However, reassuring words from top executives in the days after a takeover often aren't enough to keep workers at their desks. Steve Rubel changed jobs three times last year, twice as a result of his employer being sold. The public relations man from Woodbury loved his two and a half years at CMP Media but began looking for a new position once the founding family announced plans to cash out. But eShare's attorneys, afraid government regulators would accuse the company of hyping its stock offering, put the kibosh on his plans. People were stunned.
Rubel now works for a public relations firm in Manhattan.
Like many eShare employees, Joy Tosini of Deer Park has mixed emotions about her company being acquired. Still, Melita's deep pockets and large customer base have fueled the expansion of a new Web hosting initiative, which Tosini has headed since February. Although Chris Orsaris works for an auto dealership, a representative of the old economy, he shares the enthusiasm dot-com workers have for mergers and acquisitions that lead to quick promotions. Orsaris' employer, Major Automotive Group of Long Island City, has purchased a string of dealerships in the past year as part of its game plan to dominant metropolitan New York. Last month, Major was named the nation's largest seller of used cars as a percentage of total vehicle sales by Ward's Dealer Business, an industry trade journal.