Thanksgiving 2024

Judging by the shirt, you know what today is—it’s Turkey Day! We are so excited. I am thankful. Today is Thankful Thursday, and it happens to be Thanksgiving. I am super-duper thankful. I’m thankful for a number of things. And I’m sure you are too. I want you to think about those things and remember to tell the people you’re thankful for how much they mean to you. Hopefully, it’s people—having people in our lives, relationships.

I can’t go through all of them today, but I am thankful for family. Everyone in my family, I’m so thankful for each and every one of you. I want to mention the people in my family that are closest to me, though—the ones that are most dear to my heart, the ones I spend time with every day.

The first one is my wife. I love her so much. I’m so thankful for Karen. Sweetie, I love you, and while we’re together today, I just want you to know I am super thankful. Thirty-one years ago, we got married, and we’re still together here, 31 years later, despite all the crazy, stupid, and amazingly dumb things I’ve done in that time—which, let’s be honest, is a long list.

For my boys, I am so thankful for Jonathan and David. They make me laugh every single day. I’m getting a little teary-eyed and a little choked up thinking about how thankful I am to have these three wonderful people in my life. I’m also thankful for Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, and all my aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, brothers, and sisters.

But again, I am super thankful for the three people I spend the most time with every single day of my life.

The next group of people would be those in my work family. That is you—each and every single one of you. To all of our executive leaders, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you. You are probably the smartest, wisest, and most innovative people I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. So, I just want to say thank you to each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart.

I’m especially thankful for all of you who are working today. Those of you eating turkey early or late to Thanksgiving because you can’t be at the party since you’re taking care of our community—thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Wherever you are today, whatever you’re doing, if you’re off, be thankful that you didn’t have to stand out in the rain. If you’re working, be thankful you’re making a little extra cash with time and a half. Be thankful for the small things and the big things. Be thankful for the health you do have. And be thankful for the health you’re striving for.

Be thankful that we live in a country where we have the freedom to be thankful.

To the rest of you, again, thank you. Thank you for all your hard work, your dedication, and for being part of this family and this team. A team that likes to eat cake, but more importantly, a team that’s valuable—because nothing less will do. Thank you for being invested, for having resolve, for being transparent, and for being humble.

Please know that we are thankful as a family for each and every person within the NEI family. Thank you again for each and every one of you.

Now, let’s get out there, keep being thankful, and be valuable—because nothing less will do. Happy Thanksgiving! I’ll see you all next week. God bless.