Page 6 - Gamma Tauk - Fall 2017

POPe (Continued from Page 1)

cultures, ate all sorts of new wonderful foods, but a difference. I started out as a volunteer/consultant,
enjoyed the kindness, politeness, and respectfulness but over time became full time staff. So I had two big
of the Southeast Asia people the most. Although we goals, the first was career-related the second was life-
missed our Oreos, we enjoyed trying to live like locals related. My wife and I are now thinking through what
as much as we could, while we were able to visit the our goals will be for the next 20-30 years.
clear seas, dense jungles, incredible cities, and learn How would you compare working in the nonprofit sector
some wonderful history. to the corporate world?
What’s your secret to successful leadership? At first, I expected the level of professionalism to
I am certain that I do not have a secret. I can tell be less in the nonprofit world — I found this not to
you what I tried to do. I worked hard, was open, fair be true. What I did find was that expectations for
and honest with others, tried to be non-emotional on individual achievement were lower and the ability to
important issues, took advantage of every opportunity measure outcomes was much more difficult. But the Left to right: Jim Morrison, Mike Dempsey, and Jeff
this summer in Asheville. Best friends FIJIs.
to advance, tried to have a clear plan for the team, not nonprofit staff was much more emotionally engaged
be defensive. I like to delegate, give others the end in the mission, and the folks that I worked with were their businesses, spend time and play cards with my
result that I expect, agree on it, and let them do it the nicest of any organization I had been involved mom, who is 97! I like to read, usually old novels
their way, measure outcomes. Be decisive, know when with. and history, play the guitar (only in private), and am
a decision needs to be made, know which decisions now working on genealogy. I am also helping some
are important, or irreversible, let others make less old friends with their business ventures.
important decisions. Don’t fret over mistakes, give
people a challenge and be ready to help if need be. Be What advice can you give the alumni and young actives
humble, recognize your success many times is due to about being willing to relocate for their career?
circumstances and others who helped you or gave you The world of business is different now than when
a break and not to your own ability. I am going over I started; people do not expect to be with the same
the limit on this one! employer for their entire career. This fact may require
I would like to comment on my career choices. even more relocation, I don’t know, but it is something
At first, I had a very broad plan: I wanted to run a to consider. I took any and every promotion and
company. I think that I also knew my strengths and relocation offered; I believe that was the right
weaknesses. This led me to Harvard, and then to a decision. So, based on my experience I would say
25-year career in private industry (where I did run take advantage of a relocation as a way to broaden
businesses on three continents). But over time I began your experience and continue to move up in the
to see that this was not all that I wanted to do; what organization (or to move up by changing companies).
did I really want to be able to say at the end of my With technology today, location is much less of an
life? My wife and I decided that I would retire at 52 issue; staying in touch with friends and family is easy.
and move back to Atlanta where my aging parents Seeing new places in real life is fun.
were. I spent time with them, our two young children,
and wife for five years. Even though I volunteered at
places (this is when I was on the White House Fellows
Commission), I felt like I needed something that was
more engaging and challenging; I discovered that Gala and Jeff in Namibia. CONGrATuLATIONs
Habitat for Humanity had moved its headquarters to
Atlanta. This was a chance to give back and make GAMMA TAu
Working for HFH, which achievement(s) are you most
proud of? CHAPTer!
First, anything that I “achieved” was due to the
work and effort of thousands of others; Habitat’s Phi Gamma Delta has once again recognized
services are delivered in the field by its local offices and the Gamma Tau Chapter as one of its best. Here
volunteers. My role was to give them an opportunity are the awards our undergraduate brothers
to perform. I suppose the most visible accomplishment won in 2016:
was applying for, receiving, and then implementing a
$146 million grant (the most of any nonprofit) from Baker Cup
the U.S. government. I can say with confidence that Second place: Gamma Tau at Georgia Tech
this part of the government’s stimulus package in
the face of the 2007 recession was not squandered Cheney Cup
— we built over 1,200 houses serving more than Third place: Gamma Tau at Georgia Tech
4,000 individuals. Second, I think that I challenged Coon Plaque
the status quo within the organization, resulting in First place: Gamma Tau at Georgia Tech
what I believed was a ministry more focused and
accountable to itself (others may disagree!). Jordan Bowl
Outside of work, what do you do for fun? Honorable Mention: Gamma Tau at
My wife and I hang out a lot, we like sports, Georgia Tech
exercising, and skiing, go to our place in the North Zerman Trophy
Carolina mountains when we can (where we Third place: Gamma Tau at Georgia Tech
always have a few projects going on), take trips
Gala and Jeff at Victoria Falls. domestically and internationally, help our kids with

Alumni communication services provided by Elevate | www.elevateims.com | 770-903-3987 | @elevateims