As the United States celebrates Thanksgiving this Thursday, we wanted to take some time to reflect on what we are thankful for this year. EPI is thankful for the continued support of our trusted industry partners, the connectedness of our CEPA community, and the talents of each member of our growing EPI Team.
To celebrate Thanksgiving, we are sharing some of the things we are most thankful for this year in both the business and personal legs of our lives.
An Award Winning Year for EPI
This year the EPI has several accomplishments to be thankful for. We added seven incredible people to our team this year. We expanded on our operations, marketing, business development, and member experience teams to effectively work with our growing community of Certified Exit Planning Advisors® (CEPA).
In addition to growing our EPI team, we are honored to have won three prestigious awards this year. The Exit Is Now: Plan Accordingly Podcast was awarded a Bronze Medal for the Most Innovative Business Podcast, our blog was awarded Gold for Most Innovative Business Blog, and recently EPI has earned the Great Place to Work® Certification. Great Place To Work® is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and the leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention and increased innovation. The prestigious award is based entirely on what our current employees say about their experience working at EPI.
The EPI Team is Thankful for…
Chris Snider, CEO: I am thankful for all the wonderful CEPAs who are changing outcomes for business owners and their families. Additionally, I am thankful for so many things in my personal life, but given my circumstances the last couple of years, it has got to be my health.
Scott Snider, President: I am incredibly thankful for our people. This is the best team I have ever “played” on. The culture we have built together, the challenges we give each other, the laughs we share, and the work we produce is incredible. Outside of EPI I am thankful for my family. We have a very special and tight relationship that is hard to put into words.
Deidre Anderson, Member Experience Representative: With my first year coming to a near close at EPI, I am extremely appreciative and thankful for an opportunity to truly thrive in an amazing environment and industry. I am grateful to be a part of a Community that believes in their people and promotes from within. I am so very excited to see what this next year brings for both the company and myself. From a personal standpoint, I am so grateful for my family and my health. As we move into the cold weather season, I take greater pride in my personal and family’s health. Additionally, I am still very thankful to have both of my parents with me, healthy and thriving in their later years. One thing I truly appreciate always is time. Time is so precious as we can always make more money and see new things, but you can never get your time back.
Jocelyn Bires, Operations Manager: I am thankful for EPI as I have been provided with many amazing experiences and opportunities over my 5 years of employment. I am also incredibly thankful for all of my family and friends and the memories we continue to make together.
Margo Coniam, Office Assistant: Professionally, I am thankful that EPI is invested in my growth. They give me opportunities to stretch outside my normal skill set and I am so grateful for the learning opportunities. Personally, I am thankful that I was able to buy a house this year. After years of saving and planning, it was amazing to see a dream come to fruition.
Rhonald Houston, Business Development Manager: I’m thankful for an awesome Marketing Team and a Business Development Team that is competitive but also wants to see each other succeed. I am also thankful for a supportive family, good health, and the opportunity to make today better than yesterday.
Jesse Hudson, Director of Business Development: At EPI I am thankful for my coworkers and my team. Personally, I am thankful for my family and the opportunity to go through life with them.
Joe Klauer, Business Development Manager: I am thankful for a workplace that gives me tons of opportunities to grow professionally and unlimited vacation to recharge my battery whenever needed. I am also thankful for all my family and friends. They bring tons of joy into my life, and I am thankful for them every day.
Colleen Kowalski, Content Manager: In my role at EPI, I am most thankful for the genuine connections I have with my coworkers and the opportunities for growth. Outside of work, I am thankful for my ability to travel the world with my family, explore beautiful and historic places, and taste incredible food from across the globe. This past year I was fortunate enough to travel to Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Hawaii, and New York City with my family, and I cannot wait to travel more in the coming year!
Josh Koza, Manager, Strategic Relationships: At EPI, I’m thankful for the investment our owners, Chris and Scott Snider, make in their employees – through formal professional development programs, team and company events, or taking the time to provide coaching and support, they care deeply about the team and the company culture reflects that. It might be cliché, but I am exceptionally thankful for my wife, Ashley, and two beautiful children, Annabeth (4) and Dawson (1). I’ve often said that parenthood, for me, is simultaneously the most rewarding and exhausting experience. And Ashley is truly a motivational and supportive ‘rock.’ Together, they make up my ‘why.’
Scott Lang, Senior Business Development Manager: I am thankful to represent a brand and product that I believe in. My family is also very blessed to have nearly all our extended family in town. Holidays are great for the kids!
Paul Matas, Member Experience Representative: I am thankful to work with my colleagues. I learn a lot from them each day. I am also thankful for my family and friends.
Jenna Meredith, Community Coordinator: At EPI, I am thankful to walk into a workplace each day that contains supportive colleagues that foster a positive environment, as well as the opportunities provided to me for professional and personal growth and development. In my personal life, I am grateful to be able to experience so many things and be able to have such great friends and family by my side for everything.
Colin Pyecroft, Sales Development Representative: I am thankful that I am able to take advantage of the new opportunity here at EPI and learn and grow with the company. Personally, I am thankful for my friends and family.
Katie Robinson, Marketing Administrative Assistant: I am thankful for all the laughs and meaningful relationships I have made at EPI. I appreciate everyone’s hard work and dedication to making this such a great place to work. I am also thankful for all the people in my life who care about me and all the opportunities I have been given in 2023.
Chase Ross, Product Development Manager: I’m thankful for the bond between team members that has led to exciting things both inside and outside of the business. I am also thankful for my friends, family, and the experiences we have together.
Kristina Schuerger, Business Development Manager: I am thankful that our EPI team places importance on building our relationships outside of work. Personally, I am thankful for my family and friends for being there for me this year, emotionally and physically when I bought my first house!
Sara Skyrm, Executive Assistant: I am extremely thankful for how welcoming everyone was when I started and encouraging everyone is everyday. I am thankful for the confidence that I have gained since starting here. I am also thankful to be able to spend more time with my nephew since I started working at EPI.
Deshon Terrell, Business Development Manager: One thing I am thankful for at EPI is Jesse Hudson, as a colleague, friend, and leader. He brought me into a great environment, something I was seeking, and I have been learning a lot in connection with Scott and Chris Snider. Personally, I am thankful for my relationship with my heavenly father. As life progresses, I get to have purpose in my family, career, and in business.
Matt Uranker, Member Experience Representative: I am thankful for having a company that creates an inclusive environment and encourages everyone to be themselves! I am also thankful for having a wonderful loving family who supports me as I live out my dreams!
John Weishar, Member Experience Representative: I am thankful for a great work culture at EPI. I am also incredibly thankful for a great first year of marriage with my wife, Sydney!
Conor Wodarczyk, Marketing Coordinator: One thing that I am thankful for at EPI is the people. Every day new challenges occur, and we find a way to collaborate and effectively navigate through them. In my personal life, I am thankful for my family. I have a great group of people around me who love and support me no matter what. There's not a better feeling in the world than when you have never ending support.
Paige Wysocki, Director of Marketing: I am thankful for my teammates and our ability to overcome any challenge. The support and collaboration among our team create a positive and inspiring work environment that turns any obstacle into an opportunity for growth. Our team has created an environment where no challenge is insurmountable. I'm incredibly thankful for the strong support network of friends and family in my personal life. Their love, encouragement, and the good times we share not only make life more colorful but also give me a solid foundation when things get tough. Being surrounded by such a great circle of people brings a lot of joy and gratitude into my daily life.
What are you thankful for this year? Share with us on our LinkedIn!
