This biography begins in December of 1938 at the Collis P

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Neal Salisian

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This biography begins in December of 1938 at the Collis P. Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena 91105. Neal arrived on this planet as a fourth generation Californian (on his motherís side as his father was a native of New York). His provincialism is evidenced with the fact that after the passage of these decades, he lives in the same zip codeÖ91105.

His first school, Broadoaks Pre-School (now Pacific Oaks School) is also located nearby in 91105. Neal was privileged to attend Broadoaks as early as September of 1942, which facilitated his mom (Lillian Alice Salisian) to regularly play Bridge with her Bridge Club. After winning the beautiful baby and 2 other ridiculous contests promoted by the School, he was ready to enter Kindergarten at Luther Burbank Elementary School in September 1943. He was in Miss Brengle's class. She was a very foxy lady . . . tall, blonde and wore sexy, black and white spectator shoes.

In Miss Brengleís Kindergarten class, future John Muir classmates came into view. A few examples would include: Connie Hahn (now Connie Hahn Black) who finished high school at Westridge School for Girls (another 91105 connection to be referenced later), Betty Bishop (Basler); Julie Sheldon; Marilyn May; Keith Dinsmoor and Keith LaMotte. Growing up in Altadena and attending Luther Burbank during the later part of WWII was fairly simple. J. Raymond Haworth (aka "you can call me Ray") was the Principal at Burbank in the 1940's and was a very good administrator, able to optimize the schooling process for Neal and his fellow classmates.

By the time young Master Salisian entered the third grade at Luther Burbank in September of 1946, he had become a ìlatch key" young man at the tender age of seven . . . his parents reasoned hat he had "reached the age of reason" and should have a house key to come and go, within reason . . . seems reasonable? Neal's third grade teacher was Mrs. Leonard and by now additional future John Muir students are in Mrs. Leonard's class. A few examples would include: Susanne Manaugh; Linda Valentine (Graham); Maria Manetta; Oliver Kilham; Barry McCown; and Bill Nelson.

On January 1st, 1948, young Salisian went with his father, Samuel Edward Salisian to attend the 1st of 45 Rose Bowl contests. The final score was University of Spoiled Children 0, University of Michigan 49. Later that year, as his 10th birthday approached, Neal joined the "Pepper Street Gang," which was what a few of the older boys in the next block West called themselves. This affiliation was bred by lack of supervision and led to many delinquent ventures. Neal's older sister, Beverly Louise, was now out of school and not very visible. By the time he was in Mrs. Vasse's 6th grade class, Neal had become well acquainted with Los Angeles County Sheriff's Sub-station at North Lake and Foothill (now called Altadena Drive).

Mrs. Vasseís class had many good things going for it. The young brunette serving her apprenticeship was a very nice distraction for all the males in the class. Also, enter some additional future Muir Mustangs. A few examples include: Joan Baumgartner (Herstein); Lee Thompson; Cheryl Smith (Conel); Alvin Topalian; Ben Mathias; Ken Goldman; Mark Helbling; Scott Wilcott; Sims Cranston; Lyndon Robinson and Peter Matter. That final class in grammar school was special . . . some of those classmates did not go on to junior high school with Neal and haven't been seen since graduation in June of 1950. They are missed . . . especially the extremely cute one that sat in the back row. During that Summer, before entering Charles W. Eliot Junior High School, the ìPepper Streetî intelligence alerted Neal that Eliotís Principal, George W. Norene, had moved in to a house up the street, which meant that the juvenile and clandestine activities that had been blatant and random would now need to be geographically sensitive.

Some of the past activities that occurred included: the burning down of Tony Wallís detached garage; turning off electricity (at the meter) of any homeowners that appeared to make trouble for the "Pepper Street Gang"; Halloween pranks were practiced weekly and un-cooperative households were viciously targeted; and there were even unbelievable tricks played on the L.A. County Sheriffs in retaliation for their efforts. At this rate, young Salisian was probably headed for some jail time, sometime after reaching majority.

