First presser, you could tell he was a bit nervous and rightfully so. Seems like a nice guy so he gets a pass for coming off like Painfully Awkward Rob Lowe.
A few suggestions... despite what he may have read in a brochure, he needs recognize DONU as less Mayberry and more Terminus. Even nice guys can get eaten alive here. ex. Doc Sadler.
Ixnay on the illBay allahanCay.... dropping his name might have gone over well in the interview with Perlman but in the rest of the state it's a surefire way to guarantee a high percentage of spit in any food or drink you don't prepare yourself.
Open practices...might hold off for a year till you get the lay of the land. That way you avoid "Black Friday"-type crowds and mayhem and you won't look like a meanie for having to close them down to actually get something done.
If you are serious about looking at retaining any of this staff, do it now and get them out on the road before the dead period. Salvage what you can of the class and avoid a bubble down the road.
And lastly, if you find the opportunity to accidently refer to Dirk Chatlain as "Dork" you'll earn support from unforeseen segments of the fanbase and promote the healing process.
