Industry Professional

Meet the Director of Happiness

• By Ralph C. Jensen
• Oct 06, 2020

It is true that a picture is worth a thousand words. A nice, feel-good story is an escape from the mundane world of work. The director of happiness is priceless. Is this story about security? Well, sort of. It is a story about someone in the security industry reaching out and helping fulfill the needs of another person, Yes, I guess it is about security in the kindest means possible.

The story goes something like this.

Shane Geringer is the president and CEO of Security Door Controls (SDC) and over the course of his life, he and his family developed a strong friendship with Brandon Hodges, and his family. Addyson Eva Hodges, 22, has Downs Syndrome. Her life is filled with loving people, and being stimulated with social interactions. She is a happy young lady.

“I’ve known this family for the past 25 years,” Geringer said. “Addy is a beautiful spirit, and brings joy wherever she goes. When it came time for employment, I felt like there is something the SDC family could do.”

Let me introduce you to the Director of Happiness.

Addyson, better known as Addy, is Hodges oldest child. She is described as full of life, a bit of a social butterfly and someone who has a positive outlook on life. When she had completed her requirements to graduate from high school, it was time for a job. Addy would hang out at the Geringer household, and their son, Wade took a job as a trainer and exercise coach. They would ride bikes and exercise, and hang out. A bond between both families was strengthened day by day.

As Wade was preparing for college, Addy was hanging out at the family home. Geringer had an idea that would add more meaning to her life. One day as Addy was visiting the Geringer family, a proposal of work made its way into the conversation. Addy was hired to work at Security Door Controls. It was her first job and a way to share her zest for life.

She was hired to help prepare Christmas cards, stuff the envelopes and get them ready for SDC customers. Addy took to the job, and SDC employees took to her. As Christmas came and went, Geringer felt as though Addy could be a more permanent fixture among the ranks of SDC employees.

Her dad, said in preparation for work, Addy put on her finest dress and high heels. It was one of many, of here finest hours in life.

A new cubicle was added to the landscape, and it became Addy’s. She also was named Director of Happiness. Part of her duties: Pass out employee paycheck on a Friday. Addy brought joy to each employee, as well as a paycheck, but moreover, she would stop and talk to employees bringing purpose and meaning, and of course, happiness.

This article originally appeared in the October 2020 issue of Security Today.