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Albert
Wright Steps Down
Executive Committee Shares Memories of Board Chair
BY
PEARLETTE CID
When
Albert Wright signed on as Board chair six years ago, he took the
idea of Georgia Family Connection Partnership (GaFCP) and turned
it into a reality. He was instrumental in convening partners and
initiating discussions on ways to address the overall health for
families and children living in Georgia, and in developing the Georgia
Family Connection Standards for Excellence in Collaboration and
Community Decision-Making. This month he completes his final term
as GaFCP chair.
"I
deeply appreciate Albert for his vision and leadership that helped
establish and grow an effective, dynamic organization," said Gaye
Smith, executive director of GaFCP. "I will forever be grateful
to him for his inspired and creative guidance. We will miss his
extraordinary leadership, but we wish him the very best in his new
endeavors."
Wright
was introduced as GaFCP's Board chair at the 2002 Legislator Breakfast,
where he immediately made a connection with the audience. A passionate
champion of the power of service and volunteering, Wright was honored
for his ongoing efforts and unwavering support during the 2007 Georgia
Family Connection Community Service Awards banquet.
"Albert
has worked diligently to strengthen our corporate and nonprofit
partnerships," said Smith. "He's an incredible example of walking
the talk. Albert's outstanding leadership has helped the Partnership
and the network carry forward the mission entrusted to it more than
15 years ago by working together with business leaders and organizations
to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities
in Georgia."
The
GaFCP Board of Directors Executive Committee members also evoked
memories of their time serving Georgia's children and families with
Wright.
Addressing
and responding to needs with kindness
What I appreciate most about Albert is his sincerity and his knowledge.
Albert is sincerely concerned about the welfare of children and
their families. You see this in the passion and energy he exudes
in leading the Partnership. I think this sincerity grows out of
Albert's life experiences and the value he places on family. Beyond
his compassion and desire to see improvement in the lives of Georgia's
children and families, Albert is obviously a very talented executive.
His abilities as an executive provided direction and advice that
benefited Georgia Family Connection Partnership and greatly contributed
to the strides of improvement the Partnership has made under his
leadership.
—Vice Chair Tony Rojas
Executive Director, Macon Water Authority
When
visions become reality you are blessed
When we were all dreaming dreams and seeing visions about this unique
partnership, the transition team brain stormed about the kind of
person GaFCP needed as Board chair. Albert brought a lifetime of
considerable corporate experience. In him we found an exceptional
Board chair. He has the ability to apply the lessons learned from
working for a huge worldwide highly successful corporation to our
entity. I was amazed at how he could apply a lesson learned in business
to a nonprofit entity. Albert served on several other nonprofit
boards, and the lessons he learned there helped our start-up organization
avoid mistakes and adopt the best nonprofit policies and procedures.
Albert also is a good teacher. I learned a lot from him about sitting
on a board of directors. An excellent technique for preparing a
board report was for me to ask, "What would Albert Ask?" He has
the ability to ask the most incisive and on-point questions possible.
Yet he never asked the questions in a way that was negative. So
WWAA has been my mantra for six years. His winsome personality always
reassured you that he had the Partnership's best interests at heart.
He is just a great guy. We are the benefactors of Albert's willing
and enthusiastic investment in our Partnership. Thank you, Albert.
—Treasurer Bob Patterson
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Warm Springs
Looking
beyond problems
Albert is a perfect chair for GaFCP. He loves the organization,
its mission, and its work. He brought a management-oriented and
results-focused approach to his work for the organization, with
a nice personal touch. We all benefited from his leadership and
look forward to working with him in the future. We're all grateful
for his many contributions to GaFCP.
—Secretary Doug Reid
Executive Vice President, Right-Way Services, LLC
Being
pleasant regardless of outside circumstances
When I heard that our fearless leader, Albert Wright, was driving
cross country to Oregon, my first concerns related to 3,500 miles
of local law enforcement Albert might encounter. The enforcers of
our nation's traffic laws and Albert have not always seen eye to
eye. Our collective prayers were answered and there were no legal
complications as Albert proceeded to the wild and beautiful destination
of the Corp. of Discovery. Albert, we will miss your contagious
good humor, your off-the-wall accounting theories, and, most of
all, your steadfast leadership on behalf of some of the most vulnerable
children and families in our state. Happy retirement. Come back
soon or we may plan a field trip to Cannon Beach.
—Member at large Terry Walsh
Attorney, Alston & Bird
Serving
others
Albert: I have enjoyed serving with you on the Executive Committee
and have learned a lot about leadership from you. Your knowledge,
caring, and commitment have been an inspiration to me and to the
Partnership. Even though you were very busy with your professional
and family life, you took time to serve the families and children
of Georgia and helped to improve their lives. Enjoy your retirement,
get settled in your new home, and then find a place to serve. I'm
sure you will not forget about GaFCP, and we all look forward to
hearing about the great things you will do in the future.
—Member at large Patricia (Patsy) Brunson
Director, Taylor County, Industrial Development Authority
Watch
Albert Wright's farewell.
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