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8 Pallet C e nt ral • Ma rch -Ap r il 2 0 25 I n addition to adopting many of the great health and wellness actions shared in this issue, my family is planning a summer getaway, and we chose France. To prepare, I grabbed Joseph Balkoski's book Beyond the Beachhead: e 29th Infantry Division in Normandy. It may not be your typical trip- planning guidebook, but when you dive into it, you can feel yourself walking through the hedgerows of Normandy, seeing them through the eyes of the people I sincerely respect. We are deeply grateful for the contributions and service of our military. is book 's deep dive into the harrowing first forty-five days of combat from Omaha Beach to the liberation of Saint-Lô provides shocking clarity into the sacrifices and heroic actions of our armed forces that give us the freedoms today that we so treasure. Pick up a copy and let me know your thoughts. I'd also love to hear about your health and wellness plans for this year. Health And Wellness. For You, Your Business, And Our Industry. We have a very insightful article in this edition that includes some of our members' health and wellness programs and what they deliver personally for their businesses and themselves. is article is timely for us all because we are still (hopefully) sticking to some of our New Year's Resolutions in this area. However, this article was timely and relevant for me because I attended a health and wellness retreat over the New Year's break. What did I learn? First and foremost, focusing on yourself is not selfish; it is self-care. While that seems obvious when you write it in a sentence, putting it into practice is not easy. It is simple to fall into routines where we check emails first thing in the morning, last thing at night, and throughout the day. Taking time to block your schedule to work out, meditate, do yoga, or take a walk can feel like a luxury. In today's fast-paced world, I'm encouraged to read how our members invest in health and wellness programs. is is not just good for employees; it's great for business. Prioritizing health and wellness improves productivity, reduces healthcare costs, and creates a more positive company culture. Regular exercise, proper nutrition, and adequate sleep are the central tenets of a healthier life. While we can't control each of these items for our employees (or sometimes in our own lives), we can control several things. Some examples mentioned in our article or observed during my member visits include on-site workout rooms, company-wide fitness challenges, healthy snack options, nutritious lunches, faith services, mental health and stress management programs, financial and employee coaching, ergonomic workstations, and expanded break schedules. Whatever the approach, focusing on health and wellness is a win-win for employees and businesses. Investing in wellness programs and initiatives enhances productivity, reduces absenteeism, lowers healthcare costs, and cultivates a happier, more engaged workforce. A side benefit is that healthy employees lead to a healthier bottom line, proving that caring for people is ultimately good for business. Sincerely, Brent J. McClendon, CAE President & CEO What's On My Desk? A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

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