The Real Meaning of Success: Giving Back with the Forte for Children Foundation

Celebrating the impact of Forte for Children alongside community leaders, supporters, and the children who inspired the mission.

Like many people raised in Pittsburgh in the 1960s and 70s, I grew up in a blue-collar environment where hard work, resilience, and perseverance were simply expected. My father worked for [United States Steel Corporation] for 40 years, and the values I learned growing up there stayed with me throughout my business career.

As a young entrepreneur and later as a CEO, much of my early life was understandably focused on building — building companies, building teams, building financial security for my family and the people around me.

But over time, my definition of success began to change.

One of the pivotal moments came in 2000 during a visit to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Vista.

At first glance, it was inspiring. Children were learning, playing, laughing, and spending time in what was clearly a safe and caring environment. But then I walked into the boys’ restroom.

It instantly brought back difficult memories from my own childhood — old YMCA facilities in McKeesport, Pennsylvania that felt neglected and forgotten. In that moment, I realized something very simple:

We could help.

I went back to my team at Directed Electronics, and together we organized a charity golf tournament that raised $125,000 that very year. Every dollar went toward renovating both the boys’ and girls’ bathrooms at the club.

What mattered most to me was not simply the money.

It was the realization that leadership creates leverage.

As individuals, we can certainly help people. But when organizations, communities, employees, customers, and partners rally behind a shared purpose, the impact becomes exponentially greater.

That single experience helped inspire what eventually became Forte for Children and a much deeper commitment to philanthropy over the years.

Over nearly two decades, the Forte for Children Foundation has delivered nearly $10 million in support to important organizations throughout North San Diego County, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Vista, Boys & Girls Clubs of Oceanside, Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad, Solutions for Change, Casa de Amparo, and the Moonlight Cultural Foundation, among others.

Along the way, we’ve also had the privilege of partnering with and learning from extraordinary people who care deeply about community impact — including Aloe Blacc and the late Franco Harris, whose generosity and commitment to young people left a lasting impression on me.

With legendary Pittsburgh Steeler Franco Harris and students from the Boys & Girls Clubs during a Forte for Children community event.

The truth is, some of the most meaningful moments of my life have not come from business success, financial milestones, or professional recognition.

They’ve come from seeing lives changed.

From seeing children feel safe.
From seeing opportunity created.
From seeing communities come together around something bigger than themselves.

The older I get, the more I believe that success alone is not enough.

Achievement matters.
Building matters.
Leadership matters.

But in the end, what matters most is what we do with the opportunities we’ve been given.

You can watch the video here on my YouTube channel: