Mel Ellis

Sean Norris is editor-in-chief for Promo Marketing. Reach him at snorris@napco.com.
Nichole Stella is group president/publishing director of Promo Marketing Media Group, which consists of Print+Promo, Promo Marketing and NonProfitPro.

The exchange took place at a Silicon Valley dinner party, a 2011 gathering of top U.S. technology executives. Official White House photos of the event depict a cozy atmosphere: warm lighting, attendees mid-toast, glasses of white wine in hand, jackets draped over the backs of chairs.

"Many people watching tonight can probably remember a time when finding a good job meant showing up at a nearby factory or a business downtown. You didn't always need a degree, and your competition was pretty much limited to your neighbors. If you worked hard, chances are you'd have a job for life, with a decent paycheck, good benefits and the occasional promotion. Maybe you'd even have the pride of seeing your kids work at the same company.

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