Consultant's Corner: Getting to Know Helen Leeke

1. What was your career background before joining ESCH as a consultant?
   I am the VP of Marketing for WellPoint Systems. We provide software and related services to the energy industry.
   


2. When did you get involved with ESCH?
   I became involved in ESCH in early 2009
   



3. What inspired you to become an ESCH consultant?
   I was looking for a way to use my business skills in a volunteer environment. As I am still working full time, the project approach of ESCH works well for me.
   



4. What has your experience been like so far?
   I have been assigned to one project thus far and am very impressed – both with the ESCH volunteer, John Wagner and the project – developing a marketing plan for Westview School. The team at the school are such an amazing group of dedicated people that have been an inspiration to me. Working under John’s leadership has taught me a lot about non-profits and how ESCH helps them be the best that they can be.
   



5. What do you see as the biggest common issues or trends facing nonprofits right now?
   I don’t have a lot of insights on this, but I do believe that in this economy, funding would be a challenge.
   



6. What has surprised you most in your experience with ESCH?
   I’ve been surprised and impressed by the impact that ESCH can have on these nonprofits. Even though our project at Westview is not complete, I feel that John and I have made a positive impact of the staff there. With each meeting, they become more aware of how marketing can help them – and how well they are at marketing. Little tidbits of knowledge go a long way.
   



7. What do you do with your time when you are not working on ESCH client projects?
   Ha!! Good question. I work at my day-job!
   



8. What else would you like to tell us about you?
   I have a husband who retires from Marathon Oil Company January 1, 2010. He serves on the Board of Susan G. Komen as their Treasurer. We have a 26-year-old who works as an energy trader for Citi, and second son who is a Freshman at St. Thomas High School – and plays in the high school band. We spend Friday nights watching STHS football! Our family fosters golden retrievers for Golden Beginnings and I am involved in my church – Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral.
   I look forward to the day (4 years from now) that I can retire and provide more service to ESCH
   

Consultant's Corner: Getting to Know Paul Lotts

1. What was your career background before joining ESCH as a consultant?
38 years in human resources with Shell Oil Company, joining the company directly out of Drake University, and handling hiring, salary and benefits administration, labor relations, security, health and safety, equal opportunity and policy oversight.

(Photo: Yeiry Guevara)

2. When did you get involved with ESCH?
December 2008

3. What inspired you to become an ESCH consultant?
Dave Teall, a current ESCH consultant and former Shell colleague, who thought this work would be ideal for my skills/background. Also, I was interviewed by Paul Cuneo who I worked with in Shell when Paul was Refinery Superintendent at our Wood River Refinery in Wood River, Illinois. I wanted to find a productive outlet to give back as I have been so richly blessed by more than 38 years with Shell.

4. What has your experience been like so far?
Good, I've been involved in a rather large project serving the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. Basically, I am helping them to reach out to their donor base to better understand their reasons for giving or their change in giving patterns. We already conducted an e-survey of some 1800 donors/members, and soon we will begin conducting interviews with select donors representing corporations, foundations and key individual contributors. There are four other ESCH consultants who will help with the interviews so this is indeed a team effort.

5. What do you see as the biggest common issues or trends facing nonprofits right now?
The impact of the current economy on their ability to sustain funding and current programs.

6. What has surprised you most in your experience with ESCH?
The number and variety of non-profits in the Houston area community. I'm so impressed with the passion and drive that they have for their respective causes. Truly impressive and humbling.

7. What do you do with your time when you are not working on ESCH client projects?
I recent took up golf and enjoy the game though I find it more challenging than most things I've tried. I also provide consulting to Shell on projects they wish me to pursue. Other than that, I'm a big fitness buff who either runs 7 miles a day or goes to the gym for a 2 hour workout. I vowed never to let myself get old and flabby!

8. What else would you like to tell us about you?
I am married to the same woman for 38 years, have 2 grown children - a boy in The Woodlands, a daughter in Austin. We lived in The Netherlands for 6 years and enjoy going back to see our Dutch friends and travel throughout Europe.