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BE PART OF THE LEGACY

TAMPA BAY • FEBRUARY 23-24 2026

This FINAL encore experience will be unlike any other. Because like everything we do, it's been "reimagined" from beginning to end. It's not a virtual or hybrid event. It's not a conference. It's not a seminar, a workshop, a meeting, or a symposium. And it's not your typical run-of-the-mill everyday event crammed with stages, keynote speeches, team-building exercises, PowerPoint presentations, and all the other conventional humdrum. Because it's up close & personal by design. Where conversation trumps presentation. And where authentic connection runs deep.

It Was Just a Newspaper

My wife and I both graduated from a university in far South Texas in the mid-1970s and became involved with the alumni association.  We decided a few months ago to subscribe to the town newspaper to further reconnect with the town.

About a month ago, we started experiencing delivery problems.  No newspapers on their usual day and none a few days later.

I decided to visit the USPS Office that is responsible for our deliveries and spoke with one of the Supervisors.  He was helpful, and authentic, and intently listened to my story.  I have no idea how many other problems he was dealing with that day but he took the time to help.  He said he would investigate the problem and even gave me his email address. He asked that I contact him if the problem continued.

The conversation worked.  It was a conversation to talk with the person and not at the person.

A few days later we received not one but two editions of the newspaper. Somewhere, somehow one of the copies got stuck in the process and the one that was supposed to arrive was on time.

I believe most people want to do the right thing. But systems, processes, and distractions get in the way. The world has us programmed to go immediately into attack mode when things don’t go right. But maybe…just maybe…we would all be better off if we took the time to talk with one another instead of attacking one another.

David Ford
David Ford
David is a December 1975 cum laude graduate of Texas A&I (now Texas A&M Kingsville) with a BS in Electrical Engineering.  He is married to Donna who is also a 1975 summa cum laude graduate of Texas A&I with a BA in English and History. David’s career included 32 years with Union Carbide, now The Dow Chemical Company at the Seadrift Operations location in positions of control systems engineering, project management, maintenance, people leadership, and Six Sigma.  After retiring from Dow in 2007 as a Master Black Belt, he and Donna moved to San Antonio.  He started working at USAA, a financial and insurance services company as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and left USAA in 2019. David is a member of the engineering honor societies Tau Beta Pi and Eta Kappa Nu.  He is a registered Professional Engineer in Texas and is a member of the 2020 Texas A&M Kingsville Javelina Engineering Hall of Fame. David also serves on the TAMUK Honors College Advisory Board

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6 CONVERSATIONS

  1. Great posr, David

    “The world has us programmed to go immediately into attack mode when things don’t go right. But maybe…just maybe…we would all be better off if we took the time to talk with one another instead of attacking one another.\: by @DAVID FORD

    Your message is noble. Your conclusion is both wise and right.

    Instead of talking we aggravate problems by fighting. The irony is only then we sit on the table of negotiations.

    • Good Morning Ali!! Thank you for your insightful comment “Instead of talking we aggravate problems by fighting. The irony is only then we sit on the table of negotiations.” That is so true in so much of our human endeavor, whether it be friendship, neighbors, countries, or cities. We must…we have to figure out a way to reach out with open arms to one another.

  2. Thank you Aldo. I so look forward to being a part of this group and am humbled to be a member.

    I agree and hope with you that this moment in time is just that – a moment in time and very transitory. IT seems there is this eagerness to impugn and mock those around us instead of engaging in real and heartfelt conversation.

  3. Your post is a gem of wisdom.
    Unfortunately we are living in a moment (I hope it’s just a moment) of confusion in relationships, and not just on social media. One tend to expresses gratuitous hatred, aggression and superficiality regarding the contents.
    Instead, facing a situation with intelligence, assertiveness and respect is a life tool that offers oxygen to our relationships.
    And then in the case you mentioned there is also love for professionalism which is no longer a normal today.
    You are welcome. Bizcatalyst is a versatile and very professional platform for writers of all kind. A supportive site that made us feel a big family! Your voice will add value and enrich all of us.

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