In Person: Mark Tucker

Returning home to the Northwest, taking the helm at the United Way of Kootenai County and launching a kindergarten readiness program for area families are just three features of a very busy summer for Mark Tucker.

The new executive director at the leading nonprofit community services organization started June 18 at the agency's office in downtown Coeur d'Alene.

We had the opportunity this week to meet with Tucker and learn more about his vision for the United Way of Kootenai County and improving the community and the lives of people in North Idaho. The United Way supports programs that advance education, financial stability, and health.

One program, "READY! for Kindergarten," debuts this month. The program is designed to educate parents and guardians as to how to prepare their children for kindergarten. The ninth annual UPS/United Way Golf Classic, which will help fund the program, took place Saturday.

Tucker's most recent professional experience includes two years with the United Way of Weld County in Colorado. The Northwest native, who has a bachelor's degree in communications from Washington State University and a master's in nonprofit management from Regis University in Denver, also served other charitable organizations - the Greeley Stampede in Colorado for nine years, and the International Festivals and Events Association, headquartered in Boise, for 11 years while launching his career in charitable organizations and social services.

What are your goals for the next three months?

Understanding what community needs are and how the United Way fits. For the campaign I will try to shift my focus on the companies, bigger companies who want to support the community as well as the smaller mom and pops who want to help people. And hopefully sprinkle in the city council.

What inspired you to join the United Way in the first place?

This was a strange path. My undergraduate degree is in communications with a minor in graphic design. I got an internship with the International Festivals and Events Association, and got into design and writing. I worked there for 11 years and worked up to senior vice president, all the time working with non-profit boards of directors. After my work with Greeley Stampede I started a master's in nonprofit management. Instead of writing or doing research, you went and did work. It's a good way to get real world experience. So I contacted United Way of Colorado and asked who would be good people to work with. As I was getting close to getting my master's I got a call to be hired as a communications director. United Way Worldwide is in transition from being a pass-through organization to being a partner with client agencies. One thing I would like to do is help build bridges between agencies that serve a certain sector, for example youth, but in different ways. Another thing we would like to support is for agencies and the wider community to use the Kootenai County Indicators site. It is a tool created at Eastern Washington University where people can search for data.

Why did you choose Coeur d'Alene for your next position after your work with the United Way of Weld County in Colorado?

It's beautiful here, and close to home for me. The Northwest has always been home to me, and my family is ecstatic to be within a drive to me. I grew up in Port Angeles (Wash.). It fits with my career goals. There are good people here, and it's beautiful.

Are there any initiatives specific to Kootenai County that you want to continue from Colorado, or introduce?

I don't want to come in thinking I know all the answers. There are some good programs for preparing children for school. In Colorado there were several programs. Here we are launching a pilot program for preparing children for kindergarten. The pilot will start end of July, then in the fall there will be a full program. At three different locations there will be training for parents of pre-K kids on how to prepare them for kindergarten. It has been proven that if they don't enter kindergarten prepared they have problems catching up.

How will that be funded?

We're working on grant opportunities and the golf tournament on July 19 is funding this program.

Have you always been interested in advancing education?

It was more of a transition and a gradual thing than an immediate interest. IFEA presented professional education in areas such as event production. At Greeley Stampede a lot of my focus was on fundraising. The parade was big, and there was an art show and an auction that raised money. The Greeley Stampede had also a foundation with a separate board of directors that funded a scholarship for college-bound high schoolers. My time at Greeley Stampede was educational for me. I got a lot of connections and did fundraising events that I thought were good. An organization like United Way is more - it's more heartwarming when you do fundraising for a community event that raises awareness for community needs. You want to have your basic needs like education, health and income met first. For me with education, the light really came on when I started at United Way.

You mentioned the problem of "summer slide" relative to preparing children for school. How are you getting the word out?

A big piece of what we try to do is work with other organizations. Informing parents is the biggest thing. I think once they realize how big a difference it makes, they'll push a little bit. The first three years of school are important.

How is your golf game?

Personally, it's horrible. (Laughing). There have been a few other golf tournaments over the years that I have participated in - it's always been fun.

When will this year's campaign start?

In September. The fiscal year goes through June, but our focus will be September through December. The primary source of revenue is the workplace campaign - we go to companies and explain what United Way does. Their human resources departments can then let employees know how they can contribute if they wish. That's a big piece of our fundraising. Another is our corporate champions, who donate to cover our administrative costs like salaries. They are important because individual donors want one hundred percent of their donations to go to the area they are interested in. They can choose among the United Ways three areas of focus - education, income, and health.

