WE’RE MOVING WEST
It’s no secret that Storm Services was founded in the south but ladies and gentlemen, we are moving west!
I recently had the opportunity to visit a few of our West Coast clients with my parents, Ann and Tommy Hopkins, and David Dent, our Region Manager for Storm Services Engineering. At times, we stuck out like a sore thumb… probably from using phrases like “yall” along with our thick southern accents. Luckily, the people of the west welcomed us with open arms, both literally and figuratively.
The majority of our trip was spent in Portland, Oregon. Upon arrival, it was noticeable that the city was different from any other I’ve visited. It was evident that Portland’s residents took pride in their city. It was extremely clean and the landscape was beautiful! There were so many different shades of green that I just don’t see in my south Georgia town. Portland had a life of its own with a very creative, artsy feel. One of our customers shared that “Keep Portland Weird” is one of the city’s unofficial mottos. I love this idea because Portland is weird… in a totally beautiful, eccentric, unique way. The city is unique, the people are unique, and the food is AMAZINGLY unique! This “weirdness” is what makes Portland so special and inspiring.
While on our trip, the Oregonians taught us a few things. What we call mountains are actually hills, what we call a beach is actually the coast, and there is no such thing as a “rural” area…in Oregon its called the frontier. Most importantly we learned that mentioning the Oregon Ducks or the Oregon State Beavers in mixed company could be risky! In many ways it’s still the wild, wild west out there, where relationships are what really matter and a friendly smile goes a long way with these “cowboys.”
As our company continues to grow we will duplicate our east coast assets on the west coast. This growth will allow me to visit the West Coast more often to share what makes our company special. I’m excited to visit new cities, meet new people, and experience different ways of life. Storm Services is expanding west and I’m blessed to be along for the ride!
Elizabeth Forgione
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