Robert Geise:
CLASS OF 1982
Lewiston-Porter High SchoolClass of 1982
Youngstown, NY
Robert's Story
Isn't life just wonderful? Send me a note saying Hi to RAGeise 30 at yahoo
I once wrote an story about what had transpired since leaving Lewiston, but it was missing after Classmates updated their system. Soooo much has happened since February 1982. So - go get a cup of coffee and settle back for a recap of the last 29 years.
I'm at work right now and this is going to take some time. The phone is ringing.... I'll be back to shortly.
Ok - Back from the phone call. I left New York in January of 1982. We left just after winter break so I didn't have much time to say good bye to many of my friends, but I came back for graduation in the spring. It was fun coming back to see some friends, but sad because I missed so many - mainly due to everyone attending different parties or doing their own thing. So to those I missed - hope you enjoy life and we meet again.
Bowling Green State University was my home for the next 2 years. I had so many adventures while attending classes there. I made such great friends there and learned many life lessons. Business was my desire and I left BGSU to pursue my dream of being a merchant.
I landed at a company called Forest City Auto Parts and within 2 months became the highest selling sales associate in our district. Within 5 months I was top salesman for the company. I was asked to become a sales trainer but declined as I was headhunted for a competing company Nationwise Auto Parts. There, I was promoted to manager trainee in 90 days, an assistant manager in 90 days, and finally to Store Manager 3 moths later. This was one of the fastest climbs up to store manager in ...Expand for more
the company history.
At Nationwise I was a leader and a trainer. I guess I learned how to communicate with people because everyone who I trained made it to a management position. Every store I managed enjoyed the lowest turnover rate. ( The secret to success is to not fire people but to nurture them and find an area in which they can excel) Eventually I landed one of the largest stores in our district with a crew of 35 employees and grew our sales to the highest in the district.
The money was great and life was wonderful. I had a sweet cherry '76 Camero that just screamed. I had a great bunch of friends that hung out every night and I didn't have a care in the world. One day a beautiful woman walked into my store. My buddy Jimmy P pushed me out of the way and started racing down the aisle to wait on her. I was faster and shoulder blocked him into an endcap. As he picked himself up from fallin' over a tote of air filters, I met my future wife. The first moment I gazed into her eyes I fell madly in love with her.
It took a few hours but she fell in love with me. We got married in 1986. The chapter on young adulthood closed and I started a new chapter "Fatherhood". And, I found my calling.
Then the bottom fell out and Nationwise closed its doors for good. Dang - my next step was District Manager and then Regional Vice President. How could they do this to me!!!!! Back to square one again.
Back to Square One - a familiar, recurring chapter in my life. But each time I learn a valuable lesson and grow stronger. I'll share more next time I return.
Send me a note saying Hi to RAGeise 30 at yahoo
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