In the Fall of 1950, as a freshman (7th grade) at Eliot, still not 12 years old, Neal goes on his first date. There was cute girl and a very good athlete in Mr. Hortonís Social Studies class. He asked her to be his date at the up-coming school dance. She accepted! Wow. The classmate was Linda MacGillivray. What was unique, was that this 11 year old, instead of soliciting one of his parents, he went to one of his older buddies on Pepper Street that was 16 and had his own ìrideî and asked for the favor to have the buddy drive Neal to and from the MacGillivray residence, the school, and Bobís Big Boy after the dance! Lindaís father did not know until she returned from the dance and a hamburger that his 12 year old daughter had been out and riding around, without adult supervision. That was the last time Linda went on a date with Neal.

More and more, young Salisian was spending time at the homes the likes of Peter Matter, Everett Davis, Mark Helbling and Keith LaMotte. The time spent at the LaMotte residence was filled with an abundance of music. The LaMotte brothers, Bryce, Allan and Keith were all accomplished musicians (this was the early beginnings of the Rhythm Kings Band) along with Mrs. LaMotte (Laverne later served on the Pasadena ìBoredî of Education with Nealís uncle, Steve M. Salisian, Sr.). The positive exposure to music was a very salubrious addition at this time. Neal wanted to play trumpet (like Keith), but did not have the ìlipî for it so he had to settle for the French horn. When he joined the Eliot band, under the excellent direction of Mr. Hugh Palmer it was one of his first group endeavors with positive results. Playing and marching in the Eliot Husky band was followed by going out for the swimming team . . . and becoming a letterman in the individual medley category. What a pleasant and positive diversion from raising hell in the neighborhoods. Several other instructors at Eliot were also nurturing and professional . . . Robert Austin, Social Studies; Joe Domenico and Roy Fredin, Shop; Frederic "Dutch" Holland, English; Jack Hollen and Richard Simmons, Inter-mural Sports; Walter Mack, Social Studies; Al Renner, Science; and a favorite of many, Robert Veazey, Speech are good examples. ìDutchî Holland persuaded Neal to join the HI-Y group, which was probably the first time he had been in church (Westminster Presbyterian Church on North Lake) since he was baptized there in 1939. It was third in a series of positive group activities which evolved from the four years at Eliot. Being placed in the schoolís 1954 yearbook Senior Whoís Who was a surprise for Neal, but the real enjoyment for him came from being linked with a special gal, Judy Ferguson (Sneed). Judy went to John Muir High School after Eliot, but attended only the 11th grade before moving to Texas, prior to her senior year. Neal and Judy were each named as Town Criers.

The Summer of 1954, Neal worked at his fatherís tire establishment, which was now growing and vital again, following a tumultuous family break-up between Nealís father and uncle (Steve) involving their tire business. Neal was not allowed to fraternize with his cousin, Steve M. Salisian, Jr. (three months his senior) who had been attending Wilson Junior High, while Neal simultaneously spent four years at Eliot. Steve, Jr. broke several track records at Pasadena High School while his younger cousin attended Muir. Steve went on to win the Junior College State Championship (four man relay) the next year.

The 1954 Summer employment ignited a new interest . . . cars. Even though Neal possessed only a learnerís driving permit, he exercised his earlier gleaned ìlatch keyî freedom to use his Summer earnings to buy his first car, a 1939 Buick coupe for $150! The Buick was detailed, and sold for a 1940 Dodge sedan, which was re-conditioned and traded for a 1941 Ford, which was later to be driven to and around and from John Muir. Working weekends, funds were earned to ìcherry outî the Ford, which was later traded for a classic 1949 Mercury coupe, which was later sold after graduation from Muir (June 14, 1956).

