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Gerald Menne, Parke-Davis/WL retiree.
If an actor can be governor of California or even President of the United States, then there is surely no reason why a pharmaceutical salesman can't retire and become the President of a Village! Just ask Gerald Menne who retired from Warner-Lambert in 1995 after a 36-year career as a sales representative.
Gerald (Jerry) began his long career in pharmaceutical sales working for Parke-Davis out of its Milwaukee, WI, location. "I called on medical doctors, hospitals, pharmacies and even veterinarians," recalled Jerry. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, Jerry graduated from St. Norbert College in De Pere, WI, majoring in Biology. "With a wife and four children by that point, I needed a good job. Parke-Davis interviewed me and the rest is history," said Jerry.
When he retired in 1995, Jerry was a specialty salesperson calling on cardiologists and selected internists. "I had the opportunity throughout my career to learn strong people skills and that working with – not for – people was the best way to attain a goal," said Jerry. Throughout his career, he enjoyed and appreciated most the fellow employees with whom he worked and the professional cliental with whom he had the opportunity to interact.
In fact, Jerry noted that early on he would call on physicians dispensing medicines in some pretty rural territories. "One always wanted me to call upon him at 5 pm, after seeing his last patient," recalled Jerry. "After I presented my message and he purchased some products, he insisted that I join him for a drink at the end of the day." That's just one of the many special memories Jerry had of his long career in sales.
After retiring, Jerry embarked on a whole new career. "I found a whole new life and career in Politics after I retired," he noted. "I had been a Village of Ashwaubenon Trustee for 15 years and am now President of our Village," stated Jerry proudly.
The Village of Ashwaubenon is located in northeastern Wisconsin in the shadows of Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers. The Village has 18,000 residents with an assessed value of nearly $2.4 billion. Interestingly, part of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin reservation is in Ashwaubenon. The reservation has a land area of 102 square miles with about 21,000 people (2000 Census), over half of whom live on reservation land that is also part of the city of Green Bay.
Oneida, which means The People of the Upright Stone, or standing stone, are among the five founding nations of the Iroquois Confederacy. The Iroquois call themselves Haudenosaunee, or The People of the Longhouses, in reference to their communal lifestyle and the construction of their dwellings.
Jerry was also president of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities for the past year and a half and is currently on the League's Board of Directors.
Even though he loves his work – both prior and current careers – Jerry's greatest enjoyment comes from his family. He and his wife, Mary, have 4 children and 7 grandchildren who all live out of state or out of the country. "I especially enjoy the grandchildren," said Jerry with a smile. He's taken a special interest of late in one of his granddaughters who is on the women's hockey team at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. The Ladies were Ivy League Champions in 2007 and made it to the Frozen Eight.
Jerry is a frequent user of www.Pfizerplus.com. He noted, "At the site, I can learn about the changes taking place in the industry and in our company. I can also see how the company has grown in marketing the product line." It's not a coincidence that these are also among the top reasons retirees tell us they visit and value the site.
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Jerry.
