's Sub Anniversary, I sent the article to friends across the country because the content of that piece transcended the "art of enunciation." Who could forget Norman's description of a local young rising star? She has "the gift" he explained - a talent to write with an eloquence beyond her years. Brittany Manzo, an aspiring college student from Pt. Beach, had made a difference in Norman's life because her hard work and art inspired his intellect and emotion at a wonderful point during his journey. As the artist of this tapestry, Norman seemed joyful and at peace knowing that a talented scholar, like Brittany, was poised with potential and skill to pick up the pen and finish the sentences when others could write no more. On so many levels, this local literary hero was triumphant! Fridays just won't be the same.
Finally, no one can write about Norman without talking about his sense of humor which has served as the best medicine for all people who ever touched his life. Allow me to end by telling a true story that Norman has repeated for years. It was 2 a.m. at the old Pt. Pleasant Hospital Emergency Room; he and I were stretched out on gurneys separated by a curtain with the support of each of our spouses within reach. He was the patient that night who used his positive energy to electrify the entire ward by telling one joke after another as he insisted that the medical staff take care of all the younger and prettier patients in "his audience" first. When the attending nurse opened the curtain to move Norman to an x-ray station in his fancy nightgown, I finally realized it was him! We literally screamed with laughter! Norman turned to his wife and said, "Oh no Betty! Thank goodness you're with me! It'll be all over town tomorrow that I was caught in bed at Pt. Hospital with Kathy Sharkey's cousin, Tish!"
Norman - Your words and your legacy are etched in the hearts and minds of many. We wish you well today and always with the same passion and energy that makes you the legendary and timeless scribe that you are. Thank you so much.
Respectfully submitted,
Tish Ferguson
2404 Maria Place
Pt. Pleasant, NJ 08742
(732)714-8483 - Home
(732)259-2780 - Cell
When my letter was published in the local newspaper, Norman Wolfson called me at my home to critique it. His hospice nurse handed him the phone. It was a moment to live for by every standard. He told me he liked it and that he was crying because he had no clue I had followed his great work for so many years...
A short time later, when our Norman passed away peacefully - his daughter invited me to his funeral and I was humbled. In a single moment, I knew that speaking up had somehow made a difference in the life of someone who had spent over 50 of his years lighting up the lives of others by simply promoting everything that inspired him.
Norman Wolfson was one of the most creative & positive people you could ever meet and he was blessed with opportunities to share his gifts with small towns in New Jersey and an entire nation simultaneously. AND so - he did just that.
If you haven't landed that job yet, use the time to write or to say something to someone about some event that made a difference in your life. When you say it or write it, people will hear it and read it AND you'll remember it too! Positive vibes will follow...
Employed or not - YOU can make a difference in your own life and in the lives of others by working everyday to stay your great self! Don't get discouraged - make it a great weekend. The job will come...
And yes - In closing: This is what my #1 PR GUY Norman Wolfson said to me 27 years ago: "As he talked about his work from newspaper to public relations, he down-played it as something any man could do, but reminded us gently that it was so important to pick a profession that you enjoyed because you have to spend most of your life doing it."
Best regards,
Tish
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Jump-Start your Week with ONE SMALL ACT!
Welcome to TishTrek - THE JOB BLOG!
My letter to the editor explaining the highlights of the Carmie Brady Fundraiser I attended a couple of weeks ago will be published in The Ocean Star and Asbury Park Press in New Jersey this week. I've posted it below my signature so I could share it with you... Enjoy!
Feeling blue over your job search? Then get up this weekend and do something not tied to your job search. Perhaps you can reach out and help someone: Spend time with a neighbor who is always alone; mow the lawn for the guy on the corner who's been slowing down; take your mom for a walk on the boardwalk; call that friend who you weren't going to call until you landed that next job! You'll see... one small act can jump-start a week & revitalize a search in ways that will amaze you! Good luck!
