NAFA Executive Director Phil Russo, CAE: Renewed Energy for a New Beginning

A few days ago, I dropped off my 19 year-old in Boston to begin her sophomore year at Emerson College. This morning I watched my 21 year-old drive off to her first day of classes as a senior at Rider University. As I stood at the front door watching the car disappear up the road, I wondered aloud, "Wasn’t it just yesterday I walked them hand-in-hand to the corner bus stop for their first days of kindergarten?" I remembered that their eyes were wide with excitement, while mine were wet with the thought of letting go. Where does the time go and why, after 20 years of learning to let go, are my eyes still wet today when I think about this? I’m proud of and happy for my daughters, but it’s sad letting them go.

These mixed emotions have always been a part of the beginning of the school year for me. On one hand, it’s a sad time as summer ends, good-byes are whispered, schedules go back into place, and "normal" life resumes. On the other hand, it’s an exciting and invigorating time of new beginnings, restored energy, and renewed focus.

This year, I appreciate the "new beginnings" of the back-to-school season even more than usual. That’s because most of my summer was consumed with recuperating from a spill I took during a long bike ride back in June. The spill resulted in two herniated discs and a pinched nerve in my neck. I spent July and August hampered by the injury and going to physical therapy, so I was never able to really fully relax and recharge my battery. Luckily, over the last week or so, I’ve begun to feel more like my old self, with renewed energy and the ability to focus. I feel like I do have a new beginning in front of me.

And I am going to need all the energy I can muster to keep up the pace of NAFA’s growth and expansion. With more than 50 existing programs and services, and a strategic plan containing nearly two dozen "critical" or "high priority" issues, NAFA has high expectations for the next year. I find this work invigorating and life-giving and look forward to being able to give you all I have to continue to earn your trust in, and loyalty toward, NAFA.

I hope you had a chance or two to rest, relax, and rejuvenate yourself this past summer. More so, I hope you are looking forward to the new beginnings and opportunities this season presents to you.

This is an exciting time for NAFA and I encourage you to a get involved with renewed energy. With all of our programs and ideas, there’s always a need at NAFA for more member engagement. Please feel free to contact me about how you can get involved and be a part of the NAFA success story.

Energetically yours,

Phil

P.S. While it is still somewhat difficult letting go of my older kids, I am consoled by the fact that my two younger daughters are still at home. Even though my 15 year-old is in the "dad-is-not-cool" stage it’s still nice knowing she’ll be around a few more years. Luckily, my 8 year-old still thinks I’m Prince Charming!

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