Grateful Anniversaries

Anniversaries have a unique way of creeping up on you. Often I have brushed them off and treated them it as just another day. Then out of the blue certain numbers make you stop and think. Life happens, moments happen and the typical brushed off becomes a moment of reflection. 

In a few days I will be marketing my ten year anniversary being back at NBCUniversal. It will actually be my 17th year in total.  I will have nearly spent 75% of my professional career with one company.

I think a lot about my career roadmap, the various roles, brands and companies I have had the privelage to work for. I was fascinated by career development when I was in business school, how to manage it, how to use change for the better, how to go right, left and eventually forward. I believe everyone's path is different, unique and can be exciting if you allow for it. I saw my father re-invent himself growing up. He taught me to be flexible, work hard and always think ahead.   In a generation where people had one career he had three from 20 years as a Police Officer, to 20 years as a Bank Sales Executive and then 12 years in politics, he never skipped a beat. On paper it may not have made sense but if you know him you know his hard work, focus and passion led him to success each time. He never let others define him and used their doubt as fuel for his next adventure.  My mom lived a life of service. Committed to her career, her friends, her family and her community. She taught to me appreciate it all, give back and be grateful for the opportunities. 

With two little kids I know I will be working for another 20 years. As I come up on this NBCU anniversary it gave me pause to stop and think about my 25 year career. To reflect on all the tremendous leaders who without them hiring me, managing me and leading me I would not be where I am today and set up for success for tomorrow.

I am enormously grateful to all of them.  They saw the potential in me and offered me a place on their team. I respect them all so much and will always be grateful. 

I wanted to acknowledge the handprint they have all left on me and my professional career.  Tanya Clemons exposed me to the rigor of executive career development and roadmapping. Chris Wearing Margaret Meiers and Rich Gegenwarth  taught the importance of client service, the discipline of project management and the strive for perfection.  Margaret Lazo showed me how to listen and be a partner,  Ed O'Donnell taught me how to take risks, believe in myself and learn what media and marketing really means. He saw in me so much more than I did at key times in my life supporting my ideas when others did not.  Michael Wertheim Tom Kirwan and Ray Chelstowski showed me how to be bold, confident and go for what you want.  Scott Schiller Michelle Wright and Laura Molen showed me how to marry sales discipline with passion to push through any challenge in order to get a deal done all while having fun along the way. Alison Tarrant showed me how to harness my energy and bring it all my skills together strategically for my clients.  Maureen Murphy at multiple stages (4 to be exact) taught me how to bring myself into the work. Never forgetting the fundamentals, staying focused and being smart.  She has helped me build my confidence in mysled and that with kindness and empathy you can make a great impact.

Over the past 25 years some would say on on paper I didn't looked liked the right person for the job but ALL these individuals saw something different. They believed in my potential and gave me the opportunity to make an impact on their team. The trusted me and invested their time and money in me. They changed my life and my career. They opened a door and allowed me to step into it and break through. 

The Vinnie in Riverhead High School never imagined this career. I'm not sure I thought it was possible. For various reasons I had limited my dreams and made safe/practical decisions.  I now spend more time imagining what it can be and what more I can do. I have the confidence to dream and vision even bigger. I see the power you can manifest when you believe. My biggest supporter has been my wife Elyssa Dunleavy . She has never doubted me and supports me in all my ideas and d projects even when they take time away from our family. 

My kids are young and college isn't cheap so my career is far from over. I am excited for all that it brings. NBCUniversl has been a big part of my journey and as long as I can continue to help my clients thrive it will continue to be.  Karen Kovacs and Mark Marshall 's leadership and support has given me a canvass to continue to grow and one that I am thrilled to color, create and design on. I'm fortuante and thankful to be doing with a great team Tammy Wormell, Guiliana Cappiello, Mallory Arthurs and our latest leader Frank Sgrizzi.

So this anniversary is a bit different and means a bit more. It means for me I will be more grateful and share my appreciation. There are so many others I can thank and in time I will. I will continue to reflect and grow as a father, husband and executive.  I know none of my success is possible without the on-going support of my family and friends. The work ethic, discipline and versatility my parents taught me, the confidence my wife gives me and the laughter, reality and patience my kids force on me. I love working hard, playing hard and Daddying harder (Dad So Hard Podcast plug) 😊.   The fact my friends, family and co-workers support me through it all is a tremendous blessing and one I will be always thankful for.

If you have a anniversary coming up, take a moment to reflect. You never know what you may discover and who you may remind yourself to thank.