Happy July 4th!

As you celebrate the birth of our wonderful nation, please take a moment to reflect on the many blessings and freedoms you enjoy because of the integrity of our Founding Fathers.

Dwight D. Eisenhower noted that:

“The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an army, or in an office.”

Saturday evening I attended an Americana Concert and Lincoln Portrait narrated by Courtney Vance. The choir and orchestra offered as moving an experience as Mr. Vance’s narration. As I enjoyed the words, and music, I was reminded of the cost of integrity. Leadership is, at best, an adventure in self-discipline, honesty, reflection, and often disappointment. Exercising integrity throughout the process is the only real way to attain success, regardless, as President Eisenhower reminded us, of the enterprise.

We continually seek to upgrade, make strategic changes, and endeavor to make the practice of integrity a matter of course. We do this to improve the quality of life for ourselves and for those around us.

“Wisdom is knowing the right path to take…Integrity is taking it.” -Unknown

As we celebrate our nation, we also celebrate the lengths to which each of you goes in remaining steadfast to the character traits that honor both our country and your commitment to excellence.