United Way of Greater Cleveland :: Interview with Fred Nance

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Interview With Frederick R. Nance

This year, Frederick R. Nance, Squire, Sanders and Dempsey's Cleveland headquarters managing partner, and Bryan K. Segedi, Ernst and Young LLP area managing partner, are co-chairs of the United Way of Greater Cleveland Loaned Executive (LE) program. The program consists of leading Cleveland companies "loaning" staff members to work on the annual United Way campaign for three or six months. This program has been an important ingredient to successful campaigns for the past 40 years. This month, we had a discussion with Fred Nance. Nance is a board member of and advises many of our region's leading organizations, including The Cleveland Clinic, The Cleveland Foundation, Catholic Charities Services Corporation and United Way. Nance was named the Chairman of The Greater Cleveland Partnership, the largest chamber of commerce in the nation, in March.

Yet of all the many important civic leadership positions he holds, United Way is among the most important to Nance. "United Way ties it all together. United Way brings together the for-profit community with the nonprofit health and human services community to find solutions for our region's most pressing problems. United Way is also a convener and a catalyst that finds ways by which the private sector and government can work on common challenges. United Way has a special, unique and leading role in our community," Nance says. United Way values his leadership as a member of United Way's Board of Directors, a member of Ten Plus and in his new role as co-chair of the 2006 Loaned Executive program.

United Way: Thank you for taking the time to talk to United Way today. Mr. Nance, how does United Way fit in with the other civic leadership roles you play in the community?
Fred Nance (FN): United Way plays a very important role. The mission of United Way is to convene and fund partnerships and find solutions to the most challenging health and human service needs in our community. This is my home and United Way makes it a better place for everyone. United Way, in partnership with other organizationssuch as the Cleveland Foundation, The Greater Cleveland Partnership, Catholic Charities and government, all of which I'm involved with, makes them and makes us stronger, better, more capable so we are better positioned to find solutions and to solve the problems that we face.

UW: When did you first learn about/get involved with United Way?
FN: I have been aware of the important work United Way does in our community since the late 70s…in fact, it was as a result of the Loaned Executive program that my awareness was raised when Squire, Sanders and Dempsey sent some of our people through the program at that time. Recently, I have become much more involved with United Way, both in terms of making an increased financial commitment and through service on the Board of Directors, as a member of the Executive Committee of 10+ and this year as a co-chair of the Loaned Executive program. The safety net of social service agencies that United Way supports is even more critical today than ever before because of the confluence of reduced governmental funding and increased needs, so I'm really delighted to make an increased commitment to such a critical community partner.

UW: What role/responsibilities do businesses have in supporting the civic life of a community, in particular in their support of health and human services?
FN: United Way has always been one of the most important ways employees and employers come together to help those in need. If an organization wants to be a good corporate, civic-minded citizen, one of the best ways to do this is to have a United Way campaign, making it a fun, educational and an integral part of the workplace. United Way has tremendous impact, not only because it is a major source of support for health and human service programs, but because it can ensure efficiency in the delivery of effective services. Perhaps just as important, United Way is able to strategically address problems in partnerships with others to find long-term solutions. For companies, United Way's work helps ensure a safer, healthier community…and that means better, healthier and more capable employees. Businesses and their employees are the backbone of the United Way campaign generally and are critical to the success of the Loaned Executive Program, which I'm co-chairing with Bryan K. Segedi this year.

UW: What is the Loaned Executive program?
FN: Many of yesterday's and today's business leaders were at one time involved with United Way as Loaned Executives. Begun about 40 years ago, United Way asks companies to spare an employee, or sponsor a person to work at United Way for three months. There are two sessions of Loaned Executives (June 19-Sept. 1 and Aug. 21-Dec. 15) who work at United Way, calling on companies on the phone, in person and in writing to encourage or to help them run their campaigns. It is a fun program for those that participate. It is hard work, but very rewarding.

UW: What kind of companies have participated in the Loaned Executive program?
FN: It is truly a cross section of leading companies and organizations in Greater Cleveland. They come from the private sector, such as Ohio Savings Bank, Ernst and Young, UPS, KeyCorp, Deloitte and Touche, Thompson Hine, Jones Day, Federal Express, Accenture, Huntington National Bank and here at Squire, Sanders and Dempsey. Loaned Executives also come from the public sector including government, The American Red Cross, United Labor Agency, Cuyahoga Community College, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland and more.

UW: What are the benefits to employers in participating?
FN: The Loaned Executive program not only benefits employees but also employers. For companies already running a United Way campaign, this is another way to show and be recognized for their commitment to the community in a way that is cost effective. It can be integrated into a new employee's experience. Working at United Way will deepen the commitment and understanding about United Way within their organization when they go back. For many employees, the United Way experience is a positive benefit that can be integrated into leadership track activities. Loaned Executives are away from the company's office, but they are not far away, available for critical meetings and assignments, so they can serve United Way and their company at the same time.

UW: What kind of employees would benefit from the experience of working as a Loaned Executive at United Way?
FN: Really, any employee. The Loaned Executive experience benefits newer, fast-track employees who are learning about the company and its community commitment, as well as senior-level employees who have lots of connections and a deep commitment to the community. Employees who have shown a commitment or interest in United Way or employees who work in marketing, public relations, human resources, sales or recruiting also are good LE candidates. United Way will put them in touch with a wide variety of people and situations. They will return to their jobs with a much greater understanding of how United Way works, a rich appreciation for philanthropy and knowledge of the difference it makes in the community.

UW: As co-chair of this year's program, what are your goals and objectives?
FN: Our goal this year is to recruit 40 Loaned Executives from as many companies as possible. If companies can spare a person for three months or sponsor the hiring of an employee, either or both would make a tremendous difference to United Way.

UW: Thank you for taking the time to talk with us today.

If you or your company would like to be part of the United Way team for a rewarding three-month adventure, or if you would like to support this valued and valuable program, please contact Nicole Langlois at 216-436-2184 or nlanglois@uws.org.

Past volunteer interviews:
  Robert J. King, Jr. and Robert H. Rawson, Jr., 2006 United Way Campaign Co-chairs
   Sarah Flannery, GeneratioNEXT Co-Chair
  Marc Byrnes, Campaign Cabinet
  David W. Whitehead, Strategic Planning Chair
  Jim Petsock of UPS
  Henry L. Meyer III, 2005 United Way Campaign Chairman