Part 1: A Trusted Advisor

Leading up to Projects Unlimited’s 5th Anniversary on April 30th, we will be releasing a series of posts from a recent interview with Danny Markstein, a committed professional and Birmingham advocate. We are really looking forward to this showcase and hope that you will enjoy learning more about Danny Markstein.

Volunteer Spotlight: Danny Markstein

Daniel H. Markstein, IV

Key Volunteer Role: Chairman, Magic Moments

Background: Danny and his wife, Eileen, founded Markstein Consulting, LLC, a corporate strategy and communications consulting firm in 2003. Danny specializes in strategic business planning, corporate strategy development, internal and external corporate communications, organizational dynamics and business process optimization.

Danny is best known for his integrated approach to strategic planning and a commitment to linking strategy to action. He is a trusted advisor to clients faced with organizational challenges and helps to mobilize strategic initiatives.

As a volunteer leader, Danny is involved with multiple civic and nonprofit organizations around Birmingham, including Magic Moments. We think know that Danny is wise beyond his years and appreciate the time he took to be a part of this volunteer spotlight.

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Projects Unlimited, Inc (PUI): We see that you are involved with multiple community oriented groups around Birmingham – so, what has been the most fulfilling part of your volunteer service?
Danny Markstein (DM): The best thing about being involved as a volunteer in civic and nonprofit organizations is the opportunity to witness firsthand the impact that we can have locally. Birmingham is a unique community. I have lived in cities in which outlets for getting involved with the local community simply did not exist. I am so grateful that it’s almost expected that members of this community become involved as a volunteers in the capacity in which they can.

Birmingham has no shortage of challenges – it is important to find ways to push our community forward. Volunteer service is a meaningful and impactful way to affect change quickly, and is something that I have found extremely rewarding by participating as a volunteer.

PUI: How essential has volunteer leadership been for your own professional development?
DM: Incredibly essential. Volunteer leadership provides opportunities to learn and grow in many capacities, depending on the type of volunteer work in which you are engaged. Volunteering has served me by broadening my horizons and exposing me to situations, people, and needs that I would not necessarily be exposed to in my career.

At the end of the day, even the most engaged person is living within a bubble. There is no way to touch everything, but civic and community engagement bring me back to the needs of my entire community. I believe that volunteer service has made me a better person and professional because it has left me with a broad and well-rounded understanding of my community, a byproduct that makes me a better consultant and advisor in my career.

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In the next piece of this volunteer spotlight, you’ll hear Danny’s advice for all of the future volunteer leaders out there. Stay tuned.

Defining Culture & Leadership

Volunteer Spotlight: David Gray

David serves as president and CEO of Daxko. He is responsible for leading the company’s strategic direction, growth, culture, and overall operations. Under his watch, Daxko was  named as one of Fortune Small Business magazine’s “7 Great Places to Work.”

Earlier in David’s career, he had the opportunity to conduct substantial consulting engagements for dozens of Fortune 500 companies, leading tech firms, and large governmental entities. Each experience allowed him to observe various corporate cultures and leadership approaches. He brought the lessons learned back to Daxko, using them to shape and build the unique culture that the company is now so well known for.

In addition to his position at Daxko, David is on the board of directors and currently serves as TechBirmingham‘s chairman. He and his wife, Susan, along with their three children, live in Birmingham. They are active members of the Birmingham YMCA and their local church. Follow Dave anywhere from Birmingham to Hong Kong on Twitter @DaxkoDave.

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Projects Unlimited, Inc (PUI): What has been the most fulfilling part of your volunteer service?
David Gray (DG): The most fulfilling aspect of volunteer service is the ability to make a difference for the organizations and community that I believe in.  Further, as Daxko has experienced success, it is our responsibility to ensure we are active participants and leaders in our community.

PUI: How essential has volunteer leadership been for your own professional development?
DG: I’ve found the boards I serve on to be a great source of professional networking and have benefited from establishing relationships with innovative people from a variety of industries and backgrounds.  It also allows you to hone your skills in strategy, leadership and execution often times with limited resources.

PUI: What advice would you give to someone that will be serving on their first board of directors in the next few months?
DG: Patience and participation! Many of us who are leaders in our companies are used to being able to make faster decisions with the expectation that those directives will be executed accordingly. However, with a nonprofit board made up of other volunteers, it requires patience to gain consensus and to wait on responses from busy people with other priorities.

