Hi Readers: Hope you liked the quick glimpse into the Halstead Family life, but I have decided that I want to go back to our namesake family; and that's due to the fact that I have an idea for them. Hope you guys like this idea and continue to enjoy the story.

Chapter Three Hundred and Seven
Co-Chief Executive Officers

DRAFT E-MAIL
FROM: Casey, Matthew
TO: Members of the Board; Senior Executives
CC: Chicago Office; Hawaii Office; Los Angeles Office
SUBJECT: Leadership Changes

Good Morning:
First of all, I want to say this on behalf of the entire board. I hope that all of our employees are staying safe and are following the local guidance when it comes to what you need to do to stay safe; and I am also hoping that you guys are able to access your e-mails from home, as that's exactly where I believe you should be at the moment. I believe you should all be working from home for your health. But that's just the first message that I want to convey to you all, because I actually have some announcements that I want to make. And that announcement is related to, as you can probably guess; some leadership changes that I have decided to make is to promote Mr. Rafael Solano, from his former position of Principal Deputy Chief Executive Officer to co-Chief Executive Officer.

That means that me and Mr. Solano are therefore going to be equals at the company, well almost; I will still retain a few more powers than him, by virtue of my title of Chairman of the Board. Meanwhile, Mr. Solano will retain his title of Vice-Chairman of the Board. But now, I am going to explain just why I have decided to make this change. And the change was made due to the fact that I feel like Rafael is much more worthy of the position of Co-Chief Executive Officer, because of how much Rafael does for me; as well, it will assist me when it comes to what my plans are for the company. The truth is, I have been wanting to step back a bit from my position; and I believe that this is the best way to do that, as it means that I will be able to leave someone else in charge of operations.

And that brings me to the next part of the e-mail, which is to describe just what parts of the company Mr. Solano will be taking over; and that would be the entire company, as he is going to be more in charge of the day-to-operations. Meanwhile, I am going to just be in charge of the vision of the company; and while I did consider taking the title of Chief Visionary Officer, I would rather continue in the office of Chief Executive Officer for legal reasons. Legal reasons related to the fact that I am the majority owner of the company, and I therefore believe that I am going to be staying at the top. Thanks again for understanding all of the changes that have happened lately, and I hope you continue to enjoy working for our company, while also staying safe and ensuring that you protect your families.

Sincerely,
Matthew Casey
Chairman and CEO, Casey
1 (800) 827-2938 x. 101

Looking at the e-mail that he just wrote this morning, Matt took a breath as he knew that he shouldn't be working; but at the same time, he needed to make this announcement. And that was exactly what he was about to do, especially now that he was done reading the e-mail to Rafael. "What do you think of that?" Rafael laughed. "I think that the e-mail is perfect Matt, and it just shows off that you do not need a communications team." Matt snickered as he heard Rafael say that. "Listen, I was thinking though to keep my signature as Chairman and CEO instead of Chairman and co-CEO." Rafael agreed with Matt, understanding. "I think that sounds much better when you think about it. Plus, this is just temporary; you are going to be back to full-time Chairman and CEO in the future, I can see it."

Matt agreed with Rafael as he said that, as he can see that happening too; just as soon as they're out of the pandemic, or their children are a bit older. "I think when the girls are a bit older, I will be back to full-time; but I think I just need to still have help. That's why you're my co-CEO." Rafael agreed with Matt as he said that. "Matt, if you want me to keep being the Principal Deputy, but just do the job of co-CEO…" Matt stopped him. "Nonsense, because you are not going to do the job of a co-CEO and not have the rightful title and pay that comes with it." Rafael agreed with his boss, not wanting to argue with him more when he tells him that he's going to get a bump in pay. "How much of a raise are we thinking here? Jane is asking." Matt laughed a bit as he heard Rafael say that.

"Sure, Jane's the one that's asking how much of a raise you're getting. But I am still figuring that out. I might just give you a percentage of the profits. Right now, I am not going to be taking a salary due to the fact that I am going to be just reinvesting all of my gains into the company; after all, we do want to keep as many employees employed." Rafael agreed with Matt as he said that, well aware that was the case. "And that's why I think it's a good idea for us to be co-CEOs. It means that I can run the company, while you tell us where you want us to take the company, which will be your job, as you're the one who's funding this venture." Matt agreed with Rafael as he said that, as that most certainly is the truth. "I may ask my sister what she wants to do, as she has invested a bit of her money."

