Propelling Leadership

by Lorie Hollington Smith, Associate Director of Advancement

Imagine a propeller on an airplane, with the words Responsibility, Loyalty, and Consideration each inlaid on a blade. When the engine fires, the words blur and the plane takes off. As it disappears past the horizon and flies along its path, it is always lifted by the power of these words, and those whose careful efforts put them there, as it travels far from where it began.

This plane illustrates the journey of brothers Jim and Joe Brown, who carried their lessons and friendships from their time at US with them as they built and expanded Hartzell Aviation, a company whose roots reach back to the Wright brothers.

The company was born in 1917 when Orville Wright—a friend of Robert Hartzell, son of business founder George Hartzell—suggested that the Hartzells use walnut wood to build airplane propellers. The Hartzell family business became the Brown family business in 1987 when Jim's and Joe's father, also Jim Brown, but known as “The Chairman", purchased Hartzell Propellers. The brothers joined their father in building the company into a global leader in propeller design and manufacture and one of the most successful aviation companies in the industry.

The Browns did not embark on this adventure alone. Thanks to the wisdom of their dad, they created an advisory board consisting of four US friends and leaders: Brent Ballard ’74, Marc Byrnes ’72, Dick Hollington ’82, and Rob McCreary ’69. In gratitude for the invaluable friendship and sage counsel of these four, the Browns have dedicated the space for the Center for the Education of Boys in their honor. Marc and Dick were childhood friends of the Brown children. Dick and Jim began school together in kindergarten and were classmates at US starting in seventh grade. According to Brent, “we were invited to the table initially by the Chairman because he knew he could trust the four of us to guide Jim and Joe, open doors, give unsolicited advice when necessary, and just be a friend to listen during the tougher times.”

These co-pilots and navigators would serve the Brown Family for over 25 years and help guide the company through its growth and expansion until its sale in 2023. Joe describes the advisory board as being “made up of US guys who wanted to help my dad, and then to help Jim and me. It was really a service to friendship. It is rare for a business board with this much talent to be motivated by nothing other than a desire to help out friends.”

Brent shared, “The thing that attracted our advisory board to help was, like their father, Jim and Joe always did the right thing at every turn. Whether it was for their employees or the communities where they built the business, Jim and Joe would always ask, 'Guys, what’s the right thing to do here?' even if it wasn’t necessarily the best thing for them. This subrogation of personal interest is often declared but rarely acted upon in this world. But Jim and Joe always walked the walk and talked the talk.”

For Marc, it was all about brotherhood. He was thrilled to be part of “an extraordinary company with an extraordinary culture.” According to Marc, the Browns “practiced the US motto by responsibly growing the company, loyally advancing the interests of their employees and their families, and considerately providing clear communication and education.”

“The amazing thing about the US culture is the immediate trust and respect afforded other alumni of all generations," said Rob. "You know right away who you are dealing with. It allows you to accomplish so much when there is no question about anyone’s motive.”

Dick reflected, "In building Hartzell Aviation over 25 years, Jim and Joe demonstrated the best in high-integrity leadership. Their company motto, 'Built on Honor' reflects their values-based approach to leadership. It was only natural to ask Jim to take a leadership role on the US board to refine the strategic plan’s focus on character development."

Jim answered Dick's call to serve on the US Board of Directors, and Jim became involved in the development of the school’s current strategic plan. Jim enthusiastically endorsed the plan’s prioritization of an intentional focus on leadership and character development and placing the work of the Center for the Education of Boys at the heart of the plan. Although support for capital projects had not been a priority for Jim and Joe, they chose to support the Shaker renovation project because their gift would provide important funding to allow the project to move forward at a critical point. By directing their support to the Center, they could also lift up character education at US.

Joe was motivated “to honor the affinity he has for the people who have put their heart and soul into US, and who have also put their heart and soul into me, Jim, and our business.” As Joe reflected on his tenure with Hartzell, he is most grateful for the friendship and mentorship of his advisory board. The gift is to “honor an extraordinary history of friendship that was a source of delight and wisdom—and great fun. Our business results were a direct reflection of that wisdom and the strength of their friendship.“

Jim views the depth of these friendships as a uniquely US story. At a time when we frequently hear about the isolation of men, he said that was never his experience. As the advisory board illustrates, he and Joe have enjoyed long and caring relationships with men, many of whom they met in grade school. Jim enjoys a particularly cohesive class—fifty of ninety-two classmates attended their 40th reunion!

Brent, Marc, Dick, and Rob are each profoundly honored by this recognition and loved serving on the advisory board. Brent spoke for all when he said, “this is yet another example of the University School “brethren” looking out for one another, advising one another, and providing counsel. This strength of connection for an entire lifetime, this is what separates us from others. It’s priceless.”

The Center for the Education of Boys