I was hired at Northgate on May 28rh, 1991. I wanted to work for Nordstrom because if I was going to work retail, I wanted to work for the best. I met Blake in 1992 upon receiving Allstar. The rest is history. Blake was genuinely appreciative and warm and thanked me for my contribution for the continued success of Nordstrom. I take tremendous pride in that. My current manager told me a saying that exemplified Blake, “ It isn’ t what someone does, it is how you make them feel. Thank you, Blake. I will miss that smile.

Benita Valdez