Leaving Home is Never Easy
Thoughts from Dave Haring, Outgoing President of Leadership Lincoln Board
One of the first things I did after flying in to manage the Lincoln airport was to enroll in Leadership Lincoln’s Executive Series. I knew from my Dad’s experience as the founder of Leadership Centre County in Pennsylvania that the program would present an unparalleled way for me to immerse myself in my new community, to engage with individuals whose experience and opinions could strengthen and expand my own, and to discover how I might be able to serve beyond my job.
Over the years as Executive Director of the Lincoln Airport, that initial decision proved to be valuable over and over. The people I met through Leadership Lincoln have helped me feel a deeper connection with Lincoln. Before moving to Nebraska, I had lived in Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Dakota and Wyoming. The connections and friendships realized because of my involvement with Leadership Lincoln have truly made both Lincoln and Nebraska feel like home.
With such a strong sense of belonging and passion for the community of Lincoln, the decision to relocate might come as a surprise to many. It was a very tough decision, filled with a lot of emotion and family deliberation. Like the community of Lincoln, residents of Spokane have a profound pride and devotion to their hometown. I was drawn to the opportunity to join a team with that same passion where I could help foster a collaborative culture focused on growth and community engagement, much like our team here in Lincoln has done at LNK.
Just over 11 years ago, my wife and I arrived in Lincoln to determine if we would be a good fit for the community. As we talked to more residents about why they loved their community, a recurring theme became obvious…it was the people. The people of Lincoln, and really the people of Nebraska, are as genuine, passionate, and caring as any that I have ever met. Furthermore, not only will they share the passion they have for the community, they truly want you to join it and welcome new residents as if they were life long friends. In my experience, that is rare! As I reflect on the cross section of personalities, backgrounds and experiences I have witnessed in Lincoln through my affiliation with Leadership Lincoln, I have come to have the same pride in this City and this State, and I’m blessed as a result.
With Mick Hale returning as Executive Director and an immensely talented group of Board Members led by incoming Chair Quentin Brown, Leadership Lincoln is in an outstanding position as we look towards the future. While my next life adventure will cause me to leave the organization, the Community and have to say good bye to so many people I have come to admire, respect and love, I am filled with an abundance of optimism and excitement in getting to watch Leadership Lincoln’s efforts from afar as they continue to pioneer ideas and forge partnerships for a stronger Lincoln.
“A leader is best when people barely know he exists. When his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.”
