At United Way of the Bluegrass (UWBG), we are currently celebrating our centennial year, highlighting 100 Heroes who have been important in our fight for the basic needs, education and financial stability of our neighbors over the past century.
We recently spoke with Allen Waugerman, the current CEO of Lexmark to learn more about his role and relationship with United Way of the Bluegrass.
What are your current or former roles within United Way of the Bluegrass and Lexmark and what does a typical day look like in these roles?
I’m the CEO of Lexmark. I don’t have a typical day. Every day is different. I try to facilitate Lexmark’s strategy and growth while creating a company that everyone wants to be a part of. Our vision is to help our customers make a lasting impression on their world and I come to work every day to try to do just that.
For United Way of the Bluegrass, I’m a part of the Chairman’s Circle for the WayPoint Centers. I take a holistic cheerleader role for United Way of the Bluegrass within Lexmark. I tell stories about how they help our community to try to get others involved.
How is Lexmark related to UWBG? How did that partnership originate?
The partnership between United Way of the Bluegrass and Lexmark originated 30 years ago when Lexmark was first created as a spinoff of IBM. I’m happy to say that I’ve been a part of their journey for all 30 years, as I’ve been with the company for over 30 years.
We picked United Way of the Bluegrass because of their outstanding reach to members of our community, whether it’s individuals who are homeless, youth, battered women or feeding the hungry. The diversity of who they serve is really powerful and it touches the biggest part of the community.
Lexmark is one of the biggest contributors to United Way of the Bluegrass. In the last 30 years, we’ve contributed over 25 million dollars. This represents 11% of the total fundraising for UWBG in the last 100 years. We’re proud of that. Lexmark employees have also volunteered hundreds of thousands of hours of community service to United Way of the Bluegrass and the partners they serve.
What is your favorite memory with United Way of the Bluegrass?
My favorite memory is from my very first care day in 1994 or 1995. I didn’t really know what United Way of the Bluegrass did then and I went to the care day because we were going to get together and cook out afterward. I was 25 years old. We were working to fix up a small split-level home that was going to be converted into a center to help battered women. I spilled a gallon of paint on the carpet. The director of the facility came over and could see that I was mad at myself. She put her arm on my shoulder and said “this place is bigger than the carpet”. That hit me. It made me really realize that it wasn’t about the building but the community they serve. That’s what changed my view of charitable giving.
In your opinion, what positive change has UWBG made in the Bluegrass over the past 100 years?
It is impossible to articulate the hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people they’ve touched in the last 100 years. Then you think about the generations of families they’ve helped get out of poverty or abuse, it’s incredible. I like to think about it as compound interest. The first deed they did 100 years ago now trickles down for probably six or seven generations. It’s pretty amazing when you think about it that way.
Fun Questions:
What is your favorite restaurant in the Bluegrass area?
If you were trying to convince someone to move to the Bluegrass area, how would you convince them?
I would talk about the beautiful horse country, the family-friendly environment and UK sports.
Thank you for being such a strong part of UWBG, Allen! We appreciate you and all that you've done and continue to do.
To learn more about how we are continuing to serve the Bluegrass in 2021, click here.
Do you know someone who has worked alongside United Way of the Bluegrass in the past century who should be considered for our 100 Heroes series? Please email us at liveunited@uwbg.org to share your nomination!
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