Jan's Journal
Do you know this man? His daughter says it would be unlikely that he'd get into LT these days. He was not, as they say, "to the executive suite born." In his youth, he helped his single mother by working at a gas station during high
school. He never finished college. He began his career as a hotel pageboy, progressing up the career ladder to elevator operator and bellhop, and ended his career as the CEO of a major hotel chain and national airline.
His former employees would call him a Servant Leader (although back in his day there wasn't a term for it). He was noted for listening to his employees and responding to their suggestions. He also empowered them to make many of their own
decisions (within established guidelines), which improved both customer satisfaction and employee morale.
Ask anyone of a "certain age" who they would hold up as one of our region's most notable civic leaders and his name would come up. In a 1999 article in the Seattle P-I by reporter Bruce Ramsey, he was described as a "towering civic
booster." That same article notes that "if the city's leaders could put one man's head on a coin, it would be his."
Of course I'm talking about Edward "Eddie" E. Carlson, for whom our outstanding alumni award is named. If you are one of our younger alums, or not from this region, you might not know much about him, but he truly embodied civic
leadership. He got his first taste of civic involvement in 1948, as one of two leaders of a successful, statewide initiative to re-legalize the sale of liquor by the drink. He is most noted for his seven-year effort to bring the 1962
World's Fair, known as the Century 21 Exposition, to Seattle. The effort brought him endless ridicule and people called it "Eddie's Folly." As his daughter Jane notes, that "folly" is about to celebrate its 50th anniversary!
His drawing on a paper napkin of a tower with a revolving restaurant on the top, became the origin of the Space Needle.
As a civic leader he served on too many boards to count, and was appointed a UW Regent by Governor John Spellman in 1982. He was known for paying close attention at meetings and reading everything that had been prepared for him. He was
tenacious, bold, willing to take criticism, and unafraid of risks. I remember him from the time we developed our Outstanding Alumni Award back in 1989. He helped us think through the criteria we developed, and presented the award to our
first recipient, Dr. Ernest Morris, from the University of Washington. Mr. Carlson's family was gracious enough to allow us to name our award after him, upon his passing in 1990.
Awards are a wonderful way to show someone that you value their contributions. By nominating someone to receive our Edward E. Carlson Outstanding Alumni Award, you will be recognizing a fellow LT alum who has truly made a difference in
the civic fabric of our region. Not only will you honor the graduate you nominated, but the memory of Eddie Carlson as well. For more information and to nominate your colleagues,
click here.
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Nominate an LT Alum for Carlson Honor! |
Time seems to fly by and there's only a few opportunities to honor and nominate an LT alum who has made a significant difference in their neighborhood, community, city or the region. It could be an alum who quietly "leads under the radar"
or it could be someone who is "bigger than life." The honoree will receive the Edward E. Carlson Outstanding Alumni Award in June at the graduation dinner for the Class of 2010 on June 24th at the Sheraton Hotel.
Along with the award, the recipient chooses a non-profit that will receive $1,000 from Leadership Tomorrow in honor of the award winner's special achievement.
Deadline for submissions is April 23, 2010. Complete the nomination form which you'll find at
http://www.leadershiptomorrowseattle.org/alumni.html and click on Application for Eddie Carlson Award. Email to
barbara@leadershiptomorrowseattle.org with all the required information. Don't delay and thank you!
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Voices from the 2010 Race Retreat |
The Leadership Tomorrow Race Retreat took place over two days this February. As in past years, the objectives included recognizing the multi-racial dimensions of race and racism and sharing ideas and experiences frankly and honestly.
Many members in this remarkable Class of 2010 were enlightened and moved by their experiences at the retreat. One class member noted, "I made some deep, wonderful connections with new friends, and discovered classmates that I would like to
get to know more." Another remarked, "Everyone's willingness to share brought us together as a class. People walked a fine line to find balance." Another thoughtful person commented, "This is a group of people with integrity. I have new
tools to understand and make an impact on institutionalized racism."
Conversations about race can be both difficult and exhilarating. Congratulations to LT'10 for their courageous conversations. LT is here to keep the conversation going.
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Last Call for LT Class of 2011 Referrals! |
Thank you for submitting your referrals for the LT Class of 2011. While the April 19th application deadline is fast approaching, it's not too late to tell individuals to apply directly, by going to our website. The
application can be found at
LT APPLICATION 2011.
If you have nominated an individual or group of individuals, now is a great time to reach out to them and encourage them to apply. We are grateful to everyone who has sent us referrals. We couldn't do it without you!
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Storm Event Blew Them Away! |
It was a slam-dunk! The Alumni Leadership Committee (ALC) hosted its third "Conversations with Leaders" series at the Seattle Storm Corporate Office on March 9th, which drew approximately 70 attendees. There was an outstanding
panel of participants from the leadership of the Storm that included, Karen Bryant, CEO, Seattle Storm, Anne Levinson, Co-Owner, and Dawn Trudeau, Chair, both of the ownership group Force 10 Hoops. The panel was moderated superbly by Cathy
Crosslin, CEO and Managing Partner of Instar Performance.
The enthusiastic comments after the event included, "I thought it was the ALC's best event of the series. In fact, I would put it up there as one of the best events I have attended. The panel provided the most substantive responses about
leadership of anyone I have heard speak at an LT event. They were incredible!" Another alum shared his reaction from the event, "My most important takeaway was that leadership can be collaborative at the top levels."
Thanks to the Storm, and to all the alums who helped make this happen! Stay tuned for more!
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PSBJ Best Lawyers of 2010, LT Style |
The legal profession is one of the leading employers in our region, and the firms and professionals in them contribute significantly to our economy. The Puget Sound Business Journal recently shined a spotlight on the region's top
attorneys, as voted upon by their peers. 636 Puget Sound attorneys representing 184 law firms were awarded this honor. Among them are the following LT graduates:
Cooley Godward Kronish LLP:
Blake Ilstrup, LT'07, Venture Capital Law
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP:
James Greenfield, LT'88, Real Estate Law
Foster Pepper PLLC:
Christopher Alston, LT'00, Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law
Tayloe Washburn, LT'90, Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning Law
Graham & Dunn:
Judith Endejan, LT'98, Communications Law
Larry Smith, LT'92, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
K & L Gates, LLP:
Bart Freedman, LT'97, Native American Law
Jamie Pedersen, LT'99, Corporate Law
Suzanne Thomas, LT'93, Labor and Employment Law
Grace Yuan, LT'94, Education Law
Law Offices of Judith Lonnquist, PS:
Judith Lonnquist, LT'91, Labor and Employment Law
McCullough Hill, PS:
John McCullough, Jr., LT'86, Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning Law
Perkins Coie LLP:
David Burman, LT'87, Antitrust Law, Appellate Law Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, First Amendment Law, Technology Law
Ellen Conedera Dial, LT'91, Real Estate Law
Evelyn Cruz Sroufe, LT'92, Corporate Law, Securities Law
Steve Koh, LT'02, Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation
Kathleen O'Sullivan, LT'09, Commercial Litigation
Richard Prentke, LT'86, Construction Law
Michael Reynvaan, LT'89, Labor and Employment Law
James Williams, LT'00, Commercial Litigation
Riddell Williams P.S.:
Karen Jones, LT'92, Labor and Employment Law
Stoel Rives, LLP:
Eric Laschever, LT'96, Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning Law
Mimi Warner, LT'90, Employee Benefits Law
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Grapevine |
Be sure to let us know what's happening in
your life. Good news travels fast. Email your updates to
Susan@leadershiptomorrowseattle.org
1984 :: John Lippman has left Univision Television Group in Los Angeles and, since November, has been working for the Voice of America, the U.S. government's international broadcast arm, in Washington,
D.C.
1986 :: Rita Brogan's firm PRR received four Totem Awards from the Puget Sound Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). The Totem Awards honor the best communications professionals in
Washington State for their excellence in creating successful public relations programs and components.
1987 :: Karen Lorene received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Seattle Metals Guild.
