After nearly 27 years at FPPA, Executive Director and former General Counsel Kevin Lindahl recently reflected on the lessons that have shaped both his career and his life. His message centered on gratitude and the three things he believes lead to happiness: contentment, meaningful relationships, and strong character.

Kevin began by speaking to the gratitude he feels for the opportunities FPPA has provided over the past 27 years.

"I'm grateful because FPPA has offered me an opportunity over the last almost 30 years [to] build a life that is filled with peace and contentment."

He focused on the three things he believes lead to happiness:

"There's three things that lead to happiness. The first one is a strong sense of peace and contentment. The second is to have serious relationships in your life. And the third is to have solid character."

1. Contentment Comes From Within

As he reflected on his life, he shared the perspective that helps him maintain that sense of contentment.

"I've realized that there's millions of people out there that would love to have my worst day. And that is important to me because I realize that I've got so much to be content and happy and peaceful about."

Kevin defines contentment as something that comes from within rather than from external success or circumstances.

"[Contentment] is internal satisfaction with who you are now and where you're going. It doesn't require beauty or wealth or popularity. It doesn't require sacrifices of goals and dreams that you have."

2. Connection Takes Time and Attention

The second ingredient of happiness, Kevin said, is cultivating authentic connections. He believes FPPA has provided an environment where those relationships can thrive.

"It's important to have people in your life. You need to cultivate authentic relationships with people. That’s certainly what I have tried to do here at FPPA. We’ve got a group of people that do that for each other, and it's a beautiful thing."

Building strong relationships takes effort, time, and intentionality.

"You've got to have the opportunity to nurture those relationships. And you've got to be able to give individual time and attention to those relationships."

3. Character is Built, Not Given

The third element of happiness, according to Kevin, is character.

"Talents are a gift, but character is something that people have to build."

Throughout his career, FPPA's mission has given him opportunities to strengthen that character through both rewarding moments and difficult decisions.

"I believe that the mission that we have here to serve our first responders in helping them have a secure retirement is a place that has allowed me to really work on my character. It certainly challenged my character from time to time with different decisions that we've had to make."

While some of those decisions were difficult, Kevin believes they ultimately contributed to personal growth and strengthened the organization's mission.

Final Thoughts: Striving for Excellence

Kevin also reflected on a quote attributed to Will Durant, summarizing Aristotle’s thoughts, that has guided his leadership philosophy:

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."

That idea shaped the culture he worked to foster throughout his time at FPPA.

"What I've tried to foster here as the executive director and as general counsel is a place where we can develop those habits that create excellence."

Looking back on nearly three decades of service, Kevin expressed appreciation for the Board Members, colleagues, and teams who helped him grow along the way.

"We had teams of people around me that challenged me, questioned me, made me think harder, made me work harder."

In the end, his message returned to gratitude and the impact FPPA has had on his life.

"I'm just so grateful for that. It's made me a better person and I'll just be forever grateful. Thank you."

 

On behalf of all FPPA staff, Board Members, stakeholders, and the many people shaped by Kevin’s leadership, we congratulate him on his upcoming retirement in January and thank him for nearly three decades of dedicated service to FPPA and Colorado’s first responders. His commitment to FPPA’s mission has left a lasting impact, and we wish him happiness and fulfillment in his next chapter.