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Per your request...

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...