This year’s action-packed TI retiree luncheon at the Mesquite Convention Center began warm cookies and coffee when the doors open at 9:30 am. We had a fine barbecue lunch served at 11:30 am and were fascinated by engineers from the TI New Employee Initiative (NEI).They shared insights about their careers, new technologies and product innovations that will shape the future of TI. After the innovation panel, there was a brief update on TI’s recent financial results by Terri West. Back by popular demand, Marty Ruiz entertained us and was joined by the Spectacular Senior Follies. A special feature this year was a team from the DeGolyer Library at Southern Methodist University, who set up an exhibit of artifacts from TI’s archives at the SMU Library. The team is digitizing some of TI’s rare photos and demonstrated how to access these on the Internet. In addition to explaining how they are preserving the TI Archives, they wanted to hear stories from retirees who worked on some of the former products and businesses at TI. There was also a special volunteer project in the exhibit hall whereby active TIers joined with attendees to assemble care kits for those affected by Hurricane Harvey.
Photos courtesy of Jerry Brandenburg, Larry James and Linda Stopani.