Acknowledgments

The Apple Experience is a collaboration of colleagues, friends, editors, and readers around the world who have requested new content that helps them understand and apply the magic behind the Apple adventure.

It’s been a gratifying experience to work with McGraw-Hill Professional. Thanks to everyone at the company in editing, sales, marketing, public relations, and digital who are strong advocates of the book. Special thanks to Philip Ruppel, Mary Glenn, Ann Pryor, and Ruth Mannino for your guidance. I’d also like to offer a shout-out to my former editor, Gary Krebs, who shared the vision for a book that could lift the veil behind Apple’s award-winning customer culture.

Roger Williams takes special care to consider the long-term interests and careers of his clients. It’s an honor to call him my agent and friend.

Tom Neilssen and Les Tuerk at BrightSight Group are extraordinary speaking agents who successfully help me share my ideas with audiences around the world. I’m grateful for their partnership.

Publicity is a collaborative effort, and an author couldn’t have it better than to count on Mark Fortier and his team at Fortier Public Relations.

This book owes its accomplishment to my colleagues at Gallo Communications who dedicated hours of research and valuable insights: Carolyn Kilmer, Sarah Daniels, Tamara Medina, and Vanessa Gallo. Vanessa worked tirelessly to help organize ideas, edit, and format. Her background in psychology and customer service also proved to be invaluable.

Although my family is last in the acknowledgments, they come first in my life. They’re everything to me and bring me more joy each day. My wife, Vanessa, and girls, Josephine and Lela, are the light of my life. My mother, Giuseppina, and my in-laws, Ken and Patty, all deserve my gratitude, as do Tino, Donna, Francesco, and Nick. Finally, none of my success would be possible if hadn’t been for my late father, Francesco Gallo, who had the courage to seek a better life for his family. We owe him everything.