The 1941 Ford ushered in a change of life style. Yes, there was still rambunctious juvenile conduct, but there was a gradual maturing process that came with the responsibility and mobility that Detroit iron can impact upon a 16-17 year old male. On more than one occasion, Neal and Mark Helbling (1948 Ford sedan) would drive from their homes in Altadena all the way to the Muir parking lot, BACKWARDS! Sometimes, these two would manipulate either one of the Fords by having one person steering from the back seat, while the other lay on the floor working the brakes, clutch and accelerator! Neal blew out the í41 Ford transmission on several occasions, once trying to drag race with eight additional people in the car! The following week, he borrowed his sisterís 1955 Ford Victoria coupe and proceeded to ìdropî second gear, while on a date and trying to showboat, getting on the Pasadena Freeway. The following Saturday, the often practiced procedure of repairing some transmission was exercised on Beverlyís Victoria. The í41 Ford brought a lot of happiness to a lot of guys and gals at Muir and several other schools in Southern California. By the time he was in his Senior year, Neal was dating a lady in Culver City and spending a lot of time with Joe Howard and Butch Johnson in Newport Beach. Neal found real happiness rodding around and chauffeuring almost any one that needed a lift. There were more than a few ìditch daysî when the Ford was full of Mustangs and others and went to the beach or the mountains, instead of being empty, parked in the Muir parking lot.

The Muir instructors were substantially better than most high school teachers due to the fact that as recent as 1-2 years before the class of í56 attended school, Muir was both a high school and a junior college. Some examples include: Al Learned, Government; Don Ballard, History; Carl Hedeen & Steve Reyes, Spanish; Harold Beam, Salesmanship; Don Shoup, Chemistry; and direct from Eliot, Robert Veazey, Speech. Neal had very little contact with the Principal, Frank R. Walkup, who was only in his second year when the class of í56 graduated. Neal and many of his classmates did have fond memories of the Senior Class Counselor, John McSweeney. Mr. McSweeney provided guidance and understanding in the final semester when Neal broke the nose of one classmate in a fist fight in the Muir parking lot, and virtually at the same time took on one of the classmateís pals with similar results. Those fights in the parking lot and a strong difference of opinion with the football coach were the only 2 negatives that mar a memory of the fabulous days at Muir from September, 1954 to June, 1956. Once again, Neal was named in the Senior Whoís Who as Town Crier, this time with Fran Delalo (Dean).

Neal, unfortunately, applied to only one college; Stanford University. That may not have been the optimum choice. In the Summer of í56, young Salisian worked in Yosemite National Park at the Camp Curry Standard Oil station as a "S.O.B." (Standard Oil Boy). That September, he entered Stanford, living in the Madera wing of Wilbur Hall. A friend of Nealís father, Alfred Masters (Director of Athletics at Stanford) knew Neal well enough that he suggested that Neal try out for the Freshman football team. The ì froshî played their own separate 5-6 game schedules. The Muir high school football coach had told Neal that he wasnít qualified to play football. Yet, when Salisian went to the office of Freshman Football Head Coach, Robert Gillotti, Gillotti said everyone is given an equal opportunity. What a shock.. he made the team! Salisian wore #82 and played right end, which meant tight end in the offense designed by Head Football Coach, Chuck Taylor. Salisian was not big enough, fast enough or sufficiently experienced (no high school experience) to be first string. That position was held by his roommate, Jerry Winters from Eureka, CA. The frosh were unbeaten and untied and claimed the Conference title for freshman. During practice, early in the season, Neal suffered a concussion and spent the night in the infirmary. Then at the end of the season, in the UCLA game, he had another concussion. The 6-7 weeks between these two events were then and to this day, permanently gone from his memory. Noteworthy is the fact that, before the game, Neal spoke briefly with one of the UCLA tackles, who had been in school with him at Burbank, Eliot and Muir; Sims Cranston. Several of his teammates went on to star in the NFL. The first pass caught in a Super Bowl was caught by Chris Burford #85 (a 11 yard pass from Len Dawson). Between spending extra time in football practice, partying in San Francisco and other hang-outs, and chasing the Head Song Leader at San Jose State, a senior by the name of Barbara Kerkorian (Gary Kerkorianís younger sister), Neal S. Salisian had little to no time for class. He went minus 26 his first quarter! He did get only one passing mark: Football, a ìBî grade. On Christmas Eve 1956, the Salisian family received a wire from Mr. Harvey Hall, Registrar at Stanford, indicating the young Salisian should find ìalternate academic pursuits for the next two quarters before returning to Stanford." Enter Pasadena City College (PCC).

