Serving with a Smile

The Smile.

That’s the first image that will always come to mind when I think about Blake Nordstrom. His toothy grin was ever present, broad, and genuine. He was a happy warrior who loved the company founded by his great-grandfather in 1901, and he never failed to express his appreciation to the 72,500 people who proudly call themselves Nordies. Blake was co-president of Nordstrom, his family’s eponymously named chain of high-end department stores.

I first met him 25 years ago, while working on. Back then, he was vice president and general manager of the Washington and Alaska group of stores. Over the years, as I saw firsthand his love and passion for the company and its employees—he also always demanded and expected results—it became obvious to me that he would one day lead Nordstrom.