When I asked Mitt Romney to join Bain & Co. in 1977, I knew he was brilliant, but there was much I didn't know. As founder and CEO, I liked being first in the office when that was practical. On Mitt's first day, he arrived first. I came in earlier the next day, and there he was again. I decided to shake Mitt up a little and have some fun. I walked out of my office, stood in front of his desk and said, "Mitt, you are beginning to piss me off." He said, "What? What?" I asked him, "Why so early?" He said that after helping Ann with the children, he would visit the sick from his church and then come to work. We all looked at one another and applauded him.

Mitt's work ethic, analytical mind and devotion to family and country are a cocktail for success. When I picked him to become the first managing partner of Bain Capital, I knew he would help us create a successful business. When he retired from Bain Capital in 1999 to take over as CEO of the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, I knew he would make them memorable. When Mitt was elected governor of Massachusetts in 2003, I knew he would get rid of the waste that had plagued our state. Now as I watch the current presidential race, I know this country will be blessed if Mitt's next job is President of the United States.

Bain is the founder of Bain & Co. and a co-founder of Bain Capital

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