My Dad is Retiring!

My Dad is retiring (this picture is so small, but I couldn't find another one, so it will have to do). After an amazing run as the President and CEO of Intermountain Farmers Association (IFA). He began working there in college, worked there my entire life and at the end of this year the career of an amazingly talented man is coming to an end.

I have never known a harder worker than my Dad. He would get up WAY before the crack of dawn (we are talking like 4:00 in the morning people) to go and exercise (my mother also did this, not at 4, but way early), he then would read scriptures with us, eat breakfast (my mom ALWAYS had a hot breakfast for us, isn't that AMAZING?!) and head to work around 6:00. He worked hard every day, all day and would come home around 6:00 pm. After this he would usually run to church meetings as he was the Stake President from the time I was 9 until I was 18. I also always felt that he was there for me. I have no idea how he did it.

Over the years he has overcome some serious challenges at work and managed to get through them all. He has always been one for improving himself. At work if there was a problem in the legal department, he would read and study until he understood it perfectly. He never looked at a problem as "too hard". He just rolled up he sleeves and tackled it. When he had a presentation to give I would hear him practice it in his room until it was perfect. He kept a planner chock full of goals in the areas he wanted to improve himself in and get this-he actually WORKED on them (hate to say how many times I make lists and never look at them again). My older brother once called my dad a "marketing genius." I actually think the term genius would apply to him in a lot of areas of business (I really hope he isn't reading this because he would hate it.)

His retirement was recently released in a press release. They tried to document some of of the things that he accomplished as CEO of IFA. I don't think anyone could document my Dad's run at IFA perfectly (except perhaps my Mom), but let me tell you...he deserves a monument dedicated to him or something for all he has done (as does my mother for being the most supportive wife EVER). He taught our family the value of hard work, ingenuity, dedication and having a positive attitude-not to mention I believe did miraculous things for IFA.

Now it may seem like I am bragging...and I want to be very clear about this-I most absolutely, positively AM bragging. I am so proud of this wonderful man and all that he has done in the past 30+ years of his life. It has been a good run. Way to go Dad!