Before moving on, let the record show that there were a dozen Muir graduates that matriculated to the ìFarm." Salisian did enjoy his first stint at Stanford, along nine other male Muir graduates (eight in Wilbur Hall and one in Stern Hall: Bob Debusk, Keith Dinsmoor, Bob Kennedy, Pete Kiers, Bill Nelson, Ron Rankin, Mike Shanahan, Jack Truher, and Neal Brockmeyer, respectively) and two lovely California Scholarship Federation females that served on the Muir Senior Class Council with Neal, Muir majorette Carol Shank (Case) and Cathy Soehrens (Shanahan). However, PCC was a very acceptable interim stop beginning in January í57 through June; until returning to Stanford in September. While at PCC, Neal was able to connect, once again (after a decade of family issues) with his cousin and surrogate brother, Steve M. Salisian, Jr. Equally important, Neal was again united with one of the other three "carbangers" . . . Stan Wharton . . . the third being Mark Helbling who was then attending Cal (Berkeley).

PCC was the second college to ìkick-outî Salisian. The PCC Principal, Dr. V. Simonian asked Neal to stay off campus for two days, for breaking the nose of one of the other students, during a ìdiscussionî on the volleyball courts. Neal later apologized for his pugilistic behavior, and by the end of the Spring semester they were on good terms and Neal had generated 3.75 (out of 4.0) GPA. He was eligible to return to Stanford. That Summer, Neal worked again for his father; tried his hand as a member of a team of drivers, road racing at such places as Torrey Pines, Riverside, Santa Barbara, etc; and took a wonderful trip to Yosemite with the two other "Carbangers". While in Yosemite, Salisian fell in love for the first time with a very glamorous San Jose coed named Sylvia Smith. Neal continued to date Ms. Smith through his next two quarters at Stanford. The first (Fall) quarter (while living in Wilbur Hall/Trancos wing) his grade count was minus 5, a respectable but slightly below average performance. Irrespective of the PCC marks (generated while living at home), the Fall quarter academic results of minus 5 along with the prior minus 26 translate to minus 31. At minus 32, a student is permanently suspended! It was time to move to an apartment, off-campus, and the next quarter (Winter) he went plus 2. However, at that rate of academic progression, several college aspects such as pledging a fraternity would not be an option until his senior year. Therefore, after going back to Stanford for the second time and making good, it might be time for a fresh start, elsewhere. Enter the University of Miami. Most of the Spring quarter, Neal used his tuition allocation to tour colleges. The í53 Ford used after Muir graduation was upgraded to aí56 Ford with his Summer earnings, which was used to tour the USA. After ìchecking outî many schools, Miami was the obvious choice. However, Miami was very far from the easiest college and demanded surprisingly high academic requirements. So, it was back to Summer School at PCC for three required classes. Notwithstanding the rigorous schedule of three classes in a Summer School format, Neal still found time for protracted weekend trips to Yosemite. These trips were with Joe Howard and Butch Johnson (Newport Beach) and Scott Morris, a University of Colorado Sigma Nu also taking Summer classes at PCC.

After driving his Ford coupe for 46 hours, non-stop, Salisian arrived, very tired, but eager to be at the University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL. He pledged Sigma Nu fraternity and moved into the ìHouseî at 6000 San Amaro Drive. It was a study hard/party hard environment. Sunday evening through Thursday evening was strictly book-ridden. Between those time periods were trips to Cuba, consuming mass quantities of alcohol, maintenance and cleaning of the ìHouseî were routine. Homecoming weekend was typical. While creating three dimensional ìHouseî decorations, lumber was ìrequisitionedî from building sites in Mathison Hammock. In route back to the Sigma Nu house, with a top-down convertible full of 2X4s, Neal and his pledge brothers eyed a big blue USPS mailbox that would be "handy" if it was located across from the "House". Why not throw it on top of the HUGE pile of lumber to relocate it in the 6000 block of San Amaro?? Enter Coral Gables Police Department. After being taken into custody, it was learned that the Chief of Police was a SIGMA NU. Following a very stern admonishment, etc, no finger-printing or records were recorded, and the four pledges were allowed to return to the "House" with the "lost" lumber and the mail box was replaced by the arresting patrol unit!! That was the last time Salisian has ever been in legal "jeopardy". The Dean of Men, Ben David, when he learned what had occurred said that it would have to be the " last time".

