Having Heart Six Feet Apart

Much earlier in the year, my involvement with COVID-19 ramped up steeply. In my civilian role as a regional facilities manager with a Fortune 150 real estate services and investment firm, I witnessed my national account team getting ahead of what they saw coming as it went all in and decisively began to mitigate, prepare for, and respond to, the potential impact to our employees and the occupants and customers in the thousands of facilities we manage on behalf of our client. The landscape changed often. Daily. Many times every day. The professionalism, determination and adaptability of my team was infused with a kind of a corporate grit. And powered by a collective heart.

Then I changed clothes.

For the past fourteen days I have been on active duty responding to the pandemic on a battle staff?supporting a Joint Task Force. My team is professional, determined and highly adaptive. I have the finest?leaders who use their combat power in the best manner at the right time to execute the Governor’s mission of caring for Texans in this event. It’s our character. It’s from deep in the heart of Texas.

And so, in the midst of challenging times, I am part of two outstanding teams, in business casual or battle dress alike.

And my heart is full.

Update: I spent six weeks on mission in 2020. In 2021, I returned to the COVID mission, serving seven months on state active duty. CBRE was very supportive throughout and I loved my team and my position there.