Melinda Keller for a Lifetime

Kalypso KARMA 2020 was in late August and we honored a number of people with Lifetime Awards. I was asked to say a few words about my friend, Melinda Keller. She was there from almost the very beginning of the firm and has always been there for me. Here is what I had to say:

“Melinda walked into my life 36 years ago this month when we were both freshman in college. It has been quite an adventure ever since. She has been right by my side through personal tragedy and professional triumph. If not for Melinda there would be no Stelos Alliance, no Housley Principled Leadership Program, and our memories of Kalypso KARMAs past would be very different. I could tell you stories of bull fights, bikini contests, bad camping trips, a bad trip of the other kind, and many tales of youthful indiscretion, but time constraints and the overt threat of mutually assured destruction prevent me from going into detail.

What I can say is that my life has been enormously enhanced by her friendship – and all of us at Kalypso owe her a debt of gratitude for her contributions to our success and the culture we cherish so much. She is the epitome of a Kalypsonian – an incredible work ethic, a valuable set of skills, a state school attitude about life that doesn’t take things too seriously, and, most importantly, something a little weird that makes her a character with character.

Melinda, thank you from me and all of the people of Kalypso past and present. You are our rock and I can think of no one more deserving of this recognition than you. One thing you can’t make more of is old friends. I love you with all of my heart and I always will.”