Giving Thanks in the Age of COVID-19

“I am thankful that I am part of a company that is flexible and understanding as we navigate quarantines, distance learning, and many other hurdles throughout the year,” – Tracy Schneider, Sales Coordinator at Oakmont Capital Services

It certainly has not been business as usual this year at Oakmont Capital Services. Throughout 2020, we have adapted to working from home, overcome an impacted credit process, and have felt a general sense of uncertainty – just like everyone else in the world – as we continue to “make it possible” for our customers amid a pandemic. Despite the challenges presented by the year 2020, many of our Oakmont team members still expressed gratitude for all the positive things in their professional and personal lives.

Family First

The Lecy family enjoying their cross country road trip before the shutdowns began.

The COVID-19 pandemic has literally brought families closer together through quarantine and shelter-in-place orders. Some may find it isolating, but for others, it is an opportunity to bond with loved ones. A News In Health study shows that close familial relationships can increase lifespan and improve mental and physical health and some Oakmont team members agree.

Oakmont’s VP of Operations, Daryn Lecy, was disappointed about being apart from his work family, though stay at home orders did prove beneficial for his immediate family. “I am thankful for my wonderful wife and kids and the opportunity to spend more time with them while at home more this year,” Lecy said.

Jen Foulds spent more time with her daughter this past year, helping her through a considerably tougher year of school.

Although travel restrictions squelched the Lecy family’s planned tripped to Canada, Lecy planned a road trip in a motorhome with his wife and kids, a long-time family travel goal. They drove through northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Along their travels, the Lecy family visited Mackinaw Island, fished for salmon and trout in Lake Michigan, hiked, and had numerous campfire meals.

“I truly learned to drive a bus, and the family enjoyed movies and fresh homemade cookies on the road,” Lecy said. “It was a great way to travel and get away for a week safely.”

Some Oakmont team members are parents of young children, and their roles have drastically shifted over the past eight months as many schools have pivoted to an online learning curriculum. Our teammate Jen Foulds has continuously switched hats between being a mom, a teacher, and Oakmont’s Documentation Coordinator since the pandemic began. She has been assisting her daughter in virtual first grade and helping her son navigate his first year of Pre-K.

Foulds is thankful that she gets to help her children through these difficult times, especially with flexible work from home policies.  “It’s a hard time for everyone. Parents shouldn’t have to choose between keeping their job and keeping their children safe,” Foulds said. “Luckily, OCS makes it possible to do both!”

Purr-fect Companions

Both of Jessica Wenner’s mischievous (but cute) cats.

News In Health also reports that pet owners may have decreased stress and improved heart health. For two of our OCS employees, their pets have brought added joy to their experiences working from home.

“I’m thankful for all of my animals,” Clay Fischer, a Credit Analyst at Oakmont Capital Services, said. Fisher resides with not one, not two, but four different furry friends: two beagles named Jace and Bailey, a terrier mix named Maya, and a cat, cleverly named Kitty!

Similarly, another Credit Analyst at Oakmont Capital Services has spent extra time with her two friendly felines. “I’m thankful always to be surrounded by my cute kitties during this pandemic,” Jessica Wenner said.

Although having a pet can be beneficial, Wenner humorously expressed some complications working remotely as a pet owner. “Working from home is a bit more difficult because my cat likes to sit on my keyboard,” she joked.

Enjoying the Simple Things

Tracy Schneider has enjoyed the changing seasons with her two children.

It is easy to focus on the negatives in today’s world with everything that has transpired in 2020, but it is also essential to acknowledge that the positives still exist. Our Sales Coordinator, Tracy Schneider, has been spending time in nature and appreciating its majesty.

“I am thankful for the beauty of the seasons in Minnesota,” Schneider said.

Our Marketing Director, Keara M. Piekanski, has appreciated more downtime to spend with her husband and the chance to practice several activities that previously fell by the wayside due to lack of time.

 “2020 has brought so many unexpected events, and for a planner, it’s been an interesting adjustment,” Piekanski said. “I’m thankful for the ability to read more books, take daily walks, and cook and bake at home.”

Giving Thanks

We are thankful for all of our hardworking employees at Oakmont Capital Services that have remained dedicated to our business, our customers, and the equipment finance industry during the pandemic. We could not have asked for a better team to weather the COVID-19 virus, and we are optimistic for a future where we begin to return to a state of normalcy.

We wish all our employees, customers, and vendor partners a safe and healthy holiday season. Please take a few moments to reflect on 2020 and find some things which make you thankful and grateful. If you feel like sharing (and we’d love it!), drop us an email at ocs@oakmontfinance.com.