1960

After reading the May 1988 edition of this publication, which contained a vignette about PaulBoeker's recent career change after 27 years in the foreign Service, Ralph Maynard '31 sent me the following letter (partially exceroted):

"In December 1977 the American firm for which I was a salesman was engaged in putting together its bid for an oxygen/nitrogen producing plant, a major component for a smelter to be built at Karachipampa, Bolivia. We were to be the only American bidder on the entire project.

"In such international competition one must expect the opposition to do everything possible to make things difficult. Thus, the week before Christmas of '77, we were informed by telex that our bid was due on 29 December in La Paz, and I left the States on the 26th with elements of the bid package.

"Our agent and I were, on the 27th, immediately faced with the problem of finding secretarial help to make last-minute changes, to add required certificates, etc., because the commercial establishment of La Paz had shut down for that holiday week.

"To the rescue came the skeleton staff of the commercial section of the U.S. Embassy, at Ambassador Boeker's direction to be of service to the only U.S. bidder! And mighty competent and fast it was, with the section on changes and documentation complete on 28 December.

"Then in my hotel room later that day, our agent and I put together our bid package. After making a secure wrapping job, we melted sealing wax over the edges of the bindings, but found we had nothing resembling the traditional seal, used to make sure that no one can tamper with the bid.

"Again, '60 to the rescue — this time because I carried a Dartmouth football-helmet key ring given to me, as one who had helped in recruiting, by Jake Crouthamel to celebrate the 1972 Ivy League championship. It worked perfectly, and we put in our bid on time, the 29th!

"Months later—it takes that long in these international competitions — we signed a contract for that supply. I never got to tell the ambassador or Jake about the results, but perhaps this story will convey my appreciation, and also give you other '60s a big charge, too."

Thanks, Ralph. "Around the girdled earth they roam!"

Follow-ups: In December 1985 I reported that John Dimling had joined Nielsen Media Research to head up the Nielsen People Meter Service. Apparently, he did a crackerjack job of it. Nielsen just promoted John again, this time to executive vice president, group director of marketing. Remember '60s, John knows what you're buying and watching. Maybe he knows what you're thinking.

In November 1987 I noted Bob Hatch's plans and hopes to accomplish a leveraged buy out at Interstate Bakeries Corporation. Taking an unusual twist in these days of raiders and LBOs, Bob successfully managed to place 80 percent of IBC's stock in the hands of rank-and-file employes. Management only took 20 percent for themselves. As Bob said in a recent interview, "We're out to do something very different here. We're out to preserve something for the long-term." A breath of fresh air from the Hanover plain!

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