Meeting Mr. Gates
In the early'90's after (losing my first business), I got a job working for Microsoft. I got the job through another job actually. I was driving Microsoft employees from the Microsoft building (in Charlotte, NC) to their cars in the parking lot. While engaged in this prestigious occupation, I asked one of the employees I was ferrying how i might apply for a job there. He gave me a fax number and after faxing my resume to the number and going thorough a number of (exhaustive) interviews, I got a job in tech support for $10.00 an hour. I was in heaven!
It was tough work. I manged to move from supporting DOS to supporting Windows and then to Windows NT. I was elevated to a "Mentor" position 9supoort escalation) and also did "Gold" support for larger partners. In those days, occasionally Mr. Gates (yes, Bill) would sometimes visit the offices outside of Redmond and we had been told that he might be on campus that week.
I had just finished a very long and difficult support call and turned in my chair. Standing in front of me was none other than Bill Gates!
"Hi, I'm Bill Gates" he said. All I could muster in my shock was a feeble, "yes sir, you are."
I was stunned.
For the next few minutes, he talked with me, thanked me for my contribution and
asked me for my opinion. It was not what he said so much as the fact that he
valued ME! He went around to some of the other guys and chatted with them
but I was in another world. Mr. Gates valued ME!!
After all of the failures, bitterness and despair, his simple kindness inspired
me enormously. He set me on a course of recovery without ever knowing that he
did so. I became a maniacal supporter of Microsoft from that moment (and still
am). He literally saved my life (from my perspective).
I began to climb back up, little by little.
I became a Developer, a SQL DBA, an NT Administrator for one of the largest NT
networks in the world and then a technical Portfolio Project Manager (.Net
applications) for a large bank. I earned my MCSE, MCT and finally, I was
notified that I was awarded the MVP.
It was one of the proudest moments of my life.
After a year or so, I was asked by Microsoft to head up Culminis. I did not
want the job but saw the chance to do something positive and profound for
Microsoft and maybe an opportunity to pay back what Mr. Gates did for me. I
quit my job and accepted even though it required that I take a significant cut
in salary.
I did not get money initially (to fund the idea) from Microsoft. In spite
of money promised to fund it, I got nothing for some time so I took a second
mortgage on my house for $100K and put it all in Culminis. I was determined do
whatever it took to build this network. I broke my back and invested my blood in the effort because of Mr.
Gates and those kind words that he gave me when it felt like the entire world had turned on
me.
Over time, I asked leaders around the world to reach out to kids in need and
they did so. Nearly a half million children were helped through the efforts of
Culminis leaders.
I always wanted to thank Mr. Gates for inspiring me to come back. I never thought I'd have the chance though. However, in 2008, I got an email saying that I had been chosen by Mr. Gates to have lunch with him along with other leaders to thank the community for its dedication and service to the IT world.
I went to Floriday in June of 2008 and had lunch sitting one person from Mr. Gates. We all asked him questions and he talked about his foundation, his passion for eductiaon and his appreciation of us for our work and commitment to helping others.
After the lunch, as we were walking out, I touched his arm and asked if I could tell him something. He stoped and said, "of course". I told him my story and his face showed great compassion and appreciation. He said, "thank you so much for sharing that with me. You have made my day...thank you so VERY much!"
After all those years of wanting the opportunity to thank him, in the end, it was Mr. Gates who thanked me.
