Grateful to a Dear Friend and Mentor

At the end of November 2022, I celebrated the six-year anniversary of my role as President with PS.  During that tenure, I have often wondered if I am doing a good job as the captain of the PS journey, especially when I compare myself to our founder and original CEO, George Lizama.    

George retired when I became President, and we have had limited opportunities to talk with each other about some of the natural challenges and difficult lessons that come with being a first-time executive.   

I have a tremendous amount of gratitude for George seeing something in me early on in my career that he felt was worth cultivating and investing in. He also afforded me countless opportunities to learn by doing, and failing and then getting back in the arena and trying again. 

While action was the best teacher a future executive can get, learning to be President also required a mentor willing to challenge and support me in ways that are not always comfortable or easy. George was that mentor for me.     

George prepared me with lessons from his wins and losses as an executive. He gave me opportunities. He consistently reminded me that when times are tough or unclear, you must always remember, it is not about you. It’s about the people you lead.  He would tell me the people you lead need to know that they have a leader who is willing to face the unknown with courage, to tell our people the why behind why we are doing left vs. right, to actively challenge themselves to grow, to be emotionally intelligent, to surround myself with great team members that challenge you and to always be thinking ahead.    

These are the principles that I have tried to model and exhibit in my executive role for PS with my team and colleagues. I expect the same from them.    

These intentions, originating from George, are still a key part of our culture today, and our success. We are all grateful.    

Cheers to you, George, for setting the course early for our company. We are all better for it, and will continue to aim to keep leveling up in all we do!