Welcome to our annual Thankful article, where we share our own unique areas of gratitude for the year.
And my oh my, what a year 2020 has been. Most of us have been working from our home offices (spare bedrooms, kitchen tables, living room floors) since mid-March. Some of us were hired during the pandemic and have never even been to the office! One thing’s for certain, we are deeply committed to seeing the credit union industry through this mess.
In the words of J.R.R. Tolkien, from The Fellowship of the Ring, “I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,” said Gandalf,” and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.”
Doug Burke, President/CEO
I believe most people are ready to turn the page on 2020, but there are still several things to be thankful for. First and foremost, in the current environment is the health of myself and my immediate family. I have had over a dozen family members come down with COVID, but thankfully they fully recovered. Not only has my immediate family remained healthy but so has all of my work family. So yes, I’m able to be thankful for health!
Gaye DeCesare, VP of Compliance
This year our family gained another son and a granddaughter! They are such a blessing.
Julius Mitchell, Client Success Associate
In 2020 I was thankful for the opportunity to begin a new career with an organization (Aux) that supports the credit union industry and allows me to find ways to grow within this field and further develop my expertise as a credit union advocate!
Diana Garcia, Partner Care Specialist (InNetwork)
I am grateful for the leadership and management of AUX by listening to the doctors and keeping us safe and healthy while still supporting our clients.
Sara Lindsey, Administrative Assistant
There is so much in life to be thankful for. Those whose presence make every day special are one of the greatest things to treasure. I am so incredibly thankful for the unconditional love of my family, including the friends who have become family. I am also thankful for my ‘work family’- I am incredibly blessed to be part of such an amazing team! I am thankful to live in such a beautiful state and to experience all that Colorado has to offer. I am thankful for my comfy bed, that morning cup of coffee, the sweet baby son snuggles, the wet-nosed nuzzles, and the feathered greetings. I am thankful for the dinner we sit down together to enjoy in the evenings. I am thankful for the health of my family. Every day, every sunrise, is a gift. I am thankful for every day that my family and I get to experience the treasures of life.
Kyla Dartez, Compliance Officer
It is always difficult to talk about just one thing that I’m grateful for because there is something new every day. What thing I’m most grateful for though is my family, friends, and co-workers. All of whom help me get from day to day even when we can’t be together in the traditional sense, they are all still with me in spirit. Thank you all.
Diane Parham, CFO
In a year that has presented challenges at every turn, I’m thankful for resiliency. 2020 has turned things upside down in so many ways. The nights out with friends have turned to virtual happy hours. The kid’s sporting events have changed to board games and card games. Trips to a movie theatre are now movie nights at home with homemade popcorn. Trying a new restaurant is now trying a new recipe. While I can’t say I won’t rush back to kid’s sporting events, restaurants and movie theatres because I most certainly will (what I wouldn’t give for an Alamo Drafthouse pretzel!). I hope these new traditions stick around as well. I’ve seen more Marvel movies with my kids in the past year than I can possibly count and I wouldn’t trade those nights for anything. While we all miss the old ways in our house, I’m continuously grateful for the positive attitude my children wake up with each day. There are lessons to be learned in life everywhere we look. My kids have taught me a very important lesson this year…every day is a gift and it’s all about perspective.
Maggie Davis, Compliance Specialist
This year, I’m grateful for a wonderful new work team. I was hired at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and was uncertain of how things would turn out. Thankfully, everything turned out great and our company stood by its hiring decision, even in such a challenging time. I have the best teammates one could ever ask for! Even my office teammates left a sign for me at my desk for when things get back to normal. Choosing Aux was one of the best decisions I’ve made and I’m beyond grateful for this company and my team.
Trisha Wiggin-Fausnaugh, Director of Shared Branch Operations and Training (InNetwork)
I’m thankful that my family is safe and healthy. I’m thankful that I have a job that I love and that I can do from home. And most of all I’m thankful for all the wonderful and kind people in my life.
Alicia Disantis, Brand Manager
This year, I am extra thankful for my husband. Nearly a decade ago we moved out to Denver – 1,300 miles away from friends and family. For the first 8 years, hopping on a plane and seeing my folks and friends in under 3 hours was easy. Now, my husband and I bear the strain of relying on each other every single day for all the mental, physical and spiritual challenges life brings. For the past eight months, we have been together in our 980 sq ft house 24/7. That is a challenge for any relationship, no matter how strong. Somehow, we find a way to weave laughter, wit and creativity into our day-to-day grind.
Kristen Tatlock, Senior Compliance Officer
In this year that has been unlike any I’ve lived through, I am thankful that my family and friends have been able to stay safe and healthy. I realize how incredibly lucky we are and for that, I am thankful.
Jenny Thomas, Sales Support Specialist
This year has been a tough one for us all with a lot of uncertainty and obstacles. However, there is still so much to be thankful for. My Mom has had some bad luck with her health the past few years, and this year unfortunately wasn’t any different. We had a scare with her a few weeks back, and they are still investigating it further, but it is definitely looking up, and my entire family is so thankful for that. I am thankful that my friends, family, coworkers, and myself are healthy. I am also so incredibly thankful to have a steady job through this pandemic that I enjoy. And through this pandemic, I realize how much more I am thankful for teachers. They really have a tough job, and I will be the first to admit, I am not cut out to be one. I will be thankful when our kids can all go back to in-person learning too. 😊
Natasha Bedford, Systems Support Analyst
I’m thankful for my wonderful family and friends during COVID. I didn’t feel like I was alone and that meant the world do me.
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