The Owners' Manual | Issue 25 | End of Summer 2022

VictoriaCrouthamel November 15, 1991 - August 23, 2022

As shared at the Employee Owner Meeting by Heather Halotek

On August 24th we at BL received the devastating news of the sudden passing of Victoria Crouthamel from our Nashville office. For those who didn’t know Victoria, she was a bright light who was engaged in all we do at BL. Victoria joined BL Companies in February of 2022 because of the people – specifically Michelle Carlson and Cherie Akers. She said, “They were so professional, driven, and nice and just made me feel like I was in the right spot. The company size and wide range of clients and project types made me excited and felt like I was best matched for to job coming from my previous experience. Also, the emphasis on quality work and employee growth made me excited to join.” Victoria grew up with a mother in the Navy which had her moving around a lot and eventually called the Florida Keys home. She graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2013 and called Citrus Springs, FL home with her husband Craig and their miniature Australian Shepard, Tucker. Victoria loved to build things. This was sparked, in her 7th grade woodshop class. And she was always up for a good woodworking project. Victoria truly believed seeing your hard work come to fruition and being able to use it was extremely rewarding. Her and her father built

a house together all on their own in the Keys that she owned. It took two years. She had a nail gun in her hand from an early age and some of her favorite moments were going to home depot with her Dad! When asked who inspired her - Victoria responded her younger brother who is a helicopter pilot in the Navy. He works so hard, and puts his life on the line every day for our country. Victoria was inspired by how he had the balance of enjoying life and working hard figured out and never letting others bring him down. In her free time she enjoyed traveling, gardening, being with family and friends, watching her husband’s football games or any football game for that matter, and considered any day by the ocean - a great day! She loved how her dad always put things into perspective in times of trial by saying “It could be worse. Be grateful for what you have.” Victoria left our world way too soon but certainly left an imprint on it. The biggest imprint of course is her son – born August 20th and lovingly named after his mother – Victor Crouthamel. Craig – Victoria’s husband and Victor’s dad – is in the process of working with a financial advisor to set up a trust for Victor.

The kindness of so many employee owners have gifts and donations to baby Victor totaling over $3200. If you wanted to contribute but did not meet the September 23rd deadline – we have extended the mailing out of donations to Craig Crouthamel to October 9th. Please reach out to Heather Halotek for information on how to contribute.

issue 25 // 21