Rafael agreed. "Then why isn't she getting the title co-CEO?" Matt sighed. "Because I am keeping her as head of Casey Apparel for a bit, as I want Gabby to rest; and I just don't want her to rush back, when I want her to take it easy for a while." Rafael agreed with Matt, understanding why that would be the case; especially after everything that they've been through. "Do you mind if we talk about that for a minute? How are you guys doing with that now that you guys are home?" Matt sighed as Rafael asked him that. "I wish we would've been able to come home sooner, as now we're doing all of this while having to be home all the time; not that I'm complaining that I'm home with my wife and daughters, as that's exactly what I want." Rafael agreed with his boss as he said that.

"I have to admit, I love being home with Jane and M.S. here."

Matt smirked, until he heard his Matteo crawling into his room with his pacifier in his mouth. "I know what you mean." Going to grab his laptop, Matt smiled as he proceeded to go set it down on his side table and then opened the covers. After all, he most certainly wants to have somebody in bed with him if he's in here. "Hey buddy, you want to come visit mama and papa?" Bending down, Matt smiled as he proceeded to pick Matteo off the ground and just held him close as he kissed his cheek. "Let me guess, one of your little ones came to join you in your room?" Matt snickered. "You holding Matteo right now?" Rafael laughed. "Yeah, Jane's taking a nap." Matt agreed with Rafael, before smiling. "Well, we're both doing the same thing then." Rafael was confused as he heard Matt say that.

"Okay, how can we be…oh wait, is Gabby taking a nap? And are you holding M.C."

Holding Matteo close to him, Matt was confused when he said M.C. "Okay, who's M.C? And at the same time, who's M.S?" Rafael snickered. "It's my way of distinguishing our sons. M.S. refers to Matteo Solano, my little guy; M.C. refers to Matteo Casey, your little guy." Matt agreed with Rafael, as that most certainly makes sense now. "Well, that most certainly makes a lot of sense." Climbing back into bed afterwards, Matt smiled as he adjusted his pillow and then laid Matteo down on his chest; at the same time, Matteo cuddled up to him and just held his dad close while he closed the covers on top of the both of them. Afterwards, he reached for his laptop and put it back into his lap so that he could keep working for a bit. But first, he had to tell his mother-in-law that he's got Matteo.

"Matteo, where are you?"

Smiling, Matt went to speak to her. "It's okay Camila, I got him." Walking up to the door, Camila smiled as she looked at her son-in-law as he cuddled up to his son. "Wait, are you on your laptop to work?" Matt agreed. "Yeah, unfortunately I have to work some more and just concentrate on a bit of planning. Gabby said that I could as she slept, and I was just doing nothing. But it seems that this little guy here wanted to join me. Now Camila, I'm on the phone." Camila agreed. "Want me to get you a snack?" Matt smiled. "I would love it if I could get some of your pasta, which I have missed in the hospital." Camila agreed with Matt as he said that, until she heard Gabby. "I could go for some of that too." Opening her eyes, Gabby smiled as she saw Matteo. "Hi Matteo, you want to visit us."

That's when Gabby saw that Matt was on his laptop. "Seriously?" Turning his laptop, Matt showed Gabby that he was sending an e-mail. "Rafael is now the co-Chief Executive Officer?" Turning his head, Matt looked at Camila. "Camila, do you mind?" Camila agreed. "You guys want Noah?" Gabby agreed with her mother. "Please." Camila agreed with her, before walking away; after which, Gabby looked at Matt. "co-Chief Executive Officer?" Matt sighed as he went to explain. "I want to have help. I want to concentrate on the family some more for a bit." Gabby agreed with Matt. "And Rafael?" Going to grab one of his AirPods, he proceeded to give it to Gabby. "Say hi to him." Gabby agreed with Matt, before going to say hi to Rafael. "Rafael, get your wife on the call."

