2017 – Crandall Challenge
2017 Citation Winners
Charles Decker, WG’64
New York City and Dominican Republic
Charlie had a notable career in advertising and marketing with BBDO Advertising, Quaker Oats and Warner Brothers.Upon ‘retirement’, he started living in the Dominican Republic half-time in 2004 and noted many indigent, often abandoned young children in the streets. First volunteering at an orphanage near his home, he eventually started a foundation to help care for them.
From the beginning, The Decker Foundation supports more than 1,000 children in three orphanages and a children’s activity center and mini school. they range in age from six months to 18 years and the results ae encouraging. Four students are in medical school, two are studying la, two in civil engineering and on in the arts. Charlie’s foundation is now developing a college scholarship program and starting job training opportunities.
Michael Wallace, WG’65
Paris and Laos
Mike created a foundation that funds scholarships to students for Laos-American College; mentors graduates and supports their career development; innovates with startups and business plans — international. Since 2010, lives in Laos 10 months a year, running a nonprofit that helps educate children and encourages would be entrepreneurs to develop small businesses
Sponsoring students from poor rural areas includes school fees, books, food, health-care and even sleeping accommodations to Lao-American College in Vietnane.
Mike meets the criteria for a Crandall Challenge — high level of commitment and personal involvement. Translates into involving any others and focuses on impacting the business economy and community in Laos. Provides tangible results in terms of students who are involved, graduate and become an important element of the development of Laos a part of the wide world economy
Challenge Honor Roll
Avrum Marks, WG’58
Burke, VA
Following 22 years with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and 16 years in the private sector, Arum began devoting his time, energy and experience in the community in the following ways:
* Circulation desk of his local library
* Docent at the Smithsonian’s American History Museum. Visitors also include members of Congress and business executives.
* As an Usher at the Wolf Trap Farm entertainment National Park
* Welcoming International arrivals at Dulles International Airport. Monthly this includes WWII and Korean War Veterans for a tour of Washington, DC.
Harold (Hal) Kurfehs, WG’64
Brookfield, CT
Both during his career as a banker and in “retirement”, Hal has devoted his professional talents and experience, time and energy into the economic and community development of the fastest growing region of Connecticut – southwestern Connecticut. He is Chair of WCEDA (Western Connecticut Economic Development Alliance) — a partnership between public and private leaders seeking to expand the economy of Western Connecticut. This includes a large number of municipalities in Fairfield and Litchfield Counties. He is active in his community, as Chair of the Brookfield (CT) Economic Development Commission, his region (WCEDA) and the Cultural Alliance of Western CT and for the State of Connecticut as creator of the Connecticut Economic Resource Center, which promotes CT as an economic basis for a large number of corporations.
Hal is listed in Marquis Who’s Who and contributes regularly to professional journals and newspapers on economic and community development. He is also a lecturer for the Ancell School of Business for Western CT State University.
Harvey Jay Zukerman, WG’63
Los Angeles, CA
Harvey is a volunteer docent for the Getty Center in Lo Angeles. He primarily leads students, Kindergarten thru Grade 12. It was a natural devotion on his part since his wife is an artist. He reflects the traditional way in which most WGES members participate in the “Geezer Crusade.” Following ‘retirement”, they select on institution and devote their time and energy to that institution: it generally is a cultural, medical, sports, religious institution in their community and region. These volunteers are vital for all of these institutions.
Jerome F. (Rick) Peck, WG’68
Lovettsville, VA
Following a 30-year career with Price Waterhouse, where he was a Partner, and as CFO for the Army Times Publishing company, Rick made a major career change, and became a Science Teacher in a Sterling, VA Middle School. In addition to teach, he has author professional articles on science & climate for educational journals and website.
Rick summarizes his response to the Crandall Challenge in the following way: “Impact is what motivates me. As it will you. Whether it’s gardening, or being a chef, or music — and whether it’s a few hours here and there, or getting submerged big time, as I have, I go for it – where “it” is a vital part of the person you are, and the “it” improves the lives of others, our environment, just about anything that we care about. Bring the you you’ve become to make a difference.”
William G. Staton, WG’63
Charlotte, NC
Bill has focused his professional knowledge and experience in two major ways:
1. Impart financial planning for life to teens by teaching them in local schools for over 25 years.
2. Teaching inmates skills to be entrepreneurs in the business community —VERY UNIQUE: preparing prison inmates (male & female) for the transition back to domestic life. This is a very critical area. His work was written up in a Wall Street Journal article on August 23, 2012. (“On Financial Literacy for Inmates”)Bill has authored a number of books on money matters for the average person. They are available on Amazon.