Chairman, Board of Directors
As Chairman of the Board of Directors — I served 2 terms as the highest-ranking volunteer officer of this internationally recognized non-profit organization which operates at three historic Wright-designed sites throughout the greater Chicago metropolitan area: Wright’s Home and Studio in Oak Park, Robie House on the University of Chicago campus in Hyde Park, and The Rookery in central downtown.
Twice unanimously elected as Board Chair by his peers, I was responsible for leading a swift and
dramatic transformation and expansion of the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust from an organizationally challenged operation on many levels — into a thriving entity poised for strong future growth, with demonstrably enhanced regional/national/international visibility.
Significant Accomplishments:
Implemented an evolved Mission Statement & new Strategic Plan.
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Hired a new President and CEO.
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Stabilized finances with a better balance between earned and unearned revenue sources.
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Established a stable Development Department — including a Corporate Giving division, more robust fundraising capabilities, and streamlined record-keeping procedures.
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Led an institution-wide effort to hardwire a “Culture of Philanthropy” at all levels of the FLWPT, including increased Board engagement — especially with regard to the Board’s “Give & Get” commitment, ensuring that budgeted financial goals were collectively exceeded for the Fiscal Year.
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Worked with the Board Treasurer, CEO, and CFO to develop a plan that re-aligns the organization’s
Fiscal and Calendar Years — (starting January 1, 2012.)
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Prioritized a substantial improvement in the Cash to Line of Credit ratio —
delivering “in the black” budgets in the last 3 Fiscal Cycles under his leadership.
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Established a third site at the historic Rookery building in the heart of Chicago’s Financial District in 2011, including new central administrative headquarters, touring operation, and a new gift shop. This relocation generated enhanced visibility region-wide and yielded numerous operational and programmatic benefits, including enhanced revenue opportunities.
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Inspired the fulfillment a 40-year-old organizational dream of sole ownership of the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio in Oak Park in May 2012 — and directed a seamless move to fully independent governance and formal separation from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
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Led an institution-wide effort to hardwire a “Culture of Philanthropy” at all levels of the FLWPT, including increased Board engagement — especially with regard to the Board’s “Give & Get” commitment, ensuring that budgeted financial goals were collectively exceeded for the Fiscal Year.
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Directed the re-organization of Staff to service 3-sites more effectively — in effect doing “more with less.”
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Presided over the two most financially successful “Wright Plus” events ever, in both 2011 and 2012. Hailed by the Chicago Tribune as “one of the nation’s most august house walks” — “Wright Plus” is a 4-day series of events that comprise the FLWPT’s signature annual fundraising/friend-raising effort — attracting thousands of Wright enthusiasts to the Chicagoland area to experience tours of privately held Wright-designed homes, and related activities. Logistical planning and execution for “Wright Plus” involves an army of nearly 500 volunteers. Because of an early and aggressive focus on securing high-profile corporate sponsorships — the 2012 event over-performed the previous year’s all-time-record-high financial success, with an 18% boost in year-over-year revenues.
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Increased local, regional, and national visibility — including inspiring the development of a new “Wright Angles”
magazine for donors and members that is available in both electronic and paper formats.
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Expanded collaborative efforts with improved community partnerships —
including Unity Temple and the University of Chicago.
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