Thanks, Adam Walker
Last night at the AMY Awards was fun. Like, really, really fun.
Truth: I don’t normally enjoy award shows (even when I’m winning an award) or networking events. I’m just at a point in my life where I’m a) older and b) have less time, so the idea of a nice book and getting to bed early is hard to beat :)
But this one was so special because of ALL my friends that were there.
My first business partner and college roommate, Raj Choudhury, won Marketer of the Year. Raj is incredible and I was so happy to be there to support him. He’s one of the best people I’ve ever known, and to see him keep achieving so much is truly inspiring.
Jo Ann Herold, also one of my favorite people, won the Lifetime Achievement Award! If you know Jo Ann, you know she’s brilliant, kind, and right now she’s almost definitely smiling. :)
Ken Bernhardt, my mentor, role model, and friend, was also there and gave a great opening for Jo Ann. Ken is also a Lifetime Achievement Award winner. So much of what I’ve accomplished can be tied back to Ken’s advice, counsel, and support.
And Adam Walker and I won Marketing for Good for our work with 48in48. Four years ago we decided to try to put on a hackathon-style event in Atlanta to see if we could motivate a couple hundred volunteers to build 48 nonprofit websites in 48 hours. And it worked! Fast forward to 2018 and 48in48 has a staff of four and is going to be in six cities, including London.
Adam wrote today about the first time we met, which luckily ended up with us being great friends and starting 48in48 together. It’s worth a read, because it shows what an awesome human he is.
Adam and I thanked a lot of people on the stage last night, but somehow I failed to thank him for being my partner on this journey! Let me fix that.
Adam, thank you for being such a great friend. Thank you for continuing to show me every day how to be successful at business and at being a father and husband. Thank you for your graciousness, your positive attitude, your unshakeable confidence, and your uplifting spirit. I’m sure we’re just getting started on this adventure together, and there’s no one I’d rather be traveling with.
