Believe it or not, I just celebrated my one year anniversary with GSM. I have a large map of the US and Canada on my wall in the office where I pin a white flag (no, it's not a flag of surrender) on the location each time I return from a story or an event. To date, I have acquired 18 flags. Not bad when there are only 12 months in a year. More important, each one of those 18 flags represent at least three or more of you whom I have met and had the opportunity to get to know and I can say with all honesty, I wouldn't trade this industry for any other!
When you hear someone say, "I have been here for a year but it feels more like five!," it can connote a negative statement. In my case, it feels like five because all of you have welcomed me with open arms, have taken the time to discuss the topic of the day, or a topic of history which, in turn, has enhanced my understanding of the issues we are facing today. Thank you, and I look forward to meeting many more of you.
Our industry has recently just lost one of the wonderful individuals I had the chance to meet this past year and whose company was the topic of our September cover story. Bill Coakley, founder and chairman of PrimeFlight Aviation Services and FirstLine Transportation Security, died this past October. From cleaning buildings in college, to working in the facility services industry, Coakley created a national company with more than 10,000 employees and was recognized by Ernst and Young in 2002 as Entrepreneur of the Year for the Southeastern United States. Keith Wolken, Mr. Coakley's brother-in-law and business partner says, "While Bill's vision and approach to business was built on the philosophy that a powerful team can generate impressive results, I know I speak for all of the employees of SMS Holdings when I say that we have lost a truly special individual."
Ground-breaking News!
We will be moving in the Spring of 2005. Though it's less than a mile away from where we are located now and the address will remain the same, Cygnus Business Media's offices in Wisconsin, which have been in two separate locations, will finally be under one roof. Unfortunately, we all know the story about the blissful couple who, when they decided to get married and live together?
Thank you for reading,
Karen Reinhardt
