What Our Team is Thankful for in 2021

Thanksgiving. As the history of our American holiday sits in this day and age, it’s a bit scattershot. From the first feast to the real significance of pumpkin pie, this day, reserved for eating with family and friends, has been marked on annual calendars for centuries. Regardless of where its founding facts truly reside, this holiday is a reminder to revisit the moments in life–past and present–that give us reason to be thankful. Below are a few things some of our newest hires at Bitwise Industries had to say when asked, “what is the one thing you are most thankful for this year?” Enjoy.

“I’m feeling extra grateful for my dog Daisy! She’s amazing while my partner is away on deployment. She makes me laugh, has a goofy personality, and motivates me to get outside every day.” 

Donelle Sirois (She/Her/Hers) 

Project Manager, Technology Consulting

“I am thankful for a healthy family and a better sense of my own self over the last year!”

Anthony Haddad (He/Him/His)

Project Manager, MarComm

“I am thankful for all the challenges and things that have happened to me in life. If I did not keep pushing forward, I would have not been where I am currently at in life. Life is beautiful; just keep pushing.”

Jose Cabrera, Jr. (He/Him/His)

Web Application Developer, Technology Consulting

“I’m thankful for Bitwise and the doors it has opened for me and my family!”

Tony Washington (He/Him/His)

Business Development Manager, Revenue

“2021 was a year of many firsts as I learned how to navigate new experiences with my husband by my side. I am very thankful for my husband, my amazing job, and our loving family and friends.”

Bailee Rauenhorst (She/Her/Hers)

Traffic Coordinator, MarComm

“Since I struggled for years in the shadows as a drug and alcohol addict who overdosed multiple times, I am thankful for Jesus who saved me. Now I am a part of an amazing team, have a beautiful wife, and a gorgeous little girl.”

Benaiah Larios (He/Him/His)

Executive Assistant, Operations

“I am super thankful for simply being alive.”

Pooja Patel (She/Her/Hers)

Project Coordinator, Workforce Training

“After a difficult seven-year journey with my bride, I’m grateful for my daughter, Joie Renee (which means Joy Reborn/Renew). She is definitely that for us, a renewed joy.”

Harrison Mills (He/Him/His)

Timekeeping Support and Training Specialist, Human Resources

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to choose between so many things for myself every single day–what to wear, what to eat, what to do with my free time. There are so many possibilities, and I have the incredible privilege to explore it all at my own discretion.”

Erin Hustings (She/Her/Hers)

Senior Manager, External Affairs

“This year I am most thankful for a healthy and happy baby girl and a job that allows me to have both her and my husband home with me until she starts daycare in January. It has been so wonderful balancing a new job and watching her grow and discover the world at the same time.”

Dana Lucio (She/Her/Hers)

Enterprise Account Executive, Revenue

“I’m thankful that my daughter was accepted into a charter school where she is learning Spanish. That is one thing I wish I would have learned growing up, but it has sparked my interest in Spanish again!”

Alex Treas (He/Him/His)

Director of Coworking, Real Estate

“There are so many things to be grateful for, and yes, Bitwise is at the top of that list. But anything that improved my mental health during the pandemic ranks very, very high in my book; friends, family, simple walks outside, and weekly ‘girls’ night’ Zoom meetings.”

Elisha Vicary (She/Her/Hers)

Business Development Manager, Revenue

“I am most thankful for my support system. I have had some health issues over the last year and, as a single mom, you never really can take a day off. I am so blessed to have a great group of friends and family who came together when I needed help with the little things that get overlooked when you are not feeling well.”

Stasia Allen (She/Her/Hers)

Employee Relations Specialist, Human Resources

“I am most (and always thankful for) the support of my family and being able to live another year!”

Elizabeth Gonzalez Mondragon (She/Her/Hers)

Employee Relations, Human Resources

“I am thankful for how accepting and open Bitwise is, and how much they truly care about their people!”

Dominic Maestas (He/Him/His)

Business Development Manager, Revenue

“The more time I have at Bitwise, the more thankful I am to have this job. It just keeps getting better!”

Andy Miskiewicz (He/Him/His)

Building Monitor, Real Estate

“The health of my kids.”

Zayn King-Dollie (He/Him/His)

Account Manager, Government Partnerships

“I’m grateful for my COVID-19 vaccination and getting back to some kind of normal with family and friends!”

Christina Hartman (She/Her/Hers)

Director, Government Partnerships

“This year I am most thankful for opportunities and the courage to pursue them.”

Adriana Soto (She/Her/Hers)

Director of Operations, Workforce Training

“I am thankful for the people, relationships, and love that I have in my life. Also, I’m thankful for the mindset that allows me to spread happiness and positive energy towards all people and relationships.”

Hannibal Guerrero (He/Him/His)

VP of Strategic Channel Partners, Revenue

“I’m most thankful for me and my family’s good health. Particularly, I’m thankful for my personal mental health growth and development. Although challenges still arise, I now know when distorted thinking is happening which is a step in the right direction to building a strong inner voice.”

Norma Cardona (She/Her/Hers/Ella)

VP of Bitwise Merced, Operations

“This year I’m most thankful for the courage I found to take the college prep courses that taught me so much. I finished with a 4.0 GPA and learned more about myself than I expected. I’m also thankful for the people along the way who believed in me when it was hardest to believe in myself—and for the people who saw my hard work and potential when I was still busy believing that I wasn’t good enough.”

Rachel Winder (She/Her/Hers)

Business Development Manager, Revenue

“I’m thankful to be able to spend quality time with my family and loved ones, and for the opportunity to be able to give back to my community through education and awareness.”

Zoraida Martinez Duarte (She/Her/Hers)

Project Manager, Technology Consulting

“I’m thankful for my Nespresso, the perfect cup of espresso every morning.”

Rachelle Martinez (She/Her/Hers)

Student Success Specialist, Workforce Training

“I am so thankful for great friends and amazing new memories.”

Giovann Mena (He/Him/His)

Media Production Assistant, MarComm

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to spend more time with my family and to focus on my physical and mental health.”

Keith McCarthy Jr. (He/Him/His)

Dev Ops, Technology Consulting

What Are You Thankful for in 2021?

After reading through these heartfelt responses, we hope that you were inspired by their transparency and willingness to share the good things going on in their lives. Maybe it got you thinking about a few things that you can reflect on over the next few days to motivate a spirit of thanksgiving for you or those that you are closest to. Either way, everyone at Bitwise Industries wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving, and we hope that the remainder of this year brings you only the best. 

Our Humans and Our Corporate Culture

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This post was written by Jeff Rickels, Technical Writer for Bitwise Industries. When he’s not writing, he’s thinking about how thankful he is that you actually made it this far down the blog post. Not everyone is as thorough, good looking, and beaming with wisdom like yourself. And if you send this blog to seven friends, you will receive good luck in 2022.* 

*(Future luck not guaranteed.)

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