AEM

Every year my organization holds a corporate meeting. This is a way that the CEO uses to have everyone in the company to get together in the same place at the same time. My company has locations in California (Human Resources), Virginia (Headquarters), San Antonio (Home of the Department of Education development), and numerous remote locations throughout the United States. Every year, hints are given as to the whereabouts of the corporate meeting. This year, we will be without an essential part of the company, the face of the company. Lorie Koch was diagnosed with a disease that proved to be deadly. A lot of employees donated PTO so that she would not miss her paycheck. Over a year of PTO was accumulated. I was not able to donate PTO until I had completed a year. This year, I was planning on donating PTO. Laurie lost her fight today. I am very grateful that she was there to guide me through my first months at AEM. I wouldn't have made it this far without her. I was able to meet her during the last corporate meeting. I have no idea what she looked like, but I know she was one of the first to greet me as it was an overwhelming experience. So, she helped me through that as well. Someone is going to have to fill some big shoes at HR in California. By the way, her story was featured in this issue of the corporate newsletter, which came out just before her death. She will be missed this May.