An End of an Era - Thank You, Alyson

There are some people who join your journey…

And there are some people who become part of your story.

Alyson is the latter.

Our relationship goes back more than 10 years, long before BE even existed. I coached her son at the American School of Doha, when I managed the Evolution Basketball program, and even back then, Eric and I knew one thing very clearly:

If we ever hired an admin person…

Alyson would be the ONE.

Eric and I would walk into the ASD facility management office with bouquets of flowers in hand, small tokens of appreciation for the efficiency, care, and relentless support she always gave us with bookings, scheduling, and every behind-the-scenes detail that most people never see or do. 

She wasn’t just helpful, she was dependable, warm, sharp & calm in chaos.

And those flowers? They weren’t a gimmick. They were gratitude.

Fast forward to 2018.

On what was meant to be a simple coffee catch-up between friends, Alyson and I said, “Why don’t we just trial this for a term?”

That “trial” turned into eight incredible years.

Since that day, Alyson hasn’t just managed customer service.

She has been the heartbeat of BE.

She answered messages at hours most wouldn’t, she calmed worried parents, organized chaos with grace, protected our culture fiercely and she became “Mother BE Bear” or "Queen BE" - and if you know, you know!

Through growth, through challenges & through grief.

She was here when Eric was alive, the “E” in BE, my brother, my business partner, my best friend. When Eric died six years ago, Alyson didn’t just continue in her role. She stepped up. Quietly. Steadily. Lovingly.

She supported me through moments I’ll never forget. She supported our coaches. She supported our families. She supported this community when it needed stability the most.

There are things that don’t show on balance sheets, loyalty is one of them and heart is another.

Alyson gave us both.

As sad as it is to say farewell, I feel something deeper than sadness.

I feel honored to have walked this journey alongside her.

Because the BE Family we stand on today which is stable, strong & united, carries her fingerprints all over it. The culture she helped nurture is now woven into our DNA. And as we move into the next 10 years, we do so on foundations she helped create.

As Alyson steps into her next chapter, please know the BE Family remains in steady hands. She is personally training her 

successor this term to ensure a seamless continuation of the care and service you’ve always known.

And now… it’s her time.

A brand-new chapter, a life beyond work responsibilities, more space, more freedom and more of the moments she deserves, alongside her husband as they both step into this new retirement season together.

Alyson,

From me, your “little brother” Ben, from the entire BE team and from the hundreds (thousands!) of families across the world you have served with such patience and love…

Thank YOU.

Thank you for the consistency.

Thank you for the care.

Thank you for the calm.

Thank you for protecting what BE stands for when no one was watching.

This may be the end of an era.

But your legacy at BE will never retire.

With love,

Ben