November 28, 2018 | All About Altos

A Moment of Reflection

Recently (November 11th to be precise) I celebrated my 5th anniversary with Altos - and, for some reason, people seem to put more emphasis on celebrating milestones that end in a 0 or a 5.

(Why is 5 years better than 4, I don’t know. I’m a marketer not a psychologist… I just know what I know.)

Taking A Moment To Give Thanks

I didn’t make a big deal about it at work, or even tell anyone right away. I had a very nice review/celebration lunch with Tony and Kathy at Giorgio's in Manchester, during which we reflected on the past 5 years and took a look towards the future.

*Spoiler alert*: it is pretty bright here in the marketing department, and at Altos in general.

Regardless, this period of reflection, coupled with the upcoming holiday season gave me pause for a moment.

I thought, "What am I thankful for?"

And so I did what I always do at a time of personal impasse: wrote an email to my colleagues.

Their answers pretty much made my week - and are worthy of sharing.

What follows is my email and excerpts from some of the responses that I received.

Joe Savitch
I am very thankful for the team of dedicated marketing professionals that join me in "the south" every day. It is their hard work and dedication that has helped us keep growing to new heights! I am thankful for the leadership team that has given me the opportunity and flexibility to try new things and grow our services/offerings. I am thankful for the talented design team that brings our ideas to life. I am thankful for the creative development team that listens to our crazy tech ideas and says, "yeah we can do that!"
Joe Savitch, Marketing Manager
Brian Richards
On a personal level, I'm most thankful for my loving wife and our new baby girl, and the continued health and happiness of my family, friends, and loved ones. This past year has been especially challenging, and I'm deeply grateful for the opportunity to meet, and work side-by-side with my new extended family at Altos.
Brian Richards, Director of Technology
Conor Snell
Among many other things, I'm thankful for:
  • My family
  • My girlfriend Tracy
  • A hot meal
  • A roof over my head
  • My health
  • A supportive and challenging workplace
  • Our kick-ass marketing team
  • Music streaming services
  • Free speech
  • Written language
  • Cold beer
I also just reached an Altos milestone (2 years in Oct.) and couldn't be more thankful for the opportunity and lessons I've learned so far, and for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Thanks to everyone for being right there alongside.
Conor Snell, Social Media and Content Strategist
Justin Martin
I'm thankful for positive team players like yourself. I too enjoy coming to work everyday. It’s crazy to think I’ve been here almost a decade. I'm thankful for health. I have a healthy beautiful newborn son, healthy family (no illnesses), and perfect mental health (no depression, no anxiety, no bs). We’re just happy and healthy all the way around.
Justin Martin, Creative Director
Sarah Szopa
Altos. The wealth of knowledge that makes up our team. The supportive leadership that brings me a tremendous sense of worth. The colleagues that are more of family (we do spend more time with them than our own each week). Business casual dress. I could go on and on.

Husband.
I adore him.

Past Challenges.
Without them I wouldn't have the strengths I have today.

For What I have. All of it and nothing more.

Social Media.
Giving me the opportunity to stay connected to those that are far away from me.

Good Hair Days.
Enough said.

Target's Dollar Spot.
Also enough said.
Sarah Szopa, Account Manager
Tom Dorwaldt
I’m thankful for New Hampshire’s State Parks and abounding wilderness. Without public land our appreciation for this planet wouldn’t exist.

I’m thankful for being close enough to Boston to consider it a second home without having to commute every day.

I’m thankful for Altos as a whole, as I couldn’t have asked for a better place to begin and continue a professional career. I suppose I’d also have Justin to thank for that, as I wouldn’t be at Altos without his introduction.

Finally, I’m thankful for streaming radio services, on which I heard a segment that I believe we should all listen to. It spoke about the psychology behind gratitude, what drives us to “pay things forward”, and how both asking for help and expressing gratitude to those who help you are paramount to success.

