Four Year Anniversary with OPSA

May 9, 2005 was my first official day at OPSA. Four years is a bit of a milestone in our culture. Both high school and undergraduate college degrees are earned in four years. Presidential terms are four years and the Olympics occur every four years as well.

My four years with OPSA has been a roller coaster. There have been great high points and some tough low points. We've grown significantly and reached annualized profitability. We've experienced many of the typical challenges of a start-up and some not so typical.

I am fine telling everyone that we haven't reached our financial goals. It's been an extended "beans and franks" period for our families. However, we are investing in and building a new business that will support our families and those of our employees. It's just taking longer than we expected.

We are not immune to the impact of the economic downturn. Some of our larger customers' sales are down, so their purchases from us are down. When we all get through this time we will have stronger businesses.

The last four years have been an outstanding ride. I've learned more and experienced more than I ever could have working for someone else. I would change some of the decisions we've made and not made as a company, but I wouldn't change the decision to join Dan and Joel in this adventure. I'm not sure what the next four years holds for me or OPSA, but I take all I've learned the last four years and look forward to new challenges and successes.

Happy Mothers Day (one day late) to all Moms out there. Mine is the best ever.