The co-eds at Miami were awesome. Neal went "active" following a helluva hell week and had possession of his newly acquired fraternity pin for a few hours before his favorite Tri-Delt, Lynn Vinocur was wearing it. Lynn was the prior yearís Miss Florida and a Hurricane song girl. Her part time job on the stage at the Miami Beach Corrillon Hotel landed Lynn & Neal on the cover of the several publications, such as Look magazine (4-8-59). However, Nealís fate once again, found him "kicked-out" of school. After a fantastic semester as the Rush Chairman for Sigma Nu and obtaining very good academic marks, a strange event occurred on the eve of his last final. After returning to the Sigma Nu house from taking Lynn to a "flick" (she had finished with finals that day), he was very comfortable to take the Economics 250 final, the next morning. Neal had an average score of 94.4 (second highest in the department). He went downstairs to get some buttermilk before grabbing some "Zs", and found several students in the living room. Most of them he did not recognize, but one was a young Sigma Nu pledge and a co-ed he had seen in one of his classes. It seemed like a very weird rendezvous and not the best time or place for partying (finals week). When Salisian questioned the pledge about the gathering, he was very upset to learn that the female he recognized from one of his classes had stolen the Economics 250 exam! He ordered all of them to leave and take the exam with them as Neal did not want nor need to look at the stolen exam. They did not want to disband. Salisian grabbed brother Jim Moskos (House Manager) to help evacuate the unwanted visitors. The co-ed that had stolen the exam was very upset by Nealís pious behavior. He got a 91 on the final, while the fast fingered female that had stolen the exam (due to her failing grades) got a 99 on the final. Neal and Lynn took off in his Ford coupe for SoCal, that afternoon. The next morning, the Economic 250 professor smelled something very wrong and confronted the culpable co-ed. She confessed and decided to name NSS, as a co-conspirator, to pay him back for booting everyone out, from their temporary "study hall". The University of Miami sent a registered letter to young Salisian that he would not be welcome back in the Fall and would have to re-take the entire Economics 250 class if he decided to come back after at least an absence of one year. Appeal was not an option. Lynn spent a month or so working in Las Vegas and then Neal sent her back to South Florida, without his pin. It would not be fair to her to be pinned to someone, for the next year plus, that was hanging out on the "Left Coast".

Enter Cal State Los Angeles. While working in the Standard Oil of California, Southern California Regional Office in Pasadena, both day and night classes were taken with focus on Accounting and Finance. That December, when he turned 21, Neal joined the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association, an active member of which he still remains. The following June, when some of his high school classmates were scheduled to graduate from college (four years), Neal had finally attended a college (for two semesters), without being kicked out. Then came a very important phone call. The Sigma Nu chapter at the University of Spoiled Children (USC) had contacted their national headquarters in Lexington VA to inquire if there was some brother (in SoCal) that could help them with their Summer rush. Bingo! Salisian had gained national recognition for his rushing campaigns at Miami (Zeta Beta chapter), so the folks in Lexington recommended that the Epsilon Omicron chapter at USC contact NSS, then still living on Craig Avenue in Altadena. When Jim Caldwell, Commander (President) of the USC Sigma Nu chapter called Neal, the first thing Salisian did was request the names and phone numbers of any USC young ladies that had been supportive of the chapter and the brothers, etc. The most important name would typically be the White Rose Queen (fraternity sweetheart). Enter Sharrone Timpe (a Gamma Phi Beta pledge at USC).

