Introducing the SkyWater Search Partners 10 For 10 Award

When we achieve success or hit a major milestone at SkyWater Search Partners, we know who got us there: our team members. To celebrate our tenth anniversary as an organization, we wanted to say Thank You to the three extraordinary leaders who have been with us since the very beginning with a gift that was unforgettable, experiential, and completely designed by each recipient:

A $10,000 vacation to any place of each recipient’s choosing  

Now that those first three ten-year employees have completed their trips, we’re sharing each of their stories, beginning here with Tim Snell, Director of our Information Technology practice area. 

As each employee reaches their tenth anniversary, we also look forward to sharing their stories.

“When the company was first created and I decided to make the move to be with SkyWater, I did so because I could see that we had the leadership in place to start a brand new organization,” says Tim. “My beliefs have been confirmed over these ten years. We started with a small group. Today, we are the largest Minnesota-based executive search firm.”

When the team first learned of the new 10 for 10 award, "The important part: nobody knew this was happening," says Tim. "This was a huge surprise in celebration of things going very well and a recognition that it's the team that makes things go well for SkyWater." 

An Unforgettable Family Adventure

Tim knew he wanted to make his vacation a family affair. “We rented an RV and made it a classic family road trip throughout the American West, starting from our home in the Twin Cities,” he says. Together, Tim, his wife, and their children traveled to Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone National Park, visited extended family in Colorado, and explored the Colorado National Monument, Arches National Park, and Grand Canyon. “Then we continued all the way to Los Angeles so my kids could go to Disneyland.” In planning more than 3,000 miles of driving, Tim opted for a one-way rental and flights back to Minnesota.

A Priceless Gift

“I’m busy. My wife is busy. My kids have busy schedules with school or hanging with friends,” says Tim. This trip “was such an opportunity to bond with each other, such a reminder of how that shared time together – even the less than ideal, squabbly moments – is so important.”  The trip also allowed the family to immerse themselves in nature and in the country, something very important to Tim and his family. “I’m a runner. Being able to stop at all of these parks and get out for a run and see all of these cool places – interact with nature – was amazing. Also, given the ages of my kids, this was a perfect time for them to start having an understanding of the size of this country – and the natural wonders we have here – by actually seeing them come to life, by witnessing it all for themselves, instead of through screens. Watching those things become a reality for my kids, not just a virtual reality, was a great thing to see.”

A Word of Advice for Future Winners

Now that he’s back home and has had a chance to reflect on it all, Tim also has one suggestion for future winners. It’s not about destinations or experiences. It’s about giving oneself permission to truly step away from work and focus only on enjoying that trip. “At SkyWater, we’re always connected to some degree. We’re an integral part of a team. We have a process that allows us to keep things smooth and seamless with our clients,” he says. “Plan the trip you really want and unplug while you’re gone. Trust that your coworkers and your manager have got your back. They’ll be there to step in for anything that arises.”