So… I got laid off…
The last 8 1/2 years have been an interesting and dynamic time in my life. I’ve been blessed with 3 of the greatest kids ever, a wife that has turned into an amazing mom and who I thank God for every day, my family is happy and healthy, we’ve created a great life and home in Valencia, CA - now officially the place I’ve lived the longest in my lifetime.
I’ve also been tested during those years - first with the passing of my dad, followed by my mom’s sickness and passing nine months later - easily the toughest time I’ve faced to date.
Through it all one thing was constant and that was my role with the Walt Disney Company - a company that anyone who knows me at all will tell you has become a part of my identity - I truly love The Walt Disney Company and what it stands for. Growing a business and team at Disney has been a crazy path, but I’ve loved every second of it as I’ve made many great friendships, have created some amazing content with friends, been a part of amazing successes and had the chance to learn from failure as well. I’ve loved it all, and really feel that I and the team I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of are just beginning to accomplish the amazing results that we’ve worked so hard, for so long, to be in a position to achieve.
The latest challenge I am facing is getting laid off from Disney - an outcome I never would have expected - it’s been a very significant shock to my system. It’s been almost two weeks since I learned the news, and only now am I finding myself able to truly think positively about the situation. Trying to explain it to Jenn and the boys was extremely painful and made me feel incredibly vulnerable - they are the BEST family in the world because they have been amazing, I am really humbled by the love they have shown me. I know the decision to let me go was not an easy one - in the end a reorganization left me in a position where there was one role my organization didn’t feel I could succeed in and another I knew I couldn’t be happy in; moving on is the best option given this circumstance. I will miss the team tremendously, but look forward to seeing what they continue to achieve!
So now it’s time to move ahead :-) and the resume is being written - after ten years of not needing one I have to say that it sucks to write one. Luckily I have a ton of great experience and an amazing education, and I’m really looking forward to getting to look around and see where I could be valuable (including, I hope, other areas within Disney!) as a leader. I’m also thankful to Disney for making the transition as easy for me as is possible.
In the end, I’m hoping the Walt quote I hoped would never apply to me holds true,
“All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me… You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.”
Well, now it’s out there… Stay tuned to see what happens next!
PS - Huge thanks to everyone who has supported me over the last few weeks - family, friends and colleagues. This was my worst case scenario and all of you have made it possible for me to get through this time and see this in a positive light - I can’t thank you enough for that.
