When AIG Fired Me, John Noel Promoted Me

Update: I wrote this last week when I saw John and his wife Patty received honorary doctorates from the University of Wisconsin — Stevens Point. They’ve given a whole lot to the community ‘back home’.

John is retired now and spends most of his time with his family. I was delighted when I heard this article found its way to him, and he had a chance to read it.

“You should send John an email, tell him what happened”

My heart is racing. I have tears running down my cheeks. I’m on the phone with my grandfather. AIG Travel Guard just fired me. It’s 2008.

I was their top sales person. It wasn’t close. I lead every possible revenue related metric. Not just in my department, but throughout all of AIG Travel Guard.

Management didn’t like me and didn’t exactly praise me for this accomplishment, but the money was plenty. I was on pace to earn roughly $100,000 in commission, the most money I had ever seen in the 23 years I’ve been on on this planet.

“I can’t just email John, I don’t have that kind of relationship with him!” I said, with much blubbering.

In a reassuring tone, my Grandfather says, “Tell him what happened, and if nothing else, get a recommendation. You did good work for him.”

In an instant, we’ve exchanged I-love-you’s and goodbye’s, and I’m in my bedroom on typing an email to John Noel; the founder of Travel Guard and current CEO of AIG Travel Guard.

John got me an interview at his company when nobody else would hire me. I had a criminal record, a GED, and almost no work history.

In fact, before Travel Guard, I was fired from a supplement manufacturing company. I was an encapsulation specialist.

I seem to have a knack for getting fired.

Ahem. As the story goes, John started Travel Guard Insurance in his basement, with his wife and eclectic family helping to fill envelopes with insurance policies and answer customer service calls. John and his wife Patty had adopted several children from various countries. I…