We lost a dear friend and leader with the shockingly unexpected passing this month of our Board Chair, Chris Worrell.  Death is never easy for me to accept, but it seems even more unfair when it strikes someone with so much more living to do. 

Chris was coming to grips with that next phase of life - the one where, with the kids grown and gone (and making Mom and Dad proud), we men are free to rediscover every day the truth of our greatest fear - that we did, in fact, marry women we don't deserve.  And, while I firmly believe that is the case more often than not, Chris probably really did deserve Stephanie.  I say that, not because she is anything less than incredible, but because he was clearly a better man than most, and desperately in love with her.

Though I counted Chris among my friends, there are others who had a deeper, longer personal friendship with him and can better convey stories of his devotion to Stephanie and his passion for being the best father possible to Ben and Devon.  From here on, I'll try to limit my comments to observations I had of Chris as a Board colleague and a "boss."

 want to know what happened and why.  They want to anticipate as many possible consequences to an act as they can - so they can protect clients from the negative ones.  That is how Chris approached his chairmanship of United Way's Board:  How can we achieve the best possible outcome for the community and still showcase the coalition-building strength of the Butler County United Way?

Chris chaired the Board at a pivotal time.  Near the end of his expected tenure, Maureen Noe told him that she had accepted a new challenge - one that would take her away from a community and position where she had experienced great success and to a new state and a larger city that would provide her with greater personal opportunities.    Chris felt a responsibility to assure continuity through the transition to a new CEO, and agreed to extend his term as Board Chair to do that.  He oversaw the search and selection process, and was careful to insure it remained impartial and transparent.

Once I came aboard as President and CEO last June, I anticipated that the nature of my relationship with Chris would change.  I was no longer a Board colleague - now, I was an employee.  But despite that difference, he remained generously supportive and respectful of me, and worked hard to assure my success as the President and CEO of the Butler County United Way.   For that, and countless kindnesses over the years, I will be eternally grateful.