My Mentors, My Pillars: Why I Believe in Paying it Forward
The response to my last blog post, the one dedicated to Dr. Richard Fountain, was overwhelming. I was genuinely surprised, though perhaps I shouldn't have been. Dr. Fountain, as I'm reminded every time I attend a social event for the Pensacola business community, holds a special place in the hearts of many. (A testament to his profound impact.) The outpouring of stories and memories made me realize something about the true power of mentorship, and it prompted me to look beyond the present, to examine the threads of guidance woven throughout my life. Particularly I want my peers and colleagues to think about those mentors who are no longer with us. Those who have passed to the other side, leaving behind their legacies of wisdom and influence, but knowledge that they can no longer pass along to the next generation. There have been many people in my life who shaped the person I am today. Some of them, unfortunately, are no longer walking the earthly plane. So, this isn't just...