It was spring 2012 and I was tired of my life. I knew I needed a change and had no idea what was next. While in this state of flux I attended a conference and met up with Tony for a walk around the conference hotel and a chat. He invited me to visit Las Vegas. I told him he was crazy. He just smiled.

A few months later found me wandering downtown Las Vegas exploring the audacious experiment that was just really getting underway. Six months later I was there myself, embarking on a new journey and path - all because a compassionate, generous and visionary man took a chance on me.

For nearly 8 months he sat in on planning meetings for the business every Friday morning. Mostly quiet, absorbed on his computer. You’d have thought he wasn’t paying attention, but he always was. He never missed a thing. And every now and then he’d quietly interrupt the discussion, offering a question or thought to guide things.

Over the years our contact related to the business waned but I’d see him often at brunches or events or just walking around downtown. He wasn’t present but he was there.

I wasn’t nearly as close to him personally as so many others were, but we had a respectful and meaningful connection for which I’ll always be grateful.