The first day in his new position came upon Alder faster than he anticipated. He started that next Monday a little over a week after the deaths. He spent the morning signing updated personnel records, nondisclosure agreements, ethical agreements for executives, and other pay-related documents. The more he considered the HR discussions and voluminous amount of paperwork to sign, the more he surmised he should have requested a review by a lawyer. Apart from the monolithic amounts of papers to sign when he and Maria bought their home, this was the first time he reviewed and analyzed any type of extensive legal documents. He barely remembered what half of the sheets contained. Alder just knew from the overall impression of the content that he was restricted to confidentiality on anything in the research and development branch. Since he would be overseeing the accounting for four R & D divisions and their associated projects, much of his work would be shrouded in secrecy.
After lunch Alder made sure he kept his scheduled appointment with his boss. In fact, looking at his watch, he saw he was a few moments early and the receptionist hadn’t returned yet. He could wait to see if she’d return soon and announce him, and risk being considered late, or just knock and enter. Alder heard rumors that Gary's assistant could be territorial with her responsibilities, even those as mundane as announcing visitors. He made his decision and after knocking on the solid door, he waited for a response.
“Yes Sheila, what is it?” a commanding voice from behind the door said.
Alder turned the freshly polished brass door handle and entered. Gary was surprised to see it was Alder.
“Oh, come on in Alder. Go ahead and take a seat,” Gary offered, pointing to a large leather seat opposite his desk.
Accepting the invitation, Alder entered the spacious retro-modern decorated office. Walking past a steel-framed, glass-top conference table, surrounded by several post-modern styled steel-framed chairs with woven mesh for the seat sections and back rests, Alder took an extended glance down and read the tabs for a couple of large file folders. One file folder was labeled “Capital Project: Citrus Frost.” the other “Project Titan (Phase 3).” He recalled this was one of several project names inadvertently exposed by Jeffrey during his monthly ledger postings and accruals. Instead of using the generic ledger codes and project names, he’d sent update information with the raw information accidentally revealed, and then screamed and yelled at personnel in the accounting bullpens as if it were their fault. Alder felt angry again as he remembered receiving several of the belligerent tongue-lashings.
“So how’d everything go this morning?” Gary asked.
“Paperwork went fine.”
“Good, I wanted to just spend a couple of minutes with you to expand on the importance of the nondisclosure information you signed. We know it’s quite heavy-handed. We find there’s a lot at stake in keeping trade secrets from our competitors. We’re in the works establishing, maintaining, and protecting many genetic-engineering-related patents.” Alder didn't have a comment to make, since he hadn't understood a majority of the documents he signed.
Gary continued. “I know you’ve been with Everest for quite a few years, as a matter of fact starting out in accounts payable as a clerk if I recall correctly. Do you fully understand what we do as a company?”
“Genetic engineering, biotech.”
“Good, you wouldn’t believe how many employees who work for us don't even know what we do or even read our corporate mission statement". Ultimately, our mission is to strive to make the world a better place through science. And you're right; we're involved in genetic engineering and biotechnologies to make improvements in medical and agriculture research. Here in the R & D accounting division, you’re part of the team that manages the budgetary process for our parent company and subsidiaries across the world.”
Alder felt he already knew a lot of the information Gary was giving him.
“Some of the projects go back for years and some cross disciplines, especially if we find other possible uses, though that’s not as important. But some of our genetic engineering successes in biomedical, for example, have been helpful in developing techniques and processes for other sections such as agriculture.”
“Any way in particular I should manage those capital investments?”
“You may not have to worry about too many of those major ones. You’ll need to keep some projects close to your chest. Make sure they remain confidential. We're expecting nothing less from you and the other two new directors. Likewise, I’ll be keeping some projects close to my chest. Even if there were a CFO in place, I'd still be the primary one actively assisting with managing the financials for the projects. Don't look at it as if I’m restricting your authority. It's just that I'm more intimate with some of these after working them for years. We're still going to need some coordination on your part though, for legal purposes.”
Alder thought Gary was definitely limiting his authority to sign, yet capitulated. “Not a problem sir,” he responded, thinking this might not be quite ethical. But he didn’t want to pursue the legal ramifications.
“Good. Well, any questions for me before I send you back into the fire?”
“No, I'm good,” Alder, responded. He lied. He didn't want to look like he needed help in the new position and have Gary question his selection in the first place.
“Well, if you have any questions, just ask. When Sheila gets back, I'll have her drop off some of the projects that need the most attention.”