Bud Bushnell
When I started Genie in 1966 I was all alone with an idea but no help to build it or make it a reality. It was my good fortune to meet Arnold and hire him on a part time basis. It didn't take long for me to realize I had a hard worker, multi-taskingman, capable of building or welding anything out of aluminum or steel. More important he had an inventive mind that could quickly analyze and contribute to the mechanical design and feasibility of whatever project we were working on. I would make a drawing of my idea, take it to Arnold and he would help me with common sense input on structural strengths and improvement ideas. He never complained about working in an old building with a dirt floor and poor heat and he would sit in the smoke of an old stick welder for as long as it took to get the job done.
One of the most important qualities of any worker is their loyalty to the company and getting to their job on time. When Arnold moved to Whidbey Island he would get up at 3:00 or 4:00 AM to commute and get to work on time. He always wanted to be the first to show up and even when I might get there a little sooner it upset him. In all the early years of Genie he worked six day weeks, 12 hours a day. I could set my watch at the time he walked in the door every morning,
When I look back at the first hard years of starting Genie I think of Arnold. I was privileged to have him on my team. I will be forever grateful for the memory of his dedication and friendship.
Tuesday August 8, 2017 at 9:32 am