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Knowing that my factory in Nogales would be closing, I started to look for jobs a few months ago. I wasn't in a big rush, I just wanted to see what was out there, and see where my skills stacked up against all the other job seekers in the market for new jobs. I came across a website called TheLadders.com - for a fee, they really do a great job of helping cull out jobs you wouldn't be interested in, and only putting the jobs that fit your profile in front of you. I would check this website a few times a week to see if anything exciting, and local would pop up.

When the Internal Audit Manager at Rain Bird was posted on the Website, I thought - "what a perfect opportunity to test out my resume, and interview skills". I didn't think much would come of it, but it fit all my criteria, so I applied.

A few days later, I had my first phone interview with a Rain Bird recruiter. A few days after that I had my second phone interview with another Rain Bird Human Resources representative. At the end of that interview, they scheduled another phone interview with the CFO (Chief Financial Officer). My phone interview with Nick (The CFO, and now my boss) went great! We talked for more than an hour, and the job got more exciting for me, and he seemed even more interested in me as well. So at the end of that interview, we talked about having a face to face interview at the Tucson facility.

The Tucson interview was scheduled for the day before we left for Utah for our Spring Break. I spent most of the day interviewing with the CFO, and various other Rain Bird people (from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.). Funny side note - the HR manager that interviewed me - used to be the HR manager at a company in Snowflake, AZ. He is LDS, served his mission in Argentina, lived just down the street from Alma and Nadine, and Marnie was their favorite babysitter. Just another example of how small the world is, especially inside the church...

The interviews went really well - I felt great about every single person that I met with. While we were in Utah I got my first offer. We went back and forth with offers and counter offers for over a week before Nick and I finally got to where we were both comfortable. Sheri and I talked it over weighed out the pros and cons, prayed about it, then accepted the job.

We are most excited about the extra time I will have at home, and the fact that we get to stay here in Southern Arizona.

I graduated from the U of I at the end of 1999. We officially moved to Boise in 2000 - then to Phoenix in 2003 (just for a few months because Motorola closed the Phoenix office just after I started there), then to Chicago in 2004, and finally to Southern Arizona in 2006. So - we are pretty tired of moving, and are ready to stay put for a while.

I am excited about this new chapter in my life, and especially excited for the blessings it will bring to my family. I feel really optimistic about the road ahead of me, and the growth opportunities that I will find along the way. Wish me luck!

Joe

PS - Our trip to San Carlos was amazing! Cade's Baptism and Confirmation were really touching. Stay tuned - I'm sure my Dad and I will both blog about it as soon as we get our pictures organized...

Let it Rain... Bird!

Well, I guess its time to decommission the Baby Tracker... I landed a new job in Tucson with Rain Bird as their head of internal audit.

My last day with Motorola is Friday, and my first day with Rain Bird is Monday. I'm meeting my new Boss on Monday to get things squared away, then leaving on Wednesday for Mexico for our little trip to San Carlos for some R&R, and Cade's baptism.

For those that aren't familiar with Rain Bird - they make irrigation equipment for residential and commercial properties, golf courses, and agriculture. The corporate headquarters are in Azusa California (close to LA), but my office will be here in Tucson. My commute will go from 1hr 15min to just 15 min. For those familiar with Tucson, my new office is just over by the Air and Space Museum (where all the planes are parked that you can walk around and look at).

This was one of the most difficult professional decisions I've ever made. While the pros and cons make the decision sound easy, walking away from 'unfinished business' is really hard for me, but its something we really felt like we had to do.

Pues - Hasta Luego Motorola - y Que Tal Rain Bird!

Thanks to those who have been praying for us, and offering sound council and advice throughout this process! The Lord has truly blessed us - our prayers have been answered. We are completely comfortable, and at peace with the decision we've made. I can even say that we are excited about this new opportunity. Thank you all for your love and support!

The Ten Virgins...

2008 Sahuarita 2nd Ward Relief Society

Birthday Commemoration Dinner

As promised in my last post, here is a quick re-cap of the RS Birthday commemoration dinner Sheri put on for the Sisters in our ward.

The theme for the dinner was the parable of the ten virgins. She had a great turnout, and was grateful to have her mom Sandra, and my mom Mona there to help with the decorations, food prep, childcare, and everything else that goes into making a night like this successful.

I felt especially blessed this time, because I got out of kitchen duty for enough time to sit down and watch the program the Sisters had put together. The program consisted of ten sisters playing the roles of the ten virgins, and a narrator. Each of the virgins told, and sang their own story. Some were humble, faithful, and prepared, while others were busy, well intentioned, or otherwise consumed with 'other' things. It was amazing to watch each of the Sisters in the room relate to each of the ten virgins, and their strengths and weaknesses. It was equally amazing, and heartbreaking when the bridegroom came, and five of the ten virgins were not prepared with enough oil in their lamps. During the program I recognized that the five 'foolish' virgins, weren't bad people. They probably had the best intentions in the world, but let the world, and daily life get in the way of their preparation for eternal progression. It was humbling to ask myself (and watch most of the sisters asking themselves) am I prepared? If the Bridegroom comes tonight, am I physically and spiritually ready? I don't feel that I am yet, but do feel that I am on the path to preparedness, and have a pretty amazing wife that I can count of to drag me the rest of the way there!

Below is a montage with the decorations. I don't have pictures of the actual program, with all the Sisters there, but it was really a sight to behold, and if I can get a hold of some I'll include them later.

At the end of the Montage, you'll see a picture of a bucket of flowers with a little 10 virgins card, and Thank You notes. Someone in the Ward left this bucket of flowers with the note that you can see on the bucket, just to say thanks to all those who worked on the Program and the Dinner, and made the night such a memorable evening for the Sisters. I thought that was a pretty neat thing for someone to do anonymously... just because they felt like it!

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