New Stuart thread...Who, what, where, when

Hi to all of you who were here with Stuart...whenever.
I may have the record. Started in New York City (1963) after being hired by Norm Lepsinger. First DM was Bob Jackson, and two years later, Fred Schanno. At that time I picked up Fred's territory in Long Island. I did pretty good there and had a great time, working with great district and regional sales people...and I mean "sales people".
I asked for, and got a transfer to South Florida (1979)...hated the cold NY weather, as did my wife and two kids.
I later became the first Oncology rep in the South (1989) and stayed in Onc until my retirement in early 2003. Loved Onc, won quite a few awards and did very well financially. I also spent some time in Puerto Rico as the only Onc there, even though I never could get the language right.
Had a ball with Stuart, ICI, and Zeneca. Hated everything that involved Astra in any way, shape, or form...and evenually took an early retirement right after 9/11, after being kept a virtual prisoner (along with a number of Onc reps) in Key West...not being allowed to leave our meeting even though most of us were fairly close to home. Remember, we were apart from our families and no one knew what was really happening. Our Asra management morons made that decision. AZ was a zoo from day one and it seems it still is.

Hopefully some of you might want to contribute to this thread. I know that I would love hear a little about many of you, and possibly renew some great old frienships.

My best to all of my old Stuart mates. I hope to hear from you.
M.R., Boca Raton, Florida (38 years with Stuart +)

 

Well, this has got to be Mel Rogers! Mel, this is Larry Martin in Columbus, GA. I self-Id in the layoff on 1/30/12. My official retirement will be sometime in May. Hope you can come to the Stuart retiree get together this October in Charleston!

 

Where can the retiree get-together info be found? Had not heard about it. Self id'd in first round of oncology cuts after 23 years. Thanks for your feedback. All the best for you as you approach retirement. It is wonderful.

 

Hi Larry,

I think of you often, especially when I look at my Presidents circle awards from 1990, and the fun that we had there, and the many great times when the Stuart people got together. I still have your telephone numbers (if they're unchanged...I would love to know more about any reunion in Charleston). I will contact you shortly. If there are any changes, let me know on this site and we'll work it out.

I'm doing fine, healthy, as is my wife Bev and the family. Still in the same place and more that happily retired. I remember, more than once, you counting off your days until retirement, and I congratulate you for getting there.
Please keep in contact. I miss you guys.

 

Started in 84 with Ed Allison, Larry Peeler, Bill Baxter, in the Spokane territory. Part of the big layoff from CNS going on right now and looking forward to a little early retirement. Worked for Jay Gardner in the hospital group and launched Diprivan! What a ride. Later, after the Astra merge worked in training and as a DSM for Seroquel in SoCal. Had great people working for me. Do miss the Stuart Family. I'm still in touch with Byron Jensen and Gary Stumbo, both living in Bella Vista, NW Arkansas.

 

Welcome to the honorably separated (and survived) ex-Stuarts. There's lots of us out here, and there is even a well attended alumni meeting every year (in October '12, Charleston, SC).
You survived AZ: that's the good thing, now enjoy your retirement, or even your next employment challenge...it's all got to be better than what you are now departing.
Stuart was great, and there's still a lot of us waiting to pick up on old friendships. See 'ya.

 

The retiree meeting in October is currently full, with a growing wait list. We only have room this year for 80 souls, retirees and spouse/significant others, what ever, and the response to Charleston was huge. This group has been around for over 20 years. I got involved in 2010, when the meeting was in Albuquerque. In 2011 it was in Kansas City, and this year will be in Charleston. The group is formally called the AZ Retiree Group, but so far most are old Stuart hands. It really doesn't matter where the meeting is. The people are just so great! We have ex sales, ex management, ex home office folks, etc. All the old lines are crossed, no barriers, no us vs them attitudes. Just a bunch of folks with a common past who love to have a good time. It's like all the old sales meetings with none of the BS! We move each year, one year west coast, next year mid west, then east coast. Typical meeting is Monday evening thru Thursday, chartering a bus and seeing the sights, and gathering in the hospitality room each night to talk about the day, our memories, health care, pensions, whatever. If you are new to retirement and unsure of things, there is always someone who has already been there done that and can help you get up the learning curve. No speeches, no seminars, no role play!

Sounds like there may be a few of you out there who would like to get more info on our group. I will confer with the group's chief scribe and see if he wants to put his contact info out on this board. It will probably be next week sometime before I can get back on here with his reply, so just keep checking back.

 

There are plenty of us Stuart folks that would like more info. Have you thought about having a website/link and post updates.

 

I would love to see just that. I don't personally have the knowledge or the ability to do the work, but I (and I think others) would be more than happy to contribute some money, or even dues, to someone that we know, and trust, who might be interested in starting a site.

M.R. Boca raton, Fl

 

It's really nice to hear about this group. I started with the Key Account Stuart group and know several retirees but would enjoy catching up on the old days, meetings, launches, etc. Spent many fun years and had a lot of wonderful colleagues. Thanks.

 

THE CONTACT FOR INFO AND UPDATES ON THE AZ RETIREE GROUP IS: HFMETZ@AOL.COM.
LET HIM KNOW OF YOUR INTEREST AND HE'LL ADD YOUR NAME TO THE RETIREE MAILING LIST.
WE CHARGE A SMALL DUE PAYMENT TO COVER MAILING EXPENSES, OTHER THAN THAT IT'S ALL FUN!!!!

 

Thanks!

 

Greetings to all you Stuart alumni from Charleston. Our AZ Retiree group just completed our wonderful annual meeting. Charleston was great, but the best thing was getting together with our old friends and and business partners from Stuart.
Approximately 80 people attended, and I can speak for most....Well all be back next year in San Diego, even more excited and happy to be together again.

It is unfortunate that so few of the (mostly Stuart) alumnus are familiar with the organization, and in fact, this was my first year of membership....only because I did not know it existed. Now that I know of the group, and experienced the reunion, I feel a need to call out to you.....the alumni of the best pharma company that ever existed, to renew your bonds with your old, and sometimes best friends.

Whether seeing the local sites with the group, or just sitting around over breakfast or dinner....it was pure joy (and nostalgia). I suspect most of you reading this message can really enjoy the experience as much as I did. Come join us, we'd love to see you...again.

 

Mel you broke in this young grasshopper along with DV 1986 . Thanks for teaching and listening

 

Thank you for remembering. It all seems like yesterday....so many great people, young and old. It was fun and it was rewarding in so many ways.
I only wish it would have kept on....it didn't, but hopefully the good memories remain within all of us. Life goes on....

Mel

 

Hi there....does anyone know what happened to Mark Halle?
This is Joe Frazzetta and I just found this site. I have many good memories of the old Stuart days.
The best to all!

 

Joe, unfortunately Mark Halle passed away 5-10 years ago. Mark was certainly an entertaining guy.