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Local Business Executive Doug Reid Appointed Board Chair BY BILL VALLADARES
Local business executive Doug Reid was appointed chair of the Board of Directors at Georgia Family Connection Partnership (GaFCP) for a one-year term that began July 2008. Reid succeeds Albert Wright, who retired to Oregon after a six-year term as Board chair. "I'm incredibly proud of GaFCP and the county collaborative organizations," said Reid, who joined the Board of Directors in 2002. "I'm thoroughly honored to be involved in any role. What attracted me to GaFCP, and what I find compelling, is that this organization has unleashed a relentless attack on the issues that compromise the well-being of Georgia's children and families, and has been very opportunistic in finding those places where it can make a difference." Reid is founder and president of Right-Way Services, LLC, an Atlanta-based firm that provides high-level management consulting and project management to business, nonprofit, and government agencies. He brings to the Board more than 30 years experience as a communication consultant and business executive. "Doug brings strong organizational skills and expertise to our Board," said GaFCP Executive Director Gaye Smith. "His experience in nonprofit leadership will be invaluable to us as we embark on our new strategic plan. We are fortunate to have him working with us." After earning a bachelor's degree in English from Harvard University and an MBA from Stanford University, Reid landed an executive position in consumer brands with Leo Burnett Advertising, and later with Johnson and Johnson. From there he accepted a position in investment management with Morgan Stanley in New York City. Reid relocated his family to Atlanta 17 years ago to serve as executive vice president in a family wholesale business before starting his own firm. In addition to his role as GaFCP Board chair, Reid serves on the boards of the Bank of Atlanta, The Port Network, and Southern Entertainment Television. He also serves on the Alliance Theater's board and executive committee at the Woodruff Center, and on the board and executive committee of the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta until he recently accepted a consulting position there. "My wife, Patty is an Atlanta native," said Reid. We came back to Georgia so our kids could get to know their grandparents, who were still with us at the time." A graduate of the University of Virginia, Patty shares her husband's business acumen-she earned an MBA from Tulane University-and his passion for improving conditions for children. She serves on the boards of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Speech School, Young Audiences, and the Jefferson Scholars Program of the University of Virginia. Their daughter, Jill, is a freshman at the University of Virginia, and their son, Tommy, is in 10th grade. "There's nothing more important than helping our communities and our kids," said Reid. "Improving conditions for children is an overwhelming task. The only way to accomplish that is the way we're already doing it-by finding specific targets, then picking away. Success has to occur one household at a time. That's the frustrating part of our work. Sometimes it's difficult to build positive momentum. The baby steps we take in the right direction ultimately will lead to community-wide impact." Reid revealed that the most valuable lesson he learned a long time ago in business school is to be clear about your objectives and goals. He says Family Connection is very good at that, and that the KIDS COUNT indicators, coupled with Georgia's unique set of indicators, make crystal clear the direction and priority of how to improve outcomes for children and families. "I've
seen a lot of nonprofits, particularly in Atlanta, and GaFCP is
an especially effective and efficient social services model," he
said. "There's a fine line between assistance and dependence versus
training and individual development. The basic issue is self-development
and how to help people pull themselves up by their bootstraps. This
is where GaFCP excels. The power of the collaboratives is grounded
in hope-that when people and organizations work together, we can
find solutions and opportunities for children and families in Georgia."
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