A Open Letter of Gratitude

Dear Clients:

I retired March 31, 2026. Some of thought it was an April fool’s joke, it’s no joke. It’s the truth. My professional career has spanned 57 rewarding years of service. It started out in government service, then as a national and international energy consultant, the retail industry sector, and lastly as a conflict resolution consultant.

I have so much to be thankful for. I have worked with amazing people and leaders throughout my career. We may have been strangers to start-off, but we together built a working relationship built on active listening, understanding, and openly sharing ideas and divergent views that solidified trust, confidence and achieving results.

What really counts is what we actually got done. You measure your work based on results. We didn’t desire a free ride. We got up on our two feet and marched forward on a true path to success. As we moved on in different directions, our business relationship turned into lasting friendships.

Working together we provided opportunities for deepening our individual strengths and knowledge bases. It was a team effort. When things didn’t go totally right, it was not failure or someone’s fault, but another opportunity to learn and grow stronger together. I’m grateful for sharing your gifts of expertise, time and generosity.

Some facts of life we learn from our parents, in the classroom, through experience, and some you teach yourself. I believe everything I have done in my personal and professional life has prepared me for what I have accomplished throughout my career. And I thank everyone for contributing to my professional journey.

It’s now time to hang-up my briefcase. Stay connected. Those still working, lunch is on your tab.

Stephen F. Pugh