This quarter’s Social Model Recovery Systems (SMRS) All Agency Meeting, held on November 12, 2024—the day after Veterans Day—was devoted to honoring our veterans.
CEO Bruce Boardman opened the session with welcoming remarks, setting a respectful tone. Dr. Anna Lee, Director of Innovation, then facilitated a networking activity for the attending interns to foster connections and engage in meaningful exchanges.
The morning session featured experts from Empower who provided an in-depth discussion on retirement planning. They covered the benefits of the SMRS 401k plan, detailing various strategies for effective retirement savings. The presentation included a demonstration on navigating the plan’s website, account setup, and integration with other financial accounts. The Empower representatives introduced the plan’s website’s built-in calculator to help employees establish and reach their 401k contribution targets.
After lunch, Bill Ryan, a Navy veteran and the inspirational guest speaker, captivated the audience with his compelling narrative. Bill spoke about his years of service in the Navy, sharing poignant stories of individuals who profoundly influenced his understanding of love throughout his life. His heartfelt speech emphasized the importance of supportive relationships and personal growth in his recovery journey.
At SMRS, we deeply honor the service and sacrifices of veterans and recognize the unique challenges they face. Our link to the military community is enriched by veteran staff member like Lynetta Hale, Senior Director, Clinical Services, who proudly served in the Air Force. We celebrate and honor these relationships, enriched by personal stories and cherished memories. This includes treasured photographs of Lynetta during her tenure as a Flight Commander for the USAFA Drill Team and nostalgic images of her and her family in uniform.
We also heard moving accounts from staff members with family currently serving in the military. Ann Houston-Sago spoke about her daughter who served in the Navy, sharing her feelings of pride and gratitude for her daughter’s service and that of all military personnel. Similarly, Desiree Beltran shared her unique perspective as a mother of sons serving in the Army and the Marines. She described a heartwarming moment where two of her sons, stationed together at the same base—one son had the honor of pinning a promotion on his brother. These stories deepen our community’s appreciation and commitment to supporting veterans.
The meeting concluded with a Q&A session led by CEO Bruce Boardman, CFO Tim Stevens, COO Chris Abernathy, and CSO Zelenne Cardenas. This marked Zelenne’s first All Agency meeting as Chief Strategy Officer. Bruce took a moment to proudly recount Zelenne’s journey with the agency, highlighting her years of dedicated service and the significant impact of her work. The day wrapped up with a robust discussion, reflecting on the positive contributions and forward-looking perspective of Social Model Recovery Systems.
