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How has Leadership Visalia impacted your personal or professional life?
Personally, I made some fantastic friends from my class. The majority remained in the area, and I still see them from time to time. There are four of us who continue to get together at least four times a year, for each other’s birthdays. We have been doing it for thirty years now! Also, my connections to members of the community who want to improve where we live continue to grow. These are my people, whether it be business leaders, non-profit leaders, Rotarians, colleagues, or others, I tend to gravitate to those circles of friends that have a servant’s heart.
Professionally, Leadership Visalia changed my community perspective so much that I changed professions and industry. I joined the YMCA board right after graduating from the program. Shortly after, I left my job in human resources banking to become the interim executive director and ultimately the CEO of the YMCA for fifteen years. From there, I became the chief executive officer of the COS Foundation and have thoroughly enjoyed earning a living while serving this worthy cause.
What is one leadership lesson or moment that has stuck with you since the program?
Your connection with people is invaluable to your success and your impact on others. Helping others has immeasurable benefits.
What are you most passionate about in your career or community work?
I tend to get the greatest joy in helping someone who is trying to better themselves and help others along the way. Give me a good story of someone getting an education to be the first in their family to earn a living above the poverty line, and want to help their family thrive, and my eyes have a hard time not welling up in tears. There are so many great causes out there, but for me, higher education for those purposes is the top.
What advice would you give someone thinking about joining Leadership Visalia?
Your investment in your perspective and skillset will serve you well, whatever you are doing. If nothing else, you will come out knowing more about your community and get to know all of your other classmates. The possibilities beyond that are limitless.
What’s something fun or unexpected that people might not know about you? (Hidden talent, favorite hobby, etc.)
My hidden talent is being able to ride a “wheelie” on a bike or in a wheelchair. I haven’t done either in a few years, but just a few years! My favorite pastime that my wife and I enjoy together is watching and attending Indycar races. Attending the Indianapolis 500 was a huge bucket list item we checked off a few years ago.
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