116 Broadway St.

My first "big" full time job was with Nolad Company here. Great company and the manager at the time was Lloyd Noland III. He had finished college and wanted to start at the bottom and work in every job in the company before going to headquarters. This was when he had left the sales and estimator positions and took over as Branch Manager of the Durham Branch. I applied for a job in electronics with a personnel agency. The agent said I have something for you. He called Mr. Noland and said he had a young man there who would fit what he was looking for. So, I interviewed and Mr. Nolan and he hired me as the shipping/receiving clerk. They sold plumbing and "electrical" parts so that was close enough to electronics for me at that age. Mr. Nolan asked me, how I would pay the $239.32 agency fee. I had no idea there was a fee. I said I was not sure but I would pay some every payday if they would let me. He said they didn't do that then said hey, come with me. We rode in his car to the big CCB bank downtown. They were Mr. Noland this and Mr. Noland that and Mr. Noland would you like some water or coffee. He told them I needed a loan for that amount and HE was going to cosign for me! I couldn't believe this man who had only met me an hour before, was willing to take a risk on a young "kid" like me. But in short order the loan paperwork was done. (No waiting for Mr. Lloyd Noland) He never said how to pay it or be diligent, he simply trusted me. I never failed on paydays to walk to CCB with my payment coupon book and make my payments. I went in one time to show my payment to Mr. Nolan to give him peace of mind but he said it wasn't necessary. If he hadn't trusted me to begin with he would not had cosigned for me. A truly great man in my experience and a good job for a kid making his own way. About electronics though, yes, through military training and on base college courses I finished my degree in Electrical Engineering. I owe a lot to Mr. Lloyd Noland III. He was my inspiration to know I could achieve whatever I put my mind and hard work towards. Sorry for the long "story" post.