1989 :: Sandra Madrid received the President's Award from the Latina/Latino Bar Association of Washington, the Tara Blair Spirit of Service Award from the Northwest Indian Bar Association, and was
asked to Chair the LATINA Style Business Conference to be held in Seattle this June. Way to go, Sandra!
1990 :: Kimberly Reason, and her vocal ensemble, COCOA MARTINI, won the 2009 Golden Ear NW Vocalist of the Year Award. The group performed some of their favorite tunes by Ella Fitzgerald, Thelonious
Monk and Eva Cassidy to a packed house at Egan's Ballard Jam House on February 27th.
1991 :: Nate Miles has been in Haiti on a humanitarian mission with Medical Teams International (MTI), where he serves on their board of directors. To see some of Nate's videos and pictures please visit:
www.sugarsync.com/share/dvpj0236kesck
1995 :: Tyler Running Deer has accepted the position of Budget Supervisor for the Health & Human Services team in the King County Office of Management and Budget.
1999 :: Lourdes Fuentes has opened her own law firm, Law Office of Lourdes Fuentes, PLLC, where she is focusing on immigration law and diversity consulting.
2003 :: Fil Vizon has relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, and is currently employed with Access Insurance Holdings, and active with the YMCA and the Metro Atlanta Boys and Girls Club.
2006 :: Whitney Mason completed her tour with the Marine Corps' Wounded Warrior Regiment after serving for more than six years assisting Marines as they transitioned out of the Corps back to Western
Washington. She received the "Hometown Link of the Year" award last year. In civilian life, Whitney was selected for the "Five Start: Best in Client Satisfaction Real Estate Agent 2009", as a realtor with Coldwell Banker Bain.
2007 :: Sarah Brandt welcomed her brand new daughter, Genevieve Marie, born Sunday, April 11th at 10 lb, 8 oz, and 20.5 inches long. WOW! Congratulations to Sarah and her husband Dave.
2007 :: Abdul Mansour has relocated to Scottsdale, Arizona, and has accepted a faculty position at Arizona State University, where he will be teaching Lean Management in Healthcare to their Master of
Health Management & Policy students.
2007:: Rosanna Stephens welcomed the arrival of her son, Benjamin Stephens, into the world on February 13th. Congratulations to the family!
2008:: Kelly James has accepted a position as Senior Consultant with Education First Consulting.
2008 :: Simon Pritikin was instrumental in the effort to get the Washington Chapter of AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals) awarded the 2009 Friends of Diversity designation.
2010 :: Jennifer Lenga Long welcomed her son Samuel Robert Lenga Long into the world on March 8th. Congratulations to the family!
John Okamoto (former LT board member) was selected to serve on the 2010 Japanese American Leadership Delegation that met in Los Angeles in January for an orientation sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the
Japan Foundation for Global Partnership, co-organized by the US-Japan Council. In commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the program, the Delegation is comprised of senior leaders from the business, government and education fields.
LT Alums, we don't want to lose you. Please update your profile in the LT online directory. For instructions, email
susan@leadershiptomorrowseattle.org
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Get Involved! |
Remember the excitement, fun, and sense of accomplishment working on YOUR lab project? Recreate that sense of teamwork, focus, and feeling of making a difference by supporting Lab Team #6 from LT'10. If you are a friend and supporter of
LT, the team invites you to jump in and become involved as well!
LT Lab Team #6 is working with Rainer Scholars to find internships for highly talented and motivated High School and College Students this summer. They are looking for internships in a wide variety of disciplines, and the commitment is
really minor compared to the benefit you will receive. To hire a Rainier Scholar, it's $10.00 an hour for 30-40 hours a week; 8 weeks for high school students, 12 weeks for college students.
If you would like to know more about this fantastic organization and this great opportunity, please contact Joanmarie Eggert at 206-225-7505 or
joanmarieeggert@kennedyjenks.com. You will be delighted by the results, and will really make a difference in the life of a well-deserving student. Additional information can be found at the Rainer Scholars website:
http://www.rainierscholars.org.
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