“Shoes, Service & Rock-n-Roll” – An Interview with Bryan Taylor
BY PAT SABISTON PHOTOS BY HOLLY GARDNER
It is not unusual to walk into his office at United Way of Northwest Florida and be greeted by the crackle and pop of vinyl playing on his turntable. A quick glance around his “functionally cluttered” office reveals a Ferris Bueller’s Day Off movie poster on the wall, a Led Zeppelin clock above his door, a largemouth bass from which hang multiple Girl Scout cookie-eating-contest medals, numerous photos of his wife and family, and maybe even a few boxes of recently delivered Vans skate shoes that haven’t been sneaked into the house yet.
If you’ve not yet met Bryan Taylor, you are missing out. His presence is memorable to say the least. He has talent, intellect, humor, and a generous nature. “I’ve heard it said that clutter is a sign of an open and creative mind,” Bryan is quick to explain. “Yeah … that’s the ticket,” he continues with a bad John Lovitz impersonation.
When he is not in his office, Bryan can be found around town, hamming it up in the name of charity at countless community and coalition meetings. “I have no doubt, service is my calling. My father is a retired navy chaplain and my mother was a nurse, so I saw how loving and caring for others impacts lives, and builds lifelong friendships,” Bryan said. Service to others was reinforced by his active membership in Boy Scouts of America (BSA), various school clubs, and extracurricular activities. “My college years were spent at Marquette University where students are encouraged to ‘Be the Difference.’ I believe United Way is doing that in the six counties we serve.”
Following his father’s career from state to state, school to school, and even country to country, one might think Bryan would find it hard to call any one place home. Such is not the case. “I have lived here for nearly 16 years, plenty long enough for any navy brat to call a place home.”
Bryan first moved to Bay County in 1996 to work for the Gulf Coast Council BSA. “I moved back to Virginia in late 2004 for a position with the Colonial Virginia Council BSA. However, when I got the opportunity to apply for this job, and possibly return to Bay County, I jumped at the chance!” Bryan has been President/CEO of United Way of Northwest Florida since January 2008.
“You’ve heard it said that timing is everything. Well, I returned to Bay County and jumped into this job just a few months before the recession began banging on our country’s door. How is that for timing, eh?” Undeterred by such a challenging situation, Bryan is quick to point out, “Despite the frustrations that come with raising and distributing funds during such times, the daily business of United Way is fun and rewarding, and both are extremely important to me.”
Bryan uses the word “business” purposefully when describing the work of United Way because that is exactly what it is. “Albeit a charity, United Way of Northwest Florida is a business that depends on others to contribute to the greater good of our community. We are fortunate to be blessed with a very thoughtful and generous community,” Bryan continues. “A case in point is a recent attempt to assist a young couple from a neighboring county with local living arrangements while their extremely premature baby spent more than two months in the NICU at Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center. I was not surprised when my requests for help were not only met, but were well surpassed.”
While United Way and our community have certainly been impacted by the recession, Bryan believes we have not been impacted nearly as much as many of our counterparts across the country. “In fact, our 2014 community campaign saw an increase in giving over 2013. It is our intent to continue to build on that growth, and work our way back to pre-recession numbers over the next five to 10 years. I am confident our community will support that goal,” Bryan states enthusiastically.
Along with the privilege of growing United Way, Bryan looks forward to the continued development of community impact initiatives in the areas of education, income, and health— The Building Blocks for a Good Life. United Way assists a large network of agencies that are near and dear to people’s hearts; and these agencies are making lasting changes in the communities they serve. “Critical to our success is the ability of the donor to relate to the work of the many agencies to which we distribute the funds we raise,” Bryan states. “Often, when speaking on behalf of United Way, I ask those in the room to rise if they’ve been touched by the work of one of these agencies. It is not unusual to find the majority of the room standing.”
Seeing lives impacted and watching others succeed and grow is a highlight of Bryan’s job. “I love watching staff members and volunteers get excited about their work. When we are able to help someone overcome an obstacle, or remove a barrier to their success, it makes me proud. I especially love hearing others express gratitude for the work of our team, knowing that they are transforming lives.”
Bryan knows firsthand about lives being transformed. “I was adopted at birth and have lived my entire life knowing that I was ‘selected … not expected.’ Because of the unconditional love and devotion of my mother and father, I have never had cause to question my past or the desire to seek my birth parents. Instead, I have given myself, entirely, to the people who blessed me with a wonderful life, and who continue to support me on a daily basis,” Bryan said with emotion in his voice.
Just as Bryan gives of himself to his parents, his loving wife, Melanie, and United Way of Northwest Florida, we are so very grateful for the giving of himself in service to our community.
[author image=”https://www.panamacityliving.com/media/2014/07/Pat-Sabiston.jpg” ]Pat Sabiston is the owner of The Write Place, a marketing communications consulting company, so Pat’s daily routine is writing. Pat has been a book reviewer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution as well as smaller newspapers. Her most recent essay was published on NPR/ Online as part of the “This I Believe” project. She has finished her first novel and is writing two non-fiction titles, as well as a children’s book, which is in the concept stages.[/author]