Properly utilizing the USC ladies, Neal was successful helping his brothers with a much-needed Summer rush program as they were losing over half their actives to graduation and transfers. However, he was very unsuccessful with the blonde, Ms. Timpe. She thought he was arrogant, far too aggressive, and was eager for her rush responsibilities with Salisian to end with his return to Miami, in September. Once again, Neal went back to make good where he had been asked to stay away for a while. His brothers and Ms. Vinocur welcomed him back with open arms. It was not the same for him with his "favorite Tri- Delt", on the second time around.

He couldnít get Ms. Timpe out of his mind and his heart . . . even though that "TroJane" wanted no part of him. Salisian, finally an upper classman now, spent most of his time enjoying helping the Zeta Beta chapter first with rushing, then with the new pledges and . . . studying. He got an "A" in the Econ 250 class. There were lots of letters to the SoCal "White Rose", with very meager responses, if any. However, with the aid of Sharroneís mother, Dollie, Neal persuaded her to go out on ONE date at the beginning of Christmas break, when he came home for two weeks. By January 1st , Neal was headed back to finish the semester at Miami, no longer in possession of his fraternity pin and by the end of that month he had transferred from his beloved U of M to the University of Spoiled Children.

The day before classes began, Salisian went to Sigma Nu house. The bad news was that many of the quality and familiar individuals were gone and the membership was still weak, in spite of good new members that had been brought in during the prior Summer and Fall rush activities. The good news was that brother Scott Morris (originally known through 1958 PCC Summer School) had transferred from the University of Colorado, to finish his last year at USC. The first day of class was a momentous one, as Neal was given a message at the beginning of his 11:00 am Economics 385 class to report to the office of Dean of Students, Dr. Robert J. Downey, immediately after that class. Dr. Downey had received phone calls from Harvey Hall at Stanford, Dr. Simonian at PCC and Ben David at Miami, to alert him to Salisianís arrival to USC! They had all been requested to send transcripts to USC. Downey and Salisian went to lunch. Downey jokingly commented that he was disappointed not to have received a call from Cal State Los Angeles . . . but 3 out of 4 wasnít bad! It was a very long lunch, when it was over, Neal was Special Student Assistant to the Dean of Students! Downey not only wanted ears and eyes, on campus and on the fraternity row that were well seasoned, for input to him, but he was looking for an additional and informal source of outwardly expressing the schoolís policies, etc. All of that past STUFF over the last 4.5 years, finally had a positive outcome. Later that week, Sharrone introduced Neal to one of her psychology professors, who also served as Inter-Fraternity Advisor, Dr. Francis J. Joyce. Frank was one of the most highly decorated men in WWII (after Audie Murphy), as he served both in Europe and in the Pacific, with pounds of shrapnel permanently imbedded in his back and left leg. Frank soon asked Neal to become Assistant IFC Advisor, because the fraternity system was changing and Salisian seemed to have a grasp of the Greek letter organizations and the direction that needed to be taken. About that same time, the bi-annual alphabetical rotation within the USC fraternity system resulted in the Sigma Chi and Sigma Nu houses being asked to assign or appoint an active member to be one of the prestigious and powerful IFC Justices. Two Pasadena natives were appointed; Russ Decker and NSS. The following month, the fraternities elected new officers. Mike Gless, President of the Beta Theta Pi became IFC President and the second most important post of IFC Treasurer was filled by the Sigma Nu transfer from Miami.

