President's Column - January 2026
Hello Members and Industry Friends,
Although we haven’t quite reached the one-year mark, it already feels as though we’ve been here much longer. We are settled, our routines are established and life has taken on a familiar pace. And despite the challenges and the adjustments, we are very happy with our decision to make the move.
Over the past year, we’ve had the chance to do some family travel within Europe and introduce our kids to new cultures, languages and parts of the world. Watching them absorb these experiences has been one of the most rewarding parts of this transition. We’ve noticed small but meaningful changes in how they think and how they approach new situations. They’re more willing to try unfamiliar foods. They are suddenly into geography. We have a globe in the family room and a few times, I’ve “caught” them quizzing each other on countries and capitals. (Disclaimer: this only happens when we cut their screen time!) Their clothing choices have started to evolve, nothing dramatic, but enough that we smile when we see it. Their worldview is growing, and that alone makes the move worthwhile.
Last year, because it is essentially mandated by Swiss law, we took up skiing. None of us had ever skied before. We arrived late in the season but still managed to get ourselves out on the mountain a surprising number of times. This year, we’re genuinely excited to get back out there. We’ve got our gear, our passes and a healthy dose of optimism. The goal for this season is to move from simply “trying not to get hurt” to actually enjoying ourselves. So jealous of those that fly past me looking effortless while I have every muscle in my body clenched in fear of flying off the mountain. We’ll see how that goes!
But ski season also means we are coming into the holiday season. This brings its own set of emotions. Switzerland fully embraces the holidays, as do many European cities. Christmas markets pop up in towns and villages of every size. Even major cities transform with lights, decorations, music, vendors and endless seasonal events. It’s festive, charming and if you get a nice, picturesque snowfall, a real winter wonderland.
We are certainly big fans of Christmas, but my favorite holiday has always been Thanksgiving. It’s uniquely American, and I’ve always loved it for that. For years I’ve described it as “Christmas without the fuss.” No pressure about decorations, no deadlines for buying gifts, no nonstop Christmas music, just family, gratitude, football and great food. Don’t get me wrong: I do enjoy the lights, the gift-giving and the sounds of the season. But sometimes it feels like the real meaning gets overshadowed by the logistics.
For both holidays, our gatherings were always small and intimate. My parents hosted Thanksgiving and we hosted Christmas. Just immediate family. Simple, familiar and deeply comforting. But this year, of course, we won’t be there. And that has created an unexpected emotional twist. Since we won’t be joining, both sides of the family are doing something different this year. And it’s strange to admit, but it feels “a bit like our fault.” Missing out on traditions is one thing. Finding out that the traditions themselves won’t even be happening in the same way is another.
When you move away, you know that certain things will change like holiday parties and gatherings. You prepare yourself for it. But when those moments actually arrive, it’s still tough. The reality catches up with you, and it becomes a little harder than you expected.
At the same time, it also means that new traditions begin. Since it will be just the four of us celebrating here in Switzerland, we suddenly have options. At one point I suggested renting a small, simple chalet far up in the mountains, something straight out of a holiday card with deep alpine snow, a warm fire, a small Christmas tree and complete quiet. I thought it sounded perfect. But the family said they wanted to “stay home.”
At first, I pressed a bit more about why. They couldn’t quite articulate it, and then it hit me: they didn’t say they wanted to stay in our house. They said they wanted to stay home. And that distinction made something very clear. Even though we’ve been here less than a year, Switzerland has already become home to us. It feels comfortable, safe, familiar. We may still be adapting, still learning, still occasionally lost but this is home.
I’ve always loved the saying, “Home is where you hang your hat.” This year, going into the holidays, that feels especially true. We’re sad not to be in the usual places with the usual people. We miss what we’ve always known. But we also recognize how fortunate we are to be together, safe and building something new.
By the time you read this, the holidays will have passed, but from our home in Switzerland to yours, wherever in the world it may be, I wish you a wonderful holiday season and a bright start to the year ahead.
Thank you and all the best,
Rob has 27 years of experience at Bobst, one of the world’s leading suppliers of substrate processing, printing and converting equipment and services for the label, flexible packaging, folding carton and corrugated board industries. He currently serves as Tooling Director.
Rob is based in Switzerland, with his wife Monica and their children, Leo and Manuela. His older son, Khai is engaged and remains living in New Jersey. Rob enjoys camping and cooking as well as being a full time chauffer to hockey and swimming practices.
He is proof that being one of those “take it apart and see how it works” kind of guys can lead you to a wonderful career, meeting new people and experiencing the world.
The President's Column appears in The Cutting Edge, the IADD's monthly magazine.
Categories
