Stand Your Ground!
by Melanie Hemry
Joe Weiss looked out at the stunning vistas of Vancouver, British Columbia. A coastal city, Vancouver sat snuggled under sapphire blue skies that reflected the water from English Bay and the Burrard Inlet. It was June 2009, and in the two years he’d been here, everything had happened so fast that some days it all seemed like a dream.
In 2003, Joe was hired in engineering by Hyatt Hotels Corporation in San Diego, despite not having an engineering degree. Back home in Minnesota, his dad owned a construction company, where Joe learned to read blueprints. While in San Diego, Joe had met and married Jessica, who also worked for Hyatt. He had tried to advance his career by applying for a position in Denver. That didn’t happen.
In 2007, a position at a Hyatt in Vancouver came open. Though it seemed the job would be more like a demotion than a promotion, Joe applied and was hired. His first challenge—get the hotel ready for the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Two months after his arrival, Joe’s boss quit. Two days later, Joe was made director of engineering. “Corporate doesn’t know it yet,” the general manager told Joe. “They want someone more seasoned. I want you to do this for a couple of months. If you keep the ship afloat, then it’s yours.”
At 26, Joe had become the youngest director of engineering in Hyatt history.
Suddenly, Joe was in a good place. He loved his job. He loved Vancouver. And he loved his family, which by now included Jessica, daughter Joslyn and a new baby on the way. He didn’t know how life could be any better.
A Knock-Out Punch
Joe’s phone rang.
“Honey, the strangest thing happened,” Joe heard Jessica say. “I think I had an accident in bed and wet myself. I don’t think it’s any big deal.”
[photo of Caleb in NICU]
BVOV : 23
