Tribute to my dear friends, and magnificent leaders: Jaye and Eric Olafson

Earlier this week it was announced that the company I've worked for over the past 16 years was acquired by a bigger company: Demandware.  The purchase is a win-win for both Tomax and Demandware in creating a consolidated retail solution.  This isn't an ending chapter for "Tomax".  It's an empowering move as we transition into a larger influence with greater resources.

This exciting change has made me think about some of the experiences I've had with the two main leaders of Tomax:

Here's some of the experiences that have been especially meaningful to me:

• Jaye's concern when Sam got sick:  When my son, Sam got really sick with Stevens Johnson Syndrome, and was in Primary Children's Hospital for several days, Jaye provided an old company laptop for him to play games on while he was recovering in bed.  He lit up when he saw that, and it made him so happy.  That thoughtful gift from Jaye was extremely touching.  Here's more details on that story.

• Ragnar Relay:  "I fought the Rag, and the Nar won"! In spring of 2011, Jaye and Eric approached me about the possibility of organizing a team of employees that would run the
  
  Wasatch Back Ragnar relay.  It was really cool to run this together.  I got to see a side of Jaye and Eric that was totally impossible in a work environment. I was really neat to see them more as friends, than as employers.  It was inspiring to see their dedication to fitness and life "outside the office".  I remember one of legs of Jaye's run was in the middle of the night near East Canyon reservoir.  I was the designated driver for our van.  Jaye was hoping I'd run along with her for a bit, so I got someone to drive while I ran with her.  I remember the brilliant stars shining that night as we ran together on that road.  That was a wonderful memory for me.  Here's some pictures from that race.

• Giving to those who need help:   Every year the company encourages the employees to participate in giving to the homeless, the hungry, and those with special needs.  Every Chistmas a collection box has been out where employees could donate food, or clothing.  For many years, Tomax has participated in an Autism fund drive and Jaye was a great example.  She was the single largest donor to that organization one year.  When I did my ice -mile swim and tried to get donors for the Utah Food Bank, Jaye and Eric Olafson, were my biggest donors. I was able to collect $1200 to help feed Utah's hungry.

I often see Jaye and Eric on Monday mornings when I get to the office early to exercise. We'd say hello, talk about the activities we have been up to.

When I got back from England after swimming the channel, they got the entire company together in Club Tomax, and without my knowledge, Eric setup a slideshow with the KSL clip of my swim and presented me with this trophy they had made up.  I was pretty uncomfortable getting all that attention, but at the same time felt good to get that kind of congratulations from these wonderful people.  

I find my self extremely blessed to have had such a long time working for Tomax, and am very excited to work with an even bigger company that appears to have a nearly identical set of values and vision!