In some ways I can’t believe the new year is here and in other ways I can’t believe it took so long to get here. 

I’ve been in kind of a “funk” for the last few months of 2008 with all the strange and sometimes bad things that happened, so that is partially where the second part of that statement came from.

 There have been many changes at General Electric and, of course, we are all aware of the changes occurring in NHRA with race teams and sponsors. 

As far as GE goes, I have been spending a good amount of time looking for a new position. You see, the good news is I’m officially a Certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt for GE. It’s a two-year process that I just completed in October. It’s great for the résumé, and I am very glad that I have the certification along side my other GE Certifications. The part that has been putting me in a funk and been occupying most of my thoughts lately is the other element of the GE certification process. You see, once you gain this certification, you are required to move on to another position in the company. Going through this certification process before, I was well aware of this when I was selected for the role. The problem that I am facing is the timing. As we are all painfully aware, the economic times are tough and positions within GE are the same as they are in most businesses, few and far between.

In normal economic times, a GE Certified Lean Master Black Belt would be solicited by other functions and areas to lead and continue their career and have the opportunity to select the role they wanted to move into from many that was offered. In my case, due to the timing of my certification, I now find myself looking for a new position when there is nothing available.

I’m not complaining, because I really have it good, and I’m feeling very excited about 2009. The “funk” that I was in for the last few months (or maybe longer) instantly changed, almost like a switch, on New Years Day. I’m not sure why, but I really feel good about the year ahead, with both NHRA and GE, and if my current situation with GE forces me to change positions, careers or even businesses, that is OK, all is good. I’ll keep you all posted on how that all progresses and where I will be continuing my career with in 2009. I know many of you have asked why I continue with both my business career and my racing career, and the answer is simple; I really love doing both.

Moving on the NHRA, I’m very exited about all the activities with GEICO and our race team for 2009. Many of you had sent me notes and emails about the announcement of Lucas and GEICO Powersports, which I’ll take the opportunity to address here.

We are very excited and honored about the GEICO growth and relationship with NHRA and Morgan Lucas and the Lucas Oil Racing Top Fuel team that GEICO Powersports announced a few months ago. The Lucas family and name has been almost synonymous with NHRA for many years and, in fact, motorsports of every kind across the globe.  To have a relationship and be associated with a family that demonstrates such passion, drive and support for the same industry that we do, and in fact has generations of excellent racers, is something we respect and admire greatly and are elated that our GEICO family and thereby us, have aligned with. Oh yeah, they are also some of the nicest people you will meet.

It’s going to be a terrific 2009 season I look forward to cheering on our GEICO Powersports  Lucas Oil Racing Top Fuel team at the events. Who knows, with what is going on at GE, you may see me out at of few more of the races that motorcycles currently do not participate in, just to cheer on the Top Fuel team.

Some of you have asked what the difference is between GEICO Motorcycle and GEICO Powersports.

When GEICO first became engaged with NHRA and our Pro Stock Motorcycle race team, of the two divisions available, Automobile, and Motorcycle, the later seemed the more appropriate to support.  This was back in 2004 (wow, seems like yesterday). Since then, GEICO has combined coverage for motorhomes, boats/ PWC, ATVs, and motorcycles, and the grouping is now GEICO Powersports.  The Powersports division a PERFECT fit for NHRA, so when the relationship between NHRA and GEICO expanded the GEICO Powersports brand was selected.

Well, with all that said, I will put a close on 2008 by letting you know we had a very nice Christmas, complete with waking up to snow on the 25th (provided a picture). For New Years, my brother called and he is a runner, so we was going to bring in the new year by running five miles at midnight with some friends. My sister is a Disneyland and Disney character fan, so she brought in the New Year by having breakfast on Main Street at Disneyland on New Years Day. I, in order to support my brother, did my Pilates program to celebrate the New Year. It was not exciting, but I think if fit for the plan in 2009. (No pun intended)  I put in a picture of my brother Jerry and niece, Colleen running one of their half marathons during the holidays.

The past year was defiantly a challenge in many ways for many people, and I am glad to close the books on 2008 and extremely excited about all the new relationships and looking forward to the changes and everyone having a wonderful 2009.