Who do you stand beside?

I think I have mentioned my friend Cecil Childress in previous blogs. Cecil was the General Manager of the Lafayette Hotel in Marietta and later the Blennerhassett Hotel in Parkersburg. Cecil and I served together on the Board of Directors of the Marietta Convention & Visitors Bureau and became good friends. When Cecil came to town, he told me that one of the first things he did was to determine “who he wanted to stand beside.” I thought that was an interesting concept at the time. I still think about that comment a lot.

I think we are often judged by the people we stand beside. Others make assumptions about us based upon the people we stand beside. The people we stand beside often open doors to new thinking or close doors to new ideas. The people you stand beside have a great influence on who we are and who we are able to be. Surrounding yourself with the right people is essential to being the best version of yourself.

Dave & Eileen Hartvigsen

When I was with Stonewall Marketing, we did a lot of work in the New River Gorge region of West Virginia. We represented Class VI River Runners which later merged with two other outfitters to become Adventures on the Gorge. I loved working with the owners of Class VI and later, the AOTG team. When I learned that AOTG had decided to hire a CEO, I was concerned. New people coming in from the outside often have their own creative people that they want to work with and usually they don’t see the value of “local” talent. I figured we would be out.

Enter new CEO, Dave Hartvigsen. “Hart” as he is known by. My fears could not have been more off-target. Dave brought a fresh set of eyes and a wealth of experience and practical smarts to the table. He made us better by believing in us, but also challenging us to do more. Someone who I thought may give us the axe has become one of my dearest friends and most respected business role models. As I got to know him outside of work, I quickly realized what a quality individual he is. He speaks with reverence about his wife; he treats his friends with kindness and respect; he brings positive energy to the world.

Hart is someone I will always stand beside. Being his friend improves my life. He has also become close with my son which is very pleasing to me. Being Hart’s friend only improves others perception of me.

I am fortunate to have so many positive people in my life. The people I stand beside are important to me and I invest in them. They all bring something important to my life. I don’t have time for people who I don’t want to stand beside.

The Varsity Varsity Track Team

My wife is not a “joiner” by any means. She is very comfortable in her own skin and doing her own thing. However, she often struggles to let people in. Unlike me who is an open book, Nikki is more guarded and reserved.

When Garret played football at Marietta College, Nikki got to know the coaches wife Kerry Jean. She had an exercise class at the college and Nikki started attending. Through the class she met several more ladies on the Marietta College staff and new friendships grew.

These ladies have become such an important part of Nikki’s life. They are smart, funny, passionate ladies that bring so much positive energy and joy to Nikki’s life. I have seen her open up and share herself with the ladies, and in turn with many of our other friends in a way that she would have not done so before. She has grown as a person and the “Varsity, Varsity Track Team” as they call themselves, support each other and love each other unconditionally. They stand together, side by side.

I am grateful for these ladies and the positive impact they have on my wife. I am grateful for the many people I stand beside that make me proud to be their friend. I only stand beside the people I believe in. That space is way too important to share it with somebody that you don’t believe in.