It’s with very mixed emotions that I sit down this morning to write this note. The journey of transition employment as ended for me, as I have landed an opportunity as the Sr Director, Supply Chain Solutions for TAKE Solutions, a company based out of Chennai, India. TAKE is the parent company of my previous employer and the Business Transformation Services (BTS) group is a new start-up group with the goal of providing a board range of services and product offerings within the customer base that I was privileged to be associated with while at the company. What a blessing it is to continue those business relationships and friendships. I started back with the company on July 14th and have hit the ground running. I will be traveling starting this coming week to various customers to re-establish contacts and introducing the new offerings.

While it’s impossible to express my appreciation by name to everyone that has provided encouragements along this long journey, I do want to express my deepest appreciation to the leadership teams of the Fort Worth Career Search Network and Southlake Focus Group. What wonderful people to learn from and to associate yourself with. I believe we are known by the company we keep and you can’t find better than you find in these groups. Paul and Cory, leaders of the respective groups are outstanding people with a servants heart and I have witnessed that they will do everything possible to help others. They set the tone and it’s their outstanding leadership that makes this good for all involved. My deepest appreciation to each of them for their commitment to helping others. So many of you have become friends that I will continue to cherish for the balance of my life (and I pray it’s a long balance).

As to lessons learned in this process,

1. Trust in God. God is the only one that fully understands the challenges we face and with the power to help us thru this. Make time each day to pray, meditate and study from God’s word. It will help you thru this journey and provide the comfortable we all seek. Find someone that can help you with this journey from a spiritual point of view. Gary Chapman has been and continues to be that person in my life. I’ve know Gary for a number of years but know him better today as a result of this journey he and I have made together during this past year. Thank you Gary for your prayers, encouragement and for being there during this time.

2. Set a goal of developing new friendships. I’ve meet some of the most wonderful people during this journey; people I would not had the privilege of knowing if it weren’t for this period of transition. I’ll always cherish the time with Ret, Jim Bandy, Tammy, Milo, Paul, Edna, Ted(s), Dave (I still think he should buy at the Grand), Harold, Henry, Mike Bowen, Roy Gallagher, Mike Drzycimski, Bruce Mills, and a host of other great folks. I’m really going to miss seeing the smile and hearing the laugh of Keith McCallister each week. I thank God that each of you have been brought into my life.

3. Become part of an accountability group. John Ortman, Chris Pearson and James Snide, thank you for allowing me to be part of your group. These folks were invaluable to me during this transition period. These are wonderful people and I count them as dear friends and can’t thank them enough for their contributions during this time.

4. Help someone else. I believe it was Ted that shared the meaning of HOPE (Helping One Person Everyday) with the group during one of his MAD moments. Make it a personal goal to help before you seek help. It’s ok to ask for help but let’s also be willing to provide help. Remember, help comes in many different ways. It will brighten someone’s day if you take the time to write them a recommendation that they can post on their LinkedIn profile.

5. Get involved with the various groups. Don’t stay at home in front of the computer screen. Network with unemployed as well as employed folks. I tried to hold one day a week open for lunch with someone that actually had a job. Volunteer within the various groups and you’ll be surprised to see how this improves your outlook. Rid yourself of stinking thinking and stay positive along this journey. Take advantage of this time to update skills by obtaining any certifications you wish you had. There are government funds available if you look around.

6. Make time for your family. I can’t write this email without expressing my appreciation to my lovely wife, Phyllis. She has been my best friend and wife for almost 33 years. She has been a rock and I know this journey would be have more difficult if, not impossible if it hadn’t been for her. She continues to a blessing from God and I look forward to the rest of my life with her at my side. Phyllis, thank you for all you’ve done for me and our family.

7. Reward yourself at the end of the journey. As I have mentioned in my announcements at the respective groups, woodworking is a passion of mine (I’m not very good at it but still greatly enjoy it). When I was laid-off, I told Phyllis that when I go back to work (assuming we still had a few bucks in the bank), I wanted to purchase a new table saw. It was a goal and provided significant motivation when things went different than I wanted at a moment in time. Looking at the pictures forced me to pull myself up and get back to the work of looking for work. We will be heading to Rockler in Arlington on Saturday morning to pick up our new Saw Stop table saw. We are looking for many years of making lots of sawdust with it.

In closing, I want to express my respect and appreciation to Foster Williams. I am convinced that Foster is my brother (different mother/different father) and I have always cherished the time we spent together. If you’ve never made a trip to Houston with Foster, you’ve not experienced life to the fullest. Foster is one of the finest men I’ve ever met and is a person that has made this journey as enjoyable as possible. He’s one of kind and one of the most giving people that I’ve ever been introduced to, in my life. He’s one of a kind and a dear friend that I will never forget. Thank you Foster for all you do for everyone. You’ll never be forgotten and forever loved by all.

If I can be of any help to anyone at anytime, please let me know.

My thanks to all and may God bless each of you richly.

Best wishes

Cleatius Copeland

PS–Remember, Babe’s Chicken is only a 1 ½ blocks from our home in downtown Roanoke, America. Let me know when you can visit and enjoy a chicken dinner.

In closing , if you see Rick Perry, let him know I’ve quit working for him as I’ve found a better job with higher pay and better benefits.

CC

Cleatius Copeland