Sitting up in bed with Matteo in her lap, Gabby smiled as she was using her AirPods to talk to Rafael and Jane rather than have to go through Matt's AirPods. "Good idea in merging two calls together." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, as that was exactly why she did it. "Makes things easier, as it means that I don't have to sit up more; and it also means that we can both hold our sons when Noah gets here, which reminds me…." Matt then thought about it, and agreed with Gabby as he went to look at his screen. "I just need to finish typing this out. That way, we can get it out and make sure that we have this." Rafael agreed with Matt. "Quick question, what would you think of the title of Vice-Chairman and Assistant CEO instead of co-CEO?" Matt smiled as he heard that idea.

"Well, now there's an idea. But are you sure that you don't want to be co-CEO?"

Rafael agreed, as he most certainly doesn't want to be co-CEO. "It's more of the real job that you're describing. I am going to be helping you be the CEO, while also having some parts under me. And when I am thinking of this, I know that you are mostly Casey Fire. So, maybe I can take care of Casey Police and Casey Creations." Gabby vetoed that idea, as that was not going to happen. "If anybody gets that portfolio, then it would be Matt as I am the Deputy CEO for Casey Creations?" Matt agreed with Gabby. "Maybe you can do Casey Police and Casey Health, because I would not like to think about Hospitals for a while." Rafael then thought about it. "Then if I am taking two whole divisions, then I would like to have co-CEO for those two divisions." Matt agreed, as it made sense.

But it had to make sense to Gabby too, of course. "Does that make sense to you baby?" Gabby agreed with Matt as he asked her whether it made sense, as it most certainly did make sense. "It does, and I am so glad that you agreed that you are going to get some help with running the company." Matt sighed as he looked at Gabby. "Listen, I need to write another e-mail; and then I want to explain why that's the case." Gabby then realized something, and that would be the reason why he might want more help. "Baby, does it have anything to do with how you're doing on a mental health standpoint?" Rafael got worried as he heard Gabby say that. "Matt, if you need some more time; then I am more than okay with staying as acting CEO for a while longer." Matt shook his head.

After all, that was the last thing he wanted to do; rather, he wanted to be back during the pandemic. "No, I'm back for the pandemic. I'm fine." Turning his head to look at his wife, Matt smiled. "I'm fine, I promise." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, before looking down at Noah; after which, he leaned over and kissed Matt's cheek. "E-mail, then we can talk. I'm going to put the boys in their play pen." Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that, before letting Matteo go so that Gabby can put him in his play pen while he writes and e-mail to update his entire organization of the changes that are going to be made to the leadership; and he just hopes that they can all understand. "Rafael, I'm going to write this e-mail and then I'm going to talk to my wife. Talk later?" Rafael agreed with his boss.

"Of course, Matt. Just remember that me and Jane are always open to helping out in whatever ways we can. I don't want you to work too hard, and we can always take over again. I mean that Matt."

Matt agreed with Rafael as he said that, really appreciating that. "And I appreciate that Rafael, and I will consider it. Now listen, I am going to get this e-mail out so that I can talk to me wife. Have a good day and stay safe." Rafael agreed with Matt, before hanging up. Meanwhile, Matt did the same and then put his AirPods away; but he didn't start writing the e-mail yet, as he wanted to do something else. And that would be to talk to his wife. "You mad at me?" Turning her head as she got up, Gabby was confused. "Why would I be mad at you?" Matt sighed. "I worked here in bed." Gabby smiled at her husband. "It's okay baby, you need to make sure that things are okay." Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that. "I think that this will work for the future though. Two CEOs." Gabby smiled.

"I think that will work out in the long run, as it means that you only have to worry about the parts of the company that you like working on. Casey Creations and Casey Fire."

Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that. "Listen, I am going to write this e-mail; then I will shut off my laptop again, and w can cuddle." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, smiling as she went to put the boys in their play pen; meanwhile, Matt got to work. But first, He had to send a text to Rafael. Grabbing his phone again, he proceeded to ask him something. 'Hey Rafael, can I put you in charge of the Los Angeles Office?' And let's just say that Rafael was more than okay with that, as he texted him back shortly after. 'Sure, thing bud, I think that works out great.' Matt agreed with Rafael, while smiling at him. 'Have a good day with your boy.' Matt then set his phone down so that he could write the e-mail that he has to send out to the company about the new arrangements.

But first, just to change his e-mail to his new signature. After which, he wrote the e-mail.

