John F. Kennedy wrote a book called "Profiles in Courage" wherein he addressed the topic of political courage.

The Kennedy Library says, "In the preface to Profiles in Courage, Senator Kennedy discusses the problems of political courage in the face of constituent pressures."

Kennedy suggested those in political office are under pressure to be liked, to be re-elected, and to be pressured by their constituencies and interest groups.

Kennedy wrote: "This is a book about that most admirable of human virtues – courage. ‘Grace under pressure,’ Ernest Hemingway defined it."

Members of the OPA Board of Directors are certainly not faced with the same measure of responsibilities as those elected to the United States Senate, as were the eight Profiles in Courage Kennedy addressed, but OPA board members do face making decisions where they must choose a path they believe is best as opposed to making an easy decision based on pressure from association members.

OPA issues don't rise to a "Profiles in Courage" level of those Kennedy addressed. However, the news release below is an example of an OPA Board of Directors making a decision many in the community may not like. Regardless, it is the right decision. It is a courageous decision.

Matt Ortt Companies turned around OPA Food & Beverage operations since it took over in 2018. With a contract up for renewal, it would be easy for the board to take the easy course and sign a new contract with Ortt without investigating options.

However, based on OPA governing documents and the board's fiscal responsibilities, opening the door for management proposals from other qualified firms, as well as from Ortt, was the courageous action and the board took it - knowing full well that many association members would not be happy with that decision.