No one has commented on Joel’s baseball talent. Not many 19 year olds earn a NCAA Division 1 varsity letter in baseball. He was a scrappy little second baseman at Long Beach State. They are now famously called “the dirtbags.” Joel brought that tough Banning High style of play. “Wilmas” forever!
He wore that LB State varsity jacket with a big smile.
We were at a dinner for the Xerox major account sales managers along with the Region Major Account sales manager-Bob Freebairn and the National Major account manager-Barry Rand. Freebairn turned to Joel and asked him to order for the table because Joel was a wine connoisseur. Then Freebairn huddled with Rand at one end of the table. After some time had passsed Freebairn noticed a large crowd of restaurant staff gathering around Joel. When asked what was going on Joel said with a perfectly straight face but twinkle in his eye, "It's not every day they get to serve a $2,000 bottle of wine. We all thought Freebarn would go nuts. All of us were laughing except Freebairn. Joel sent the wine back unopened but left us all with a great laugh and a great memory. The "good old days" at Xerox and Joel was a major contributor in so many ways. He will be missed by so many but has left each of us with some great memories.