Page 75 - Gary's Book - Final Copy 7.9.2017_Active

world. It had been indicated to me during the previous year that Jack was going to
corporate headquarters and that I would be replacing him. It was common
knowledge. Jack gave OWS a two-month notice, and during that time, Bill
Rossiter, vice-president of marketing for the chemicals group in Stamford, which

included OWS, informed me that he wanted me to go into a holding pattern. He
said that he had a person named Harry Conger from Calgon in Pittsburgh that he
wanted to expose to OWS; this position would be beneficial for him to gain
company knowledge prior to going to Stamford. I was promised that I would
become the general manager afterwards. I had been there and done that before, and
it did not pass the smell test, but life would go on. [Chuckle, chuckle!]

Harry Conger was a 20-year employee at Calgon, a water treatment company.

Although married, he was a womanizer. He was a heavy drinker, an avid golfer
and an early morning walker. He was a sharp dresser with a super ego. He was
also a dictator who micro-managed the daily business activities - a real control
freak. He was now my boss!

OWS had a monthly “Pipeline” news leaflet for employees to be informed of

organization changes, promotions, business posture, safety warnings, retirements
and special events. Harry decided this magazine did not provide him sufficient
personal exposure. He would change this! He knocked out the walls in several
offices and put in a studio with the latest photographic capabilities, so a video tape
could be sent to each office for employees to view. He videoed himself telling
about products, promotions, activities, events, socials, new employees, new
assignments, and the financial status. It became a general monthly video – of

Harry! It cost $300,000, which took a large bite out of the company’s profits. He
said this could be justified to headquarters and that it was fitting in the corporate
ego culture. Guess what! The corporate leaders bought into it. Their ego was as big
as Harry’s! They came from everywhere - from across the U.S. - to my office to

have their mug shots. So, Harry was their winner!

I had quarterly meetings with my five regional managers in Overland Park, and
within three months, Harry decided it would be less costly if I had a rented
apartment with all the living accommodations. Therefore, I contracted for a four-
bedroom apartment with maid services. It really did not save any money, but it set
up for personal housing for Harry when I was not using it for meetings.

70