The years roll by. I’m amazed to reflect that I joined Austin Outdoor ten years ago this month. I’ve learned so much along the way from my team members, clients, vendors and business associates. I’m thankful daily for the opportunity to participate in this journey with a team that has grown to 900 talented professionals, all focused on creating premier properties and building lasting relationships. 

Much has changed in the past ten years, in our company, our country and with the world we live in; our planet has certainly become “smaller” as technology has flourished, while the pace of change has accelerated. As I look back even further into my career, I see revolutionary changes in the art of business and especially in the speed of communication and ease of access to vast amounts of information. I’m thankful for the progress this makes possible, including using this blog as a means to cultivate ideas and share experiences. The responses from many of you to various posts have been gratifying and encourage me to continue writing.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It’s focused on Family, Friends and Fellowship and rooted in expressing appreciation for the very things that sustain us. Bountiful food certainly qualifies and some would argue that football does too! Beyond that, I treasure the day simply because it comes without expectations; instead it fosters contentment and appreciation for the most basic things in life and our freedom to enjoy them.

Finally, Thanksgiving is a day of renewal. We face an array of growing challenges in the world today, along with an urgent need to get our own country’s fiscal house in order. On this special day, however, we pause to reflect on just how far we’ve come together and to celebrate this moment in time, while renewing ourselves for the journey ahead.

For all these things and more, I’m Giving Thanks!