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Interview With Marc Byrnes
Marc Byrnes has been going "above and beyond" for United Way of Greater Cleveland for more than a decade. In addition to being a generous contributor of time and resources, Marc has enlivened every activity he has been involved with at United Way with his quick wit, wisdom and insight. He serves on the United Way of Greater Cleveland Board of Directors, is co-chairman of the Professional Market in the 2005 United Way Campaign Cabinet and is a member of Ten Plus (donors of $10,000 or more).
Professionally, Marc is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Oswald Companies. Oswald is an employee-owned company that is one of the 50 largest insurance, risk management, and employee/executive benefit brokerage and consulting firms in the United States. Headquartered here in Cleveland, Oswald Companies has regional offices in Florida (Ft. Myers, Naples, Miami, and Sarasota) and Boston, Massachusetts. In addition, Marc has served on numerous insurance company advisory boards, including MassMutual and ING/Security Life.
On the personal side, Marc is a graduate of University School (and currently serves on the executive committee of their board) and has a BA degree in history and economics from Williams College. Married for 29 years, he and his wife Viki have three sons, Matthew, Kyle and Gregory. In addition to United Way, Marc also is actively involved with Alzheimer's and has formerly served on the board of the Alzheimer's Association and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
United Way: Thank you for taking the time to speak to us. Are you a native Clevelander?
Marc Byrnes: I was born in Cleveland and have lived here most of my adult life… graduated from University School. My wife Viki and I currently live in Hunting Valley.
UW: And your children?
MB: We have three great kids, all of whom are away at college. Matt, who is 22 is at Denison; Kyle is 20 and at Fordham and Greg is just starting out at Farleigh-Dickenson.
UW: How long have you been involved in philanthropy and United Way in particular?
MB: Really, all of my life. I was adopted and the agency through which I was placed was a United Way agency… I think United Way was called the Community Chest at the time. In school, I contributed to the Red Feather campaign and proudly wore my red feather at school and at home.
I truly believe "it takes a village" to raise a child...or to create a community. Although I am involved in many philanthropic causes -- University School, Alzheimer's Association, Cystic Fibrosis -- United Way has always had an important, special place in my life and it still does today.
As we are talking, I am reminded of an incident that really changed my life. I was a student at Williams College and joined the Big Brother organization. I became a Big Brother for a kid named Steven in Pownall, Vermont. Steven became a father figure of sorts in his family because he was the oldest of five kids and his father was only around when he was drunk. I was able to take Steven away from all of that on Saturdays when we got together. I spoke to him twice a week to make sure he was ok and helped him whenever he needed me. I really thought I was making a difference then, one person at a time. I think I am able to make a difference today, helping people here in Greater Cleveland through United Way.
UW: What is your role with United Way leadership now?
MB: For the past five years I have been involved in United Way leadership, a member of Ten Plus and for the past two years as a co-chair of the professional division of the executive campaign cabinet. This year, I'm co-chair with Dave Hooker who I have really enjoyed working with. Last year I had the privilege of working with Gary Bryenton. I have also worked with Sean Hennessy whom I admire. Notably, Tom Stevens and Bob Rawson got me involved in United Way leadership.
UW: Is your family involved in philanthropy?
MB: Giving back to the community is part of who we are as a family. My wife Viki has overcome a hearing disability and plans to assist seniors who have hearing disabilities themselves. I'm so proud of my sons who have each engaged in their communities in different ways. Greg coached a wheelchair basketball team and Kyle mentors kids without dads in the Bronx and also gives tours at the New York Botanical Gardens to inner city kids. Matt volunteers as a coach for a youth soccer league in Granville, Ohio.
UW: How about at Oswald Companies, where you are not just a team leader but also the CEO? Is it important to give back to the community, particularly for those involved with professional services -- ethics, values, beliefs?
MB: In our mission statement, caring is the operative word. We care for our clients and we care for the welfare of one another and the communities we call home, whether in Boston, Florida or at our headquarters here in Cleveland. There is an acronym that helps guide our company and our philosophy: PIRC. P- Passion for Excellence. I- Integrity in all relationships. R- Resourceful and C- Commitment to community. United Way is one way we show our community commitment through running a robust campaign. We also participate in Days of Caring, where over 75% of our employee-owners participate. This is our fourth year of doing a Day of Caring and this year our employee-owners spent a great day at a Boys and Girls Club.
UW: How do you feel United Way makes a difference... have you or anyone close to you been impacted by a United Way service or program?
MB: As I mentioned, I was placed as an adopted child through United Way. Ten years ago, we experienced the compassion and caring of a United Way agency when my mother was treated at the Hospice of the Western Reserve during the final days of life. It was a very important time for my father, Larry, and myself. So we have been both on the giving and receiving end of United Way programs.
Cleveland is a great community and has a tremendous legacy of giving. The future of Cleveland is more reliant on closely held companies for the future prosperity of our region. I see a bright future for our community. There is incredible potential in the people here, and the more we are able to help people the richer our community as a whole will become. Not just wealthier financially, but in the quality of life, the sustainability of the economy and the pride we take in what we are able to accomplish together. United Way makes a difference and does help people be the best they can be.
UW: Is there a person that you particularly admire?
MB:
I have been influenced by many wonderful people who have given a tremendous amount to our community. One that comes to mind is Dick Bogomolny who was the head of First National Supermarkets and a tremendous leader in so many ways in our community. He really has made a difference in organizations that he has been involved with. Truly a man with incredible integrity.
I admire greatly the Penders, both Jim and Kathy Pender. Jim is my business partner and he helped me understand the importance of community leadership. Kevin Keene is a great person who has become an incredible leader in our community even though he was not originally from Cleveland. He took on leadership of United Way's campaign and did a great job. Seeing Kevin in action was an eye opening experience for me. The current leadership of Henry Meyer, Sandy Cutler and Chuck Ratner…all are amazing people doing great work I admire.
I also of course admire and love my partner in life, Viki, and my dad Larry more than I can really put into words.
UW: Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of work and United Way?
MB:
: I love golf but I am not that good at it, probably because I don't play as much as I would like. In winter, I love downhill skiing. I'm passionate about high school and college football. I am a quasi-maniacal runner and have participated in triathlons and marathons. I like following pro sports too, as anyone who has seen my office will attest. Most of all I enjoy spending quality family time with Viki, my sons and in particular my dad Larry who is wonderfully active at the tender age of 81.
UW: Thank you.
Past volunteer interviews:
David W. Whitehead, Strategic Planning Chair
Jim Petsock of UPS
Henry L. Meyer III, 2005 United Way Campaign Chairman
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