We are celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday by reflecting on what we are thankful for: support, growth, impact, and loved ones.: 2022 Thanksgiving Graphic

Time to Reflect: Thanksgiving 2022

Brad Griffith

Every year I reflect on how grateful I am for the amazing support system I’ve had throughout my life. Starting with my parents from an early age, I have had every opportunity a kid, an entrepreneur, and a family man could possibly want. Through student organizations in college and on to Entrepreneurs’ Organization now, I have a great supportive community. My wife and daughters continue to be incredibly supportive while I maintain my crazy entrepreneurial lifestyle! This year I have also felt supported by our clients while we transitioned our team to a 4-day workweek. I appreciate their awareness of our schedule and the way they’ve adapted with us to fit even more productivity into fewer weekdays. Our clients continue to be incredible contributors to our communities, and I am thankful that they allow us to be a part of growing their impact.

My personal highlight this year, though, was our cross-country road trip to see 6 beautiful national parks and many other great sights. The wonders in our country are countless, and I hope in future years to spend more time exploring them with my family. I’m grateful for my team here at Buckeye Innovation who share my passion for growth and innovation. They do great work for our clients and our community, and they enable me to live my dream every day.

 

Taylor Cochran

I’m thankful for the endless support of my husband as we’ve navigated new roles, a new city, and parenthood. This last year has been full of learning opportunities and growth, and I am thankful for all of the experiences. I’m excited to see what’s next for us!

 

Lorraine Shill

Most of all I’m thankful for my health and the health of my family. Health is wealth and it cannot be overemphasized how thankful I am and I pray for continued health every day. I’m thankful for James, our two-year-old grandson, and for the births this year of our grandsons, Cooper and Jude. What a blessing they are to our family. Oma-hood is the best! (I’m known as Oma). I’m thankful for my wonderful husband and I’m looking forward to him being retired and hope he will enjoy every second of retirement. He’s worked very hard for us over the years and now it’s his time to relax and enjoy life. I’m thankful for our daughters and their spouses. So proud of them all. 

 

Melanie Muscolo

2022 feels as if it has flown by! As I reflect back on this past year I am feeling lucky that I have so many things to be thankful for. I am thankful for the health of all my family, friends, co-workers, and the love and support that they give me every day. I’m thankful for my job and our leadership who have provided so many opportunities for us to grow personally as well as giving us the space to help make such an impact on our clients and their communities. And of course, I can’t forget my two boys at home that make me laugh so hard and feel so loved, my boyfriend Lucas and dog Hank. 

 

Tony Todoroff

I am thankful for each and every person who helps lift me up when I’m feeling down. The people in my life do so much for my mental health, and I’m eternally grateful for each and every one of them. Friends, family, and coworkers alike all contribute to making me feel better and making me be a better person. I’d be lost without them! My wife Stephanie and my best furry friend Marty deserve special recognition. I’m also deeply grateful for being able to work with a company that cares so much about the people that work for it, the community it serves, and for delivering on the mission it sets out to achieve day in and day out. 

 

Scott Brady

This year I got married to my best friend, Caitlyn, and I couldn’t be more thankful for what she has meant to me this past year! I’m also so thankful for such a supportive network of family and friends who are always there for us no matter what is going on. Finally, I’m grateful to be a part of a loving church that treats us both as family.

 

Matthew Gardner

This year, my wife Micayla and I welcomed our son into the world. It’s a pretty obvious first place for me – watching him learn and grow has been a trial and a joy in equal measure, but I’m grateful for him and for the support of my wife as we go on this journey together. I’m also grateful to my friends, who have been getting together for pathfinder nights weekly for almost five years now. That consistency has been a much-needed anchor amidst life’s currents. Lastly, I am thankful for my two cats, Eclipse and Elara, and our dog Mojo, who is finally learning how to pose for a photo without looking immensely uncomfortable in his middle age.

 

Oscar Aguilar

This year has brought many blessings and opportunities for growth. There are so many things to be thankful for but in my mind, the most important things I try to give thanks for every day (not just on the Holiday 😛): for my family having good health, my wife and best friend, my own health and continuous desire to be a better version of myself, and the opportunities that life keeps presenting me.

I had the gift of going back to Mexico to see my family after several years. My grandmother, aside from old age and a few health ailments, injured her leg in a fall during the summer and the wound got infected. Thankfully, doctors were able to cure the infection before it reached the bone. I am thankful that she is able to walk again and that my wife, my sister, and I had the opportunity to visit her and spend quality time with my whole family.

This year I also received an opportunity to help my company and team as a leader in the organization. Nothing gives me more joy than helping others, finding creative ways to solve problems, and helping set best practices that make everyone’s lives easier. I’ve been transitioning into this role for the last few months, and couldn’t be happier!

Overall, I’m thankful for everything life has to offer but with an emphasis on the little things. There’s nothing quite like a good cup of coffee in the morning or enjoying your favorite breakfast. The little things are often taken for granted and it’s important to remind ourselves that many people in the world don’t enjoy the luxuries we have as a first-world country. So, in honor of those who are missing their family, good health, good company, or the simple luxury of a cup of coffee or daily breakfast – thank you!

 

Rachel McManus

As always, I am thankful for my husband, son, dog, family, friends, and awesome coworkers here at Buckeye. However, this year, I have a few things to be extra thankful for.

I’m thankful that the under-five COVID vaccine was FINALLY released. As the mom of a toddler, this has been such a relief, and a huge weight off my shoulders. With this, we were able to make sure my son was vaccinated, and resume a relatively normal life. Something we haven’t had since he was only three months old when this whole thing started. Because of this, we’ve been able to travel again, giving him new experiences that we’ve missed out on the past two years.

