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Interview With Robert J. King, Jr. and
Robert H. Rawson, Jr.
2006 United Way Campaign Co-chairs
One of the most important civic responsibilities in Greater Cleveland is leading United Way of Greater Cleveland's annual campaign. Robert J. King, Jr. and Robert H. Rawson, Jr. will be taking on that role as co-chairs of the 2006 campaign. Together, they will make a difference in the way our community comes together to help our hometown become a better place for all.
Both of these leaders are deeply committed to our community and to United Way's mission of finding solutions for our community's health and human service priorities. For more than a decade, Mr. Rawson has been the Partner-in-Charge of the Cleveland headquarters office of Jones Day, one of the nation's leading law firms. Mr. King comes to Cleveland from Cincinnati where he was Executive Vice President of Fifth Third Bank. He moved to Cleveland as President and CEO of Fifth Third's Northeastern Ohio affiliate and is now the Managing Director of the investment banking firm Western Reserve Partners LLC.
United Way (UW): Thank you for taking the time to speak to us. What part of Cleveland do you live in?
Bob Rawson (BR): Many readers might know that my wife Judy is the Mayor of Shaker Heights. I grew up in and have lived in Shaker Heights almost all my life and I went to and graduated from Shaker schools. My wife and I are very committed to Greater Cleveland and to Shaker Heights in particular and all of our children went to Shaker schools.
Bob King (BK): My family and I are also eastsiders, living in Pepper Pike. Like Shaker, Pepper Pike has a great quality of life and a wonderful community to live and to raise a family in.
UW: As a successful leader in Greater Cleveland, what do you think the attributes of a good leader are? Tell us about your leadership style.
BK: Being willing to do what you are asking others to do. Being honest and open to good ideas no matter where they come from. You have to lead by example and be committed to your goals and objectives. People have to believe that you are real, honest and open. Being a good listener is very important… people appreciate being heard and it helps build consensus. This is my leadership style and these principles are hallmarks of many of the successful leaders I have known.
BR: I couldn't agree with Bob (King) more. A successful leader inspires others by their example. A leader sets a vision and establishes a sense of culture in an organization. Like Bob, my style of leadership is based on collaboration with others, to empower people to be do their best and to be their best wherever their talents lie.
UW: What do you do to keep a balance in your busy lives?
BK: It is always a challenge with so many opportunities to make a difference in the community, at home and in the workplace. Family comes first, but it is important to have a family that understands that professional and community commitments are also very important. That said, it is critical to carve out "family time." At work, being a good leader, effectively delegating what can be delegated and having a good organization behind you is an absolute must. Community service provides a tremendous amount of gratification, knowing that you are making a difference. Being committed to the goals you have set out to achieve … and then seeing the results makes the effort worthwhile.
BR: Last year's United Way Campaign Chairman, Henry Meyer used the analogy of a three legged stool: family, community and business. I use that analogy to describe how I find balance in my own life, too. Keeping the stool balanced is important and like Bob (King), I get a great deal of gratification out of making a difference in the community, knowing that my efforts are helping others. I too find that having a family that understands the pull of business and civic commitments and that supports those activities is crucial. My wife as Mayor also has a very busy schedule and so we need to synchronize our calendars so we are able to plan quality time together.
UW: Both of you are well traveled. What makes Greater Cleveland a special place for you…how are we different than other places in the country and the world that you have visited?
BK: A community is only as good at the people who are there, and Cleveland has great people. More than anything that makes this community special. Northeastern Ohio has tremendous amenities and an incredible history of giving back to those who need help. I think our hometown is a great place to raise a family. This community has a very positive future with great potential.
BR: I too am a great fan of Greater Cleveland and talk about our great community wherever I go. I find Cleveland to be a very, very livable place. This is a great, culturally astute, active community, no matter what your interests. Beautiful homes, wonderful cultural resources, incredible diversity are all nearby and accessible. I truly believe that a person with ability and talent can make a real contribution here. Like Bob (King), I also believe that we have a culture that promotes caring and a sense of community that I have found to be rare elsewhere in the country…or the world. United Way is an example of that commitment to caring.
UW: How long have you been involved in United Way?
BK: I have been involved with United Way for over 25 years. I thought it was important to not only contribute to United Way but to also know my contribution was being used in an effective and efficient manner. I have found out that those resources were being well spent and were making a difference, and so that is why I have continued to be engaged actively in this tremendously important community effort.
BR: As a leader, I started to get involved when I joined Jones Day back in 1971. It was part of the firm's culture, and I came in already understanding how important United Way is to the community. Leaders like Dick Pogue inspired and encouraged me to take the time to get involved, and I did. I have co-chaired United Way's pacesetter and professional campaigns and been active in 10+ (Cleveland's Alexis de Tocqueville Society) and in the campaign at Jones, Day for many years.
UW: What is your earliest memory of United Way…was it something your family was involved in…for example, did you participate in a "Red Feather" campaign when you were in school?
BR: While Chuck Ratner, the 2004 United Way Campaign Chairman was in school in Cleveland Heights getting his red feather back in the 50's, I was a few blocks over in Shaker getting my red feather, making a contribution to United Appeal, the predecessor to United Way. I think that early understanding of how a community acting together can change lives effectively and efficiently still inspires my involvement today.
BK: Not quite as far back as Bob (Rawson), however for over 25 years I have been a donor and have played an active role in the United Way, in every community I have lived in. In 1995, I was the United Way Campaign Chair in Toledo/Lucas County and I have been active in United Way of Greater Cleveland since moving here. I know United Way is a great organization worthy of the support of our entire community with a unique, broad-based impact that is responsive to those that need our help the most.
UW: What will your focus be for the upcoming 2006 United Way Campaign? How will this year's campaign be different?
BK: I think it is important to broaden our base of support. Right now, only about 30 percent of the employees who work in companies that run United Way campaigns in Cuyahoga County participate in our campaign. If we can bring that percentage up just a bit… through more aggressive campaigning, refining our message, getting through to those who want to make a difference but don't know how… that is one goal I would like to achieve. I want United Way to be their charity of choice, and if we can show them that their investment in United Way is being spent wisely and is having an impact, I think we can get them involved.
BR: Bob (King) is exactly right. We must increase the participation and knowledge about United Way and acquire new donors. A healthy community is everyone's business. We must be pragmatic about what needs to be done as we can't expect the same generous donors to increase our base of support each year. That growth only comes through new donors, and that only takes place once they understand both what United Way does and how important their contribution is towards making our community a better place.
UW: Best of luck with this year's campaign and thank you for all you do for our community!
Past volunteer interviews:
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
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