The Way Forward: 2026 Frederic & Lucy Kellogg Award John A Zinno Jr

Join us in the studio for a brief conversation with United Way President Kristen Jacoby, VP of Finance & Administration Susan Fournier, and VP of Marketing & Communications Glenn McCabe as they share insights on skilled based volunteerism, the legacy of this award, and celebrate this year's honoree.

Then we'll join Frederic & Lucy Kellogg Award honoree John A. Zinno Jr. who was interviewed live on our Podcast stage in front of an audience of more than 350 by event host Constantine Pappas during our 39th Annual Celebration & Awards Dinner.

This episode brought to you by Platinum Corporate Sponsor Thomaston Savings Bank.  Learn more at thomastonsavingsbank.com.

Transcript

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SPEAKER_00 0:00

United is the way! Hello once again, and welcome to the United Way of Greater Waterbury Podcast, the way forward. I'm your guest host, Glenn McCabe with United Way. Our podcast is coming to you from our Post University sponsored podcast studio right here in our offices in downtown Waterbury. This episode brought to you by United Way of Greater Waterbury Platinum Corporate sponsor, Thomaston Savings Bank. Learn more at Thomastonsavingsbank.com. The theming of our 39th Annual Awards dinner was built around this podcast, The Way Forward. Our honorees were interviewed on our live podcast set in front of an audience of more than 350 by our multi-talented host, Constantine Pappas. This is the third episode showcasing those interviews and brings you the interview with our Frederick and Lucy Kellogg Award honoree. This honor celebrates a lifetime of community leadership and impact. It's not a single accomplishment or act of service that we're recognizing. It reflects the values and awards of the namesake and a lifetime of service. It really is a prestigious honor, and we are so excited John Zinno Jr. was selected this year. One area I wanted to highlight before we go to John's interview is that John really exemplifies, among other things, the skilled-based volunteer. And that is something we don't talk enough about at United Way. So before we go to the stage, I'm here with United Way President Kristen Jacoby and Vice President of Finance and Administration, Susan Fournier, to talk a bit about skill-based volunteering and more about John himself. So welcome to The Way Forward.

SPEAKER_03 1:34

Thank you, Glenn. Are you happy to be here? I'm so happy to be here.

SPEAKER_00 1:38

Oh, good. See, we're just nothing but happiness here in the studio today. So when most people think of volunteering, they think of reading to children or working a food drive or helping a partner agency. But what doesn't get the spotlight are our skill-based volunteers who serve on our community impact councils, our board of directors, and our finance committee, for example. And this really brings great value to the organization. It brings great transparency and trust in the community. And I was wondering if, Kristen, if you could just share a little bit about the people who make up those committees before we get to John and what that means to us.

SPEAKER_03 2:10

Sure. Well, first and foremost, as a nonprofit, we are volunteer-driven. So we rely on thousands of people in our community to come together to help in decision making and drive the direction of our organization. So without all that manpower, people power, I'm not sure where we'd be. I mean, once again, it's such an important um part of all of the work we do in our community. So we have a variety of committees and boards and councils, and we bring people together that have certain expertise that are going to lend us their their you know their brains and their minds to move us forward. Once again, we rely on these individuals. It makes a major difference in our community, and it's a great ROI, return on investment, because it helps us do our work in a very efficient and effective way.

SPEAKER_00 2:53

And the skill sets these people bring to the table really does let us, you know, we're stewards of our donors' dollars. And by having people in the community who know the community and know our work and are really invested in us to help us make those decisions, we really are volunteer-driven, brings just great value to our work and to the community. So uh, you know, I can't say enough about the people who serve on those committees. And Susan, I thought it'd be valuable to have you on today's episode as VP of Finance to provide some insights into the commitment of our finance committee, which uh John has served on among other areas of United Way for years and years and years, and how they're vital to our transparency and credibility. And what exactly does this committee do? People know the money comes in here and that we have councils that help us invest those dollars, but there's a lot more to it.

SPEAKER_04 3:46

There's a lot more to it. Um we are so lucky to have an amazing finance committee. It's chaired by our treasurer, Dave Petiti, and there are about eight other members on the committee. We meet at least once a month. Um, Kristen also sits on the committee with us too, and at least once a month, sometimes more during audit and budget right now. Um but they are extremely involved. Every month they review the financials, they compare it to budget, they keep us in line with our budget. Um they when I say review our financials, this isn't they look at our financials and say great. They are sent to them beforehand. They come to the meeting with questions, with answers, with it's truly an amazing committee that is very, very actively involved. Our finance committee are donors. They are stewards of our money too. They understand it's their money being given as much as every donor we have. They work very hard on our budget, keeping us in line with our budget. We have been very lucky to grow our endowment, and many of them, including John, serve on our investment committee also, which works tirelessly to make sure our funds are being invested correctly and the returns and on and on and on. And as I said, audit and budget. They present all of that to the board, and it is reviewed by the board also monthly. Monthly.

SPEAKER_00 5:16

And this is also critical to United Way worldwide. So we're each United Way has its own 501c3, which our audience may not realize. And we have a lot of requirements and things we have to do to retain our membership requirements. And what the finance committee puts out with our financials is critical to us remaining a United Way. And transparency, yes, transparency. Yeah, so that's uh really, really, really important work that they do. And then they also report to the board. So they report um uh Jane Kelly from Finance Committee reports at our annual meeting usually each year, and then throughout the year, the finance committee is keeping the board abreast of what we're doing, where the dollars are going, and our return on investments.

SPEAKER_03 5:55

So uh and I think what's amazing about our finance committee are people that are experts in investments and accounting, um, administration. So you and so you have all these different volunteers that may have a different like focus, but it all comes together once again to make those right types of decisions for our organization specifically.