By the end of the year, he’ll have visited eight states, which is pretty awesome considering he’ll only be three, and a decent chunk of that time was spent not traveling because of the pandemic. We’ll also have been able to visit people we haven’t seen since before the pandemic, including my 95-year-old grandmother (my only living grandparent) and several aunts, uncles, cousins, and close friends.

We’re also grateful for the opportunity to celebrate new life within our extended family, with the birth of my sister’s baby boy. He is my very first nephew and my son’s very first cousin, and we’ll be meeting him in person for the first time over the Thanksgiving holiday. I am SO excited to be an aunt, and absolutely cannot wait for all the baby snuggles!

In a nutshell, I’m grateful for the opportunity to travel and explore again, alongside my husband, to show my son this amazing world. I’m grateful for good health and for advances in medical technology that can help keep that health good. And I’m grateful for my loved ones, without whom this life would be so incredibly drab.

 

Ben Schwinghammer

This year I’m especially thankful for my family, the incredible support that they offer me, and a relatively uneventful first year of home ownership! I’m thankful for my role here at Buckeye Innovation where I’m constantly enabled to help amplify the positive impact that others make. 

 

Madeline Rooney

This year I feel especially blessed by my support system. I couldn’t have gone through the past year without the love and encouragement of my friends. I am also thankful for a job that provides opportunities to make an impact on clients and their communities. Because of my coworkers and the projects we take on, I look forward to logging on each day. Lastly, I can’t say I’m thankful for my support system without mentioning my family. Their constant support has encouraged me to get out into the world and be a part of my community.


Stacy McGrath

I am grateful that I get to live a life that brings me joy and fulfillment, both personally and professionally. I’m thankful for Darrell – my husband, best friend, and perfect adventure partner – whose love and support help keep me grounded. This year, we’ve been able to resume some semblance of normalcy post-pandemic. It’s been wonderful to travel and explore again, enjoy time with friends and family, and move past some of the anxiety from the of the past few years. I have a wealth of incredible people in my life who encourage and inspire me.

A few months ago, I completed my year-long software engineer apprenticeship, and I was delighted to accept an opportunity to stay at Buckeye. I’m grateful for a role that works with clients who make a positive difference in the world. I’m grateful to work with a team who truly cares about our work and about each other. Our four-day workweek helps me stay productive while giving me the space to pursue other interests and volunteer work. I’m excited to learn something new every day and have so many opportunities to challenge myself and grow. My life feels more balanced than it has ever been. I can’t wait to see what the next year brings.

 

Andrew Minnich

I’m thankful that I’ve been able to maintain good health and make progress on my long-term goals despite the pandemic. Overall, my life has been trending in a positive direction.

 

Mitchel Goben

I am thankful for a year full in our new home without incident, new opportunities, and good health. I am thankful for my significant other, Jaleigh. Without her pushing me to be my best and reach for new heights, this year would have been quite stale!

 

Anjelo Pina

I’m very grateful this year for the numerous opportunities that have been placed before me. Those opportunities would not have been possible were it not for the special people in my life who have supported me on my career-change journey. Despite unexpected losses, shortcomings, and surprise roadblocks – the love and support of my loved ones have also helped me reach a point of improved emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. If it weren’t for the love, encouragement, patience, and selflessness of my other half, Ben, I’m not sure if or how I would have made it to this point.

I am incredibly thankful for the support and mentorship that my Buckeye Innovation family has gifted me. It takes a considerable amount of patience and compassion to see the potential in someone who is actively learning a new industry. I’m grateful Buckeye Innovation sees that potential in me. Thank you for empowering me to reach my goals in ways that have a positive impact on our community and parallels my values.

 

Mackenzie Robinson

This year I am thankful for new opportunities. I recently joined the team at Buckeye and am thrilled to be here. Being here offers me so many opportunities to learn, grow, and give back to the community. I am grateful for my coworkers who are always willing to help and share their knowledge and experience. I am also grateful for my family and the way we care for each other in times of need.

 

Mehul Rao

This year I am thankful for all of the amazing opportunities I have had. I started college this year and feel extremely grateful for all of the people that supported me up to this point. Lastly am thankful for my family and their health.

 

Kenneth

This year I am thankful for the amazing support from everyone at Buckeye Innovation. I am thankful for my friends and family, who also support me in their own way. Without my supportive family and friends, I most likely wouldn’t be the person that I am today. So, I would like to thank you and thank my friends and family.

 

Javier 

I am grateful for all of my family and friends. Without them, I wouldn’t be who I am today since they were the most influential people in my life. My mom is always working hard, taking care of me and my brother all while doing arduous tasks at her job. My friends have always been there for me, even when I haven’t been the best person, as well.

 

Racine

I am thankful for the life I am able to live. I am the first member of my family born in America so being able to grow up with more chances and opportunities has done me good. If not for my mom’s insistence to be born here, I would have had a completely different lifestyle than the one I do now.

 

Brian 

This year I am grateful for the life I have been given and for the people who love and wish me the best on my path. My mother is who I am most thankful for because she has helped me through the tough times. I am thankful for the money I have made and for the information. Also, I am grateful for the place that I am living in there’s no crime or anything. I live in complete peace and for that I am grateful.  

Want to Connect?

Related Posts

Buckeye Innovation team members sitting around a table enjoying a meal outdoors
Our company culture is based on employee support and embracing community.
Michelle Clever, Melanie Muscolo, Kaylyn Bass, Anjelo Pina, Torrey Babson, Laura Larson, and Brady Anashansel in front of a sign that says MAGNET.
Our experience with the EDGE Fellows program was insightful, enjoyable, and, most importantly- actionable.
Margo Riordan headshot on black background
Welcome Margo Riordan, Software Engineering Apprentice, to the team.
Kaylyn Bass headshot on black background
We’re thrilled to welcome Kaylyn Bass, Content Strategist, to the team!