Unfortunately, while some very pleasant fortunes were coming Nealís way, the membership of the local chapter of Sigma Nu was rapidly falling apart. Scotty Morris and Neal were both very worried about the USC chapter becoming a liability to the entire Sigma Nu organization, the fraternities at USC and the school, itself. Neal discussed the matter with Drs. Downey and Joyce as well as national headquarters in Lexington. Reluctantly, Neal decided that surgery was the optimum long-term solution. He closed the chapter and set in motion that effective with the Fall semester, the charter was revoked for at least 5 years to make sure to bleed off any remaining left over problems (Turkeys). That Summer, the Presidents of the Sigma Chi, Phi Kappa Tau and Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapters, Rich Mialavich, John Curran and J. Derek Lewis respectively, all solved any Greek affiliation concerns by giving social member status to the Sigma Nu transfer from Miami. As a part of Nealís responsibility as Assistant IFC Advisor, Neal originated, devised and structured an IFC activity, which still exists at USC, during Hell Week. One day of Hell Week (pledges final week before going active) all fraternity pledges are transported to and from dozens of charitable organizations throughout Los Angeles to provide productive manual labor (painting, repairing, cleaning, etc.) The pledges are supervised by one of the pledge masters from each local chapter. The transportation was originally donated by then Head Baseball Coach Rod Dedeauxís Dart Transportation. Also, originally, local radio and television coverage was aggressively promoted for proper coverage to significantly enhance the Greek letter organizations and USC. Neal named it "HELP DAY".

By the time Neal had gotten to his final undergraduate semester, he would be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Finance with over 190 units of credit, due to change of schools and his major. He had run out of money long before he began his last semester. In order to survive, he gave official campus tours. By now he sold his Ford coupe to pay for school, etc.

After graduation, Salisian went into First Western Bankís management training program. For a while, he moved to an apartment at Adams and Vermont when he entered USCís MBA program, at night. Neal was now in the banking community and earning a few dollars for first time, as an adult. He bought a brand new bright red Austin Healey roadster. He was getting lots of driving tickets and still sowing wild oats and foolishly broke up with Sharrone. They started to date and they broke it off again. This went on and on. Sharrone was not real happy with Mr. Cavalier. Finally, Neal came to his senses and quit chasing every skirt he saw. At the beginning of 1964, after 4 years of dating off and on, Neal proposed to Woody and Dollie Timpeís oldest daughter with a diamond ring he bought from his favorite jeweler and long time friend, fellow Pasadena native, USC Sigma Chi, Mike Kazanjian. Never before and never since was he so NERVOUS . . . wow . . . Sharrone said, "Yes". They were married in the Catholic church (Sharrone was and is very devote . . . fortunately enough for both for them) on September 19. 1964. Frank Joyce was the best man and Lisa, Sharroneís younger sister, was the maid of honor. Neal was now Vice President and Assistant Manager of the First Western branch at 3075 Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles (across from Bullocks Wilshire) His boss and good friend, Charles J. Broska was also there . . . Charlie later became Godfather to their first born. Charlie became the Branch Manager, in Santa Barbara, leaving the branch management to young Salisian, 26, at that time. A year later, one of Nealís depositors in the same block, Eastman Dillon Union Securities, with the implied promise of more money, lured him into the broker-dealer community. Concurrent with the latter part of the banking branch management and the early days of the retail stock & bond brokerage pursuits, Neal attended postgraduate classes at UCLA (6th college). He finished his formal education with a Masters in Business Administration (Finance) from USC . . . in part, the MBA was to prove the first degree in finance (6.5 years in process) was not a fluke. There was also an honorary doctorate from the Boyle Institute bestowed, in later years.

So that they could move out of the very small apartment in the Silverlake district of Los Angeles, Neal and Sharrone had a new home built in Huntington Beach. It was more than an hourís drive (no 405 freeway then) to their jobs in LA, but it was the closest location where they could afford a new home. In 1968, before Nealís 30th birthday, Mr. & Mrs. NSS moved to Pasadena 91103 (a two story English on Prospect near the Rose Bowl). When the gas crunch of 1973 hit, they moved to Beverly Hills, closer to Nealís office.

