Gordon did it!

Gordon Clements….officially RETIRED!
Can you believe it?! We couldn’t, so that’s why we had to throw him a surprise party!😉

Keeping it this a surprise was…to say challenging was an understatement. But we succeed! We got him!


 
Many folks made the long trip (8 hours + round trip for some) to celebrate Gordon’s lifetime accomplishment! And many a kind words were said. The room was filled with cohorts, business associates, family, current GWDers and fellow local businesses owners.
 
Sooo many stories were shared….
“A great night honoring Gordon Clements and his family. Stories about the ‘good old days’ at Hunter Douglas (Gord was recruited by HD in his late 20’s) Tributes from Tom & John of Comfortex. Speeches, tears, beers and good times with the Gordon’s Window Decor team. We wish you continued success for Kelly and future generations.”
 

And then it was Gordon’s family’s turn:

Continuing with the heartfelt toasts, Gordon’s daughter Kelly shared hers:

“Having Gord as a Dad means having a person in your corner who truly believes you can do anything. My sister Shelley joked once that if someone asked Dad if he thought his daughters could fly to Mars, he would have said ‘yes’ emphatically. Then, he would have encouraged us to crash a NASA networking event we weren’t invited to, just to give us a leg up. That is how completely he believes in the people he loves. That belief is unwavering. And as the daughter who had the privilege of taking on his legacy and steering the business into its next chapter, I can say unequivocally: it is because he believed in me that this transition was a success. When it was time, he handed over the torch and gracefully stepped back. He let me trip, fall, and scrape my proverbial knees because he knew that’s what would make me a stronger leader. As I reflected on what I wanted to say tonight, I thought a lot about his leadership and his legacy. After a lifetime in the window covering industry, Dad taught me that business isn’t just about the COGS, the inventory, or the P&L, it’s about how you treat the people inside the room.

I have thousands of memories of him in the business, but one keeps coming back to me over and over. I joined him in 2003, so my first few years were full of stability and growth. Then 2008 hit. The ripple effects reached us by 2009, and it was my first real experience navigating a business through incredibly choppy waters. I had never seen my Dad that scared before. But I had also never seen him that driven. What I witnessed was a leader digging in and doing the grueling, heavy lifting required to keep us afloat. But the most profound thing I saw, the thing that truly shaped me, was that during that entire crisis, he never, not once, considered a single member of our team expendable. Every hard choice he made was filtered through a desire to protect his people. Our team was paramount. Dad has been out of the daily business for a while now, but the blueprint he left behind hasn’t changed.

At the very core of our company, we strive to consider the human first. That is Gordon’s true legacy. He sees people. He is driven by genuine connection. And looking out at this room tonight, filled with family, lifelong friends, and industry peers, this sea of connection is the ultimate testament to his success. Thank you everyone for coming out tonight to celebrate this wonderful Man and thank you Dad for showing us how to lead with heart.”

Gordon was presented with the most coveted award- The Shady

Gordon himself took the mic:

 

Thanks to The Essex Resort for hosting our ‘shady’ shindig. The food was delish, and the cocktails- tantalizing. Fun was had by all!

As Kelly said, “Manufacturing and people are the two things that make Gordon’s Gordon’s,”
GWD’s work family.💚

And Clements Family.💗

“It was an absolutely total surprise and overwhelming – I am still coming down from it. Some of you I was not able to talk to at the party, but I meant it when I said, you are all so important to me, and to Gordon’s Window Decor. All the kind words at the party, speaking to a legacy etc., are more a tribute to your hard work and that of team members before you. I know that, and I deeply appreciate it. I am sure that with your close teamwork, a strong customer-centric attitude, and Kelly’s fine leadership Gordon’s Window Decor will continue to be a place where you will all find fulfillment for a very long time to come. With my most sincere gratitude” – Gordon

Watch here.