It has been what seems like an eternity since I wrote an article for all of you. God has blessed our team at Off Grid Unlimited. We have accomplished some amazing things in a single year. I am extremely proud of my family and my team (same thing) for how much they have grown and learned as we strive to keep up with the events around us.
So much has happened. I will struggle to describe it all now that we are in winter and I can sit down and write. First let’s talk about the family.
RAY: Just a little over a year ago Ray Flower joined us. Ray worked so hard to keep up with the tasks he nearly broke himself in half. I cannot have a better partner in this endeavor or a better friend. For those of you that haven’t met Ray at some point, he is a cross between a retired farmer (despite his age), a master mechanic, a welder/fabricator, a carpenter, a solar installer, and quickly became our foreman. I hope all of you get to meet him at some point in the future.
TESS: Our office is not an easy thing to manage. Strangely to Tess nothing seems difficult. I am fairly certain she will someday own her own fortune 500 company. I hope she does and still keeps us from losing our way. I would say I feel slightly guilty for bringing her into the business and away from her other options in the county, but I don’t. My only wish for her is that she stays strong and leans into her faith in the coming year.
PAT: If any of you need a book keeper Pat is a great choice. He took what used to be a tangle of mismatched accounts, receipts, and transactions and actually brought us out of the stone ages. I will never in a million years bring anyone else into our book keeping. Pat is also a veteran, so having a good friend to tell army stories to is a nice side benefit. I wish Pat the best in his own business ventures.
MATT: If only I could have pulled Matt into this crazy life a year or two ago. Another great friend, and a great field guy. Matt has a great head on his shoulders. In a short time, he has proven what I already knew: He belongs in this industry. I hope he continues down this path.
So many others have encouraged and helped us on this path I can’t even know where to begin.
To the Hathaways: You are the very best. Thank you for the push it took in the beginning to get me out of my retirement phase and back into the world. John and Alaina have a great family and are true masters of their trade. I hope every year past this one sees them knee deep in work up here.
To the Leavitts: Every team and every family needs a fulcrum. Glenn has been that for more than just us. You also have our eternal gratitude.
To Charles: Thank you for the encouragement and the shared opportunities. You have been a great diplomat and a better friend and mentor. I look forward to this Spring and every one beyond. Although renaming the roads was a rough task (please don’t do that again). Thankfully, our mail is now all falling where it should.
To Shanna: It helps to have an expert in your industry. I appreciate you giving us the bridge from where we were to where we are today. That will not be forgotten.
To everyone at Far North: You guys will always be welcome up at our place. You have all been great partners in the battle to tame the craziness up here. I wish all of you a great year.
To Timothy: Everyone needs to meet and learn from a blacksmith. They have a unique way of seeing what nobody else does and putting things in clear terms. I wish your venture the greatest of success.
If I miss anyone it’s not intentional. If I dropped every name I have to be thankful to onto this article I would be here for a few days. I plan to personally thank all of you as the snow melts around us and I get around.
I absolutely cannot forget Vicki or Ryon (and Shawn). Partners in the supply chain are important. I hope you pass our best wishes to your teams as well.
Bonners Ferry PD, Boundary County Sheriff’s Dept: You guys are not thanked enough. Thank you for helping us when we asked. I most importantly wish each of you a safe and uneventful year. I served in my own way, and keeping the peace takes its toll but we know that going in. I wish the best for all of you, and quiet peaceful nights keeping us all safe.
More articles are coming soon. I have neglected this blog far too long.
Rick
