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Interview With Philip L. Rice and Paul Clark,
2007 United Way Campaign Co-Chairs
Leading United Way of Greater Cleveland's 2007 Annual Campaign are Philip L. Rice and Paul Clark, two men who have been colleagues and friends for many years at National City Bank, one of Cleveland's top banking and financial institutions. They bring a winning theme to this year's campaign, with optimism and confidence that will serve them well in the important community-wide effort ahead.
Both men are deeply involved with public service in our community and to United Way's vital mission of health and human services support to the people of Greater Cleveland. Rice is President and Chief Executive Officer of National City Bank and an Executive Vice President of National City Corporation, to which he has devoted his entire working career. Clark, who also has a long tenure with the company, is President of the Northern Ohio region of National City Bank and an Executive Vice President of National City Corporation.
United Way (UW): Thank you for taking the time to speak with us.
UW: Are you originally from the Cleveland area?
Phil Rice (PR): I live in Medina County. I've always lived and worked in the Greater Cleveland area, including my 27 years working in Cleveland at National City.
Paul Clark (PC): I grew up on the West Side of Cleveland, attended St. Edward High School and lived in Rocky River and Bay Village. I now live in Shaker Heights. During my career, I've also lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for two years and Kalamazoo, Michigan for three years -- all in the service of National City Corporation.
UW: What does Greater Cleveland mean to you? How is it different than other places you've visited?
PR: I've always found that Cleveland has a proud sense of community. I think the engagement of the leadership of Cleveland sets it apart from some cities I've been to. And I believe you can get involved on a personal level here and truly make a difference in this community -- the environment allows it.
PC: I think Greater Cleveland is similar to other places I've lived and worked, and I take comfort in that similarity, because the challenges we have are the same as in other communities. But I also believe we have more assets working for us. We're in the midst of a great reinvention of this community right now that's very exciting, and United Way is going to help Cleveland in that transformation -- to be stronger and achieve the aspirations of its citizens.
UW: How long have you been involved with United Way?
PR: As a contributor, since 1980, when I started with National City. It's long been a part of our company's culture to support United Way. More than six years ago, I began working directly with the United Way Campaign. I worked in one of United Way's Business Market groups soliciting donations. Later, I worked on the Pacesetter Campaign, recruited Loaned Executives and joined the United Way board. I've primarily focused on the fundraising side.
PC: I've been a United Way contributor since 1976, when I first joined National City. I recall getting directly involved with the United Way Campaign around 1990. I was asked to be one of the solicitors in a Business Market group. I became involved back then in what was called the Entrepreneurial Effort, which evolved into what's today known as the Small Business Effort. I also worked with the United Ways in Pittsburgh and Kalamazoo when I lived in those cities. In the past few years I've been involved with the Individual Giving area of United Way. Phil and I have also been involved with our company's internal campaign for United Way, and we're proud of the fact that National City's employee and corporate donations totaled over $3 million for the 2006 United Way Campaign.
UW: What other volunteer positions do you hold in the community?
PR: Currently I'm Chairman of the Cleveland Development Advisors, a fund associated with the Greater Cleveland Partnership. I'm on the board of the Cuyahoga Community College Foundation and Chairman of the President's Council Foundation, a minority business development effort. I also chair the St. Vincent Charity Hospital Capital Campaign and am a member of the corporate cabinet of Harvest for Hunger.
PC: At this time, I chair the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland Foundation and the MetroHealth Foundation. Phil and I feel it's a real privilege to be involved at this level.
PR: I'd like to add that Paul and I have excellent support from our organization. When we take on these roles, our team at the bank supports us very effectively.
PC: So many of the employees here at National City Bank are involved with numerous volunteer efforts on behalf of the community that are important to them and their families -- we're really very proud of that.
UW: What motivates you to lead the United Way Campaign?
PR: United Way is certainly a part of our cultural fabric at National City. We understand the importance of United Way and the safety net it provides to our community. We know the good work that United Way does, and consequently, we're willing to step up to the plate and help get the job done.
PC: I'm struck by how many of our employees use the services of agencies supported by United Way. That's important to us -- to support those agencies that make the quality of life better for our employees and their families. United Way also plays a unique role in the community -- they help to find the sources of help for those in need.
UW: Have you or anyone close to you been personally affected by United Way programs in the past?
PR: Yes. On the deepest personal level, my mother, who had cancer, was in the Hospice of the Western Reserve, a United Way partner agency. And my daughter has participated in YMCA youth programs funded by United Way. Also, my membership on various agency boards in the past has made me aware of the good works accomplished through other United Way partner agencies.
PC: As a manager at National City, over the years I recall two very specific instances where I had employees who needed help from United Way-funded programs, and it was very satisfying to me to be able to direct these individuals to agencies where they could be helped. These people went on to incredible careers, and they're both doing very well today. I was also personally helped some 25 years ago by a United Way partner agency, and know first-hand the positive impact of a United Way-funded program in my life.
UW: What will be your focus for the 2007 United Way Campaign? How will this year's campaign be different?
PR: Our theme is "Let's Win Together!" It starts with Paul and I working together, the whole assembled campaign team working together, and most important, the community working together, to win. If we work together, we'll win together -- that's going to be our mantra as we go through the effort to reach our goal.
PC: I would add to Phil's comments that we're really excited and enthusiastic about the team we've been able to recruit -- it's a combination of seasoned veterans and energetic newcomers. We've recruited 41 new executive cabinet members, and nearly half of them are on the cabinet for the first time. Clearly, one of the things every fundraising campaign needs to do is focus on recruiting new donors. As an example of how we'll "win together," we've added three really great campaign leaders in the Small Business area: Jeanne Coughlin, Ned Handy and Peter Shipley, who are running the Small Business cabinet. They've already recruited more people than ever before to help in that crucial area to attract new donors. We're very excited about where we are right now and where we're going!
UW: Gentlemen, good luck with the United Way of Greater Cleveland 2007 Campaign and thank you for helping our community in this worthy endeavor.
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