40 Under 40

Today, I attended the 40 Under 40 banquet sponsored by the Triangle Business Journal.It was a wonderful event. This year I was one of the 40 under 40 award recipients. It was a great honor and very thrilling. I remember growing up that I was always at the end of the line because my last name starts with Y. As a youngster it always bothered me a bit. Now I actually enjoy being last in a line because by being last I get to be remembered more.Char Grunwaldt the publisher of the Triangle Business Journal was one of the speakers. In that speech she started reading a quote from one of the winner’s blog posts. As I was listening, I realized that she was reading from my post Seeing My Own Potential last week.I didn’t realize when I started to blog last year that people would actually read my writing. It was quite a compliment to me that my words from my blog would be read in front of the whole audience at the 40 Under 40 banquet.One thing that I really enjoyed about the event was the presentation ceremony. As each winner went to the stage their favorite song was played. Two people had the Fight Song for NC State University play. I was the last recipient and my song was “Rocket Man” by Elton John.Why did I choose Rocket Man? Because of my fascination with the Apollo Program. America was founded on the principles of New Frontier, New Beginnings, Adventure, and Endless Possibilities. The Apollo Program represents the great American Story.Now Rocket Man has new added meaning to me. I’ll forever associate it with the 40 under 40 now.