Gerard Lysse:  

I made my first jump to management and served as the company Quality Manager. 6 months later I found myself in charge of the testing business unit as the Business Unit Manager. In 2004 I was promoted to Operations Manager and then later in the year promoted to Vice-President of Operations still keeping the responsibility of Business Unit Manager. At the end of 2005 we were bought out by a Japanese company called Horiba and unfortunately because of consolidation I had to yield to the new management structure. I was given the position of Director of Quality - with national responsbility so in a sense it was a promotion. I still retain responsibility as Business Unit Manager. I can say I have been truly blessed being with the same company for almost 22 years. Military I entered MCRD (Marine Corp Recruit Depot) - San Diego (they call us Hollywood Marines) on 6/9/1982. That day forward my life changed. Graduated September 3rd of that same year and then went to 29 Palms (right outside Palm Springs) for radio school. I trained to be a teletype operator (that equipment has since been replaced with hi-tech computer equipment) and had visions of grandeur of going into special forces. That never materialized. I never saw any action, since I was primarily a reservist. But I did make some great friends and learned leadership skills that I would not trade for anything. Prior to meeting my wife Sandi, I made preparations to enter into Officer Candidate School (OCS) and become a pilot. Because of my corrected vision I could only enter in as a RIO (radar intercept officer) and on top of that I was only one year into college. It was a wonderful dream, but never realized. I finally retired in 1988 and was honorably discharged. I am proud to have served and periodically still see the friends I went to boot camp and radio school with. Semper Fidelis!!!