Fun Facts:Growing up as a preacher's kid in Oklahoma, I started working at 14 years old. I made $2.00 an hour, plowing the Oklahoma farmlands, hauling hay and working cattle. At 16, I started driving into the city and spent my summers working as a prep cook, baker and waiter. Working my way through college, I earned my way to a Kitchen Manager/Assistant at the Oklahoma Line restaurant. I was promoted to the youngest General Manager in the company for Line Enterprises and launched my career in the restaurant industry. I naturally moved into many different roles:Training General ManagerRegional TrainerDirector of TrainingDirector of HR/TrainingVP/Officer of HR, Training and R&DVP of HR and TrainingVP Workforce Development and Company OperationsDirector of Operations and HR Director of HR/RecruitingVP of AdministrationDirector of Talent Acquisition and HR In 2003 I learned to ride my Harley-Davidson. The officers and I would visit the restaurants and Franchisees, riding our Harley's. Being a great customer, I wanted to work for Harley-Davidson and experience being an employee.I got my chance in Scottsdale, AZ, at Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale as the Operations/HR Director on an 8 month assignment. A big change going to retail but much is the same. My career moved to the Veracka family who have the highest volume Harley-Davidson dealerships in the world. They have grown to 18 dealerships in 10 years. If you ever want to see what it takes to be #1, come work for #1. It is not for everyone, it is hard work but the rewards can be great.I had a chance to work with some friends of mine as VP of Administration for QK Holdings, the largest franchisee of Denny's and franchisee of Del Taco. Working with people who grew up in the business just like me. The Owner and CEO started as a bus boy many years ago and grew from 1 to over 100 restaurants. I helped him sell his business and then went back home to have more fun with the Veracka family. Yes, I made a promise to come back home after I was done helping my friends. Best advise is, never burn your bridges, ever. So now, what has changed working for the Verackas? We are still #1, have explosive growth plans, still working hard, still finding great people, still love to ride, still learning, still having fun and as one of my mentors says, to always "Keep Smiling." Until next time, Keep Bringing Those Ideas To Life!!