My Next Chapter

I have learned, that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. - Henry David Thoreau

* So here’s the long and short of it: After a truly amazing 17+ year ride, I am leaving the LIVESTRONG Foundation, effective mid June 2015, and joining the Love Hope Strength Foundation.

I’ve been fortunate to have several significant chapters in my life, each one building on the next. I’ve been blessed as each phase has had a beginning and end, and yet cursed for the same reason – saying goodbye is never easy. From my early days in the restaurant business, to military life, and my most recent years in the cancer / cycling communities, each stage has surrounded me with outstanding people and amazing opportunities, and I’m happy to say the process continues.

Let me answer a couple of obvious questions:

- Why am I leaving?

The simple answer is I’ve felt called to lead an organization for some time now, wanting to apply all that I’ve learned here and help another organization grow and succeed. I feel the timing is right: LIVESTRONG has emerged from its rocky timeframe and is now on solid ground with outstanding leadership and vision. But I couldn’t leave to work with just any organization or business; I had to feel as passionate about the mission and opportunity as I have here and in the other chapters of my life. And I’ve definitely found that shared passion in the people involved with the LHSF mission.

 - What is the Love Hope Strength Foundation,
   and what will I be doing?
LHSF is a cancer organization that I first became acquainted with back in 2009 at the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Summit. We have two primary missions: saving lives one concert at a time by registering potential donors to the national bone marrow donor registry, and creating international cancer projects through life-changing treks. I am honored to serve as their next President and CEO and will work with an incredible team that truly saves lives in everything they do.

When I told a close friend and colleague about my decision, she told me that the news was “bittersweet,” and that’s the perfect word to describe how I’m feeling. I am so proud of all that LIVESTRONG has accomplished and will continue to do in the years ahead, and I’ll miss being a part of that. I leave the organization knowing that it’s in great shape with one of the best staff in the nonprofit industry. And I cannot wait to help make a difference with a new team that provides hope to so many on both the domestic and international cancer frontlines, and have a lot of fun along the way!

Looking back and looking ahead, all I can think to say is, “Thank you!“

• Thank you to my family for being there through thick and thin and my many times away on the road.
• Thank you because when I said I am indebted to LIVESTRONG for the experiences I’ve had, I hardly know where to begin. The organization gave meaning to my life following some of my darkest periods, including my own cancer experience and the passing of my brother and so many other close friends to this dreaded disease.
• Thank you to all the LAF / LIVESTRONG people who’ve made this chapter so significant, names like: Lance, Garve, College, Karl, Rita, Marion, Renee, Mitch, Willy, Dave, Tina, Kim, Allison, Brooke, Betty, Doug, Brendan, Phil, Morgan, Helen and the many other staff, Board, and volunteers I’ve worked with along the way.
• Thank you to the groups that have meant so much to me, in particular Cyclists Combating Cancer, Team LIVESTRONG’s RAGBRAI crew, and the LIVESTRONG Leaders.
• Thank you to Mike, James, and the Board and staff of Love Hope Strength for trusting and believing in me. And thank you to the incredible LHSF partners, sponsors, and volunteers for your tireless efforts to save lives in the cancer community! I promise you I will give you my best and am honored to serve alongside you.
• And finally thank you to the LIVESTRONG supporters and the people we’ve served. You have taught me so much about life, and what it truly means to live strong.

I’m a blessed man for many reasons, and as this chapter closes the next one looks to be even more exciting - I hope you’ll want to be a part of this one, too. As always, thanks for ALL you do - ciao for now - and we’ll talk soon – Cb…