Dublin-Worthington News Stories
Member Spotlight: Don Mottley
By Paul J. CynkarFriday, May 7, 2021
Advancing the Leadership Mindset
Finding Success in the Success of Others
Paul Cynkar
This is another in a series of member profiles based on discovery interviews that were designed to help me fulfill the requirements of the Dublin Worthington Rotary Red Badge Program for new Rotarians and get an up close view of the traits and strengths of some of the members who provide leadership to this organization.
Membership Spotlight: Don Mottley
Skills, Strategies and Service
Tell us about yourself. Give us three facts that include information about your family, your career and your pastimes.
My three would focus on career, family and pastimes. First, I’m from the Dayton area. I have Master’s degree in finance from Wright State University and a law degree from the Samuel B. Chase School of Law at the University of Northern Kentucky. I attained that degree while working full-time and attending law school at night. I’ve had a varied and interesting career. Before becoming an attorney, I served as a financial manager with NCR Corporation and as the top aide to two countywide elected officials in Montgomery County. I have also been an elected school board member, I served as the chief deputy county auditor for Montgomery County and I was elected to the state legislature for eight years. I’ve been with the Taft Stettinius & Hollister law firm since 1991. Second, my wife and I have lived in Worthington since 2012. Third, I have grown to enjoy quality wine over the past thirty years. I love learning about wines, I appreciate the history that is associated with fine wines and I when I travel I’m usually in search of new and exceptional wines.
How long have you belonged to Rotary? What’s the best thing about membership?
I was introduced to Rotary by past president Jim Farmer, who was a partner at Taft, Steinhaus and Hollister. My work schedule limited my ability to participate at the time but the addition of AM and PM meetings gave me more time and opportunity to engage fully.
As you look back on your life and your career, where and when did you have the biggest impact on others? Who was impacted and how?
There is no doubt in my mind that the biggest impact came when I served as a member of the state legislature. I had the opportunity to play a role in how State money is spent, as well as provide input into how policies impact schools, health care, insurance and our citizens. Being a finance guy, I was always particularly interested in school funding and I still am.
As you look back, which of the opportunities you’ve had has been the most fulfilling to you personally? Why?
Again, the state legislature. It was the most intense use of my background in finance, service, legal and legislative areas.
Describe the most challenging project you’ve ever worked on. What was your role? What was the result?
While with the Montgomery County Auditor’s Office I was part of a team that negotiated a settlement to a lawsuit involving the distribution of county funds. This was extremely complex, took several years and involved multiple parties.
What are some things you are passionate about? What really excites you? What gets your adrenalin flowing? What makes your heart sing?
My original love is public service. Law and finance have just helped me to make a living. I look forward to retirement so I will have more time for community service.
What are you especially skilled at? What is something that others often tell you that they think makes you stand out?
Problem solving, finding creative solutions, negotiating and financial analysis. In negotiations I focus on the interests of the parties, not the politics. This helps to uncover better solutions.
When you have a moment to sit back and think (dream) about your future, what do you think about?
I look ahead to retirement in about four years. That will provide me with both challenge and opportunity. I look forward to continued public service and the time to support more local boards.
If you could choose anyone (alive or deceased) to have lunch with, who would it be? Why?
Thomas Jefferson. He was a renaissance man. Jefferson attended the College of William and Mary and studied law with George Wythe who taught there. But, college was only the beginning of his education. His library began the collection of the Library of Congress and his retirement project was to oversee the establishment of the University of Virginia.
Finding Success in the Success of Others
Paul Cynkar
This is another in a series of member profiles based on discovery interviews that were designed to help me fulfill the requirements of the Dublin Worthington Rotary Red Badge Program for new Rotarians and get an up close view of the traits and strengths of some of the members who provide leadership to this organization.
Membership Spotlight: Don Mottley
Skills, Strategies and Service
Tell us about yourself. Give us three facts that include information about your family, your career and your pastimes.
My three would focus on career, family and pastimes. First, I’m from the Dayton area. I have Master’s degree in finance from Wright State University and a law degree from the Samuel B. Chase School of Law at the University of Northern Kentucky. I attained that degree while working full-time and attending law school at night. I’ve had a varied and interesting career. Before becoming an attorney, I served as a financial manager with NCR Corporation and as the top aide to two countywide elected officials in Montgomery County. I have also been an elected school board member, I served as the chief deputy county auditor for Montgomery County and I was elected to the state legislature for eight years. I’ve been with the Taft Stettinius & Hollister law firm since 1991. Second, my wife and I have lived in Worthington since 2012. Third, I have grown to enjoy quality wine over the past thirty years. I love learning about wines, I appreciate the history that is associated with fine wines and I when I travel I’m usually in search of new and exceptional wines.
How long have you belonged to Rotary? What’s the best thing about membership?
I was introduced to Rotary by past president Jim Farmer, who was a partner at Taft, Steinhaus and Hollister. My work schedule limited my ability to participate at the time but the addition of AM and PM meetings gave me more time and opportunity to engage fully.
As you look back on your life and your career, where and when did you have the biggest impact on others? Who was impacted and how?
There is no doubt in my mind that the biggest impact came when I served as a member of the state legislature. I had the opportunity to play a role in how State money is spent, as well as provide input into how policies impact schools, health care, insurance and our citizens. Being a finance guy, I was always particularly interested in school funding and I still am.
As you look back, which of the opportunities you’ve had has been the most fulfilling to you personally? Why?
Again, the state legislature. It was the most intense use of my background in finance, service, legal and legislative areas.
Describe the most challenging project you’ve ever worked on. What was your role? What was the result?
While with the Montgomery County Auditor’s Office I was part of a team that negotiated a settlement to a lawsuit involving the distribution of county funds. This was extremely complex, took several years and involved multiple parties.
What are some things you are passionate about? What really excites you? What gets your adrenalin flowing? What makes your heart sing?
My original love is public service. Law and finance have just helped me to make a living. I look forward to retirement so I will have more time for community service.
What are you especially skilled at? What is something that others often tell you that they think makes you stand out?
Problem solving, finding creative solutions, negotiating and financial analysis. In negotiations I focus on the interests of the parties, not the politics. This helps to uncover better solutions.
When you have a moment to sit back and think (dream) about your future, what do you think about?
I look ahead to retirement in about four years. That will provide me with both challenge and opportunity. I look forward to continued public service and the time to support more local boards.
If you could choose anyone (alive or deceased) to have lunch with, who would it be? Why?
Thomas Jefferson. He was a renaissance man. Jefferson attended the College of William and Mary and studied law with George Wythe who taught there. But, college was only the beginning of his education. His library began the collection of the Library of Congress and his retirement project was to oversee the establishment of the University of Virginia.