What brought you to the MSS Board? Â
My first interaction with MSS was when I was starting 100 Men Who Give a Damn About Midland and was looking for a place the group could meet. My wife mentioned there was a nonprofit in town that had exactly what I needed -- room for a bunch of people to meet up! I laugh remembering my conversation with MSS staff “not only can you hold your meetings here, you WILL hold them here because that’s precisely what we’re looking for.” Shortly after that, I was honored to speak on the panel for the first MSS State of the Nonprofits event, and I was amazed to learn about all that MSS does for our community. The MSS mission of enhancing nonprofit efficiency fit so well with my mindset and background as an actuary who enhances business efficiency that I couldn’t say no when asked to join the board!
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Why is serving nonprofits important to you? Â
I feel like I’m the luckiest man in the world. I’ve been blessed with a wonderful family, great career, and live in the best place ever…but there are thousands of people who can’t say the same thing, and I feel that I’m called to help those in need as best as I can. I've also found that Midland is full of kind and generous people who often aren't sure how to best give of their time and talents to help others, so it has been really exciting for me to help connect people with organizations and then watch great things happen.
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You joined the MSS Board in January 2019. What is your favorite thing MSS has accomplished or your proudest board member moment in the last four years? Â
The first thing that comes to mind isn't one specific moment, but it's the collaboration MSS has helped create among local nonprofits. Our Executive Director Autumn Vest holds connection meetings with all of our tenants, and through these meetings, SHARE and the Midland Soccer Association came together to start a program called TOP Soccer, which provides children with special needs the opportunity to play soccer. Looking back at all of the great lessons I learned from playing sports as a kid, as well as just the fun I had, I love that Midland can provide that to all of our kids. Being the father of a special needs child means this program can personally impact my family. Knowing that there are opportunities for every child to play sports here in town is something I’ll forever cherish – and knowing that MSS helped spark that idea makes it even better.
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What are you most excited about in 2023 for MSS? Â
Our prior boards have been very diligent to keep MSS solvent and financially stable, and I’m proud to carry on that legacy. In 2023 we are focusing on building an endowment that will allow MSS to thrive for many years to come. I'm excited to be creating the framework for MSS to continue helping local nonprofits use every penny possible toward delivering their missions.