Best regards,
Tish
Dear Editor,
Hundreds of people across Ocean & Monmouth Counties gathered for a fantastic fundraiser @ Bar Anticipation in Lake Como on Sunday, June 27th to honor the love of a Pt. Pleasant mom gone too soon. The legacy of the beautiful and gregarious Carmie Brady lives on through the acts and deeds of her wonderful family & life-long friends. Her husband - Charlie Brady - and their amazing sons transformed a dark time in their life & a devastating loss into an awe-inspiring opportunity & mission-in-motion to help strangers connected to them by a common language called "illness".
This year, The Brady Bunch achieved another milestone & produced results that will live on in the lives of others forever... For another year, they will not stop until the results of this day are transformed into gifts that help families navigate their way through unimaginable medical challenges & circumstances, (www.carmiebradyfoundation.com - for details on Mission & Successes). At every fundraiser, it is humbling to watch this family in action as their positive attitudes drive them to leverage their remarkable skills and determination to help seriously ill children and their heart-sick families.
The Brady Family continues to inspire others at every turn. A quiet conversation that started as small talk on the barbeque line left me transfixed. A gorgeous woman who stood beaming with pride explained she had come to the event to say, "Thank you". Her son - a young father in the prime of his life had very recently lost his battle to cancer. "The quiet acts of kindness from this family before and after my son's passing would amaze everyone," she told me. The radiance of this mother was blinding as she defined her journey from pain-to-peace in these terms, "I could feel the warmth of Carmie Brady's embrace comforting us - me, my son, daughter-in-law and two young grandchildren - every single time Carmie's Boys acted in her name. I am so grateful to all of them".
When this event was launched 3 years ago, I handed Charlie a hand-painted wooden plaque which read, "Try to live your life with the music of a bagpiper in your heart" because his family literally teaches so many others to do just that. So - like a kid at Christmas - I arrived early at this fundraiser and waited anxiously for the annual performance by the Pipes and Drums of the Jersey Shore. The power of their magnificent music always produces "that moment" which reminds all of us how blessed we are to have "The Brady Bunch" and their Carmie's memory & legacy in our midst.
Well done, Carmie. No wife could wish for more; no mom could be prouder; and some days do not get better than this for a community. Thank you.
Respectfully submitted,
Tish Ferguson
2404 Maria Place
Pt. Pleasant, NJ 08742
732-259-2780 - Cell
732-714-8483 - Home
My letter to the editor explaining the highlights of the Carmie Brady Fundraiser I attended a couple of weeks ago will be published in The Ocean Star and Asbury Park Press in New Jersey this week. I've posted it below my signature so I could share it with you... Enjoy!
Feeling blue over your job search? Then get up this weekend and do something not tied to your job search. Perhaps you can reach out and help someone: Spend time with a neighbor who is always alone; mow the lawn for the guy on the corner who's been slowing down; take your mom for a walk on the boardwalk; call that friend who you weren't going to call until you landed that next job! You'll see... one small act can jump-start a week & revitalize a search in ways that will amaze you! Good luck!
Best regards,
Tish
Dear Editor,
Hundreds of people across Ocean & Monmouth Counties gathered for a fantastic fundraiser @ Bar Anticipation in Lake Como on Sunday, June 27th to honor the love of a Pt. Pleasant mom gone too soon. The legacy of the beautiful and gregarious Carmie Brady lives on through the acts and deeds of her wonderful family & life-long friends. Her husband - Charlie Brady - and their amazing sons transformed a dark time in their life & a devastating loss into an awe-inspiring opportunity & mission-in-motion to help strangers connected to them by a common language called "illness".
This year, The Brady Bunch achieved another milestone & produced results that will live on in the lives of others forever... For another year, they will not stop until the results of this day are transformed into gifts that help families navigate their way through unimaginable medical challenges & circumstances, (www.carmiebradyfoundation.com - for details on Mission & Successes). At every fundraiser, it is humbling to watch this family in action as their positive attitudes drive them to leverage their remarkable skills and determination to help seriously ill children and their heart-sick families.
