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| Sep 25, 1999, San Diego Union-Tribune: Although it's
defunct, the Great American Bank's spirit still lives on nine years later. About 300
or so ex-employees coming from as far as New York, Washington, D.C., Colorado and New
Mexico are expected to attend the bank's alumni party today
at the Mission Brewery Plaza. Former CEO Gordon Luce can't make it, but ex-senior
V.P. Rollie Ayers has the next best thing -- a life-size cutout of Luce to greet all
comers. |
| Diane Bell |
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| Dec 15, 1998, San Diego Union-Tribune: Past employees of
Great American, the defunct local S&L, and its predecessor S.D. Federal, are a loyal
lot. They have reunions. They paid to place a Great American memorial ad on
the stadium scoreboard during the '98 Holiday Bowl. Now a former data processor has
set up a Web site for the homesick. Lois Van Ewijk, who
worked there from 1975-91, has included photos of former branches in their current
incarnations as: a Midas muffler shop in Poway, a video store in La Mesa, a car dealership
in National City, a Big & Tall in Loma Portal and a dental office in Mira Mesa.
Ten years ago, who'd have forecast they'd be pulling out teeth there instead of money? |
| Diane Bell |
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| Jan 6, 1998, San Diego Union-Tribune: Ex-employees of
Great American Bank not only keep the bank's name on the Holiday Bowl scoreboard, but are
ensuring that the defunct bank remains a driving force -- on the golf course. The Great American Golf Club has 125 members, say club prez
Josephine Bennett. |
| Diane Bell |
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| Dec 30, 1997, San Diego Union-Tribune: It must be some
glitch. How could Great American Bank, which closed seven years ago, be a Holiday Bowl sponsor? Seems local bank employee alumni,
spearheaded by ex-senior V.P. Rollie Ayers, purchased enough tickets to qualify to get the
name of Great American, a longtime game sponsor in its heyday, up on the scoreboard once
again. Welcome back. |
| Diane Bell |
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| May 7, 1996, San Diego Union-Tribune: . . . And Christie
Faires, personal assistant to Great American S&L's Gordon Luce from 1973 to '90, has
been chosen to head up hospitality for Republican National
Convention delegations here in August. She's taking a leave from Quidel Corp. |
| Diane Bell |
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| Oct 3, 1995, San Diego Union-Tribune: They came from
eight states and the District of Columbia -- 561 of them -- all ex-employees of the failed
Great American Savings Bank, for a Sept. 23 Reunion at Mission Plaza
Brewery. They raised $300 from an auction of leftover company store items
(banners, cuff links, etc.) for a cause near and dear to their hearts -- a job placement
program at St. Vincent de Paul. |
| Diane Bell |
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Apr 1992, GAFAN News: The Chief Petty Officer's Club
looked near capacity with 400 plus in attendance at the 1992 Great
American Reunion on Saturday March 28. It was well planned and ran like clock
work. Most of the top brass (pre-RTC) were there including Mr. Luce. Dinner
was served at 7:00 with your selection of sliced beef, fried chicken, mashed potatoes,
corn, three bean or plain salad, rolls and ice cream for dessert.
Auction & Raffle -- After Dinner & Dessert was the memorabilia auction and raffle
which saw prizes given away or sold from a back lit sign of the Great American flying
forms to an authentic security badge. One of cherished prizes offered to the raffle
was donated by Night Hawk Security for a home security system. Tom Carter started
the "ball" rolling on the raffle with the first hand in the ping pong ball box
just after making a plug for his candidacy of the San Diego Mayoral position.
After all was sold or given away, the band took the stage and the dancing lights were lit.
It was good to finally meet those you had only spoken with over the phone and to
see those that you worked with day to day. I'm looking forward to the next one. |
| Matt Machacek |
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