原创 退休了...

To all my colleagues and friends,

“Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.”

Thank you for the nice send-off this week, the wonderful words and sentiments at the celebration in Wrdge on Wed., and for all those who stopped by and sent notes to add a personal touch.

I am humbled by all of the accolades. I am pleased and proud to have been associated with the accomplishments in this company over the past several years, but the real credit goes to the whole team, and especially to all the contributors at every level of the company, and in all geographies. I only had the privilege of offering some leadership along with a great management team, and amongst a wonderful group of capable, hard-working associates throughout the company.

After 32 years at my previous company, I departed under circumstances that did not offer me the opportunity to do the “gold watch” retirement thing. I realize this is a dated expectation in today’s corporate world. But, even though my time here with all of you was only three years, I truly feel like this is the company and the working family where I depart with the “gold iphone”. I am vested here, through three years of hard work together, shared commitment, some manageable sacrifice, and an absolute belief in a foundation built here for great success for all of you going forward. And you have given back to me…. every day in your own commitment and talents, teamwork, technical training, friendships, and this week with your kind best wishes for starting my next chapter.

I consider myself a very fortunate man. …. good health, a wonderful supportive life partner of 37 years, three great and launched adult children, family, friends, a good education, an enriching career, global travel, a lake house get-away, fun leisure pursuits, and tolerable vices. With a bit of planning and some luck I am able to sail off a few years early. I am looking forward to spending time with my wife, family, and friends, using a few of my 1mil frequent flier miles, and exploiting those leisure pursuits and vices. Don’t expect to see me sitting on a park bench feeding the pigeons, or hanging out at the food-court at the shopping mall. After a few months repose, I’ll be ready for some part-time consulting again. Don’t be surprised if I pop up here again down the road.

While my departure seems a surprise and abrupt to some, know that this was a decision I made earlier this year. The right thing to do was to continue on through the merger and integration. This is good fortune and the realization of a career plan I made decades ago.

As I sail away, I leave you with a big thanks and say au revoir, not adieu.

Have a blast with the celebration of our new name and brand launch next week.

Remember my challenge to all of you…. there is plenty of competition still on the outside, capable of winning business from us. If we work hard, work together, and fight off tendencies to compete within, we will win with our customers, grab our unfair share of their business, and profitably grow this company to $500mil and $1 billion. My retirement is nice to recognize, but our company’s success will truly be something to celebrate. I will come back for the ringing of the bell at those big milestones.

Thanks to all.

My best wishes for all of you.