The Brady Family continues to inspire others at every turn. A quiet conversation that started as small talk on the barbeque line left me transfixed. A gorgeous woman who stood beaming with pride explained she had come to the event to say, "Thank you". Her son - a young father in the prime of his life had very recently lost his battle to cancer. "The quiet acts of kindness from this family before and after my son's passing would amaze everyone," she told me. The radiance of this mother was blinding as she defined her journey from pain-to-peace in these terms, "I could feel the warmth of Carmie Brady's embrace comforting us - me, my son, daughter-in-law and two young grandchildren - every single time Carmie's Boys acted in her name. I am so grateful to all of them".
When this event was launched 3 years ago, I handed Charlie a hand-painted wooden plaque which read, "Try to live your life with the music of a bagpiper in your heart" because his family literally teaches so many others to do just that. So - like a kid at Christmas - I arrived early at this fundraiser and waited anxiously for the annual performance by the Pipes and Drums of the Jersey Shore. The power of their magnificent music always produces "that moment" which reminds all of us how blessed we are to have "The Brady Bunch" and their Carmie's memory & legacy in our midst.
Well done, Carmie. No wife could wish for more; no mom could be prouder; and some days do not get better than this for a community. Thank you.
Respectfully submitted,
Tish Ferguson
2404 Maria Place
Pt. Pleasant, NJ 08742
732-259-2780 - Cell
732-714-8483 - Home
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
George Steinbrenner & his Great Generation!
Welcome to TishTrek - THE JOB BLOG
On today's LinkedIn Site I wrote:
"Today, I honor George Steinbrenner. Bravo, George. Well done, sir.
My last photo with him has been posted on TishTrek -THE JOB BLOG since May 2nd @ tishtrek.blogspot.com, (see above). George's generosity made him more of a gentle giant in NYC than fans would ever believe. I've always respected him - and everyone like him from the Greatest Generation - for being tough enough to make a difference.
This week, my sympathy goes to the Steinbrenner Family & to Yankee Fans the world over..."
Best regards,
Tish
On today's LinkedIn Site I wrote:
"Today, I honor George Steinbrenner. Bravo, George. Well done, sir.
My last photo with him has been posted on TishTrek -THE JOB BLOG since May 2nd @ tishtrek.blogspot.com, (see above). George's generosity made him more of a gentle giant in NYC than fans would ever believe. I've always respected him - and everyone like him from the Greatest Generation - for being tough enough to make a difference.
This week, my sympathy goes to the Steinbrenner Family & to Yankee Fans the world over..."
Best regards,
Tish
Friday, July 9, 2010
Job Creation 101: Demand for Goods & Services = NEW JOBS!
Welcome to TishTrek - THE JOB BLOG:
Google Bloomberg.com for this NEWS! Our BRAND NEW JUMBO MORTGAGES for our Morgan Stanley Smith Barney clients & their interest in our 30 & 15 Year Fixed Rate Loans has created the demand for 30 NEW HIRES in our CHICAGO Office - Mortgage Advisors, Loan Officers, Processors, Underwriters, Closers - Our Team will hire you by
July 30th if you qualify!! Details of our SUPER CHICAGO CAREER DAY coming soon!
As you know, TishTrek - THE JOB BLOG is dedicated to every person in America looking for a job right now, so please listen carefully. My note above highlights a simple formula (Demand for Goods & Services = NEW JOBS!) & it succinctly tells the simple story about how jobs are created in this great nation. No company can pull a job out of a hat; few jobs are created with the sole commitment to help the unemployed; jobs don't exist or last very long if there is zero interest in the products, services, and market offerings a company is selling; and if there is no work to do, no customers to speak of and no business to tend to, there are no jobs.
This month ALONE, over 2 million fellow Americans will have exhausted 99 weeks of unemployment benefits. Let's face it, millions more fell off this public assistance long ago. Too many of you have given up and stopped looking for work altogether. Lots of you who are navigating through this tough reality have 10, 20, 30-plus years experience in your chosen fields and some of you (with the help of your parents from the Greatest Generation) did the hard work & made the tough choices & sacrifices it took to fund those additional educational credentials from Associate's degrees to BA's to BS's to MBA's to PhD's. I talk to lots of you daily and I know it's unbelievable to find yourself in this situation! Hang in there! You have to! Leaders are on the way to leverage your experiences of the past to propel the businesses of tomorrow forward!