If you have the time, check it out here.
Tom Dorwaldt, Designer
Christina Whitaker
I am grateful for all that I have been blessed with in my life and for what awaits in my future. I am grateful for never taking for granted what I have been blessed with. My husband, my children (a dream come true and a miracle come true in their own sense). I am grateful for weathering the challenges of life in order to better appreciate the joys of life. I am grateful for being in the presence of such a talented group of individuals who inspire me to be my best version. I am grateful to the person who discovered anti-aging serum!

'It is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy' Brene Brown.
Christina Whitaker, Finance Manager
Kathy Sevigny
There's so much I'm thankful for, but I'll follow the lead and keep it contained...

I'm thankful for breathtaking sunrises that fill the sky with pink - like this morning. I'm thankful for my husband and our two boys. The three of them fill my life with love and joy.

I'm thankful for the past, the present, and the future with Altos. I am SO blessed to be able to serve and support such a truly kick-ass team.

I'm thankful for the man who started the wonderful world of Altos...A man I respect and admire more than words can describe.

I'm thankful for my parents and my four brothers (and sister-in-laws). Our close-knit, supportive, (sometimes dysfunctional) family is a gift, and I'm lucky to be able to spend Thanksgiving Day with ALL of them.
Kathy Sevigny, President
Cameron Audet
I'm thankful for my wife, baby boy and our health and home.

I'm thankful for Altos , The Laravel Framework and the great team we have.

I'm thankful for amazon holiday shopping made easy.

I'm thankful for gas companies regulating the RVP in the winter and summer blend of my gasoline to optimize fuel evaporation.

I'm thankful for craigslist.

I'm thankful for The Sun. I hope it doesn't go anywhere soon. - The Sun is Hot because of its weight. about... a billion billion billion tons. That weight creates gravity pulling the suns core under pressure. Just like a tire air pump getting warm when you fill your tires, the pressure of the weight of the sun heats it up. Enormous pressure leads to enormous temperature.

That's why I'm always warm.
Cameron Audet, Front-End Developer
Joseph Stucker
Above all else, I'm thankful for all the people in my life - my wife, my church, my family, friends, and coworkers. After a year of challenge & trial in 2017, the people in my life have made 2018 an incredible year of growth and opportunity.

On a personal level, I'm thankful for the new home Jess and I will be moving into this weekend. I'm thankful for my good-humored coworkers welcoming me to the state of New Hampshire. I'm thankful that I have so many incredibly supportive people in my life helping along the way.

Professionally, I'm thankful for the opportunity Altos has given me to learn and grow, but also I'm grateful for Altos giving me a healthier work environment than I was previously in. I'm grateful for the culture and respect that can be seen in everything Altos does. I'm thankful to be part of the most-kick-ass team in this company; the cool kids in Altos South (aka Marketing).
Joseph Stucker, SEO/SEM Specalist
Tony Matos
From a personal perspective, I am thankful for my immediate and extended family, friends, near and far and of course Altos and the professionals that cause it to thrive and prosper. Who we have become today is more a reflection of our leadership team and not so much my doing. I'm thankful for having connected with such a strong, professional and expert staff.

I'm thankful for having had the opportunity, drive and capital to roll the dice and attempt something most never attempt. I'm thankful at having remained patient as many times I thought it prudent to 'pull the plug' and simply go back to work - doing so would have eliminated the high I continue to experience 15 years later.

I'm thankful to play a role at creating jobs. I'm thankful for each individual that call Altos their place of employment - you mean family to me and family is extraordinarily important. I'm thankful for my health and that of my immediate family as it will enable me to live to see Altos continue to grow and prosper beyond my time and capabilities. I'm thankful Altos is at a place that allows me the freedom to contribute within the community in numerous board and voluntary capacities.

Wrapping Up

We are a pretty warm and fuzzy group. We generally love what we do and who we do it with. Above all else we are thankful for you, our clients, our partners. Without you placing your trust in us we would just come here and drink coffee and toss darts all day. Fun, but not nearly as exciting as the other stuff.

From all of us at Altos to all of you have a blessed and warm holiday season.

Joe Savitch

Let's Put Our Minds Together.

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