DelMoSports is Grateful for…

I love Thanksgiving. I love that is has nothing to do with buying anyone anything, ever. I love that for one day of the year, even for just an afternoon, we can come together with the people whom we care about and enjoy a meal. We can smile. We can laugh. We can also watch the Cowboys lose, which is always a treat! But seriously, take a moment to reflect on what Thanksgiving is all about… being thankful/grateful. So, what are we grateful for here at DelMoSports? Here are my top 7 items:

•  My Team: I have an amazing team here at DelMoSports. Without their hard work and effort to make what we do an exceptional experience for all, there would be no DelMoSports. I know I cannot do this alone (I’ve tried that and screwed it up royally) and my team deserves the credit. Thank you Jamie (the boss), Shanon, Jay, Paul, Kristy, Mindy, Rachel, Lisa, Ralph, Nancy, Allison, Patrice, Lyndsey, Michael, Russel, Ryan, Jeff, Patrick, Connor, Steve, Matt, Bruckner, Auty, Bick, Bob, Chris, Phil, Ashley, Kirsten, Kaevon, Sarah J. and anyone else I may have accidentally left off this list… you’re the best. 

• Our Host Cities: Let’s face it folks, we are a pain in the *ss for any community that we race in. We disrupt the normal ebb/flow of our host cities normal traffic patterns and morning coffee runs and without their approval… we do not have a race. Thank you to all of our host cities.
• Our incredible volunteers: This needs no explanation. Without volunteers on race day, all of you would be filling your own cups, doing your own body marking… and those are just two of the countless duties our volunteers perform. Thank you to our amazing volunteers. 

• Tim and Alan: Most of you do not know Tim and Alan, but these guys are 2 HUGE reasons why DelMoSports has continued to raise the bar in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Not only are they brilliant engineers, but they truly care about the fine art of getting things right. They have taken valuable time out of their days to consult, construct, and help us craft an efficient operations machine… they would take a look at what I was doing and say, “What the hell are you doing it like that for…. try this!” Thank you guys… you’re the best. 

• My Family: A little over 4 years ago my Dad fired me from working in the family business. He recognized that DelMoSports was growing and said, “Now is the time, take your shot Stephen… if you don’t do it now you’ll regret it the rest of your life. Your time here is done.” And with those words, I left working for my family’s hospitality business and jumped head first, full-time, into DelMoSports… without a net. What we’ve been able to accomplish has been remarkable and would not have been possible without the unconditional love and support from my family. Thank you Mom and Dad, you’re the best.
• Sarah Hartmann: Most of you recognize Sarah from our team here at DelMoSports. What many of you do not know is that Sarah has moved on from Team DelMo and will now be working full-time for the Ironman Foundation. Sarah came to DelMoSports mid-summer 2015 and helped organize the back-end of DelMo… as one of you labeled us in a survey, Digital Efficiency. But more than digital efficiency, Sarah gave us a fresh perspective on how we run the shop, something we sorely needed and something we are truly grateful here at DelMoSports. Sarah is a PRO in every essence of the word and she will be missed. 

• The United States of America: Yes, #merica, despite it’s obvious flaws, insane politics, and even crazier people, is still the #1 place to be on planet Earth. Remember how lucky we are to live in a place where, if we put our mind/heart/soul into what we want in life that anything is possible. I am the first generation on my mother’s side and second on my father’s side (Italian of course). Both sides of my family overcame great obstacles to start a fresh life in America and did so with nothing more than desire and a relentless obsession to overcome the odds.