Companiesandme

I grew up in Cambridge, Mass, a city rich in diversity and on the leading edge of political and social thought. My parents fully embraced progressive thinking, with values that encompassed human rights, equality, and the importance of community. Each demonstrated a firm understanding of compassion and personal integrity that, at that time, was regarded as unconventional and monetarily uncertain. Their faith and belief in helping others became a guiding and fundamental principle in my life.

I attended Occidental College in Los Angeles and graduated in 1988. This was the height of what would become known as the "Me" generation. Hoping to live in a city where public and private excess was not the main goal, I moved to San Francisco, accompanied by the woman who is the love of my life.  Ultimately, I wanted to build my own company, and so I looked for work that would help me learn the sales and management skills I knew would be required.

I took a job selling Ricoh copiers for Encom, a company that would later be purchased by Ikon Office Solutions.  Over the nearly 3 years I worked at Encom, I developed a successful work relationship and personal friendship with Mike Hannigan.  As my first boss, Mike and I discovered we shared a similar work ethic as well as mutual political and social perspectives.  These common interests and complimentary skill sets allowed us to grow Encom substantially.  Following the Ikon purchase of Encom in late 1990, Mike took over running their Alameda office while I continued to provide leadership to the San Francisco branch.  Not long after the purchase of Encom, the entrepreneurial culture we had thrived in quickly changed.  Corporate America had captured our spirited and independent enterprise and Mike and I knew that to continue growing professionally and as individuals, we would need to move on.

In the winter of 1991, I began evaluating my options. One significant possibility had been presented to me by a commercial developer who wanted me to open an office for him in Denver. Over beer one night, I discussed this opportunity with Mike. It was then that Mike shared his desire to start a business based on the principal of Paul Newman's food business. The business would sell toner for copiers and donate the profits to community organizations. When he asked for my help, I thought he was absolutely crazy.

Why would I put all of my energy into building a successful business and then donate the profits? At first, it didn't make sense.  But then, the concept started to grow on me. Why wouldn't a customer embrace a company that had this kind of unique proposition? I was confident we could build a sales organization for this kind of company and I was fairly certain that, if it proven successful, we could make a reasonable living doing it. Having learned from my parents that it is possible to compassionately serve your community without sacrificing your own needs, I became convinced that this was the right choice for me. Within two weeks I accepted Mike's partnership proposal.

Nearly two decades later, I continue to feel privileged to be allowed to make my living by serving others and helping communities thrive.  Daily, I am inspired by the work done by the community organizations we support. I have been honored to touch the lives of hundreds of GSB coworkers and have attempted to help each of them grow professionally and personally. While we have certainly had many challenging moments over the last eighteen years, I could not have found a better way to fulfill my life's purpose-Give Something Back is who I am.