|
Rough Notes presents 2006 Community Service Award By Bob Bloss
Just how high can the bar be raised? When it comes to accomplishments that merit The Rough Notes Company’s annual Community Service Award, no one seems to know. Year after year, the award program’s executive director, Robert N. Kretzmer, marvels at the philanthropic achievements nominated for consideration. “We’re delighted and gratified,” he says, “at the massive number of successful insurance professionals who place sincere, heartfelt importance on ‘giving back’ to their communities. Our newest honorees are glowing examples.” J. Douglas Reichardt is Rough Notes’ 2006 Community Service Award winner. He was honored at recent ceremonies in Indianapolis, Indiana, receiving a specially designed sculpted eagle trophy. Rough Notes also issued a $5,000 check to Doug’s service project, the United Way of Central Iowa. Honorable mention laurels went to Michel Drouin, Peter Foy, Frank Svitek, and George Wilson, along with $1,500 checks for their community service organizations.
The Rough Notes Company’s 2006 Community Service Award goes to J. Douglas Reichardt, President and CEO of Holmes Murphy & Associates in West Des Moines, Iowa “Challenges and Opportunities.” It’s the theme that Chairperson J. Douglas Reichardt created for the 2005 United Way of Central Iowa campaign—the successful service project that earned him Rough Notes’ highest award. “Challenges and Opportunities.” A theme that also reflects his own passion about volunteerism. Doug’s enthusiasm is contagious. Under his leadership, thousands of volunteers combined to reach—and then exceed—the United Way’s ambitious $20 million fund-raising goal last year . . . a year when Iowans also supported relief efforts following numerous worldwide natural disasters. Their United Way contributions totaled $20,174,528, which is a 9% increase over 2004. Upon learning of Doug’s nomination for Rough Notes’ annual recognition, Shannon Cofield, president of the United Way of Central Iowa, said of him, “. . .He leads by example, and never asks anyone to do what he has not done already. The $20 million is a remarkable achievement . . . (but) Doug realizes that his work as campaign chair was just one part of his mission. In recognizing a need to attract the next generation of leaders and philanthropists, he sees past today. His vision prompted him to create the Emerging Leaders Initiative (ELI), a program that’s encouraged over 200 young professionals to provide significant investments of their time and resources toward making a difference for the community.” In building leadership skills, ELI emphasizes the importance of civic involvement. Nancy D. Green, immediate past president of the Iowa chapter of the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters Society, formally nominated Doug for the Community Service Award. “Doug Reichardt gave tirelessly to the United Way campaign that addresses immediate needs and root causes of problems—poor reading skills and lack of proper skill training—that will lead to long-term, systemic changes in the community. That campaign theme of Doug’s—Challenges and Opportunities—illustrates his vision.” Doug’s zeal for community service mirrors his enthusiasm for the insurance business. His support of Central Iowa’s young people is a clear reflection of personal experiences. As a 1976 insurance agency intern, while a student at Drake University, Doug met an influential mentor who inspired him to pursue a career in insurance and to encourage others to succeed. In 1990 he was named president of Holmes Murphy & Associates, which specializes in property & casualty insurance, employee benefits, captive alternatives, risk management, and financial services to business and industry. Three years later he became chairman and CEO of HMA, Inc., a Holmes Murphy holding company. Doug twice was elected “Best Business Leader of the Year” by readers of The Business Record, a central Iowa business journal, and has received the prestigious A. Arthur Davis Award for Des Moines-area business leadership. Doug Reichardt’s charitable works stretch back to his early days as a young account executive at Holmes Murphy. He’s been elected president of several Des Moines area business and professional associations, has chaired the statewide Iowa Games in which citizens of all ages participate in a variety of athletic and recreational activities, was chairman of Iowa’s Prevent Blindness organization, was the local March of Dimes’ 2002 honoree, and served with numerous other civic groups including the YMCA and other causes connected with issues affecting inner-city youths. Doug’s passion for community involvement is quite evident in these excerpts from his statement to business leaders at the outset of the United Way’s 2005 campaign: “. . . We have an abundance of opportunities, a well-trained and educated workforce, and a quality of life here that most can only wish for. All that comes with a tremendous responsibility. There are Central Iowans who need our help. Too many do not even have the most basic of needs: a safe place to live, enough money to provide for their family, or a reasonable shot at a better tomorrow. Together, we can literally change our community. This community has given each of us more than our fair share. That’s why we need to keep giving back.” With that kind of attitude, and a track record to back it up, J. Douglas Reichardt clearly deserves hearty applause for winning Rough Notes’ 2006 Community Service Award.
