Advancing the Leadership Mindset 
Finding Success in the Success of Others 
Paul Cynkar, July 2021 

This is another in a series of member profiles based on discovery interview questions that were designed to get an up close view of the traits and strengths of some of the members who provide leadership to this organization. 

Membership Spotlight: Ken Carey 
A Positive, Pragmatic and Personable Perfectionist! 

Tell us about yourself.  Give us three facts that include information about your family, your career and your pastimes. 

My family moved to Worthington when I was six months old.  I was the seventh of eight kids.  I went to Evening Street Elementary, Perry Middle School, Worthington High School (Class of ’77) and The Ohio State University.  I’ve been married to my wife, Patti, for thirty-seven years.  We have two adult sons, one is in Los Angeles and one is in Columbus.  After playing basketball in high school, I tried out as a walk-on at OSU.  Eldon Miller was the coach.  Unfortunately I did not make the team but ironically Eldon’s son, Ben, played on the team I coached at Worthington. We have stayed in touch and he recently reconnected me with his father.  I am the owner of Lauterbach & Eiber Inc.  The office specializes in insurance, employee benefits and financial planning.  I specialize in commercial property and casualty insurance.   

How long have you belonged to Rotary?  What’s the best thing about membership? 

Frank White recruited me to Rotary in 1995.  The connections, the relationships and the community service are both appealing and important. 

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?  

Three things jump out.  Hopefully, my biggest impact is as a dad.  That’s the most important role we have.  Aside from my family, I hope I’ve made a positive impact on the hundreds of kids I’ve coached over time. Third, I strive to make an impact in my business and in my profession. 
 
As you look back, which of the opportunities you’ve had has been the most fulfilling to you personally?  Why? 

Coaching has been very fulfilling.  I love helping young men get better and seeing their skills develop.  I love being around young people and of course, I love the game!  When I retire, I might try my hand again as an eighth grade basketball coach. 

Describe the most challenging project you’ve ever worked on.  What was your role?  What was the result?  What did you learn? 

It’s hard for me to think of challenges.  Personally I am not much of a risk taker and I do everything I can to avoid risks.  I’m pretty even-keeled and pragmatic to a fault. I’m also in a business that strives to reduce risks 
 
What are some things you are passionate about?  What really excites you? What gets your adrenalin flowing?  What makes your heart sing?  

I love being around kids and that explains why I enjoy coaching so much.  I’m also passionate about doing my job well.  I’m a perfectionist and sometimes too much of a perfectionist. Given that my basketball playing career is over, golf has become my new competitive hobby.  It’s the ultimate sport for perfectionists! 

What are you especially skilled at?  What is something that others often tell you that they think makes you stand out? 

While I may not be the world’s greatest salesperson, I think I am skilled at the technical aspects of the insurance profession.  As a basketball coach I emphasized fundamental skills and, at times, we practiced those skills longer than we prepared for our games.  In the end, developing the fundamental results in a payoff for the team and the players. 

When you have a moment to sit back and think (dream) about your future, what do you think about?  What things would you like to do in your life that you haven’t gotten around to yet?  Is there something else you would like to accomplish? 

I want to travel.  I’d rather do things than have things. I truly believe that experience is more significant than material things.  A wise friend, who passed away several years ago, once told me that balance is the most important thing in life.  He coached me to understand that the best life comes when one finds a balance between work, family community service, recreation and spirituality.  I strive for that balance! 

If you could choose anyone (alive or deceased) to have lunch with, who would it be? Why? 

That would be lunch with my perfect golf foursome after a spirited morning on the links.  They include Charles Barkley, Bill Murray and Arnold Palmer.  Barkley and Murray would keep us laughing and Palmer would keep us competitive.