Page 83 - Gary's Book - Final Copy 7.9.2017_Active

uniquely positioned them to take advantage of the emerging worldwide market.
The major challenge was promotion and training.

TEC Network, Inc., was successful until the “Brit,” our silent British partner with
EEC Limited, absconded with the checkbook and all the funds and departed for
Europe. All the bank accounts were depleted. My stomach just dropped. How gut-
wrenching! We were back to the original company, TEC International, a designer

and manufacturer of software and hardware.

Because the company had no cash reserves, we had no future. Within six months,
Henry decided to leave the business and give it to his son. I was in the hospital for
a few days; when I returned, they let me go. I contacted the company lawyer and
told him what had transpired. He told me I could sue and possibly collect a million

dollars but asked if I wanted to stick around to pursue a lengthy lawsuit and
possibly never collect or did I prefer to just go on with my life. For me, that was a
no-brainer. Sue and I were ready to move on. Only a skeleton operation at TEC
International/Telephonic Equipment Corporation remained. As expected, the son
could not manage it. He took everything out of it that was left. The company,

consequently, folded two years later.

Sue and I placed our house on the market in October 1995 after attempting
unsuccessfully to get a job in Southern California. About eight months later, we
decided to return to Overland Park, Kansas. Sue had a sister there and a brother in
Quincy, Illinois, and Doug, my brother, was in St. Joseph, Missouri. Also, the cost
of living was lower.

Upon returning to Kansas, I began once again to seek employment. I thought

teaching college students would be enjoyable while I was looking. I started as an
adjunct professor teaching at Webster University and at Sterling College, which
were both in Kansas City, Missouri. I taught various courses in the masters of
business administration programs at night and on some weekends. I taught
management, thesis writing, and sales and marketing courses. I expanded and

taught similar courses at Ft. Leavenworth to officers preparing to become generals
in the U.S. Army. During the day, I worked for my brother-in-law who owned
Account Specialists, Inc., which was a collection agency. I was basically on the
phone “dialing for dollars.” [Chuckle, chuckle!] Although I was appreciative to
John, I was miserable!

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