FROM: Casey, Matthew
TO: Members of the Board; Senior Executives
CC: Chicago Office; Hawaii Office; Los Angeles Office
SUBJECT: New Corporate Arrangements

Hi Everybody:
I want to write you all today about something that I have recently decided to do, and that would be a corporate restructuring; and that's due to the fact that I find myself wanting to worry less about some parts of the company, and more on the others. And that's why these decisions are being made. However, I can also reassure you all that we aren't firing anybody, but we are just making some changes. Changes that are going to make my life easier, as it's going to allow me to concentrate on the divisions that I really like more; and just be even more hands on that I am. Now, here we go. First of all, I am going to announce this. Today, I am going to be creating two new companies. And I know that's completely against what I just said, as that would mean more work. But it doesn't.

And that's due to the fact that both of the companies will be divisions of a Casey umbrella company, and they will also take the place of Casey Fire, Casey Police, Casey Health, and Casey Creations as the four main divisions of the company. Rather, we will be slimming the company down to two divisions known as CCF Innovations, and CHP Innovations. And this is how we're going to do that:

CCF Innovations and CHP Innovations, along with CFR Training will become three divisions of Casey. However, CFR Training will remain as is, and no changes will be made to the company. Rather, it will just be a company in the middle of the other ones.

CCF Innovations will become the new "owner" of Casey Creations and Casey Fire. And I, Matthew Casey, will be in charge of leading CCF Innovations as it's Chief Executive Officer. Meanwhile, the other officers will retain their positions as they are.

CHP Innovations will become the new "owner" of Casey Health and Casey Police. And Mr. Solano will be in charge of leading CHP Innovations as it's Chief Executive Officer, while a majority of the other officers will retain their positions as they are.

But that's not all Mr. Solano will be in charge of, as I am also putting him in charge of being the liaison to the Los Angeles Office. Therefore, I will please ask that David Isaacs, the Senior Executive Vice-President, and Asst. Deputy CEO for the Los Angeles Office to begin reporting to Mr. Solano. At the same time, I will ask that Adam Michaels, the Senior EVP, and Asst. Deputy CEO for the Chicago Office to continue reporting to myself; because I am going to continue to be in charge of the Chicago office, as it's my hometown.

And while these changes are minor, I hope that you all understand why I need to do that; and that's due to the fact that I Just need to concentrate on the parts of the company that I most understand. And for myself, that would be to lead CCF Innovations along with Gabby and Severide. Now, can you please e-mail or text me if you have questions; or at least text your supervisors, as I am busy.

After all, I did just bring a couple adorable baby girls home from the hospital and we are both quite tired. Thanks for understanding, and I hope to hear back what you guys think about the new changes when you've had a chance to experience them.

Stay safe everybody.

Matthew Casey
Chairman of the Board
CEO, CCF Innovations
1 (800) 837-2938 x. 101

Going to show the e-mail to Gabby, Matt took a breath as he hoped that it made sense; because that was something that he was worried about, whether it made sense. "Does it make sense?" Turning her head to look at Matt, Gabby smiled as it most certainly does make sense. "I think it does make sense baby, because I can see what you're trying to do. You're putting Casey Creations and Casey Fire together and merging them into CCF Innovations; and then you're putting Casey Health and Casey Police together and merging them into CHP Innovations." Matt agreed with his wife as she said that, as that was exactly what he was doing. "I just hope that I didn't go in to too much detail." Gabby shook her head Matt asked her whether he went into too many details, as he most certainly did not.

"No baby, you didn't. Here, how about you take a breath and just relax? Maybe we can call my brother and see what he thinks."

Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that, as that sounded like a great idea; because if her brother understood what he was doing, then he most certainly knew that he did a great job in writing the e-mail. But right now, he wants to do something else first; and that would be give his beautiful wife a sweet kiss. And that's exactly what he did as he bent down and kissed Gabby softly. "I love you." Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, as she most certainly does love her husband more than anything. "I love you too Matt, and I think that this is going to be good for you; just being in charge of half the company; because that means you're going to have more time at home, which is exactly what you need." Matt agreed with Gabby as she said that. "Now, let's send it and call your brother."

Gabby agreed with Matt as he said that, before going to do just that.