Top Travel Tips from My Grandmother Phoebe

Grandmother Phoebe & Me at 14 yrs. old

Sitting on the plane this week I find myself thinking about my Grandmother Phoebe Hocken and the impact she had on me.


My Grandfather died when he crashed his plane; my dad, uncle and aunt were still very young. Grandma took a job managing the books for Del Smith, a local pilot with a crop-dusting service. His business grew and eventually became Evergreen Helicopters of McMinnville, OR, where she worked and provided for her family. She was at Del’s side until her retirement, and was referred to as “The First Lady of Evergreen” at her funeral. All I wanted when I was young was to be like her – an independent, professional businesswoman with quick wit, taylored suits and Italian shoes who travelled around the world meeting interesting people.


As I look around on the plane I smile thinking about the Top Travel Tips she taught me once when flying me home in a Cessna from a weekend we spent together.


• “Always request the window. You won’t have to get up, or get bumped by those coming down the aisle.”
• “If you’re not upgrading to First Class, sit on the wing. You’ll feel less turbulence.”
• “Have a book in your purse, start reading the moment you’re seated to avoid unwanted dialog.”
• “Never take off your shoes. Your feet will swell and you won’t get them back on. Besides, it’s rude.”
• “Always carry and drink water to stay hydrated.”
• “Keep breath-freshening gum in your handbag. It helps alleviate pressure in your ears, and you can share with the occupant of the seat next to you if they need it.”
• “A day in the forced air of a plane can dry out your skin like two weeks in Saudi Arabia. Moisturize before you fly and within three hours after you land.”
• “Bring toiletries and one suit in your carry-on in case the airline loses you luggage.”

As I sit in my window seat on the wing, I take a drink of water, pop a piece of gum in my mouth and open my book. My Italian shoes are on my feet, and my suit neatly folded in my bag along with plenty of moisturizer. On my right hand is Grandma’s antique onyx and diamond ring; it was on her finger since I can remember first putting my hand in hers. How much I loved her, how much I have become like her.

I wonder if Grandma knew how closely I was listening that day on our flight together, if she foresaw how much her example would impact even the smallest behaviors in my life. We should be constantly mindful of the power of influence we have, people are always watching and learning – especially the children.

Top Travel Tips from My Grandmother Phoebe

Read of the Month - A Leader's Legacy by Kouzes & Posner

“What you do know is that you can make a difference. You can leave this world better than you found it…”
-A Leader’s Legacy

Oftentimes we hear the word “Leader” and images of famous role models like politicians come to mind: politicians like Winston Churchill, thinkers – Albert Einstein, writers – Charles Dickens, humanitarians – Mother Theresa, etc.
We may ponder the old cliché – “Are Leaders born, or taught?” and if answering “born” disqualify ourselves personally thinking “I was certainly not born a Leader” depending on our personal perception of self. And yet this can be a cop out, an opportunity to shirk responsibility to take active steps and apply disciplines to maximize our positive leadership influence in our homes, workplace, and community. DuVita’s “Read of the Month” addresses this in depth.

Personal development is about growth, maximizing strengths and minimizing weakness, and is a lifelong journey all members of the human race should embrace and strive to display excellence. Throughout the journey we can indeed “become” better leaders, inspiring positive change in the lives of those who look to us for guidance.

“A Leader’s Legacy” is a work filled with wisdom and challenge, promoting reflection and introspection. Divided into four sections – Significance, Relationships, Aspirations, and Courage, it is a book that captures the essence of DuVita – especially in the area of leaving a legacy summarized when the authors state “You just never know whose life you might touch. You just never know what change you might initiate and what impact you might have. You just never know when that critical moment might come. What you do know is that you can make a difference. You can leave this world better than you found it”. (Afterword pp. 181)

I invite you to join us this month in reading (or re-reading) this great book, encourage your Leader’s to do the same, and allow your team to share what it means to them on your Team calls. Our organization will truly benefit from the legacy we will build together as we continue our mission to create “a Better Life, a Better World”.

Read of the Month - A Leader's Legacy by Kouzes & Posner

The Matthew Wright Gala fundraiser is July 10, 2010, in San Antonio, Texas

Tomorrow is a very special day in the life of a dear friend of the family.  Jay Wright (center) was the Best Man in Mike and my wedding back in 1982 in my hometown of Eugene, OR.  His beautiful children are about the same age as ours.
Last June what started out as a fun-filled float trip ended with Jay's only son Matthew (right) being attacked by another young man and Matthew, then a 22-year old college quarterback, sustained a serious brain stem injury that has left him paralyzed and unable to care for himself.
When I visited Matt a few months ago in Austin, Texas at the neuro Rehab Hospital I could see the same sparkle in his eyes I saw when he was an adorable young boy.  But now he cannot speak, and my heart is broken for both him, robbed of his future, and his family who now have spent the last year at his side who find themselves faced with the insurance company informing them Matthew will be moved from the rehab center to a nursing home facility.
Tomorrow night is the Matthew Wright Gala (http://www.matthewwrightgala.com/) at the historic Menger Hotel Ballroom in San Antonio.  Hundreds of people will be attending the fund raiser and participating in a silent auction including generous packages donationed from friends of Matthew's stepfather Texas Longhorn/Eagle/and coach Bill Bradley and Matthew's mom Susan.  In addition, Matt's uncle Michael Wright who is the EVP, Head of Programming, TBS, TNT and Turner Classic Movies (TCM) has acquired packages from high profile Hollywood personalities like Stephen Spielberg.
Thank you to all who donate, support, and pray for this beautiful young man.  This is a sobering reminder to take nothing for granted, to live each day to the fullest, and to walk in the spirit of thanksgiving - each and every day. To Matthew, Jay, and Susan, we love you and keep you in our thoughts and prayers.


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The Matthew Wright Gala fundraiser is July 10, 2010, in San Antonio, Texas

DuVita Regional Event in Texas rich in Talent

After an intensive trip on the road to TN, AZ, and TX last week I am home today reflecting on the talent and potential of the amazing people I spent time with.  Thanks to everyone who supported the events, and to the crew in TX who put on DuVita's first "Regional," WELL DONE!  Michelle Lee Outlaw, and Ronnie & Lisa Coufal were outstanding hosts - compelling and heartfelt as they shared what DuVita is doing in their lives and for those on their teams. 

I was really impacted by a presentation given by Sarah Webb (Ronnie & Lisa's daughter).  This Generation Y-er was an incredible representation of  a new wave of Relationship Marketers, and I believe she will prove to be one of our brightest rising stars at DuVita.

I was reminded of articles and talks I've heard recently about this generation, and feel our industry is perfectly suited for them.  An article I read this week by Evrim Kuram revealed insights into why they will be so successful at DuVita:

"This generation (Generation Y born 1980-2000) symbolizes the transition from materialism to post-materialism in the world. In other words, we are talking about a generation who emphasize time rather than money, quality rather than quantity and experience rather than possession. They are outspoken, skeptical, interested in technology, and multitaskers. They emphasize the “real,” so one cannot reach them with imaginary products, imaginary projects, or with imaginary heroes. Functionality, fast service, high quality and reasonable price are the characteristics that attract a Y-er’s interest. Another important factor in their lives is peers’ approval.
If feelings will be present in the corporate world, if business life will be more meaningful, and at the end, if this planet will be a more sensitive one, we will do this with the Generation Y."  Sounds like our kind of people, what do you think?

DuVita Regional Event in Texas rich in Talent