WSP Task Order Manager Neil Swenson has announced his retirement after working on the FEMA HIS Project for 29 years.

WSP USA Inspection Services management and staff would like to thank Neil for his many years of hard work and dedication to the project. 

Included below is a letter from Neil written to his friends and colleagues.

 

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Dear Friends and Colleagues,

They coach you on the steps necessary to exit the company and corporation, but leave out an important part… How to say goodbye to so many friends and co-workers that have been a large part of my life for so many years. I’ll try to be brief, but those who know me well, know that is sometimes difficult.

Very few are still around that have clear memories of the old days, and the project has grown and evolved into a very different beast from back then. Regardless of when you started, we all share similar and differing memories of our experiences. Looking back gives rise to thoughts about the many individuals I have worked with along the way. Some left much too soon, while others are still out there. Working or not, all have had a profound impact on my life and times.

The joy of hindsight includes the softening of the lens we look through as we see our past. While some of those deployments were the most difficult working days of my life, I can’t help but reflect on what exciting, exotic and grand adventures they really were. The opportunities afforded me through this business are like no other. The places I’ve been, the people I have met (both co-workers and disaster survivors) created a life of work that no other business I can think of could have offered. And all in the name of “helping people”. I am thankful.

Without getting too far off in the weeds, I do hope that those newer to the program will have some similar life-altering adventures and experiences, as I do. The memories are great, though few really want to hear the old stories we have told over and over again.

I’m happy to be leaving on my own terms and looking forward to focusing on creating some new memories involving my family and friends, and maybe spend a little more time looking forward instead of back. There are still plenty of fish to catch, and I’m sure, some golf balls that I haven’t lost… yet.

I wish to thank you all for our time together and know that the future of the business is in good hands. I hope to return to work if ever needed, but will gladly share a toast with any/all of you when our paths cross again.

Stay in touch and keep up the good work.

Love and respect,


Neil