APA05671

Industry Expert Martin Armstrong, CPP, spoke to a packed crowd in the Closing General Session at the 40th Annual Payroll Congress. The topic of the speech was a thought-provoking one: Do you want a job, or a career?

Armstrong share highlights, obstacles, and triumphs that he experienced throughout his career.

“He didn’t choose payroll, payroll chose him,” said Stephanie "Sam" McAtee, CPP, Director of Payroll at McLane Company, Inc.

McAtee is correct. Payroll was Armstrong's second option after he was denied his first choice by the military because he was color blind.

“That was interesting because that also happened to my son,” says Molly Wendell of Heartland Payroll in Brook Park, Ohio. “And now, look at Martin."

Armstrong’s many accomplishments include APA's 2008 Payroll Man of the Year. In his long and storied career, he has worked on over 34 mergers and acquisitions, one of which included the one between Harrah’s and Caesars in Las Vegas. At the time, it was the biggest merger in gaming.

“Those steps in your career and how you get there are really important, and he is proof of that,” says Danny Schulz, CPP, Sr. Manager of Systems & Taxes at Kohler Co. “He did a huge acquisition with two casinos here in Las Vegas. Does it get bigger than that? That’s absolute insanity, and now look at him. He is so inspiring.”

Armstrong gave the attendees his five keys to success: Communication, Competency, Emotional Intelligence, Embracing Technology, and Financial Acumen. With those key points, Armstrong echoes a favorite quote of his from Chinese philosopher Confucius: "Choose a job you love, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.”