I used to be a runner. In high school, I ran cross country (poorly) and, over time, got to be pretty good. I loved the physical aspect of running as much as I loved the feeling after I was finished. Unfortunately, my right knee didn't enjoy running as much as the rest of me did and so I closed that chapter in my life.

Jim runs faithfully every morning at approximately 4 a.m. Running is as much a part of his life as breathing. In the early 90's when he was living in Coronado, he ran with the Bonita Roadrunners. Fifteen years later, he still maintains his friendship with this wonderful group of guys and, today, several of the original runners drove up to Riverside at 5 a.m. to run in the MIssion Inn Run with him. Between the ages of 38 - 60 years old, they came in first place in the open team division last year. (Unfortunately, they were beat by a group of 20 somethings this year.)

While I find them all charming, witty and likeable, what I enjoy most is watching them together. They willingly support each other at home and work and I find the synergy they've created to be not only remarkable but magical.

In order to build a high-functioning team in private industry or the public sector, you must operate from the perspective that one person's triumph is everyone's triumph and one person's disappointment is everyone's disappointment. Dave, Berek, Brian, Jimmy P., Kenny and Mike live this model and I am grateful that I get the chance to hang out with this great group of guys. Go Toads!