Bravo! Technology Ball

A week or so ago was October's Technology Ball reception at the beautiful home of Valerie & Jay Freeman and it was amazing on so many fronts. Seeing my good friends and IT colleagues all together since exiting the leadership ranks at Keurig Dr Pepper was very special. I haven’t attended to too many CIO events since I started my "dream gig" search, but this is one I just couldn't miss. These folks are cool and the Freemans house is gorgeous!

For me though the event served as a reminder of two great things: the number of great business and technology connections with whom I've been blessed and just how incredibly philanthropic the Dallas area CIO community is! Not to mention how many checked up on me and asked for my résumé. Serve others and sometimes it comes back at you!

For me though the event served as a reminder of two great things: the number of great business and technology connections with whom I've been blessed and just how incredibly philanthropic the Dallas area CIO community is! Not to mention how many checked up on me and asked for my résumé. Serve others and sometimes it comes back at you! Speaking of serving others, if you don't know, Valerie and Jay's annual reception (though I hear its moving in 2020) is the precursor to Digital Conduits Annual Technology Ball "IT Prom" where IT Executive Hosts mingle freely with sponsors whose charity benefits UTD STEM Students and beyond. And these CIOs give back big time. 

As to the friendships, that was oddly demonstrated by the number of folks who asked me if I had been ill (??) I hadn't realized how long since I mingled. Recently I worked very hard to shake the 30 or so pounds I put on through the almost endless M&A activities at KDP along with the commiserate bad food and drink choices, and now it was quite noticeable. Recently my wife's parents were afraid to say anything about the change, also presuming I was ill. I just thought my wife Michele had shared about my efforts. 

Anyway, since leaving KDP I decided I'd focus on me a bit. I travelled, I tanned, I celebrated a milestone birthday, I camped for a week in the Ozarks. I am happy to say that I have never been healthier. I owe the weight loss success to Dr. Liz Graves and her team at back2realfood.com. She helped me get "back 2" eating right and adjusting my metabolism below my age. No hormones or drugs just real food and a little hard work. And no, this is not a paid endorsement.

Anyway, it was a great night...if you are in Dallas and you missed it, CIO or vendor partner, there's always next year. Or check out the Ball November 9th. The Dallas CIO community is the best in the US and I'd venture a guess in the world. Bravo Technology Ball!