H.W. (Herb) Sawyer is Norm's boss for part of Season 1. It is assumed that he took over from Mr. Stabell for unknown reasons. Norm looks for opportunities to kiss up to him, believing it will get him ahead at work. Norm offered to throw the company party, and used Cheers as the location. One of Norm's duties was to find an escort for Mr. Sawyer, and as a last-minute choice, he settles on Diane. Sawyer is evidently not popular among his employees; they avoid him at the party, and rally around Norm after they find out Norm pushed him away in the pool room.