Reflections on America at 250: A Front-Row Seat to the American Dream
By Jim Herd, Paul Freed, and Kevin Hartz – Co-Founders
Herd Freed Hartz – July 2026
As July 4th approaches and our nation prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, we at Herd Freed Hartz find ourselves in a particularly meaningful moment of reflection. Our firm was founded 25 years ago on July 4, 2001 – that alignment has always felt significant. Now, as America marks its big 250th celebration, we look back on our own 25-year journey with deep gratitude, genuine appreciation, and a profound sense of love for the country that has made it possible.
A Front-Row Seat to the American Dream
Over the past quarter century, we have been privileged to have a front-row seat to the American Dream playing out in real time. We have partnered with visionary founders building startups that grew into industry leaders. We have helped family businesses — some spanning generations — find the next chapter of leadership to carry their legacy forward with integrity and fresh energy. We have supported nonprofit organizations doing extraordinary work in education, healthcare, human services, and community development, placing leaders who amplify their mission and impact.
In every sector and at every stage, we have witnessed the same enduring themes: ordinary people with extraordinary determination turning ideas into thriving enterprises, families building something lasting for the next generation, and mission-driven leaders strengthening the fabric of their communities. These stories are not abstract. They are the daily reality of the organizations and leaders we have the honor of serving across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
What strikes us most is not just the success — it is the spirit behind it. The willingness to take risks. The resilience when plans meet reality. The belief that tomorrow can be better than today if we work hard, stay true to our values, and serve something larger than ourselves.
The Enduring American Spirit
America at 250 is a story of remarkable resilience. We have watched leaders and organizations navigate economic cycles, technological disruption, global events, and profound change — and emerge stronger, more innovative, and more committed to their people and purpose. That capacity to adapt, reinvent, and keep moving forward is one of the most inspiring threads running through the American story.
It is also a story of opportunity. The United States remains a place where a good idea, backed by grit and character, can still find a path. Where family businesses can thrive for decades. Where nonprofits can scale impact in ways that change lives. Where talent from anywhere can contribute to something meaningful. We see this truth lived out in the executives we place and the organizations that welcome them.
Most of all, it is a story of people. The leaders who choose to build rather than tear down. The teams who show up every day with professionalism and heart. The communities that rally around shared goals. These are the quiet, steady forces that keep the American experiment vibrant.
A Heart of Gratitude
As we prepare to celebrate July 4th, our dominant feeling is one of gratitude. Gratitude for the freedoms that allow people to dream, build, and lead. Gratitude for the rule of law and the institutions that, despite imperfections, have provided a stable foundation for enterprise and civil society. Gratitude for the entrepreneurial ecosystem that rewards initiative and innovation. Gratitude for the countless men and women — across every background and industry — who embody the best of the American character through their work and service.
We are grateful for our clients, who have trusted us with some of the most important leadership decisions in their organizations’ histories. We are grateful for the remarkable candidates who have said yes to new chapters of impact. And we are grateful for our team, whose dedication to doing this work the right way — with care, rigor, and genuine human connection — has defined who we are for 25 years.
Looking Ahead with Hope
America’s 250th birthday is not just a moment to look back. It is an invitation to look forward with hope and renewed commitment. The challenges ahead are real, but so is the capacity of this country and its people to meet them. The same qualities we have seen in the leaders we have placed — vision, integrity, resilience, and a genuine desire to build something enduring — will continue to light the way.
As flags are raised and fireworks light the sky this July 4th, we will be celebrating not only a nation’s birthday, but the enduring promise that has drawn generations of dreamers, builders, and leaders. It is a promise we have been privileged to witness up close for the past 25 years.
From all of us at Herd Freed Hartz, we wish you and your families a joyful, reflective, and meaningful Independence Day. May we all carry forward the best of the American spirit — with gratitude, appreciation, and love — into the next chapter.