| Message | We said goodbye to Nick this week. When I think of it, I still want to yell out “say it isn’t so”! Quick with a bright smile and a positive thought, Nick was smart and friendly, yet intense and focused. He was a colleague, a friend, a family man. I met Nick in 2002 before Marisa was born when I interviewed and hired him to be the Nanogen Controller. We worked closely together for several years. Somewhere along this path, Nick began to ride his bike to work. Nick kept asking me when I was going to get my bike out and join him on a ride, he was unsuccessful in that quest but successful in most other efforts. Nick was a person to count on, a person of great integrity, highly focused on the issues at hand, smart and success oriented. He rose to the challenge of team building and became a good manager. As business became more difficult, Nick rose to the daily challenge and continued to be a strong, positive force. After selling the company, Nick took on several consulting assignments. We talked on numerous occasions about his job search and opportunities. Recently, we talked as he considered several offers, ending up with Sapphire Technology. It was an outstanding opportunity in a growing and exciting company and also fit with Nick’s vision of balance between work and home. While we were workmates, he always had a smile when he talked about Nicholas, Marisa and Deb. The world is poorer for Nick’s loss. He made all of us better. I will remember Nick. |