For 24 years, I've commuted with scores of you who left your home in the suburbs of New York and New Jersey at 6:30 a.m. to trek to your jobs where you executed with excellence in the Tri-State region. Every night, you'd return home after 8 p.m. in what represented nothing short of remarkable hard fought efforts to deliver on the dreams of your families. Hang in there! You have to! Leaders are on the way to leverage your spectacular work ethic so they can propel the businesses of tomorrow forward!
I've lived in the trenches of EMPLOYMENT most of my adult life, so I can assert with confidence that the real unemployment number is not 9.7%, it's been over 17% for a while now. Ask yourself this: With all the remarkable talent in this great country & around the globe, can it really be possible that after two years there is no solution to create full time jobs that can get more fellow citizens back to work?
Increasing unemployment benefits from two months to two years will continue to force states to sharply increase unemployment-insurance rates; so NOW employers won't hire new workers because it’s becoming too expensive on this front too. Hello America, is anyone out there listening? All of the taxpayer bailouts, government assistance programs, unemployment benefit extensions and efforts from Washington, DC over the past two years have not helped the economy recover because there is no JOB CREATION.
The U.S. taxpayer bailout only succeeded at funding failure & killing jobs. Extended unemployment benefits are a job killer too. The money rewarded to these so-called ailing companies went to counter-parties and places we can't account for. It's impossible to imagine how many big bucks were distributed with reckless abandon when the money could have funded so many initiatives & projects which could have created DEMAND for Goods & Services and saved or created JOBS along the way. What happened to us? Let me explain what I saw:
Case Study #1 - When LEADERS reward poor performance & failure, you continue the cycle of poor performance & failure. One company handed billions of our tax dollars - earned partly off the backs of the unemployed - to counter-parties under contract (& made them 100% whole). Another, rewarded poor performing executives (in the form of "STAY" Bonuses) - to employees who either 1) Participated in creating the sub prime/ CDO disaster in the first place 2) Abandoned their risk responsibilities while on the job or 3) Were too incompetent to notice the looming financial disaster when it was staring back at them. To this day - many bonus beneficiaries still lack the experience, skills & competencies to save their companies at all. So OMGosh - If you don't believe good talent matters & that great leaders save corporations & jobs, you never will.
Case Study #2 - Without TRUST, BRANDS are destroyed. Make no mistake, everyone in the Wall Street counter-party & subprime CDO inner-circles knew these CDOs were garbage investments riddled with risks that could not be sustained. They knew competitors would fail when these clandestine transactions came to light in some market cycle down the pike, but they didn't care. How is it that this inner-circle could delay an economic recovery & job creation all in one quiet breath?
Because there can be no TRUST when there is statistically a 90% chance these people - many still under the radar - will repeat the same kind of behaviors that already made them rich off the backs of the companies they destroyed while eliminating the ability of co-workers to make a living. The decision to use the hard-earned money of taxpayers to reward such behavior is repulsive to many, but more importantly it has eliminated CONSUMER CONFIDENCE in those BRANDS tied to the circles who quietly insured their contrived CDO investments @ 100% with counter-party contracts while leaving all others assuming the risk and holding their empty bag.
Case Study #3 - How can you support people in a culture when their goal to empty wallets literally brought thriving global companies, the U.S. economy, and the global financial systems to their knees? Hundreds of thousands of citizens - who saved these companies with their tax dollars - lost their jobs, while cunning corporate players who failed all of us received millions of dollars in "guaranteed" bonus payouts arranged for them by them and executed with help from the various business/ functional leaders of their inner-circle.
Long before signs of the subprime meltdown could be recognized by even the most trained eye, complex legal employment contracts had already been lined up and signed which protected the massive payouts, cash flow and assets going to the executives who actually structured the CDO Market for failure. Only a few people we know in Washington, DC & at the NY Fed had the slightest clue of the staggering value tied to these contracts that amounted to financial promises that were air-tight & legally binding. Nice deal if you can get one, huh?
