Page 1 - The Pi Kappa Gator - Winter 14-15

Winter 2014-15 | Alumni Relations Offce | P.O. Box 80828, Atlanta, Georgia 30366 | 770-903-3987 A Word AlumniSpotlight: Richard A. Smith ’86 from the Editor’s Note: For this edition of the newsletter we’re shining the Spotlight on Brother Rick Smith ’86. From the hometown of Harrisonburg, VA, Rick Chairman came to UF in pursuit of a Finance degree. Joining AE as a freshman, Rick served the chapter as Treasurer and Social Chairman. After graduation he worked with Electronic Data Systems for four years before continuing his Dear Brothers, education at Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management in Illinois where he earned his MBA. With much success in the world of If someone would have told me consulting, Rick was able to branch out into writing and recruitment. four short years ago, that by the Fall Currently serving as the co-founder of Fast Radius, LLC, Rick is also a of 2014, our chapter would be back in contributor to Forbes Magazine, and bestselling Author of The Leap, and a leadership position at U of F with The Five Patterns of Extraordinary Careers. Rick is the founder of World 119 Active brothers, I would have 50, the CEO of Next Generation Leadership program, is a co-founder of thought the challenge to be…almost Fast Radius, the inventor of the Primary Color personality assessment; he impossible. But it happened! previously co-founded the Bionic Network. Outside of work, Rick volunteers Like most of us, business, family with the American Cancer Society and school fundraisers, and he helped and just plain life took me in many launch the Atlanta Children’s Museum. Rick and his wife of almost 21 years, different directions after I graduated Lori, enjoy spending time with their children Arden, Adam, and Laine. from Florida. I often thought ΠΚΦ about trying to re-engage with our fraternity, but there always seemed to What led you to join Pi Kappa Phi? my MBA from Northwestern. I wasn’t sure what be something else getting in the way. I seemed to feel the most comfortable there. would happen, but felt it surely couldn’t hurt. You can add to that the fact that I was The frst time I walked in, David Boden ’84 never really sure how to go about (Sku) was standing in the door, said “hey!” and Why do you feel it is necessary to keep taking that next step to reconnect. handed me a 24 oz beer. Next thing you know, I your options open as a Consultant? But the thought was always lingering I was a pledge. I joined a strategy consulting frm after grad in the back of my mind. All similar school – which is basically delaying making any feelings which I am sure most of you After graduation, what was your job like real decision on your career. I worked across share. Then one day several years with EDS? many industries and on numerous projects and back, I received a call from Don problems. It was fascinating, like drinking from a Slesnick, III ’94, who at the time EDS was a great training ground. I joined a fre hose. But over time, the travel (5 days a week) was the Chairman of the Housing fnancial management training program along with and hours (one project was 6:30 am to midnight Corporation, but someone I had never Scott Weiss and Randy Wadle, and began a series every day) took a major toll. I came home one met. He asked if I would consider of rotations in different roles and cities. I ended up weekend, and my 2 year coming to a Housing Corp meeting with a rotation in Germany, old daughter said “Daddy which was being held in G’ville a running a pricing group for Daddy, thanks for coming few weeks down the road. They were central and eastern Europe. to visit!” I called the CEO looking to get more alumni involved It was one of the most fun and quit that weekend. and someone at National had given years of my life, and I ended him several names to call. I was up traveling on 50 of the 52 working in New York City at the time, weekends I was stationed What inspired you to but on a whim... decided to accept the there. Really opened my eyes write your frst book? invite. What I did not know until I got to the possibilities in life. I left strategy consulting to Gainesville was that our fraternity because of the travel, and was moving towards an extremely Why did you go back to was recruited to become challenging period at that time. But school for your MBA? a recruiter with Spencer that was then and this is now. I remember driving around Stuart. I enjoyed the work I would like to take this opportunity and was good at it, but to do for you what Slez III did for me some of the wealthy areas of over time I became bored. I Dallas, and thinking, “There is several years ago, and invite each of missed the rigor and research you who have not already done so, to simply no way I am ever going of consulting. So I decided to get anywhere like this with join us in Gainesville on February to write a book – conducting 20/21, 2015 at the Hilton Hotel as we an incremental 3% raise every a very large statistical study year.” I was fortunate to have celebrate our annual Founders Day of what behaviors separate Weekend. This casual forum provides presented some research I had middle managers from those led to the CEO of EDS, and a great opportunity to meet the men able to reach the top of he was willing to sponsor me Rick with his daughter Laine (L) and his wife Chairman (Continued on Page 4) to take some time off and get Lori (R) after running the Big Sur Marathon. Smith (Continued on Page 4)