At this time of year, we always pause to acknowledge all that we’re grateful for and express thanks to the people who brighten our lives, both at work and at home. This year in particular, during such unprecedented times, it seems especially important to count the blessings that surround us. We asked our VPCS family to jot down a few of the things they’re thankful for and we invite you to enjoy the highlights below. From everyone at VPCS, have a happy, healthy Thanksgiving.
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ALEX LIM: I’m grateful for a team and client who share a passion for building better spaces and environments for our communities, and who have continued to work hard through this pandemic from the field, office and home. The past couple of years with the VPCS family has been as rewarding as it has been challenging.
JESS JOSEPH: I feel tremendously grateful for the support and encouragement of my family and friends who have truly shown their love this year. I also feel blessed to work for a company whose owners and staff have supported me with kindness, patience and understanding during some tough personal experiences this year. I am grateful for my dog, Murray, who brings me so much joy and happiness. I am bursting with gratitude for the life I have and the people in it. My heart is so full.
MELANIE RASHBAUM-GRIFFITHS: I am supremely grateful for VPCS! Mike reminds me of my dad and Kelli reminds me of my sisters. Not only do I get to come to work at an amazing job every day but I also get to be part of an amazing work family. Also, this year I got to meet a birth sister I didn’t even know I had. We had an great time getting to know each other and discovered some amazing similarities. So I’m grateful to learn about my extended family and I now have even more people in my life to love.
MARY ANN DUGGAN: I’m grateful for the support I’ve received from my family, friends and VPCS as I recover from surgery.
PATTI LLAMAS: I have much to be grateful for as 2021 comes to an end. I am immensely grateful for a steady job during a time when so many are struggling. I am grateful for friendships that have grown stronger as we all strive for bright moments in these dark times. And most importantly, I am grateful for my health and for the continued health of my family.
ANGIE RAMICH: I am grateful for many things. I have been blessed with three delightful, crazy daughters who are my heart and make me proud, plus an amazing group of friends far and wide who have been my support through rough times and my crazy squad in the best of times. I am so grateful for the opportunity to work for the VPCS team, with Mary Fitzpatrick as my boss. I couldn’t have gotten luckier. I am truly blessed.
JOHNNY MAM: I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the communities in San Jose and for the ability to learn, contribute and grow as a construction professional within VPCS. I would also like to acknowledge the San Jose team for being the best colleagues and Eric Berger for being a tremendous PM.
CORINNE FIGUEIRA: I am extremely grateful for VPCS. I now know what it feels like to have a truly great job. The owners and executives are great people who look for the individual in each employee; they really want us all to succeed and grow. The Van Pelts make sure their employees know they are appreciated, which is one of the many reasons we don’t have high employee turnover. I have a lot to be grateful for.
STEPHANIE RIVAS: I am beyond thankful for VPCS. This company is full of good, hard-working people. I am grateful to be back at the company that taught me the beauty in construction; that taught me the importance of always pushing to be better for ourselves, our work and our clients. Also, I’m grateful for my new little family and friends that have provided nothing but love and support, always.
LARRY FOGELQUIST: I am grateful for many things in my life. The older I get, the more gratitude I feel. Much of what I am grateful for are the little things: the way my beguiling wife still laughs at my lame jokes; the fact that our refrigerator is still running (though noisily) after more than thirty years; that one of our pine trees fell toward the street and not on our house in the last windstorm. From a professional perspective, not a day goes by where I don’t feel grateful to get to work in such a wonderful company – one that shares my values and has a wonderful corporate culture and vision, where so many like-minded, fun people enrich me every day. Getting to work for this great Van Pelt family is truly one of my blessings.
CHRISTINE DIAMOND: This year, as always, I’m grateful for the good health of my friends and family. We have all been very lucky during these uncertain times. I am also grateful for the new people I’ve met and all the ideas and experiences they have opened up for me. I look forward to spending a peaceful holiday season with my loved ones – new, old and furry!
ERIC VAN PELT: To date, more than five million people have died of COVID-19. Five million moms and dads grieving, five million families with an empty seat at their table for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Thinking about that this year, I am especially thankful for my family and my extended VPCS family for our health and wellness. I am thankful that through all this uncertainty, VPCS has remained not only solvent but growing; through our team’s due diligence and some good old-fashioned luck, our team and family have remained healthy. So this year it will be an especially somber holiday season but I will remain hopeful and thankful for the health and welfare of my family and our VPCS work family.
KELLI VAN PELT JURGENSON: Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how grateful I am for the committed folks I work with. As an ownership team, we talk often about the importance of creating a culture of professionalism, but also of fun, camaraderie and inclusivity. So many of my daily interactions with our staff affirm that we are achieving these goals. This naturally helps cultivate the same kinds of relationships with owners, other consultants and contractors. Having respectful and good-natured relationships at work makes it all worthwhile!
MIKE VAN PELT: We have survived a very strange year with support from our great staff. With slow and steady growth and several new clients, we can thank our crew for all their fantastic work and for being part of another successful year. Everybody here helps strengthen “The Van Pelt Way.” I hope everyone has a great holiday season.
MARK VAN PELT: This year, I’m full of gratitude for my family, friends, employees and clients who have been part of my life for decades. In 25 years, VPCS has gone from two of us to more than 50 people! This doesn’t happen without the support of close friends in all aspects of life. Thanks to you all!
November 15, 2021