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As we wind down our 40th anniversary year, I want to reflect on how fitting our theme is for this moment in Alford Media%u2019s evolution. Many of you may not know this, but my history with Alford Media began long before the company itself existed. My brothers, Steve and Tom, were influential in my life from the very beginning. Steve, almost off to college by the time I was born, soon moved to the big city and began making a name for himself. As a child, I remember visiting his studio, mesmerized by the wall of slide machines and the magic they created on the screen. Even though I didn%u2019t fully understand his business at the time, I knew two things: Steve wanted to be the best, and people respected him for it. It opened my eyes to possibilities I had never imagined. Where I grew up, few people even knew the world of corporate theater existed, yet here he was, excelling in it. Then there%u2019s Tom. Early memories of him teaching me quirky habits, like how to make popping noises with my cheek, soon gave way to deeper lessons%u2014his work ethic and kindness to others. No matter the task, Tom always got his hands dirty and did what needed to be done to succeed. Growing up in the country, on what was quite literally a zoo, meant there were always projects to tackle. Tom would step up and take charge, no questions asked. These early experiences with both of my brothers laid the foundation for what would become Alford Media: a company built on hard work, big dreams, excellence, humility, and treating people right. Those values were embedded in Alford Media from the very start. After college and a few other jobs, I made the decision to join the family business. It wasn%u2019t an easy choice, as I was determined to carve out my own path, but the core values that shaped Alford drew me in. Even in my early twenties, I knew this was a place I could be proud of%u2014a place where talented, hardworking, and humble people came together to build something special. Over the years, Alford Media has grown, and so has our extended family. We%u2019ve added more staff, freelancers, clients, and partners, all while staying true to the values that brought us here. There are too many to name, but so many people have helped build the legacy and history I honor today. It was truly a joy and an honor to see so many of them at our 40th-anniversary celebration. And now, as we look ahead, the future is bright. In our 40th year, we hit a significant revenue milestone%u2014three years ahead of our forecast%u2014and achieved a net promoter score of 100. This is a testament to the fact that our clients love what we do. We couldn%u2019t have achieved this without their trust and support. I like to think they choose to work with us for the same reasons that brought me here all those years ago. In the past two years, we%u2019ve also welcomed more new members to the Alford Media family than ever before, both staff and freelance. From our newest hire in the warehouse to our amazing leadership team, I believe we have the right people in place to lead us into the future. It%u2019s a future that%u2019s exciting, filled with new technology, new challenges, and new talented people we have yet to meet. We%u2019re also busy finding our next home%u2014a space that fits our unique culture and supports our continued growth. So many things to be excited about. Thank you to everyone who helped build the foundation we stand on today. And thank you to all who are ready to join us on the next chapter of this adventure.Melanie ReedSVP Alford Media