Page 231 - MY STORY

As I was leaving my management’s office, as fate would

dictate, I bumped into Alan in the hallway. His first
question, having seen me leave the management complex,
was “What were you doing there, who were you talking to,

and about what?” There was no threat in his question.
Alan and I had always been very direct with each other
and did not usually have hidden agendas.

I tried obfuscating and mumbling a bit because I really did
not want him to know that I’d recommended him for a

different assignment. I knew, though, that he had the
same dim view of that program that I did, and the only

chance of pulling off a successful execution would be
under his leadership.

I finally told him what had transpired, and he was not

exactly a happy camper. If he was put in charge of “that
failing” program, he pointed out that his future in MDA

was likely to be less than optimal. I pointed out that if the
program failed under his leadership he would likely be a
“director no longer”, but if he pulled off a successful flight

test then he was on the road to a Vice Presidency.