Michel Drouin, Charlebois Trepanier & Associates, Gatineau, Quebec (Canada). Designated charity: Foundation for the Centre on Health & Social Services of Gatineau. For the first time in its seven-year history, one of Rough Notes’ prestigious Community Service Awards was presented to a Canadian insurance professional. CEO Michel Drouin, who advanced from an adjuster 30 years ago to the presidency of Charlebois Trepanier Assurance and Risk Management, is among four Honorable Mention notables this year. Readers might recall his company’s recognition as Rough Notes magazine’s Marketing Agency of the Month in September 2004. It’s more than coincidental that an insurance agency focusing on customer service, personnel training, coaching and value-added services also places strong emphasis on community involvement. Under Michel’s leadership that’s precisely what Charlebois Trepanier does. Customer service is a key factor in the agency’s closing ratio of nearly 90%. More than 5% of net earnings is earmarked for charity. Red Cross, United Way, Kidney Foundation, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and the SPCA are among the beneficiaries. A primary recipient is the local hospital foundation—Fondation du Centre de sante et de services sociaux de Gatineau (Foundation for the Centre on Health & Social Services of Gatineau). Construction of a nephrology center, a new magnetic resonance imaging device, emergency ward renovation, consolidation of a pediatrics center in the Outaouais section of Gatineau, and construction of hostel facilities for cancer patients are targeted for the near future. The 15-year old Charlebois Trepanier golf tournament is the Foundation’s major fundraiser. Many of the 144 golfers are members of the insurance community. Several other agents attend dinner and awards ceremonies. Michel Drouin committed $250,000, over a five-year period, from Charlebois Trepanier tournament proceeds. Yes, in 2003 $250,000 was committed. But, says Jean Bernier, the Hospital Foundation’s acting executive director, donations of nearly $500,000 have already arrived. Appropriately, the Charlebois Trepanier Insurance Golf Tournament commemorative plaque is prominently spotlighted in the Gatineau hospital’s newly renovated pediatrics wing.
Frank D. Svitek, Citizens Clair Insurance Group, Norristown, Pennsylvania. Designated charity: Kate Svitek Memorial Foundation. To honor their late daughter, Frank and Ellen Svitek established the Kate Svitek Memorial Foundation. Kate, at age 22, was the victim of a snowboarding accident at Oregon’s Mount Bachelor in 2002. “The foundation’s mission,” says Frank, president & CEO of Citizens Clair Insurance Group (formerly Clair Odell Group), “is to carry on Kate’s dreams. The great outdoors was her conduit to happiness, and she wanted to share her enthusiasm and passion to inspire others. When she was only 17 Kate wrote, ‘… Our natural world is a powerful force, and I want to provide people with the opportunity to grow through their interaction with the environment.’” The Kate Svitek Memorial Foundation fulfills her wish. Two annual scholarships are awarded to the University of Vermont’s School of Natural Resources, from which Kate graduated in 2001. The Foundation also established an Outward Bound Scholarship program with the Community Academy of Philadelphia charter school. It offers students from inner-city neighborhoods a safe and stimulating environment for learning and achievement. The Foundation presents several scholarships annually for the students to participate in summer programs with the North Carolina Outward Bound (NCOB) organization. For many participants, the program provides their first experiences outside of an urban environment. As one student wrote about NCOB, “I truly believe this experience brought about a new me, and made my personality much better. Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Svitek, for allowing me to go to Outward Bound and to learn so many things about life and myself.” Numerous Philadelphia-area environmental groups also benefit from the Foundation’s funding. Special events are major revenue producers. Live music performances—Blue Grass, Motown, Beatlemania—have attracted hundreds of contributors to the Svitek’s ‘Here to Stay Farm’ in Ambler, Pennsylvania. This annual summer gala earns approximately $70,000. Another fundraiser is the popular Insurance Industry Golf Team Challenge, generating roughly $50,000 and featuring nearly 40 foursomes. It’s another example of insurance professionals combining forces for worthy causes. In this case, the Kate Svitek Memorial Foundation.