Secondly, in order for it to be a rewarding experience, you must be an active participant. Go to meetings, engage in discussions and brainstorms, and volunteer to lead initiatives. You were asked to be on the board because someone believed you could make a positive impact, so go do it.

PUI: How do you see the technology sector having an impact on the work that volunteer leaders do?
DG: As I mentioned above, many nonprofit organizations are operating with limited resources and are dependent on part-time volunteers.  Effective use of the right technology provides efficiencies and communication capabilities that would make our work extremely difficult to accomplish otherwise.

PUI: In a few sentences, please touch on the importance of your industry to the broader economy.
DG: As the US economy moves away from traditional manufacturing and Birmingham’s economy suffers from the departure of banking and other industries, the technology sector can fill many of those gaps. Obviously, it is one of the fastest growing portions of our economy and allows us to remain at the forefront of the world stage.

Additionally, it is where some of the most significant innovations are occurring, and the approaches and techniques used within the technology sector can also benefit the thinking of those in other industries.  Finally, the introduction of new technologies often times greatly enhances and improves our lifestyle both at work and at home.

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PUI spotlights volunteer leaders of our client groups only. If you are interested in nominating someone for our spotlight, contact Julie today.

Leading with Style

Volunteer Spotlight: Ms. Melva Tate

Melva Tate, PHR, is a colorful human resource & career development professional based in Birmingham. She serves as the owner of Tate & Associates, LLC, and is also an activist, engaging speaker, serial entrepreneur, and networking “Diva” (she said it, not us!). What brought Melva to PUI was her work with the Birmingham Society for Human Resource Management (BSHRM). Melva believes in “building relationships where relationships matter” and she truly brings this mantra to life; living, working & serving by these words.

We are excited to share Melva and her insights as a volunteer leader. Melva gives an honest perspective (sometimes you just have to say “no”) on the topic of volunteer leadership with her Volunteer Spotlight interview.

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Projects Unlimited, Inc (PUI): What has been the most fulfilling part of your volunteer service?
Melva Tate (MT): Relationships hands down!!

I’ve developed some of the most rewarding relationships through my interaction with other volunteers. Several of these relationships have evolved from board member, to close associate, then to a deep friendship. Volunteer service has also provided diverse platforms for me to share my time, talents and treasures in areas where I’m truly passionate.

PUI: How essential has volunteer leadership been for your own professional development?
MT: Volunteer leadership has been hugely beneficial to my professional development. I’ve served in volunteer roles that were out of my “comfort zone” and gained valuable knowledge in areas that I may not have otherwise had the opportunity to experience.

Additionally, as a small business owner, volunteer service has opened several doors to help establish and grow my consulting firm and has unexpectedly been a huge return on my investment. Associate volunteers have served as my unofficial PR Team and will readily share my contact information with persons looking for a HR / career consultant. My willingness to “pay it forward” has reaped enormous benefits that I will never be able to repay. I’m forever grateful.

PUI: What advice would you give to someone that will be serving on their first board of directors in the next few months?
MT: I have four helpful tips to share with a newly tapped board member:

1. Have a full understanding of the organization’s mission.
2. Ask for, review and commit to a set of board expectations.  That’s the what, when, how and why.  What you’re asked to do should not be a surprise after you have said “I do”.
3. Talk to a former or current board member before your first meeting.  Personal insight beats anything written on paper.
4. Make sure the commitment will “fit” on your plate.  Be proactive vs. reactive in managing your volunteer time.  Otherwise your volunteer commitment will be a burden versus a blessing.

PUI: What will you do differently in your next volunteer leadership role?
MT: What next role? I’m done with volunteer leadership!! Just kidding!!! My ultimate career goal is to be a professional volunteer / board member. But seriously, I would follow the four tips shared above, especially having a very candid and open discussion with a former or current board member. I would also say “no” more often than “yes”. I encourage those who are asked to serve to feel empowered to say “no” if the timing or organization is not a fit. No may not mean never; just not right now. Remember – just say no!! (if that’s what you really feel).

PUI: Considering the current employment & economic landscape, how are you and your firm assisting those who are either looking for a job or for the perfect employee?
MT: My firm, Tate & Associates, is the parent company for two unique divisions: Strategic HR Partnerships and Strategic Career Advantage. We’re all about developing and connecting organizations with great talent and ensuring that talent has the skills and confidence to land and succeed in their job. This is especially critical with the state of our economy, and the long journey ahead to get those unemployed or under employed back to work. We make all areas of workforce work successfully for both corporations and individuals.