Dublin-Worthington News Stories

Membership Spotlight: Al Woo

By Sunday, February 6, 2022
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Advancing the Leadership Mindset
Finding Success in the Success of Others
Paul Cynkar, January 2022
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 the members who provide leadership to this organization.
Membership Spotlight:  Al Woo
Influence, Teamwork, Transformation
 
Tell us about yourself. Give us three facts that include information about your family, your career and your pastimes.
Most people don’t know that I am Asian.  My grandfather is 100% Chinese. My wife, Kim Woo, is often mistaken as being Asian, but she is 100% Italian. I was born in Cleveland and grew up in Solon. I stayed close to home when I attended the University of Akron. Growing up I wanted to be a pilot or a firefighter. I settled on the latter and have spent 35 years as a firefighter, EMT and paramedic. Immediately before retirement I served as the chief of the Washington Township (Dublin) Fire Department. Most recently I’ve spent the last seven years with the Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association.  Kim and I have two sons, Nick and Dom.  I am an avid hunter. This year I went to Nebraska to hunt mule deer.

How long have you belonged to Rotary? What’s the best thing about membership?
I first joined Rotary in 1996 when I was fire chief in Napoleon, Ohio. Years later, in 2007, I did a Rotary presentation and Wynn Wiksell invited me to join the Dublin-Worthington Rotary Club. I have been an active member and served as president in 2015-2016. I genuinely appreciate the opportunity to build relationships and focus on the community.

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?
Hopefully, I’ve impacted others wherever I’ve been.  I am not a status quo type of person. Wherever I go I bring new ideas and new services that focus on and transform the organization. I believe that one of the biggest responsibilities of a leader is to influence others in a positive way.

As you look back, which of the opportunities you’ve had has been the most fulfilling to you personally?  Why?
Two things come to mind. First, being a parent is truly fulfilling, though it brings its share of highs and lows along the way. This mirrors the fulfillment I’ve gotten in my profession.  Firefighters often refer to themselves as “family.”  Firefighters are always part of a team, company or squad.  There is a strong belief in teamwork above self.

Describe the most challenging project you’ve ever worked on.  What was your role? What was the result?
A design, remodeling and construction project at the Washington Township Fire Department which included building new facilities and renovating others was quite a challenge. It involved finding property in Dublin, combining offices and adding a training facility and a training tower.  The lesson was clear – attention to detail!

What are some things you are passionate about? What really excites you? What gets your adrenalin flowing? What makes your heart sing?
I embrace personal challenges. I’m competitive with myself more than with others.  I believe in education, fitness, developing others and watching them grow. I feel personal success lies in the success of others.

What are you especially skilled at? What is something that others often tell you that they think makes you stand out?
I’m somewhat of an introvert but I can read people pretty well.  I watch and I listen. I look for the talents and strengths that help others excel. Editor’s note: The Gallup Clifton Strengths describes “Woo” as winning others over. “People who are especially talented in the Woo theme love the challenge of meeting new people and winning them over. They derive satisfaction from breaking the ice and making a connection with another person.”1 Seems that in Al’s case Woo is both a name and a strength.

When you have a moment to sit back and think (dream) about your future, what do you think about?
I’m not one to sit on the couch and think about “what’s next.”  I think about my health and about ways to continue to use my brain. I look ahead and I know what is next…I’m going elk hunting next year.

If you could choose anyone (alive or deceased) to have lunch with, who would it be? Why?
I love history and I have a particular fascination with Abraham Lincoln. I believe the things he accomplished where significant and well ahead of his time.

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