At Smart Optimal Solutions (SOS), we believe that building a smart future isn’t just about technology—it’s about people, purpose, and precision. This past week, our team gathered for our 4th Quarter Staff Retreat to align on our vision for 2026, celebrate our wins, and refine how we serve our partners in the renewable energy and Smart City revolution.

Here is a look inside our strategy session and what it means for the communities we serve.

1. Serve with Love

We kicked off the retreat with an inspiring session led by Jennifer Mears, former board Chair of Burgerville, who shared the powerful history of Burgerville. Tracing the company’s evolution from a local creamery to a mission-driven icon, Jennifer highlighted the concept of “Serving with Love.” Each SOS team member received signed copies of the book Serve with Love or Serve with Love Action, authored by Jennifer and her Dad, Tom Mears, on the Burgerville and Holland Inc (the family Holding company) story.

The SOS Takeaway: Just as Burgerville adapted to changing times without losing its soul, SOS is committed to evolving our technology while keeping our core mission intact. We aren’t just installing infrastructure; we are building legacies of safety, dignity, and connectivity.

2. 2026 Strategy: Scaling Sustainability

Our leadership team laid out an aggressive roadmap for 2026. As we move into a new stage of profitability and sustainability, our focus is sharpening on four key pillars:

Smart LED Lighting & Solar: enhancing energy independence.
EV Charging Infrastructure: powering the future of mobility.
Digital Displays: connecting citizens through information.
Smart City Integration: ensuring seamless data interoperability.

We are proud to announce we have a strong pipeline of significant new smart city opportunities, validating our approach to creating recurring value for municipalities, churches, HOAs, Schools and developers.

3. Celebrating Excellence

A total of 17 team members were awarded for their 4th quarter and 2025 performance
Top Sales Performance for 2025: A huge shout-out to Kelly Aikman for leading the charge in bringing smart solutions to more communities.
In total, over $22,000 in awards were distributed to our team members, reflecting our belief that when our team thrives, our clients succeed

4. Building our Culture

Colonel Jeff Williams delivered a Biblical-themed talk about the importance of faith and culture in the workplace, emphasizing SOS Christian foundation shapes our values and ethos. He discussed how knowing Jesus Christ is the central priority for Christians, using John 1 to explain how Jesus is the fulfillment of both Jewish and Greek philosophical concepts of rationality and order. The talk concluded with a reflection on how the logical structure of the Bible supports its divine origin. Participants shared their spiritual journeys, including moments of transformation and the impact of faith on their lives.

They discussed the importance of slowing down, being intentional, and creating space for contemplation and connection. We also explored themes of gratitude, purpose, and the role of faith in the company while emphasizing a culture of openness and acceptance.

5. Community Spotlight: The Caleb Canfield Foundation

Innovation means nothing if we don’t support the next generation. We were honored to highlight our non-profit partner, the Caleb Canfield Foundation. Led by Brian Canfield and his son, Caleb Canfield—a 10-year-old aspiring NASCAR driver—this foundation is dedicated to helping youth identify their potential and pursue their dreams with consistency and faith.

6. Refining the Client Experience

To ensure every engagement is seamless, we have optimized our Customer Engagement Process. From our initial Discovery Sessions to our deep-dive Education & Assessment Reviews, we are standardizing our approach to ensure every client—whether a city, a developer, schools, churches or an HOA—receives a tailored, data-driven roadmap to modernization.

Looking Ahead

We are energized, aligned, and ready to execute. As we move through Q1, watch for our teams in the field and join us in congratulating Pastor Renee Ward, who will be honored at the 2026 Women of Influence Awards this March.