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My wife Gretchen and I first moved to Cincinnati in 1979.  I was with the United Way (then called the Community Chest) staff and Gretchen worked for an ad agency.  Our sons Rich and Adam were both born here.

We were Easterners, born and raised in Philadelphia; and we had lived in several other East Coast towns and cities before moving here.  It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that what I knew about Cincinnati was the Reds, the Bengals and Oscar Robertson – and I remember seeing Music Hall on a postage stamp when I was growing up.

We loved our eight years here.  The first thing that struck us was the city’s beauty – the view of the skyline at night when you come through the “Cut in the Hill,” the views from Mt Adams and Price Hill.  We loved its accessibility – it’s easy to get around, to get downtown – its pro sports (don’t underestimate this one, even when they’re not winning), the arts, Kings Island, good public golf courses, and the people.  There was a lot to love.

So it was very difficult to decide to leave so that I could pursue the opportunity to be CEO of the United Way in Louisville, just two hours down the road.  It was so difficult that, since I had moved us several times before to pursue my career, we decided that our next move would be on Gretchen’s and the boys’ timetable.  So we spent the next fourteen years in Louisville, which we loved as well.

When Rich was entering college and Adam was just beginning high school, we figured it was time to consider a move.  As various communities asked me to interview for their United Way President position, and I would share the news with Gretchen, she would tense up.  In Gretchen’s mind each city had at least one factor detracting from its consideration as our next home.

One day I came home and said, “Gretchen, Cincinnati’s opening up.”  As I anticipated another potential roadblock(!), she responded, “Maybe you should throw your hat in the ring for that one.”  I had received a message from on high – this was the one!  Six months later, after two intensive day-long interviews, I was offered and accepted the position – and we were coming back to Cincinnati.

People have asked us why we came back.  Some phrased it, “Why would you come back?”  While we did fight some “You Can’t Go Home Again” feelings, it was an easy decision.  Professionally, our United Way – like our Fine Arts Fund, our Chamber and many other nonprofits – is considered one of the best in the country.  As I told the Search Committee when they asked the question, this community owns its civic organizations.  I’ve never lived in a town where the volunteer and business leadership were so invested in leading and shaping their non-profit organizations, as they are in Cincinnati.

Personally, we knew we’d love coming back.  And we did.  Our son Adam blossomed in high school here, Gretchen’s an artist and for me, it’s been the most exciting time of my career.

United Way’s new brand framework is LIVE UNITED:  a call to action for all of us to engage in Giving, Advocating and Volunteering in the work of community.  And there’s never been a more exciting time to be engaged in Cincinnati.  Having just returned with 50 other community leaders from a benchmarking visit to Minneapolis, the message is clear.  With Agenda 360, Vision 2015, the Strive Education Partnership, United Way’s Agenda for Community Impact and other opportunities calling out for volunteers, it’s time to commit!

We have faults, areas we must improve.  That’s the challenge and opportunity of this or any community.  But take it from someone who lived here, left and came back:  Cincinnati can be a great place to call home.  Let’s make it even better.