These payouts alone literally destroyed any chance for a quick economic recovery or job creation because too much taxpayer money had to be dedicated to rewarding failure. The only way out of this type of employment contract was to let these companies fail, but no one had the courage or enough information to suggest such an option @ the time.
We all know that investors would have swooped in and picked at the carcasses and/or saved giant segments of these companies had we auctioned them off in some kind of Fire Sale! Take AIG for instance: BEFORE the AIG Financial Products Unit (AIGFP) became the HORRID AIG BRAND & face-to-the-world that DESTROYED THE HOUSE THAT HANK BUILT (The Honorable Maurice "Hank" Greenberg's House that is!) - AIG had a stellar reputation & an 85 year history of enjoying worldwide DEMAND for & RESPECT of its high quality GOODS, SERVICES, and INSURANCE the world over. To fulfill that DEMAND, over 60,000 AIG JOBS were created! Poor C.V. Starr must be rolling in his grave!
I respect history and I assess skills and behaviors and talent for a living. It's my professional opinion that there would be so many more corporate heroes & many more people back to work, if the government had left more of these companies floundering in the supply-and-demand world that was positioned to save them. ALL the Wall Street companies would NOT have failed as we were led - like sheep - to believe. Since the beginning of time, real leaders & unknown giants - LIKE THE PEOPLE READING THIS BLOG - have arrived on the scene with talent waiting to be tapped AND they have risen up to help people & companies & countries & communities thrive while keeping strategies & big goals alive!
I recruit because I get to sit in awe every single time great talent brings powerful solutions to challenging situations! Every year we are reminded that when skills & competencies cannot scale to the enormity of a significant challenge inside a company, in a country, in the Gulf of Mexico, during a natural disaster, or on earth anywhere... there is a high probability that the mission will suffer and/or fail.
Those executives who failed all of us and whose reality was shaped & agreed upon by ONLY those benefiting in their inner circles - simply stopped acting in good faith for the greater good long before anyone noticed. Why else would AIGFP sell trillions of dollars of highly risky credit-default swaps (essentially unregulated insurance policies)on piles of worthless U.S. subprime mortgages right after NY Attorney General / Governor Want-a-Be / and Client #9 Eliot Spitzer ran AIG CEO Hank Greenberg out of AIG and New York City? You can't even make this up!
Despite these astonishing facts & disappointments, I'm begging you - the employment candidate / the job seeker - to believe that we can & will return to the core values which inspire hard work and innovation. After all, these are the same values that made Mr. Greenberg one of the greatest global leaders of our time. His leadership transformed CV Starr's Company into American International Group, Inc - an international beacon of light revered for offering important risk services and insurance products to people who needed them around the globe. Silently and without fanfare, he shared his success with employees, charities and communities the world over. When I worked for AIG in the late 90's, I executed special recruiting projects for Mr. Greenberg & his executive team and I understood the definition of leadership. Thanks to men like Hank - when I'm asked to recruit a leader, I know exactly what I'm looking for and the bar is high.
PS - Job Creation 101: DEMAND for GOODS & SERVICES = NEW JOBS! We can do it!
Best regards,
Tish
Google Bloomberg.com for this NEWS! Our BRAND NEW JUMBO MORTGAGES for our Morgan Stanley Smith Barney clients & their interest in our 30 & 15 Year Fixed Rate Loans has created the demand for 30 NEW HIRES in our CHICAGO Office - Mortgage Advisors, Loan Officers, Processors, Underwriters, Closers - Our Team will hire you by
July 30th if you qualify!! Details of our SUPER CHICAGO CAREER DAY coming soon!
