Taking Stock

October 21, 2008

Hall of Fame Swimmer Rowdy Gaines at Combined

by Blake Stock, CEO

It was a great pleasure and honor to have U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame member Rowdy Gaines come speak to our employees last month. Known as the "Voice of Swimming," Rowdy has announced swimming events for CBS, TNT, ESPN. He covered swimming events for NBC-TV in 2004 in Athens Greece, and August 2008 in Beijing.

Rowdy's inspirational life messages of Consistency, Passion, Risk Taking and Virtuosity comes from his personal triumphs and setbacks.

Throughout the 1980s Rowdy Gaines was the world's fastest swimmer. He was the odds-on favorite to take the 100- and 200-meter freestyle, and three other events at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, but the U.S. boycott of the games precluded that. He came back from a brief retirement to win three gold medals at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

His most crucial test came in August 1991 when he was paralyzed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome. During two months in hospital, he experienced an unexpected full recovery. Doctors attributed it to his superb physical condition from swimming. Rowdy says simply, "Swimming saved my life."

Rowdy Gaines' triumph over life-threatening adversity inspires us all, and it reminds us that we, too, have it within us to prevail and even reach a higher plane, whatever the odds. Rowdy truly struck a cord with all of us, and we're deeply thankful and grateful for the time he shared with us.


Chayne Bauer Employee of the Quarter

We congratulate Ms. Chayne Bauer for being named Employee of the Quarter for the third quarter of 2008. A three year staff member in our Texas Nonsubscription unit, Chayne's strong customer orientation, reliability and upbeat attitude have earned her the respect of her associates and the thanks of our clients. Congratulations, Chayne!