Merry Christmas 2019

...or, the year that started "normal" and ended "spectacular!"

Over the years, you're probably aware that my choice of career means that I am normally 2-5 years in a job before circumstances change to put me on a new path. Often, those circumstances have involved layoffs. Occasionally, those circumstances have involved an invitation to try something different and new...and if there is one thing I know about myself, it's that I'm a sucker for things that are new.

2019 began much as 2018 ended. Nick and I are going strong, with a 2nd anniversary set for February. We had our second annual Memorial Day trip (rapidly becoming a tradition), this time to the Pacific Northwest, where we explored the Oregon and Washington coasts, the Hoh rainforest, the Olympic range, and Seattle proper.

Bonus points for going to Snoqualamie Falls and then dining in the "Twin Peaks" diner (Nick is a rabid fan of anything David Lynch, and that of course includes anything Twin Peaks).

It was a fun trip to a place I hadn't been to since the 90s. Back to Denver, and things continued swimmingly at Aimco. We won the ATD BEST Award for the second year in a row; I finalized the initial phase of Leading For Impact; and I was working on next phases.

And then, on July 3...an email from a recruiter.

Now, I get emails from recruiters all the time. Seriously. Most of them are fishing expeditions of a sort, and since I had been at Aimco a scant three years, had been in my house a scant two years, and was pretty comfy with a super boss and great recognition from my peers...suffice it to say I wasn't looking.

Yet, this particular email found ways to grab my curiosity. Not the least of which, the proposed job was set in the Seattle area...where Nick and I had just vacationed.

I remember literally shrugging at the email and thinking, well, these usually go to Deleted Items, but maybe this is worth talking to someone about. But only if it's super. I'm pretty settled.

The result, just 60 days later: A new job at Weidner Apartment Homes!

Weidner is a major owner/operator of apartment homes throughout the West and in Canada. It's a company that has been privately held since its inception in 1977 - lots of advantages to that. And in my interviews in the Seattle area, I marveled at the people I was being introduced to - people that truly believe in the value of learning and development, and who I wouldn't constantly have to "pitch" to in order to have "a seat at the table."

AND the comp more than made up for the higher cost of living in Seattle. AND the benefits were better. AND the title was VP. AND...

It really became a no-brainer for me. With Nick's blessing, and reassurance from the airlines that SEA-BOS-SEA ran every weekend LOL, I had a tearful goodbye from Beth, my incredible boss at Aimco, and a warm welcome from Marie, my incredible boss at Weidner.

It proves that one really never, never knows how life will pan out. After the layoff from Venetian/Palazzo in Las Vegas, I had thought I was back in Denver for good. For retirement. But in the course of 18 months, Nick happened, and then Weidner happened.

So, I end the year in another new city - with a great team that is eager to enhance and expand learning to 1,700 associates in twelve states and four provinces. After just three months on the job, I feel as comfortable as I have at any position since my Marriott days. It's a great company with great people.

I gave up predicting the future long ago, but it's a great one-two setup as I enter the 2020s...I have the best partner one could ever wish for, and a great new phase of my career among people who care. I'm grateful for every day. I hope you stop to think about the things you're grateful for as well, as we turn out of the tumultuous 2010s and into the Roaring Twenties.


Wishing you all a wonderful upcoming year!