As you know, TishTrek - THE JOB BLOG is dedicated to every person in America looking for a job right now, so please listen carefully. My note above highlights a simple formula (Demand for Goods & Services = NEW JOBS!) & it succinctly tells the simple story about how jobs are created in this great nation. No company can pull a job out of a hat; few jobs are created with the sole commitment to help the unemployed; jobs don't exist or last very long if there is zero interest in the products, services, and market offerings a company is selling; and if there is no work to do, no customers to speak of and no business to tend to, there are no jobs.
This month ALONE, over 2 million fellow Americans will have exhausted 99 weeks of unemployment benefits. Let's face it, millions more fell off this public assistance long ago. Too many of you have given up and stopped looking for work altogether. Lots of you who are navigating through this tough reality have 10, 20, 30-plus years experience in your chosen fields and some of you (with the help of your parents from the Greatest Generation) did the hard work & made the tough choices & sacrifices it took to fund those additional educational credentials from Associate's degrees to BA's to BS's to MBA's to PhD's. I talk to lots of you daily and I know it's unbelievable to find yourself in this situation! Hang in there! You have to! Leaders are on the way to leverage your experiences of the past to propel the businesses of tomorrow forward!
For 24 years, I've commuted with scores of you who left your home in the suburbs of New York and New Jersey at 6:30 a.m. to trek to your jobs where you executed with excellence in the Tri-State region. Every night, you'd return home after 8 p.m. in what represented nothing short of remarkable hard fought efforts to deliver on the dreams of your families. Hang in there! You have to! Leaders are on the way to leverage your spectacular work ethic so they can propel the businesses of tomorrow forward!
I've lived in the trenches of EMPLOYMENT most of my adult life, so I can assert with confidence that the real unemployment number is not 9.7%, it's been over 17% for a while now. Ask yourself this: With all the remarkable talent in this great country & around the globe, can it really be possible that after two years there is no solution to create full time jobs that can get more fellow citizens back to work?
Increasing unemployment benefits from two months to two years will continue to force states to sharply increase unemployment-insurance rates; so NOW employers won't hire new workers because it’s becoming too expensive on this front too. Hello America, is anyone out there listening? All of the taxpayer bailouts, government assistance programs, unemployment benefit extensions and efforts from Washington, DC over the past two years have not helped the economy recover because there is no JOB CREATION.
The U.S. taxpayer bailout only succeeded at funding failure & killing jobs. Extended unemployment benefits are a job killer too. The money rewarded to these so-called ailing companies went to counter-parties and places we can't account for. It's impossible to imagine how many big bucks were distributed with reckless abandon when the money could have funded so many initiatives & projects which could have created DEMAND for Goods & Services and saved or created JOBS along the way. What happened to us? Let me explain what I saw:
Case Study #1 - When LEADERS reward poor performance & failure, you continue the cycle of poor performance & failure. One company handed billions of our tax dollars - earned partly off the backs of the unemployed - to counter-parties under contract (& made them 100% whole). Another, rewarded poor performing executives (in the form of "STAY" Bonuses) - to employees who either 1) Participated in creating the sub prime/ CDO disaster in the first place 2) Abandoned their risk responsibilities while on the job or 3) Were too incompetent to notice the looming financial disaster when it was staring back at them. To this day - many bonus beneficiaries still lack the experience, skills & competencies to save their companies at all. So OMGosh - If you don't believe good talent matters & that great leaders save corporations & jobs, you never will.
Case Study #2 - Without TRUST, BRANDS are destroyed. Make no mistake, everyone in the Wall Street counter-party & subprime CDO inner-circles knew these CDOs were garbage investments riddled with risks that could not be sustained. They knew competitors would fail when these clandestine transactions came to light in some market cycle down the pike, but they didn't care. How is it that this inner-circle could delay an economic recovery & job creation all in one quiet breath?
Because there can be no TRUST when there is statistically a 90% chance these people - many still under the radar - will repeat the same kind of behaviors that already made them rich off the backs of the companies they destroyed while eliminating the ability of co-workers to make a living. The decision to use the hard-earned money of taxpayers to reward such behavior is repulsive to many, but more importantly it has eliminated CONSUMER CONFIDENCE in those BRANDS tied to the circles who quietly insured their contrived CDO investments @ 100% with counter-party contracts while leaving all others assuming the risk and holding their empty bag.
