F E A T U R E
DAVE SARETSKY
CANTRIEX In His Own Words
B R E E D E R
Angus have had a big impact on our business, but they have had an even larger impact on my life. I am reminded of a story that former Canadian Angus Association CEO Rob Smith told me about my mentor Doug Henderson in a meeting when the CAA was putting together the third edition of the history book. I can’t remember the exact wording of the question, but Rob said they asked what drew people to Angus cattle. Most of the responses were about the cattle themselves: strong maternal characteristics, overall heartiness or exceptional beef quality. Then they got to Doug. Doug responded with ”history”. He said that having Angus cattle makes you a part of history, part of a lineage that dates back to the first cattle to come across the Atlantic and part of the original herds in Scotland. It allows you to be part of something bigger than yourself. That is one of the ways Angus has influenced me—it has allowed me to be a part of history. Taking Doug’s idea of Angus history a step further, I think that the Angus people are what have been the biggest influence for me. I think of all of the people that I have been able to meet, all the great friends that I have made, the great stories heard (and even the questionable jokes), and it all brings a smile to my face. It has helped me realize that success is something that gets recalibrated as we get older. When I was younger, success was something that only pertained to my career and I measured it by dollars and cents and on a deal-by-deal basis. I thought that in order to be considered successful I had to make as many deals as possible and make as much money as possible. Today I look at success a lot differently. I used to associate success with big houses and nice cars, but time has taught me that often those that live in those houses and drive those cars would give it all back if they could go back in time and recalibrate their own definitions of success. Now, success is being the husband that my wife deserves; being a good father to my son and daughter; being there when friends and family need me; and making a living doing something that I enjoy.
Dave, Gjenna, Jack and Emma Seretsky