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Byron Middendorf
July 13, 2023
I had coffee this morning with one of my most influential college professors. Jim Quiggins and I have known each other now for almost 50 years. What an extraordinary gift to have a friend of such long standing speak into my life, know my ups and downs, my victories and defeats. I am fortunate to have a few really close friends who hold that space for me. I still play golf with my college roommate, and he still beats me every time. Some things never change! On the other hand, some things are constantly changing.
One of the most dramatic changes for me recently is the retirement of my business partner, Wayne Lowe. Wayne and I went to college together, both worked at a company called Compco, and then started Equinox Information Systems together 37 years ago. So, for thirty-seven years we greeted each other every morning in the office and wished each other well each afternoon. In between those greetings, Wayne was the steady hand of an accountant and programmer while I was selling and talking non-stop. We learned each other’s strengths and weaknesses, our foibles, and our talents. Through it all, I had a front row seat as I watched a man I respected so much raise a family, treat each person he encountered with dignity and grace, approach each problem with wisdom and patience. I will miss him tremendously.
I still start each morning when I arrive in the office saying good morning to Mr. Lowe. Only now the Mr. Lowe is Chris Lowe, Wayne’s son, who is our vice-president of Customer Support. I am watching him raise his family, treating each person he encounters with dignity and grace, and approaching each problem with wisdom and patience. What a gift that is to me, to Equinox, and to our customers.
Wayne and I occupied the top floor, corner offices of our building for the last 27 years. Before that, we actually shared an office. With Wayne’s retirement, we have made some other changes. It’s time to start letting other people drive this bus! Therefore, we moved the old, stodgy “executive desks” out of the corner offices and made room for the next generation of leaders here are Equinox. David West, our Executive VP of Strategic Planning and Sales moved his standup desk and his substantial talents into my former office. He has earned it multiple times over the last 27 years of his tenure at Equinox. Wayne’s office is now occupied by David Bastin, our VP of Software Engineering. During David’s 29-year tenure at Equinox, he has developed into a leader and mentor with unlimited potential and a passion for excellence. Equinox is in better hands than ever!
In thirty-seven years at Equinox and sixty-five years on this earth, I think I have discovered some time-tested truths. The richness of our life is not measured by possessions or status. It is the relationships we form with those around us—like David West, David Bastin, Chris Lowe, and a host of others here at Equinox that I am privileged to work with every day. We have some of the finest employees and friends a man could ask for.
The same can be said for the many, many customers who have supported us through the years. That is one reason I look forward to our annual user group meetings each spring and fall. Sure, it is informative. But it is also a time to enrich our lives with connections to others. I hope you can join us this fall for a milestone Protector Users Group (we’re celebrate 25 consecutive years of hosting this event) and get to know these amazing people who will definitely enrich your life!
The 25th annual Protector User Group Meeting takes place September 11 and 12 at the Music City Center in Nashville. Visit the official PUGM event page for agenda and accommodation details, or go directly to the registration site.
Byron Middendorf is the CEO, owner, and founder of Equinox Information Systems, where he oversees the company’s sales, marketing, implementation, and support initiatives. With over 40 years’ experience in the telecommunications industry, Byron provides vision and long-term strategic development for the company and its suite of software solutions. Although he enjoys those tasks, he is most passionate about his mission to ensure Equinox is a great place to work. To learn more, visit www.equinoxis.com or call (615) 612-1200.
