Nice Guys Can Finish First

I lose track of years badly. I don't know how long I've known Jim Allen, but it's been a lot of years.

I knew his wife Jan first. We volunteered at AVOC together and became close friends. Future down the line, I would meet her boyfriend who would become her husband. That was nice guy Jim Allen.

Along with another friend Janey – Jan, Jim and myself often pal around on the weekends. We can be a loud group of people, but we always have ourselves a time.

Please remember how I lose track of years, but a few back, I was the accounting manager at CityBeat and we had an opening in the department. Jim expressed an interest in the job.

I was a little hesitant at first to hire him, because we were friends. What if it turned out he was no good at accounting? What if I had to – you know – fire him? That would be the end of the friendship for sure.

That worry was all for nothing. Jim turned out to be a great employee, good with numbers and also well liked by all the other Citybeaters.

I stopped being CityBeat’s accounting manager probably over two years ago (I went on to bigger and better things, like this LOL Blog – stop laughing), but Jim and I remain friends.

Jim, I know you read this blog. I want you to know the best thing about having you as an employee was your ability to come in, keep your head down and just do your job - and do it extremely well. You were never high maintenance and I could always count on you. Hey buddy, it was appreciated.

Today is Jim’s last day at CityBeat. He’s moving on to a better job – more money, good benefits. The paper’s going to miss him, but nothing stays the same.

I’ve heard people say that nice guys finish last. That’s not the case with Jim Allen. He’s truly a nice guy and I know he'll have much success in his new job.

- Larry Gross

(Photo from Jan Allen)

Comments

[Jim Allen]

He seems a swell guy.

[Tim]

As a rule, I never hire family or friends but it sounds like trusting your gut in this case paid off.

Good luck Jim!

[hard as nails]

hey! i'm a nice guy too. how come i can't get off unemployment?

[Marilyn]

HAN, hey, what the hell? Enjoy your time off... I'm on disability and it does not suck.

Well, I mean my disability sucks, but I'm glad to have this time to rethink my life...

[David E. Gallaher]

Jim and I also go back a ways. But in relation to my advanced years, not really that far. He only knew me from my "penance job years" after I had robbed widows and orphans for many years as a stockbroker.
Whatever.
I thoroughly second the motion to declare him a jolly good fellow. He sometimes yells greetings to me downtown as he's whizzing past on his bike.
And I know his secret about posting here under a nom de plume.
His wife likewise seems a sterling individual.
I'm not at all surprised he would be "moving on up." Nice guys do finish first.