James Bryan: Your enthusiasm and willingness to travel make you a great addition to our family. Thank you so much for taking the time to attend. You bring a bundle of positivity to our group. Sorry I give you such a hard time always. You just take it so well.
Tony Livingston (sprkplug): It's so cool to see you evolving from student to teacher. I hope your quest to grow massive bluegill continues, as we all stand to learn from your process. Your focus on fishing was a joy to watch. Thanks to you I learned that I have more bluegill than I realized around that dock. You're fast becoming a great friend.
Scott (esshup): Dude, you're so knowledgeable! You'd better make sure that you get to every meeting from now on. Thanks for making it here. It's very flattering that you traveled that far.
Dr. and Mrs. Dave Willis: Thank you for making the time to join us Saturday morning. You show joy and dignity in all your endeavors. You honored us all by making the trip.
Al (Fireishot): It's been a real treat to get to know you. I'm really honored that you made it here. I like you so much, that I'm going to refrain (at least for a few months) from telling the story about the pontoon boat.
I think your ability to rapidly grow an impressive beard outweighs the fact that you showed questionable judgement in regards to pontoon weight distribution. By the way.....my charger STILL WORKS! Just like you said it would.
Sue Cruz: You continue to amaze all of us with your strong commitment to the Pond Boss cause. You and your company have shown over and over again your willingness to support the industry. You're obviously a leader in your field, but you also show an amazing ability to identify people who should be talking and networking and make it happen! It's impossible to imagine a Pond Boss conference without your presence.
Bob Lusk: You're THE Pond Boss--end of story.
Mike Otto: What a pleasant surprise that you took time from your busy schedule to be here! I greatly admire your ability to listen. Think how many things in our world would be better if everybody were like Mike Otto. Before Mike speaks, he seeks out people who have useful information and he lets them talk. Several times you let me talk when you were by far the real expert. Thank you.
Sunil: You're as good a friend as a person could ever ask for. You may be the smartest person I know, but you're also smart enough to recognize that sometimes life is about finding the funny or enjoyable part of a situation and making the most of it. I think you knew that I've been stressed for a long time, and you completely broke me out of my funk. Thanks, McF.
Justin Herman: You easily have the most broad and diverse skill set of anybody I know. Thanks for being so generous with those skills! You also gave me the best advice I've had all year..."You need to rest and enjoy yourself, Bruce. You're old". LOL. Something I needed to hear. I will heed your advice.
Vicki (Woman) Ramchandran: I had a tiny bit of apprehension when I heard you were coming. TOTALLY UNFOUNDED!!! Not only did you NOT get in the way of our fun...you totally added to it. I certainly see why Sunil speaks so highly of you. You blended into our group pretty dang quick. You must be about as crazy as the rest of us.
Beezer: Wow, man! You go like you're 20 years old!
This is in no way a cut on anybody else...but it's pretty cool that somebody who knows as much as you can show up and NOT TALK WORK! There needs to be somebody in every group who keeps the party on point. I don't think there should ever be a Pond Boss party without you!
Nate Herman: You represent your family and your faith so well. I admire and respect who you are. Your journey over the next decades will be fascinating to watch. I'd be privileged to be any part of it.
John Wann: Thanks for allowing us to be part of your exciting pond future. Thank you for your willingness to share your failures as well as your successes. Interestingly, Pond Boss has always been as much as sharing your challenges and failure, as well as your victories. Keep it up, and thanks for bringing your family.
Yolkie, Dr. Dave H.: You definitely found a way to be here in "spirit". Thanks from the bottom of my heart for providing such a fine wine to share with the Pond Boss family. I hope you're here physically next time.
Ewest: Thanks a ton for your support of Pond Boss, and of the wonderful Jesse West Foundation. I have a little donation ready for JWF thanks to the t-shirts.
TJ Hudson: I couldn't ask for a better friend. Your relentless pursuit of pond perfection keeps me motivated. Like Sunil, you bring a presence to a party. I think that literally you have the best sense of humor of anybody I've ever known. Thank goodness that Josh didn't make bacon out of you on Saturday morning.
Josh (Omaha): You strongly represent one of the characteristics that sets Pondmeisters apart from other folks. Humility. You remind me of Dr. Dave Willis in that you know A LOT, but you don't flaunt it. For you it's more about the learning side of things. That's the epitome of Pond Bossing.
Frank Condello (Dad). I'd have lost interest in this a long time ago if it weren't for your support and never-ending enthusiasm for fishing. If you didn't keep me fishing, I'd probably be working 70 hour weeks and go hide in a dark corner at night.
Pete Eisenbarth: Your pond--your vision. Bravo on a job well done. Thanks for coming to the meeting, and thanks for letting me play.
Shawn Banks: I know you work your f-in ass off, but I can honestly say I've never been around you without having a great time. Thanks a ton for putting things down and coming to hang with the crew. Every single person there would agree with me that you're great to be around. Nice to see that success and hard work still go together.
