Home: Shawnee, KS. Age: 54. Birthplace: Butler, MO. Organization: Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City. Title: CEO. Significant other: Tina Lawrence. Alma mater: William Jewell College.
Current project: Creating even deeper impact for children and families in Kansas City. Recent recognition: Top 5 Best Nonprofits to Work For in America. Latest accomplishment: Celebrating 30 years with BBBSKC. Hobbies: Time with the grandkids.
Personality profile: Strategic, kind, motivated. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Driven. How do you define an ideal business relationship? A true partnership. What is your greatest joy? Creating life-changing friendships for children. What is your guilty pleasure? Reality TV and true-crime documentaries.
What’s featured prominently on your home or office wall? My boys’ college football jerseys. Who has had the greatest influence on your life? My wife and several BBBSKC board members. What is the best advice you received growing up? Just do it. What is the best advice you received in your career? Trust your own instincts. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? Our own staff here at BBBSKC. We are always moving forward.
What is your big idea?
Nonprofits should be structured like a business.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Build an amazing culture to go along with an amazing mission and great things will happen. What change would you like to see in the world? Apply common sense to everything, all the time. What message do you want to send out into the world? I believe most people are good. What mega-trend most concerns you? Working from home.
Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My dad. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A professional football player. What advice would you give your younger self? Take more photos.
Personal mission: Clearing the path to a child’s greatest possible future. Personal motto: Be kind. Favorite quote: "The only way to do great work is to love what you do" (Steve Jobs).
