Ahh, geez, Brady, sorry to hear. With your skills and experience, I'm confident there is a demand for you, whether that is your own business or working for someone else.

Universities and colleges around the area seem to have been constantly looking for maintenance managers in the past. However, we are facing a 6% budget cut mandated by the state, so things may be changing. Perhaps some of the universities around you have website postings???

Although the boating season may be longer here in the South, we need to have some water in our lakes (north GA specifically) to make it worthwhile. South of Atlanta seems to be ok, though.....

A few months ago, one SIL had to fire her own husband and her own sister...

Many at the top of big businesses are ruthless, power-hungry SOB's!

My dad used to fire me on a daily basis, I got to the point where I would say; "OK, see you later" and start to walk out the door only to hear - "where the he** do you think your going? get back there and wash those dishes"...

That is the problem with large corps, they are all cut throat a-holes that dont care about the "little" guy.
the "big boss" came in my office on Tuesday and said, "well, take care and I wish you well"..
I felt like saying to him AND my manager; if you really gave a sh** you would think this through and know that HE (my manager) is the one that needs to go away..

but I didnt, I simply shook his hand and said thank you.

I fired my father and younger brother 20 years ago. They were not performing what was required of them. I learnt then never to mix business with family.

Mark

My business has been 'family' forever. My dad started the engraving business as a hobby in 1966. The reason he took it full time was he had no choice---He'd worked for 'them' for long enough to finally get 2 weeks vacation, which we spent starting to build their new cabin. His first day back to work, he was informed they'd eliminated his department, sorry. They did offer to send him to Texas with a big pay cut.

He sold cars, delivered mail, and even played building inspector for awhile before the business took off. It worked out, and being a family biz I feel pretty fortunate that things have worked out so well after all these years...

brady - sorry to hear your news.....things will work out.....trust me since I've just recently lived that dream....

As I work for One of Forbe's "top Ten Corps to work for" I can say that statement is not the rule but the exception, Even while facing a major illness and not able to work they continue too take great care of me. This is not to lighten everyone's pain, of course it the law of money and we need to keep finding ways to make our selves more valuable than the next guy. Good luck in your search.

The track to get to be one of the power-hungry SOB's is a steep one. You've got to keep pulling harder and harder to get to the top, and willing to give up more and more of your morals.

When you get to the top you realize it's a precarious perch, and there's lots of others trying to push you off of it. The only way to stay there is to fight with all you've got.

I want to say thanks to everyone's comments, advice, words of kindness and well wishes.
its nice to know that, even though I am no longer part of the boating community I am still a part of the BABC family.

Thank you all and I will keep you posted on the events to come.

god bless.

My wife was laid off after 26 years with her company in March. She had worked her way up over the years from entry level to manager. She got a 6 months severance package, same as at least one of the other 3 managers let go who had half that time with the company. She has found a job locally instead of and hour plus commute one way away, but the pay cut is huge. We will be ok, but it isn't a fun time for any of one in that situation. Good luck to you and your family Brady.