Ronald C. Hendrix, executive director
ORGANIZATION
Mission of organization: We improve the quality of life of those affected by Parkinson’s disease.
Telephone: (858) 273-6763 or (877) 737-7576.
Web site: www.pdasd.org.
Founded: Incorporated in 1989.
Milestone: Realizing that there are many individuals, corporations and foundations in San Diego that believe in our work, enabling us for the first time in 2006 to post $1 million in income.
Annual income: $1 million.
Expense allocation: 83 percent for programs and services, 17 percent for administration and fund raising.
Corporate support: 4.5 percent.
Corporate sponsors: Allergan, Barratt American, Boehringer Ingelheim, Ceregene, Cubic Corp., Medtronic Neurologic, Silverado Senior Living, Tenet Healthcare, Teva, Vitas Hospice, Wal-Mart El Cajon, and National City.
Board chair: Daniel Dubina, Dubina & Lee, CPAs.
Employees: Eight full time, one part time.
Volunteers: 150-plus.
Events: 5K Walk & Fun Run, Spirit of Life Award Dinner, Marian Brodie Symposia Series, biannual Primary Physician and Pharmacists Symposium, Financial and Legal Wellbeing Workshop Series and Good Start Workshops for newly diagnosed patients.
Wish list: A new phone system.
OFFICE ISSUES
Recent challenges: Moving our annual walk to a new venue after 21 years at the same location. More than 1,400 individuals and 100-plus dogs participated to support research and local programs and services.
Measures of success: A significant increase in community support that has allowed us to serve more families with more services than any other year since 1989.
Smartest move: Giving people the opportunity to grow, whether staff or volunteers.
Missed opportunity: I try not to miss any legitimate ones, as long as they move us closer to fulfilling our mission.
Misconception: The cost of the technology needed to make us efficient and effective.
PROFESSIONAL INSIGHTS
Personal path to nonprofit work: Taking a job as a director of a sheltered workshop in Connecticut, while finishing up my Ph.D. dissertation and being a part of the deinstitutionalization of developmentally disabled individuals in this country.
Toughest aspect: Seeing a wide gap between a person’s potential and performance, an underutilization of potential often due to a poor self-image or inaccurate view of personal gifts and talents.
Most surprising aspect: Underestimating the impact of Parkinson’s disease on the patients, family and community when I first joined the organization.
Greatest pleasure: Hearing that what we did to help made a real difference in the life of a person or family.
INTROSPECTIONS
Best recent moment: When my wife’s knee replacement surgery went well.
Worst recent moment: That the 2008 election is still a year away!
Dream for another life: That I would learn some tough lessons at an earlier age, or avoid them altogether because I was better grounded.
Greatest inspiration: The impact that Jesus as one man made on the world.
Downtime: Working in the yard, boating/fishing or riding my motorcycle.
Causes: My own family, the Parkinson’s families and serving others in my church and our community.
Most like to meet: The person who discovers the cure for Parkinson’s disease.
, Compiled by Stacey Bengtson
