In August of 2014, as Arizona Helping Hands began to hit its stride in service to children in foster care, I volunteered to serve as the unpaid President & CEO of the organization. I never had any idea that this role would take over my life. As time passed, and we provided for more and more needs throughout our community, I was swept up with passion for the work we did every day. Seeing the impact that simple services had on families and children in need fired me up like no activity I had ever been involved with. Watching the organization blossom and grow like a wildfire into the largest provider of basic needs to children in foster care throughout the state has been the crown jewel of my career.
Serving as President & CEO for 7 years was truly a blessing, but it has also taken a toll on me. I lived and breathed Arizona Helping Hands 24/7 for all of those 7 years – not to mention the prior 13 I served on the Board of Directors. I experienced the highs and the lows, never once being able to shut off the thoughts, ideas, marketing concepts, social media posts and challenges occupying my brain. I had never led an organization, much less a $10million+ not for profit. I faltered at times in leadership, and always bore the huge responsibility of the task.
Arizona Helping Hands is at a point in its life cycle where new leadership will need to move the organization forward. I loved every minute of my tenure, but know that it is time for me to move on.
It’s time for me to take time for myself and my family. To enjoy opportunities with my wife, daughters and grandchildren, and to explore new opportunities and new ways of giving back to our community.
I am forever grateful to all the friends I have made through the years. To the families whose lives I have helped make a little easier and to the children whose lives I have had the privilege to impact. To the staff that I have labored alongside, and who have seen first-hand the joy brought about by our work. To the babies I have held as we eased their path at the beginning of their lives, and to the teens who are ready to start out on an independent beginning. We let them all know that someone cared about them.
Arizona Helping Hands brought hope to tens of thousands of boys and girls under my leadership. I will always be thankful that I had this time to devote myself to giving back, serving an organization that I love and the kids who so needed its helping hands to the best of my ability. Now it’s time to be moving forward to new adventures….
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