Golfing for a Cause
Last Saturday, LYONSCG was the Title Sponsor for the Rose Ella Burkhardt Memorial Golf Outing in Taylor, MI. Ms. Burkhardt, the late grandmother of Rich Lyons, CEO and Founder of LYONSCG, was extremely dedicated to her community and to helping raise money for brain cancer research. All proceeds from the event went directly to the Rose Ella Burkhardt Brain Tumor and Neuro-Oncology Center at the Cleveland Clinic.
A group of LYONSCG employees was able to participate in the 14th annual golf outing. I caught up with Rich Lyons to learn more about the event.
Mary Clare Riordan: Tell us a little bit more about the Rose Ella Burkhardt Memorial Golf Outing.
Rich Lyons: Rose Ella is my grandmother who died of brain cancer in 1993. My grandfather also died from the same deadly disease before I was born. Prior to my grandmother’s passing, she donated money to the Cleveland Clinic for brain cancer research. Because of her dedication to brain cancer research, the Rose Ella Burkhardt Brain Tumor and Neuro-Oncology Center was founded in remembrance of her at the Cleveland Clinic. All proceeds from the golf outing go directly to the Center.
This event and the cancer research are very near and dear to my heart, as my grandmother played a very important role in my upbringing and always showed me unconditional love.
MCR: Why is it important for LYONSCG to give back to the community?
RL: I am very grateful for my life and for all of the opportunities I have been given, and so I believe in giving back, or “paying it forward” so to speak. This is reflected in both my personal and our company charitable endeavors. I am blessed with two beautiful daughters, and I love children, so we have made it a priority for LYONSCG to be very involved with Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Our employees thoroughly enjoy participating in events for the hospital such as Move for the Kids 5K, Step Up for Kids, and our own toy drive during the holiday season, among others. By participating in such activities, our employees are able to give back to the communities in which we work and live.
MCR: How do charity events like the Rose Ella Burkhardt Memorial Golf Outing reflect the company culture at LYONSCG?
RL: At LYONSCG, we pride ourselves on a “work hard, play hard” culture, and so an outing from the office for a great cause definitely fits with that. Our company core values and principles include Responsibility and Accountability, and by giving to charities we are reaching our expectations of being responsible and accountable adults in both the work place and outside of it. Another LYONSCG value is Joy and by participating in charitable events, we can not only find joy in our work, but also bring joy to the people we’re helping.
MCR: What is your favorite part of the annual golf outing?
RL: Playing golf with my mother, her husband, and Dr. Barnett – a real brain surgeon! And it is great to raise money to help BEAT brain cancer.
MCR: Whom would you rather play golf against—David Barr (EVP & Co-Founder) or Norm Alesi (COO & CFO)?
RL: Easy. Dave, because I can beat him. Sometimes I can beat Norm, too, if he gives me strokes…
