Thanks for the kind words!!
I'm stoked and glad to be done with them. It turned into a terrible place to work once it was no longer family owned.
I am a bit sad because I literally set the department up. I wrote the code for the Postprocessors they use to this day along with the Tool Database. Many of the Machining Standards in use I wrote. And prior to arriving there, I helped develop the machining software they use to this day. To say I had an "effect" on the prosperity of this place is an understatement. There's a reason they called me GOAT.
But being The GOAT was also problematic in recent years. Because I was unwavering in saying "NO" whenever they tried to do something stupid, take advantage, move the goal posts/mission creep (no one in management has experience in my field), it became a battle and I was deemed "not a team player". And because I was GOAT, other employees would generally follow what I did such was my influence. So I became problematic for them. Too much influence and knowledge. I could easily sniff out their plans and block them. And boy do I have dirt on them!
So I'm looking forward to leveraging that into a nice settlement. Of course they offered me the bare minimum (as someone above mentioned). Always contest this!! Businesses rarely win if it goes to arbitration for an old guy like me. Were looking for 20+ months severance pay.
Will miss my friends (several of the guys there were my students when I was teaching College), will miss the interesting work (automotive lighting). And I'll miss the dangerous nature of the work. And especially the creativity in taking an 8 ton block of steel and turning it into a magnificent, jewel like headlight reflector.
Not sure what I'll do moving forward. Have applied to some out-of-industry jobs for now. Am ready to retire but IQ is not. So I'll likely work part time and fish!!
