by Kevin Grigg, PE, President and Chief Executive Officer
A recent Time magazine cover posited 2020 as “The Worst Year Ever” – and rightfully so, I suppose. We experienced so much loss – the loss of jobs due to the recession, the loss of interpersonal freedom and spontaneity due to the pandemic, and, worst of all, the loss of lives due to both the pandemic and to the perpetuation of so many violent acts of social injustice. On top of all that, we experienced an extremely divisive presidential election that threatened to further polarize our already polarized nation.
And yet I remain hopeful. Both the instigator and the price of lasting and positive transformation – whether on an individual or a social level – is often and unfortunately trauma. Experiencing trauma and loss can make us cherish our health, acknowledge the privilege of (and not just the right to) gainful employment, and make us appreciate one another more fully. Perhaps when we can once again gather together freely, these shared traumas will result in our being willing and able to look beyond the surface of what divides us to the substance of what unites us. Perhaps we will arise out of “The Worst Year Ever” as better people, intent on working together to form an even better society.
I remain hopeful that “The Worst Year Ever” may yet prove to be the catalyst for a more hopeful, enlightened, and productive future. The challenges we faced forced us to think and act differently, and I believe we are better because of it. The continued hard work and determination of our employees, together with the loyalty of our clients, will be the fuel that allows us to emerge from this pandemic and this recession as an even stronger organization.
All of us at Fuss & O’Neill wish you and yours a safe, restful, and hopeful holiday season and a joyful New Year.
About the Author:
Kevin Grigg, PE is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Fuss & O’Neill. He has been with the firm for the past 8 years of his 30+ year career. Kevin has managed projects and business units in the environmental, facilities, water, and transportation markets. His primary areas of technical expertise lie in the railroad and public transportation market segments, having managed a wide variety of bus and rail transit projects throughout the Midwest and Pacific Northwest. Kevin is excited about his new role and furthering the company’s mission of creating works of life.