Case Study #3 - How can you support people in a culture when their goal to empty wallets literally brought thriving global companies, the U.S. economy, and the global financial systems to their knees? Hundreds of thousands of citizens - who saved these companies with their tax dollars - lost their jobs, while cunning corporate players who failed all of us received millions of dollars in "guaranteed" bonus payouts arranged for them by them and executed with help from the various business/ functional leaders of their inner-circle.
Long before signs of the subprime meltdown could be recognized by even the most trained eye, complex legal employment contracts had already been lined up and signed which protected the massive payouts, cash flow and assets going to the executives who actually structured the CDO Market for failure. Only a few people we know in Washington, DC & at the NY Fed had the slightest clue of the staggering value tied to these contracts that amounted to financial promises that were air-tight & legally binding. Nice deal if you can get one, huh?
These payouts alone literally destroyed any chance for a quick economic recovery or job creation because too much taxpayer money had to be dedicated to rewarding failure. The only way out of this type of employment contract was to let these companies fail, but no one had the courage or enough information to suggest such an option @ the time.
We all know that investors would have swooped in and picked at the carcasses and/or saved giant segments of these companies had we auctioned them off in some kind of Fire Sale! Take AIG for instance: BEFORE the AIG Financial Products Unit (AIGFP) became the HORRID AIG BRAND & face-to-the-world that DESTROYED THE HOUSE THAT HANK BUILT (The Honorable Maurice "Hank" Greenberg's House that is!) - AIG had a stellar reputation & an 85 year history of enjoying worldwide DEMAND for & RESPECT of its high quality GOODS, SERVICES, and INSURANCE the world over. To fulfill that DEMAND, over 60,000 AIG JOBS were created! Poor C.V. Starr must be rolling in his grave!
I respect history and I assess skills and behaviors and talent for a living. It's my professional opinion that there would be so many more corporate heroes & many more people back to work, if the government had left more of these companies floundering in the supply-and-demand world that was positioned to save them. ALL the Wall Street companies would NOT have failed as we were led - like sheep - to believe. Since the beginning of time, real leaders & unknown giants - LIKE THE PEOPLE READING THIS BLOG - have arrived on the scene with talent waiting to be tapped AND they have risen up to help people & companies & countries & communities thrive while keeping strategies & big goals alive!
I recruit because I get to sit in awe every single time great talent brings powerful solutions to challenging situations! Every year we are reminded that when skills & competencies cannot scale to the enormity of a significant challenge inside a company, in a country, in the Gulf of Mexico, during a natural disaster, or on earth anywhere... there is a high probability that the mission will suffer and/or fail.
Those executives who failed all of us and whose reality was shaped & agreed upon by ONLY those benefiting in their inner circles - simply stopped acting in good faith for the greater good long before anyone noticed. Why else would AIGFP sell trillions of dollars of highly risky credit-default swaps (essentially unregulated insurance policies)on piles of worthless U.S. subprime mortgages right after NY Attorney General / Governor Want-a-Be / and Client #9 Eliot Spitzer ran AIG CEO Hank Greenberg out of AIG and New York City? You can't even make this up!
Despite these astonishing facts & disappointments, I'm begging you - the employment candidate / the job seeker - to believe that we can & will return to the core values which inspire hard work and innovation. After all, these are the same values that made Mr. Greenberg one of the greatest global leaders of our time. His leadership transformed CV Starr's Company into American International Group, Inc - an international beacon of light revered for offering important risk services and insurance products to people who needed them around the globe. Silently and without fanfare, he shared his success with employees, charities and communities the world over. When I worked for AIG in the late 90's, I executed special recruiting projects for Mr. Greenberg & his executive team and I understood the definition of leadership. Thanks to men like Hank - when I'm asked to recruit a leader, I know exactly what I'm looking for and the bar is high.
PS - Job Creation 101: DEMAND for GOODS & SERVICES = NEW JOBS! We can do it!
Best regards,
Tish
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