Welcome to Leadership Stark County
A Leadership Conversation with Dan McMasters, 8th Class, State Farm Insurance
As a volunteer you are president of the newly formed Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Stark County. What are the challenges in that new board?
We now work with the boards of 22 different organizations who receive different levels of funding from us, so I have to get to know and interact with a variety of people.
Recently the Massillon Rotary gave a donation to Leadership Stark County's Scholarship Endowment to promote involvement of Massillon non-profit professionals into LSC's Signature program. You're a past president of the Massillon Rotary- can you tell us how that came about?
The Rotary Club has always been supportive of Leadership Stark County, having sponsored programs in the past. The Rotary felt that supporting the scholarship endowment would provide a benefit for the Massillon area through the education and connection of non-profit leaders.
Looking back, what was the greatest personal &/or professional benefit of your participation as a member of Leadership Stark County's 8th Class?
Personally, the greatest benefit is the lifelong friendships. Professionally I feel that my Leadership involvement helps me relate to the different people on the boards that I work with.
For many years, you were involved with LSC as a member of the retreat committee. Tell us about your reflections from the 15th Class retreat on September 11, 2001.
My role at the retreat was to keep things light and I was often joking with the class members. While waiting outside the conference room I noticed that a person cleaning the bar area seemed upset. The TV was on and I saw the reports of the attack. I went into the room where the class members were and announced that something terrible had happened and I needed to address the group. At first they thought I was joking but then we all went into the other room and watched the news reports on television and the silence was dramatic, the whole experience was surreal. One member of the 15th class was a minister and she led the group in a tearful prayer; it was very moving.
You work in Massillon & live in Canton's historic Ridgewood area. Do you have conflicting loyalties during the Massillon Washington/McKinley Bulldog game?
Well, I grew up in Louisville so I'm ambivalent about the outcome, except I think that my customers are happier when Massillon wins, so I usually root for Massillon.
Any final thoughts for individuals who are thinking about applying for the Signature program?
You only think you know Stark County. The Signature program makes living here in our wonderful county much more meaningful.
Our Mission:
Leadership Stark County develops a core of motivated leaders with a lifelong commitment to community trusteeship through training in leadership skills and education about the community.
Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce Links:
Canton Regional Chamber · Economic Development/Legislative Affairs/Safety · Canton Development Partnership - Downtown · Canton/Stark County Convention & Visitor's Bureau · Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival