My personal relationship with Corey Wilkins: I've lived next to Corey for 8 years. He's been a neighbor that consistently looks out for others. He's the guy that will move your recycling and garbage to the street when you go on vacation. He'll mow your grass when you're out of town. He's got an open invitation to use his hot tub. He's invited my extended family into his home when I've needed an extra bed. My professional relationship with Corey: I had an appointment with Corey, my name was on his greeting board as I entered his business. His staff took the time to greet me, by name, making eye contact and then prepared some coffee for me as I took a seat. Corey was very quick to wrap up his phone call, invited me into his office, he was friendly yet diligent in presenting my paperwork. I was impressed that our friendship didn't sway him from the task at hand and yet I felt like he still cared. It's a tough balance and Corey's got it down. He's a good man and I trust him. Community: As a pastor in the community I've been impressed by the way Corey invests his early mornings into the lives of other men. I often find him in a Starbucks with a circle of men at his side often laughing and encouraging one another-and even sometimes leaning in and speaking gently the truth in love. He's not pushing his business, he's just being a guy who cares about others and makes every effort to change for the better. I was once threw a snowball at Corey. It hit him in the face while he was taking a picture. He did not throw it back, he did not yell at me. He calmly walked into his house and dried off his camera and then came back out. Seriously, who does that?
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