Delaware Valley Friends School
The award was presented at the Annual Dinner in Boston, MA. Frank Aloise, Director of Finance & Operations at Springside School, had the honor of introducing the recipient:
"When Sarah [Daignault] called and asked me to introduce Bob for this award I thought, "Wow that is quite the job." But then I realized that I wouldn't have to speak too long since Bob would surely have something to say and could fill whatever time I left him.
Thinking about this has given me time to reflect on my life as a business officer. Just 10 short years ago I was a derivatives trader on Wall Street with 2 phones glued to my ears screaming and yelling all day long. I took some time to look at my life and realized I wanted and needed to do something more. I found a job at The Haverford School and my head enrolled me in "Summer Camp for Business Managers" (as Bob calls it).
And I met Bob and the amazing ride began!
As I think about Bob I realize that he is already the Right-brain person that Daniel Pink is arguing we need to develop.
Bob has DESIGN
He was a general contractor who became a trustee, who became the business manager of his school. He used his creativity to build his school from nothing – a rented building to one that now owns and leases out space from its building.
You sit in the large conference room and there are 50 chairs – each one different (he bought them from defunct business - cheaply!) They roll, they recline, and spin. There is one for every type of kid in his school. He was the first person I know to install motion sensing lights in his rooms so if the meeting or class gets boring the lights go out and someone needs to jump up and get it moving again.
He was instrumental in re-invigorating the amazing PAISBOA group – the symbol of which is a flock of geese flying in formation supporting one another. He envisions things few others could see and pushed the 15 other original schools on that board to make things happen. In less than 9 years under his leadership PAISBOA has grown to a $77 million business providing goods and services to over 120 different schools.
Bob is STORY
He in fact wrote "The Philadelphia Story" a presentation he did on PAISBOA. Bob can tell a story and is always willing to share much more then just the facts. He weaves into all his tales something that will inspire, challenge and teach. As most of you know he really is NEVER at a loss for words.
Bob is SYMPHONY
Bob can see things many of us miss. He has an insatiable thirst for knowledge and is always looking for the next BIG idea. He is also an incredible conductor. He leads and inspires in a way that to me is unbelievable. Sometimes I just get exhausted watching him charge forward, trying to always improve, while always making sure to bring all those around along for the ride. He conducts his school, PAISBOA and his life in the same way.
Bob has EMPATHY
Bob cares deeply about everyone around him. His love of his family, his students and his colleagues is incredible. He constantly tries to share ideas that will help those around him. He loves to laugh and is always attuned to those around him and draws them into the group.
Bob is PLAY
With all of his commitments he still knows how to play, as anyone who has attended an institute knows, he is often the ring leader for some crazy antics: if it is jumping the fence into a pool or dancing the tango on the endless cruise or attending a late night Fruit concert. Bob is there.
He is also the only business manager I know who squeezes out 4 weeks in Italy each summer.
And most importantly, Bob has MEANING
Bob has spent his life with meaning – organizing farm workers, caring for his children, building homes and building a school for kids with few other choices. He spends part of each day helping these kids find success, he takes part of each day to help each of us grow and better our profession. He takes part of each day to support the many organizations for which he feels a passion. And I really don't know when he sleeps... but he HAS meaning!
In the past 10 years my connection with Bob has allowed me to learn so much and change so much and find a whole new meaning in my life. And I know he will inspire many more Whole New Minds in the years to come.
It is with great pleasure that I present to Bob the Kenneth White Distinguished Business Officer Award."