The Final Lap

Not a sprint, but a marathon.

In less than a week we will begin 2019. It is the year I have been planning to retire. In less than eight months I will end a career that has been amazingly rewarding. While many see their job as the “daily grind”, each of my assignments have been interesting, challenging and filled with wonderful people.

I was blessed with great mentors and teachers who supported my oft desire to push the envelope rather than accept the status quo. Certainly, Tom Petrocini was instrumental in my early development as he guided me through the complexities of leading three manufacturing facilities in the highly competitive automotive parts market. In my thirteen-year stint as a management consultant, C. Jackson Grayson at the American Productivity and Quality Center nurtured my interest in process re-engineering and the use of statistical analysis. At the University of Texas, I won the trifecta. Kevin Dillon, Kevin Hegarty and Dr. Scott Kelley are quality leaders who inspired me and made it enjoyable to participate in the sometimes-frustrating realm of public procurement.

UT Supply Mall - UT Health Houston

It would be impossible to recognize all of the people that played a part in my journey. While some have been (and continue to be) frustrating, most have been truly dedicated individuals who come to work each day to contribute and make things better. Most who know me understand my passion for “management by walking around”. I have found that my success is primarily based upon relationships. I have accomplished nothing solely on my own, but in concert with others. Over the last 18 years I have had the honor of partnering with three individuals who have been the cornerstones of successful strategy execution. My hats off to Danny Rawson, Jennifer Deleon and Darya Vienne, each highly successful in their own right. And of course, I am inspired on a daily basis by each of the Chief Procurement Officers and their staffs at the UT institutions. The UT System Supply Chain Alliance has brought us together and shaped us into an effective team. I had the honor of co-presenting with Dr. Diane DeHoyos at the conference in October. I will not soon forget the passion in her voice as she spoke of her team’s role in supporting the faculty and students at UT El Paso.

This year is one of transition for Alana and me. We purchased 10 acres in the small town of Marble Falls northwest of Austin. While we are nestled in amongst very mature trees, we are only minutes from the local supermarket and other amenities. We are close to the Colorado River and envision some peaceful kayaking trips in our future. The city also has a thriving art culture and I can see Alana returning to one of her creative passions, oil painting. And certainly, we will have time to write. Alana is more skilled than me and I continue to encourage her to share her gift with the world.

Our new home is nearing completions. It is perhaps a bit larger that we would have planned, but we were drawn to the openness of the design and the large windows that look out onto the majestic oak trees. We added a balcony above the patio to give us a nice view of the “Hill Country”. While there is a lot of work to be done to tame the 10 acres, we look forward to spending time together clearing brush and building benches at points which are peaceful and offer the opportunity for reflection and meditation.

Model in Spring Branch, TX of the House we are building in Marble Falls.

My biggest concern is that the world today seems less safe and more chaotic. I am not one to often make political commentary, but the current state of our nation troubles me. As someone who has planned for and saved for retirement, the recent downturn in the stock market has been a source of anxiety as I look at my 401(k) balance. But I have lived through multiple downturns and always have come out better by staying the course. I continue to have a positive outlook and am hopeful that a balanced investment strategy will provide us with a comfortable retirement. I do plan to seek the advice of an independent financial planner early in the year. While I have not been unsatisfied in the advice I have received from the firm holding much of my investments, I think it is prudent to align with an advisor who can help us implement a broad plan for a secure future.

I am not expecting any slowdown in the next eight months. We are planning to implement a new cloud-based solution to streamline the Request for Proposal (RFP) process. My assistant director is expecting a child in the spring and will spend time on maternity leave. And of course, the Texas Legislature kicks into gear in about a week. Early indications would suggest that there will be additional requirements enacted in the area of contracting and procurement. As with the last two sessions, it usually means increased training and reporting. Fortunately, UT institutions have been able to develop and implement strategies to integrate analytics and automation to yield benefits in the areas of cost savings and operational efficiencies while at the same time accommodating the additional legislatively required reporting requirements. Who knows, perhaps there will be a consulting engagement or two in my future.

One thing that I have learned is that a career is not a sprint, but a marathon. When I cross the finish line, I will certainly celebrate knowing that I have run a good race. My thanks to all who have lined the course and cheered me on.