Any other special areas of focus in the community? You mentioned that United Way of Kootenai County might help expand the 2-1-1 telephone information service in this area.

The 2-1-1 number is a nationwide number that people can call for information about health and human services. A lot of United Ways help fund or host the call center. In Idaho it's run by the state. It started in Georgia in the late 1990s. I can see the benefits of 2-1-1 and what it can provide in a community. We would hope to expand it. I think what we would want to do is let (our partner) agencies know to provide us their updated information and we would send it to 211.

Have you had a chance yet to take advantage of the sporting opportunities and natural beauty of the area, perhaps a ride along the Centennial Trail?

I brought my bike with that intent but I have yet to do that. My wife and I like to bike on trails. It's beautiful here and I like being home.

Do you turn off your smart phone and computer on the weekends?

I can't remember the last time I turned my phone or technology off. I think it's one thing I like about motorcycles - I put my helmet on and tune out everything but the ride.

You also ride motorcycles? How did that interest come about?

Yes, for 27 or 28 years now. I got interested in college when a buddy had an old dirt bike and he let me ride it around. I got one and kept on ever since. I used to plan a motorcycle trip every summer with friends on the Oregon coast, and may try to revive something like that now that I'm back in the area.

What kind of motorcycle do you ride?

It's a Honda Interceptor. I've had it for five years, but when I grow up I'm going to have a Harley.

What would people be surprised to learn about you - any unique pastimes?

I do chain saw carving. That's one that not many people do. I learned how eight or 10 years ago. A friend went to an event and then taught me how to do it. I actually sold quite a few pieces. Since then I stopped - I did a couple farmers markets. I carved mostly bears, but also a moose, horse, and owl.

What does your wife think of the art?

She loves them. There's actually a big one of a bear that she won't let me sell because she says it's hers.

•••

Meet Mark Tucker

Date of birth: June 13, 1968

Family: My wife, Lisa, and I have been married 19 years. We are empty-nesters, with the exception of a 15-year-old black Lab. I was born and raised in western Washington (grew up in Port Angeles). My wife is from Sheffield, England, but moved to the U.S. when she was young and also grew up in western Washington.

Hobbies: Snowboarding, motorcycles, bicycling, chain saw carving

Number of hours on average you work per week: Probably about 50. I like to be the first one at work and the last one to leave. If you add out-of-office smartphone time, it's likely much higher!

Favorite book: I've read quite a few good books, but probably '7 Habits of Highly Effective People' by Stephen R. Covey.

Favorite spectator sport: Football, primarily the Seahawks (and Cougars when they're winning). My dad took me to my first Seahawks game in 1976, their first year (we were blown out by the Rams).

Favorite type of music: That's a tough one. I served on a nonprofit board that helped musicians take the step from hobby band to professional band and to manage and promote themselves (SpokesBUZZ.org). Some of the bands were blues, some jazz, some rock, some bluegrass ... what I liked about all of them was they were eager and independent - which, by definition is Indie - but it seems the blues/jazz groups with an edginess to them resonated with me the most.

Quality you most admire in a person: Someone who is grounded. They have kindness but can be blunt and they're nonjudgmental ... and it's always good if they have the ability to laugh at themselves.

Best advice you ever received: To prioritize. It started simply with work and being productive, but a volunteer at a hospital foundation fundraiser once shared with me how priorities in life should always be considered when weighing work priorities. That has helped me keep life in perspective when things get a little crazy.

Greatest accomplishment: As the saying goes ... I ain't done nuthin' yet! Seriously, I feel my career accomplishments wouldn't have happened without the help of working with others, so I don't consider them just mine. Completing my master's degree and being selected for this position is pretty high on my list though.

Favorite historical figure: There have been so many influential and amazing people in world history. I think the tenacity of Leonardo da Vinci and his attention to detail and quest for knowledge in everything from art to anatomy was amazing.

Person who was biggest influence in your life: Like most people, there are a few teachers who made a big difference growing up, and the director at my first real job shaped the way I view my career, but it was the way my mom and dad developed a strong group of friends that had an influence on what I appreciate now. One family friend stands out to me. He had a great sense of humor, listened with a purpose, said what he meant concisely, and didn't sugarcoat anything but at the same time said it with the utmost respect and caring.