WELCOME TO SUNWEST

By: Brian Webster

Ican still remember walking into the conference room at the SunWest office for the first time in January of 2012. There were three new faces, and Derek. He tried to make me feel at ease, but it was suddenly clear: this was an interview; I was under-dressed and not prepared!

Weeks before, Derek had called me, “Brian,” he said, “I think you should come out and meet with the management company. They are hiring for a position; I think you’d be a great fit.” You see, a few years earlier I had worked for Derek as controller for his company and he was very familiar with my background. Now, he was doing consulting work in SunRiver, and was reaching out. I put him off. And again, when he next called! I think it was about the fourth time we talked, finally I agreed to drop by and meet some of the team and see what it was all about. I walked in wearing jeans and boots with my polo, and immediately I was greeted, “Welcome!” And then, the first question, “Do you have a resume?!” And I realized, THIS is an interview!

Well, as it turned out, there seemed to be a great fit! My wife and I mulled and prayed over the employment change, and we made the leap to the SunWest team. I can still feel the anxiety and

excitement all rolled together. And now, more than a decade later, I cannot imagine it happening any other way. I was welcomed into the SunWest family!

Maybe your move to your community was met with the same mixed emotions. I mean, I was only changing employment in St George. Perhaps you moved across the state, or even across state lines. But you made the leap! My guess is that you were sold on the vision of your lifestyle in your new community.

Certainly, in all your house hunting, value vetting, and research, you evaluated plenty more communities. But you chose this as home! As did I! Sure, your neighborhood is a community in the sense that it is a collection of well-built homes, common rules, maintained grounds and some fine amenities. But that’s not the Community, capital C, that keeps us here. The Community that keeps us here is the feeling of belonging, surrounded by those we cherish memories with, of being home.

So, as we begin a new year, perhaps we can focus a little more on our Community. I strongly believe the best formula for success is to set aside differences, focus on our shared beliefs, and simply be the good we wish to see in our community. That is not to say that we compromise on the values that define, and attract so many to, our community. Let’s simply focus on what makes St George and our communities the best places to flourish. As we do, together, we can thrive in 2023!

Here’s to keeping all the ‘Welcome!’ mats rolledout, continuing to promote our special Community and preserve our corner of blissful-living!