Peter C. Foy, Peter C. Foy & Associates Insurance Services, Inc., Woodland Hills, California. Designated charity: Peter C. Foy Foundation. By presenting 600 toys to underprivileged Southern California children in December 2000, the Peter C. Foy Foundation’s Foy Toy Drive was hailed as an unqualified success. But re-visit that Toy Drive five years later, and see how the bar’s been dramatically raised. You’ll find a staggering increase of nearly 20-fold. More than 11,000 toys. And because his 10,000-toy goal was exceeded, Peter C. Foy and legions of volunteers expanded to three additional counties beyond their traditional target of Orange, Ventura, and Los Angeles counties. The 1987 founder, president and chief executive officer at Peter C. Foy & Associates, a brokerage and consulting firm, Peter Foy enlists numerous insurance industry men and women to assist with the annual Foy Toy Drive. One of them is Steven M. Brown of Hoffman Brown Company—a previous Rough Notes Community Service honoree himself. Brown observes that “. . . many of the toy recipients would not have received anything during the holiday season had it not been for the Peter C. Foy Foundation’s annual toy drive.” After toys are collected around late November, they are sorted by gender and age, then delivered to the Foundation’s many nonprofit partners in time for Christmas and holiday celebrations when the toys are distributed to the youngsters. Lisa Mee-Stephenson, Foy Foundation director, notes that dozens of insurance businesses and other groups participate in this major philanthropic effort. IWLA (Insurance Women of Los Angeles) is one such organization. Toy Drive recipient organizations combat child abuse and neglect. Many provide food, clothing and medical necessities to struggling families. Among them are the Optimist Youth Homes and Family Services, and the Los Angeles chapter of Childhelp USA. From 600 toys in the year 2000 to a remarkable total of more than 11,000 toys in 2005. It seems far better than just even odds that the Peter C. Foy Foundation will more than likely meet its ambitious target of 20,000 toys and other necessities by 2007.
George S. Wilson, Heartman Agency, Inc., Rochester, Minnesota. Designated charity: Ronald McDonald House of Rochester. It’s not easy visualizing a 60-something insurance agency president/church board member/Chamber of Commerce official cavorting with 1,000 or so “bikers,” motorcycling over hills and dales in southeastern Minnesota. But study George S. Wilson closely. His connection with cyclists and their annual “cruise” soon becomes clear. Oh, and he associates with Ronald McDonald, too! By nature George Wilson is a compassionate man. He has served his community and his Heartman Insurance customers with care and concern for many years. Nearly 30 years ago, however, tragedy confronted George and his wife Cheryl. Their daughter Jennifer was diagnosed with cancer. Happily, she recovered. But the experience taught George, first hand, that families need support in trying times. He became a founding volunteer for what evolved into the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester, Minnesota, the home of The Mayo Clinic. These temporary residences are “home” for families who often travel great distances for medical care. Rochester’s is the largest “Ronald” House outside of major metropolitan areas. In 2000, George and 15 Harley-Davidson riders decided to do a little something for the Ronald McDonald House. With $200 they purchased teddy bears for the children. More than a “little something” followed. They created a benefit motorcycle ride to support the youngsters and their families. The first year netted $14,000 for playground equipment. Since then it’s been quite a ride . . . literally and figuratively. Each summer nearly 1,000 cyclists take “The Cruise,” a 140-mile round trip. The day-long special event concludes with auctions and a motorcycle parade ending at the “Ronald” House. Children who are well enough take short motorcycle rides or sit on the “bikes.” Proceeds covering the event’s five years? A whopping $250,000-plus. Linda Bonow, executive director of Rochester’s Ronald McDonald House, says this of Wilson: “George chairs the event and he continually inspires others to take action. Yet he slips quietly into the background. Only those close to the “Cruise” understand that it’s George Wilson who makes this event go.” Honorable Mention community service projects receive a $1,500 check from The Rough Notes Company in the name of the award recipient. The Rough Notes Company takes special pride in 2006 Community Service Award winner Doug Reichardt and the four Honorable Mention honorees. Their significant contributions are prominent examples of the philanthropy typifying insurance professionals throughout North America. We look forward to meeting other civic-minded insurance men and women whose names will grace our Community Service honor roll in future years. Details and 2007 nomination forms will be published in Rough Notes issues toward the end of 2006. * |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||