Neal was then running the Planning Services division of Cantor, Fitzgerald. After Eastman Dillon, there was Sierega & Co. in Century City (it went into a receivership in 1970), followed by Bateman Eichler Hill Richard (Neal was Director of Profit Sharing & Pension Services). In 1972, while in the Beverly Hills office of Bateman Eichler, Neal, with five others (including University of Miami Sigma Nu Al Kraiger) created unrelated, Santa Monica based California Capital Counselors, where he served as Vice Chairman of this financial planning firm. In 1975, following a decade with four broker-dealer ("sell" side industry) firms, Salisian joined (a "buy" side company) Intervest Management Company in Westwood, as Director of Asset Management. The following year, on his birthday (December 16th), his daughter, Jaime Melissa Salisian was born. Jaimeís arrival on the planet, triggered Sharrone to look for a more salubrious environment than the plastic one in Beverly Hills. Re-enter Pasadena. In 1977, the three Salisians moved to 91105 (Burleigh Drive near Johnson Lake) and stayed there for 10 years. Before moving from Beverly Hills, Neal became President of the Mercedes Benz Club of Los Angeles. Two years later, on October 4th, Neal Samuel Salisian II (aka "Chip") [primogenitor seven times removed] completed the family unit. Complete in Nealís mind, because he had often remarked that one should not let your children out-number you; as insanity is hereditary, you get it from your children. One of Nealís former brokerage clientís, A. Eugene Nalbandian became his sonís Godfather.

By the end of the 70ís, Neal had become Senior Vice President, Director of Marketing and the third largest equity owner of Intervest, which soon changed itís name to RNC Capital Management. After 9 years at RNC, Neal requested an undetermined leave of absence from his two partners, Thomas Lee Roley (founder of Intervest) and Robert Wayne Nichols. Salisian wanted a change and accepted an offer from long time friend and business associate, Victor Peter Rosasco, to enter into a team of investment management consultants. The three years working with Vic were most enjoyable and rewarding. However, the constant travel (averaging four days a week) led to seeking Vicís permission to respond to an executive recruiter that was searching for senior investment marketing officer for a San Francisco based "buy side" institution. In 1987, when Neal became Senior Vice President, Director of Capital Markets at Bank of America Investment Management Company (BAIMCO), the family was relocated to Atherton, CA. Sharrone took her mother, Dollie, with the family to permanently live, with the four Salisians. The move to BAIMCO, was not Nealís best decision. The Bank sold the investment unit to Monarch Insurance, the firmís name was changed to Associated Capital, the staff turned over and promises were not kept. The children and Sharrone did like Atherton, and NSS actually enjoyed the commute on the peninsula on the CAL-TRAIN. However, in late 1988, while on a new business development trip to L.A., Nealís former partner, Bob Nichols began a dialogue, which culminated with Nealís return to RNC, on 1-15-89. Later that Spring, NSS bought a 1909 multi-story Sylvanus B. Marston home on South Grand ÖÖ naturally, 91105, which was selected in part because it had an elevator, allowing Dollie to comfortably cope with multiple stories. In 1995, Jaime (by now going by her middle name, Melissa), graduated from Westridge School for Girls (located in 91105). She made an "early decision" three years prior to attend USC. To her surprise, she was admitted to the Marshall School (business school) a full 1-2 years early, as an incoming freshman. NSS II, aka "Chip" graduated as Class Salutatorian from Saint Francis High School in La Canada, in June, 1998, before starting his 4 years at Notre Dame University, where he was a double Monogram winner (fencing). Jaime (also a Gamma Phi) graduated with honors from USCís Marshall School in 1999. Her brother left South Bend, Indiana with degrees in both Finance and Computer Applications, Magna Cum Laude, in late May of 2002. NSS II is currently in Law School at USC. Jaime, or as many know her, Melissa, will become Melissa Gilbert in July of 2003 when she marries Dave Gilbert, also a Trojan alum. Jaime Melissa currently lives and works in San Diego. Neal Sr., Sharrone, Dollie, and for a short while longer, NSS II, are living on South Grand.

When asked, Neal Sr. indicated that he would have changed some, but precious little of these events very briefly described here . . . maybe; the Pepper Street gang stuff, breaking some noses, going downstairs for buttermilk, and BAIMCO could be avoided in his "next life".

Neal can be reached at: nsalisian@rncgenter.com

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