On September 11th, 2001, I hung up the phone with my biggest client and got the go ahead of a very large project with a major bank which would have changed my career and life. Little did I know something bigger would happen that day. Then, I heard a massive sound and realized a plane hit the building. I thought it was one of the planes flying around New York…not a 747 full of innocent people.

I was on the 77th floor. Our team found a stairwell and headed down to the street. On the way down, we passed all the Firemen going up…whom we later knew did not survive. When I reached the street they had us clear the area. I didn’t know till later the building had collapsed until I saw it on the news. I couldn’t believe it. So many sacrificed their lives on such a tragic day…

I am fortunate to have survived that day, when many didn’t. That day changed my life forever. For many years, I felt so much grief since I survived and so many others didn’t. God gave me a second lease on life and since that day I made a commitment to serve others and make a difference with my second chance.