Dave Peacock’s Post

Fatherhood is the greatest gift I’ve ever received. In a Journalism class at The University of Kansas in 1989, we were asked to write down our biggest dream. I wrote “be a devoted husband and father” - I still have this note tucked away where I keep things like this. What I never knew then was how fulfilling the role of father can be. My own father set (and continues to set) a high bar with his endless involvement in our lives, his limitless energy for what matters to us and for his unconditional love. I have tried to take these lessons and meet my kids- especially as they’ve converted from “kid” to adult - where they are. This summer is the last one where two of our three kids will ever live in our house again and it’s the last time - maybe forever but at least for a long time - that they’ll all live in the same town as us. They’ll visit for Holidays, but they won’t live here. This is bittersweet as I’m proud of their launching but selfishly enjoy their company. Faith is tested in transitions and I’m choosing to have faith in the bonds built over years of growing and learning together. I’ve learned and continue to grow from my children from their wisdom and good judgment and I’m blessed to have my own father still reflecting that boundless enthusiasm. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there and have faith that no matter where you are on the Fatherhood journey, the role is still critical, valued and gratifying.

I’m incredibly proud of our HR leaders and especially Kyley Pruitt-Tate for assembling a talented, committed and diverse group of great interns. This diversity is not performative rather it’s REAL in that our desire is to reflect the US consumer in their diverse experiences, perspectives and realities. We have several first generation college students, students from all socio-economic backgrounds and students with different motivations and ambitions as they approach independent adulthood. THIS is the diversity we seek and that we promote at Advantage Solutions We can always do better - but if you seek this as well - come join us and make us better. Here’s to a great intern class and the impact they will create.

While yesterday was a big day for us in announcing our partnership with LA Libations, closing out the day spending time with our intern class topped it off. These amazing young leaders, with diverse experiences, perspectives and backgrounds, energize me about our future AND theirs. These young adults overcame a pandemic and other challenges to pursue a dream - how is this NOT inspiring.

I’m excited to announce we’ve signed letter of intent to partner with L.A. Libations to form a joint venture that will bring the full power of our suite of services to emerging consumer-packaged goods and beverage brands on a national scale. L.A. Libations is an innovation powerhouse in the CPG space and an expert at helping new products get off the ground. With so much of the growth in the CPG industry coming from innovation, insurgent brands are in high demand, and they face incredible challenges to scale with speed. Our partnership will combine L.A. Libations’ and Relentless Trade Services’ robust pipeline with our talent, scale and reach to ensure that brands not only earn distribution in retailers around the country, but have a seamless route to shelf and into shoppers’ baskets. I’ve known Danny Stepper, co-founder and CEO of L.A. Libations, for many years. He’s an energetic, decisive leader who knows how to win. I can’t wait to see what we can do together. https://lnkd.in/gGKdW3w3

Tomorrow is Memorial Day. We traditionally view this as the kick-off to Summer as pools open and the weather has warmed up. But the REAL purpose of this Holiday is to remember and honor those who have served and sacrificed to protect our freedoms. I wanted to note two individuals, one I knew and one I did not. Cpl Donald Marler was killed in June of 2010 as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Donald was a great Marine who served both Presidents Bush and Obama at Camp David among other distinctions. His mom, Sue, worked with me for years at Anheuser-Busch and I recall her trepidation as he chased his dream to serve and her fear when he was deployed. His loss had a profound impact on me and thousands of others in the Anheuser-Busch family and he remains in our hearts to this day. Nic Checque was a Navy SEAL who was killed in December of 2012 during a hostage rescue where he valiantly gave his life to save others. He left his parents and two sisters along with many friends - one who I also call a friend who was on that same mission. My friend always reminds me to keep Nic’s memory alive which this platform helps enable. Both of these Patriots, and the thousands more who have given their lives for our country deserve our respect and acknowledgment this and every Memorial Day. We also need to always be thoughtful of the less than 1% of us who volunteer to protect the other 99% of us as we enjoy the very freedom they provide. To our service women and men, thank you.

So….it’s my birthday tomorrow, May 26, which is really irrelevant and somewhat sobering as I round 55 to 56 BUT, you have a chance to make a special day for someone who DOES matter. Watch this video and hit this link. These kids deserve to know that THEY matter everyday but especially on their birthday. https://lnkd.in/gVVANFfY

At the University of Notre Dame, the tradition is for the graduating students to spend the two weeks leading up to graduation at parties and on a trips to the Kentucky Derby and Chicago before the culmination of events on graduation day where they process under “touchdown Jesus” into the Knute Rockne entrance of Notre Dame stadium for their ceremony. These are special traditions each kid enjoys but our son was part of a special group of young men from O’Neill Family Hall. There are no fraternities or sororities at the school so the social structure is largely a byproduct of your dorm. This random assortment of people can either connect or not and we are most grateful they connected. They traveled to Tahoe, San Francisco, Austin, Chicago, Rome, all over Italy, Dublin and many other places in three years - most often hosted by welcoming parents who, themselves, stayed connected on a text string that buzzed daily with pictures and updates called “The Amazing O’Neill Parents” (you all know who you are). This sense of community is rare now. A community borne from the randomness of dorm assignments but reinforced by a common set of values and heart to serve others that epitomizes many at Notre Dame. After graduation, the tradition is to pop champagne at midnight at the Golden Dome, go visit your old dorm to toast your future and stay up until sunrise over the on-campus lake. They did it! Not just making it through a long graduation day and night but they overcame the fear and isolation of starting college during a pandemic, they formed an incredibly strong community that will support them in good and bad times as life unfolds and they brought along a group of parents from across the country to share the journey with them. Oh - and they earned a pretty good degree too. We will forever be grateful for the boys (now men) of O’Neill and The Amazing O’Neill Parents for accepting our son and family in to theirs. It’s a reminder that the people we encounter and moments we experience with them matter. As the alma mater says: “Love thee, Notre Dame!”

See THIS!!!! If you make your way to Manhattan, this play is well worth an evening.

Susan is one of the more 45,000 amazing women at Advantage Solutions dedicated to serving customers in a people-first way. She is an invaluable leader and we’re grateful she’s part of our team.