Final Entry: Gary Condie
It’s easy to understand why Gary Condie, CPA, received CalCPA’s 2009 Public Service Award. He is a founding member of the Santa Clarita Valley Facilities Foundation, where he’s also board vice president; has served as past president of the Santa Clarita Valley Boys & Girls Club Board of Directors, along with his service to the organization’s Auction Committee and Capital Campaign Committee for two club buildings; has served two terms as a member of the Hart District Advisory Committee; was named Santa Clarita Man of the Year 2005 and among the 51 Most Influential Individuals in the Santa Clarita Valley for 2005 and 2006. Moreover, the College of the Canyons Foundation has selected Condie and his wife of 42 years, Myrna, as the recipients of the Silver Spur Community Service Award for 2010. His dedication to his community is unparalleled, and California CPA had to find out what drives him.
What attracted you to the Boys & Girls Club?
I had just opened my practice and an attorney in town called me. He said, “There’s a new organization in town.” The club was just about four years old at that time. “They’re going to be important. We need your help.” The next thing I knew, I was working on my first auction. Later I was invited to join the board. The thing that kept me there is that I started to get involved with the kids. That’s all it took. You get to know them and you want to be a part of their lives. I’ve seen that with others. Those who limit their service to board duties usually don’t stay as long as those who get involved with an organization’s programs.
What do CPAs bring to the table when it comes to community service?
The analytical skills CPAs possess are extremely valuable in helping run any organization. But CPAs have other leadership skills that can help to direct an organization. I’ve seen CPAs serve as CFOs or treasurers. And I’ve also seen them serve as presidents or chairmen. In either case, I’ve seen some outstanding examples of service.
Was there a defining moment in your life that helped to instill such a lifelong commitment to volunteering?
The event that stands out the most in my life would be an experience that happened early in my marriage. My wife and I were working in Jackson Hole, Wyo., for the summer. I was at her parents’ home one afternoon. My father-in-law had just come home from work, changed clothes and was heading out the door to a community event. As if sensing a teaching moment, he looked at me and said, “That’s what you do when you live in a community. You get involved and give back.” And then, as if for emphasis, he added, “These things don’t take care of themselves.”
Those words had a lot of meaning. My father-in-law was a busy man. He had owned a grocery store, a car dealership, two motels and had been a real estate developer. He had also held public office and was president of the chamber of commerce. The message was very clear.
It’s clear you love your city. What do you think is special about Santa Clarita?
Santa Clarita has a strong sense of community. People move here from all over the country and end up saying that people are more giving here than anywhere else they have ever lived.
When you became a CPA did you have any idea you would become so involved in your community?
No. The truth of it is, in the beginning I didn’t know that much about what accountants did other than accounting and taxes. I certainly didn’t know anything about the other opportunities that are out there. That would come later.
Do people need to care more about their communities?
Yes. People who choose not to get involved have no room to complain. As my father-in-law said, “These things don’t take care of themselves.” Someone has to run the school districts, someone has to run the hospitals, someone has to run the city councils and so on. If not you, then who?
After a long day, or week, at work, what motivates you to add volunteerism?
First is the desire to make a difference and, after a while, the knowledge that you can make a difference. Last is the belief that you’re doing the right thing. I think that is what motivated our founding fathers. I think that is what has motivated many other great leaders.
Are Santa Clarita people Dodger fans?
Oh yes. And some of the best. Every year the people of Santa Clarita organize a Santa Clarita Night at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers tell us it is the second largest and longest running community event they hold. Santa Clarita is definitely Dodger Country.
