The Four Horseman of the Apocalypse.

In 1924, a sportswriter and a student aide transformed the Notre Dame backfield of Stuhldreher, Crowley, Miller, and Layden into a fabled quartet with the stroke of a pen. Coached by Knute Rockne, they dominated their opponents. Grantland Rice, a writer for the New York Herald-Tribune, immortalized them after a 13-7 victory over Army in 1924. The Four Horsemen, as Rice called them, became legendary in sports journalism, likened to famine, pestilence, destruction, and death. This iconic moment occurred against the backdrop of a blue, gray October sky, marking their lasting impact on college football history.

Although none of the four stood taller than six feet and none of the four weighed more than 162 pounds, the Four Horsemen might comprise the greatest college backfield ever. As a unit, Stuhldreher, Crowley, Miller and Layden played 30 games and only lost to one team, Nebraska, twice.

It is always inspiring when a team performs at a level that exceeds their individual capabilities. As we near the 100th anniversary of that fateful day in October of 1924, anyone who is a Notre Dame fan, a football fan, a coaching fan, or just a champion of the underdog, will remember. Many remember the nickname, many more remember the emotion, but it’s doubtful that many fans could name one, if any of the famous four today. It is the achievement that touches us. The ability to lock arms in the face of adversity and do “whatever it takes”, to prevail.

Approaching our own anniversary of 25 years in business, ABBY Solutions Group has our share of early-day stories and plenty of folklore to remind us of where we came from. Without “The Four Horseman of ABBY” there is no certainty the company would have survived to tell this tale.

Several years ago, ASG was growing at a much faster rate than we could develop managers. To meet demand, we hired a seasoned manager from the outside and opened a new office in Columbus, Ohio. There is nothing so dangerous to a business as attrition. Turnover in employees, clients, or vendors all cost time and money. Reporting to this manager were four of our most senior associates in Columbus, an office that became a revolving door, an attrition nightmare and by all accounts a “finger-pointing frenzy.” At one point, it felt like it was “Survivor ASG”. Which two associates would be leaving us this week??

The constant interviewing, hiring, training and education were all added to the already overloaded days of our “Four Horseman” in Columbus, Tony Stanley , Brian Cronin , Heath Gibbs , and Jeff Beckman . These men were some of the first hires in that office, but over the course of the next 3 years they would witness an attrition rate that steadily climbed to it’s peak where we were over employee number 100 in an office that we tried to maintain 20 -25 employees. It was at that point that the phrase was coined, “Tornado management.” The center of the storm may seem still, but it is, the center of the storm.

Our four best employees had not left us but I am sure through the turmoil that they must have considered leaving. It is almost a certainty that with their talent and character they had offers elsewhere.

On a gray October day, when the winds were cold and blustering, I asked four men to do what we were not able to do. To co-mange an office and change the culture of our service department almost 180 degrees. I told them that we were not going to bring in anyone else from the outside and asked if they would be willing to manage the office collectively. There was no promise of riches, and the hours would be just as long. There was no hesitation.

Like Knute Rockne’s quartet. Stanley, Cronin, Gibbs, and Beckman are individuals who when faced with a difficult challenge became greater together than they had ever been on their own.

It didn’t take long to start to see the changes and most of the things we were worried about never even came to pass. Within two years, the service department was achieving the highest levels of delivery in our company’s history. Our client relationships have grown stronger, and we’ve even added several vertical service offerings. Employee attrition has dropped to its lowest level ever and average tenure now exceeds seven years.

Milestones recall nostalgia for many people. To others they are a cause for reflection. For me, approaching a quarter century in service means looking into how many companies achieve that type of longevity. For the curious, the U.S. Board of Labor Statistics says that only 21% of all companies will see their 20th anniversary and less than 12% will see number 25.

One thing that is certain. Without the sacrifices of Stanley, Cronin, Gibbs, and Beckman, we probably would be amongst those who unfortunately failed.

As we continue to grow it is an honor to know that some of our field partners are the grandchildren of some of our original partners. Internally we celebrate young associates as they grow, mature, and start families. Others are enjoying their grandchildren or making time for that overdue getaway. Things are good. And when they are, it’s easy to become forgetful.

It would be easy to forget the gray period. To lose the lessons learned. But right now, if you are reading this and unfortunately you empathize with a not-so-great workplace, then here’s the good news. If you have the support of your management, things can change. You cannot allow fear to dictate anything, especially the future of a business. If you have an ineffective manager, you have two choices. Speak up and be the catalyst of change, and maybe lose a job in a place that doesn’t value their people. Or, say nothing and waste your time in a situation that is doomed to end, one way or the other.

Compensation is the currency we exchange for our employees’ efforts and dedication while executing their job.

Recognition and awards are what we present to our champions, for the sacrifices they make, whether anyone were watching, or not.

So, we all congratulate you, our “Four Horseman of the Apocalypse.” Thanks to you, we are here today. The incredible work environment you have created has guaranteed our place within the 12% of companies who will ever have the honor to say they have been trusted by their clients for over 25 years!

Please join me in honoring four of the many unsung heroes within the facilities management business!

Thank you for reading. Thank you for your time.