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Whenever I brought my dad a problem, we would sit and talk it through. I'd walk away grateful for his wisdom, his experience and sometimes his slightly crazy advice. But he always ended the same way when I'd thank him for his time: "No problem, Precious." (Yes, he really called me Precious.) "Two heads are always better than one."
But what about 17 heads?
At ACO, our Leadership Team — fondly known as “LT” — is made up of 17 officers, directors, and managers. And together, those 17 heads represent 186 combined years of service to ACO. When I saw that number, I was blown away. That’s not just experience — that’s 186 years of compassion, resilience, creativity, and unwavering commitment to our mission.
ACO employs more than 40 team members across all departments, but those 17 leaders help guide the vision, strategy, and daily decisions that keep us moving forward. And what’s even more remarkable? Many of them began as volunteers. So those 186 years don’t even include the countless hours they gave before officially joining our staff. If we added those in, we would easily surpass 200 years of service.
In a time when employees frequently move from job to job seeking the next opportunity, I am incredibly proud of the dedication of our team — people who have chosen to stay, to persevere, and to tackle the daily challenges of nonprofit work. They navigate funding uncertainties, manage lean operating budgets, respond to families in crisis, and carry both the tears and the triumphs that come with serving our neighbors in need.
If the ACO staff were a football team, we would win the Super Bowl for our teamwork and skill. If we were actors, we’d be accepting Oscars for outstanding performances. We’d be World Series champions year after year, a championship-caliber Formula 1 team, maybe even worthy of a Nobel Prize. And yet, what we actually do is even more meaningful.
We put our heads together to keep families from becoming homeless.
We put our heads together to feed hungry children so they can thrive in school.
We put our heads together to run an enterprise that turns donated and discarded household items into operating income that sustains our programs.
We put our heads together to be the safety net — and the hope — for our neighbors in crisis.
We say it proudly, and we never take it lightly: we change lives.
But here’s the truth — it’s not just 17 heads. It’s all of ours together. Yours, mine, and ours.
Our donors and volunteers are an essential part of that brainpower and heart. It’s partnering with volunteers to accomplish the daily work. It’s coordinating with donors who provide the resources necessary to fulfill ACO’s mission. It’s the collective commitment of this entire community that makes the impact possible. If we added the years of dedication that our long-time volunteers have given year after year, and the donors who have supported ACO as well for many years, that number would be amazing, I'm sure.
My dad was right — two heads are better than one. And when you multiply that by 17 leaders, 40 staff members, hundreds of volunteers, and generous donors who believe in the mission, there’s no challenge too big and no family beyond hope. Together, we are stronger. And together, we will continue changing lives.
One more thing...
And, speaking of years of service... Twenty-five years ago, I walked through ACO’s doors for my very first day of work. Recently, I walked into my office to find it beautifully decorated, with a banner congratulating my 25th Work Anniversary. WOW!
ACO means more to me than I can fully put into words. I am incredibly proud to have played a small part in the growth of this agency over the past two and a half decades. I’ve witnessed remarkable expansion — new programs, broader services, and a reach that now serves families across the county.
But alongside that growth has been my own personal journey, shaped deeply by the people here. As ACO stood beside me through life’s seasons, ACO became more than my workplace; it became my community, my support system, and my heart.
I’ve had the privilege of serving in many roles over the years, each one stretching and shaping me. The relationships I’ve built with staff, volunteers, Board members, donors, and community leaders mean more than I ever could have imagined on that first day 25 years ago.
There is still meaningful work ahead and goals I am determined to accomplish before I ever consider my time here complete. Thank you for allowing me to serve. It has been one of the greatest honors of my life. And together, I truly believe the very best is still ahead.
(Thank you, Eleanor Michal, for capturing the day with your photography skills!)
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