On Friday, April 25th, 2025, the Smart Optimal Solutions team gathered for a transformative Q1 Staff Retreat at the home of Colonel Jeff Williams. The day brought together staff from across regions for a time of reflection, celebration, strategy, and spiritual renewal.

A Devotional Start – “Where Can Wisdom Be Found?”

Colonel Jeff Williams opened the retreat with a powerful devotional drawn from Job 28 and Colossians 2, likening our pursuit of wisdom to the act of mining. Just as precious metals must be sought out with intentionality, true wisdom cannot be discovered on our own but is a gift of grace from God. The takeaway: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom and a gift of His grace.”

Recognizing Excellence: Q1 Team Awards

Led by Patrice Tsague and others, several staff members were honored for their outstanding contributions in Q1:

Rookie of the Quarter: Kelly Aikman, Scott Orem, Jeff Taylor, Renee Ward, Manny Peña, and Jorge Melendez
Top Sales Award: Kelly Aikman & Manny Peña
Overall Top Sales: Kelly Aikman
Effort & Leadership Award: Manny Peña
MVP: Kitty McClelland
MVP – Tech: Poh Sim Saw
MVP – Administration: Elizabeth Sahayaraj
Operations Award: Skyler Redman & Nick Mertz
Extraordinary Effort Award: Renee Ward

As Board Chair, Bill Gibbons presented the awards alongside executive staff members Patrice Tsague (CEO), Colonel Jeff Williams (CTO), and Barry Redman (VP of Operations), providing both recognition for past achievements and motivation for continued growth.

Strategic Review: Q1 Highlights & Learnings

Patrice and Barry led the team through an honest and constructive look at Q1 operations and sales. Some of the wins included:

Successful channel partner outreach and relationship-building
Effective internal communications and improved team workflows
The smart solar pole demo is now operational and ready for customer presentations
Operational efficiencies from logistics support
A growing and diverse product line, with improvements in onboarding and tech team support

However, the team also acknowledged areas needing attention for growth which led to a constructive time of sharing.

Regional Sales Goals: Q2 and Beyond

The sales team reported their Q1 pipeline progress and set bold goals for Q2, totaling $4.55 million.

Hope Center West – A Presentation of Kingdom Partnership

Frank of Hope Center West shared how SOS is part of a larger Kingdom movement, inspiring the team with a renewed sense of purpose and alignment for exciting opportunities.

Looking Forward: Strategy, Values, and Covenant

The retreat also included collaborative sessions to revisit SOS’s mission, vision, and core values. Patrice Tsague, and the team facilitated honest discussions on how to treat one another through a “Social Covenant”.

Closing Thoughts

The Q1 Staff Retreat was more than a performance review—it was a chance to realign as a Kingdom business, grounded in faith and excellence. As Colonel Williams reminded us: wisdom is not just about knowing what to do; it’s about walking in reverence before God as we do it. SOS is poised for a powerful Q2, built on a stronger, more unified foundation.

Rolling into Q2 with Team Spirit

After a full day of reflection, strategy, and celebration, the team headed to Big Al’s for an evening of fun, food, and friendly competition. The sound of pins crashing and cheerful conversations filled the air as staff members squared off in lighthearted bowling matches, rooting each other on and enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. It was a perfect way to unwind, strengthen team bonds, and celebrate a successful Q1. The time of fellowship served as a reminder that while the work is important, the relationships built along the way are what truly make SOS a thriving community.