SPEAKER_00 6:14

And nonprofits are pretty unique animal to be.

SPEAKER_04 6:16

I was just about to say that nonprofit accounting is very different than normal accounting, and they are all experts at this. And and the reason I mentioned their donors, they're involved in the United Way in many ways. Very few members, if anyone, on our committee, isn't involved in some other way in our organization. So they know our work. They know what's involved, they know the stakes involved, they know.

SPEAKER_00 6:38

And will we come out with the I think we're at 14.5 percent uh cost ratio? Cost ratio. So 85.5 percent is invested directly back in the programs and services that help people. Those numbers come from the finance committee and the audit and all the due diligence that you do to come up with that number, which is actually a really impressive number.

SPEAKER_04 6:59

The uh it's important to the to not only us as an organization, but the finance committee and the board as well.

SPEAKER_03 7:06

Yeah, which I mean, they even take it to a point where once again, their specific skills that they're bringing to the table, when we have to do an audit, another very important part of our work that we have to um execute every year is that they're meeting with the auditor alone, also. And so they're having that time. They're they take a lot of time to invest reviewing it, but then meet with the auditor alone to once again dot every I, cross every T, make sure that we are doing everything by the book, that we're we're we're improving along the way and that we're efficient.

SPEAKER_00 7:36

And over the years, John's been an asset to that committee, among other things. I imagine he asks the right questions and he, you know, uh he is one of those people who really wants to make sure that we're delivering the maximum impact for the dollar invested.

SPEAKER_04 7:50

It's funny you say ask the right questions, because what makes John so unique too is you can ask John any question and he'll help you through an answer no matter what it is. But he'll also ask the right questions. And not only of us as an organization, but of the committee, of the investment group, of the auditor. He um he knows his stuff.

SPEAKER_03 8:10

Yeah, and I mean I have to say, um, John always says yes, and that as a person that's known him for most of my life, he always at the other end of the phone. I can call him any day or night and ask him a question, even privately, to say, hey, listen, this has kind of bothered me, or I don't understand this. Will you help me? And he'll always pick up the phone.

SPEAKER_00 8:30

You know, it's it's good. You don't want to call out if you don't mind the 26 years you've been with United Way. And John's been helping United Way for over 25 years. There hasn't been a time when you've been here that John hasn't been in involved, and that's that's a pretty outstanding uh stellar commitment to United Way. And as I was saying, this is kind of not a lifetime achievement. John can't go anywhere, but it is a legacy award for Hipstore.

SPEAKER_03 8:55

I hope when you say that. It's not like you're done. You're just starting.

SPEAKER_04 8:58

But even to pick up the phone, you're at an event. John comes to all our events, he's amazing, and you can pull him aside in the hab at the event and been like, what do you think about this? Great idea. Call me tomorrow. Okay.

SPEAKER_00 9:09

And I'll tell you, you know, on the uh marketing part of things, he's a rock star on LinkedIn. So he shares our busy. He showed it, he showed it so he uh but he likes our comments, uh, our posts, he shares them. Uh so it's getting out to his network and also just shows that he, you know, because he knows everyone. Yes.

SPEAKER_03 9:27

So he's like the true, like he gives, he volunteer, and he advocates.

SPEAKER_00 9:31

He's like a and so triple third. Yeah, in addition to the finance committee, he's also a voting member. He co-hosts the Boys Night Out fundraiser each year up at uh Clocktown Brewery, which uh was really successful last year, um, with George LaCapra. Uh and he served as campaign chair in 2011, 2000 uh around there, which was really successful campaign. Um he's driven leadership giving as co-chair of the Leavenworth Society Task Force, so that is donors of $1,000 and more to help drive uh more resources to the organization. How about a little more about John from all those points of view?

SPEAKER_03 10:12

He always steps in, and I think once again, like when you look at this award and they talk about sustained leadership and strengthening the community, like actually strengthening the fabric of our community. He has touched upon all of those sort of, you know, all the different aspects of our organization, whether it's raising food, breeding to kids. He's also very much advocating for upstarters and emerging leaders, where he's told our friends kids, he's gotten Jake highly engaged, who's still coming to all events, um, really showing up for us. Um, Jake shows up without like our Sunday supper that's in Cheshire. Jake came this year without John because John and Lisa are already busy, the trike race. I mean, that's the type of volunteer that that we just we need, right? That they're looking at the organization and they're seeing the whole picture of what we do. And at the end of the day, never missing what we're setting out to do is helping people in our community, right? Helping people thrive, not survive, like really pushing our mission forward and and working towards that.

SPEAKER_00 11:14

And it's not even just us, there's a there's a who's who who's have received the Frederick and Lucy Kellogg Award the decades. And uh it goes even beyond United Way. I mean, he serves on a lot of our partner agency boards and committees. He is involved, I think I think it was youth sports uh uh in there as well, if I recall, in his bio. And like everybody in the community knows they can count on John. So uh he's a rock star.

SPEAKER_03 11:43

Yeah, it is an honor though when you when you know the Kellogg family, and to say once again they were a founding family of the organization back in 1942.

SPEAKER_00 11:51

Lucy Kellogg is on our founding documents. Yes.

SPEAKER_03 11:55

Yeah, and so that is why like I think we were all saying before we even jumped on, like this award means a lot to this organization. Um, you know, it's and when you follow in the in the footsteps of the individuals that have received this in the past, it's incredible. I mean, it really is. I'm I feel honored to have known most of these individuals over the years that have given so much to our organization.

SPEAKER_00 12:17

Yeah, and uh a decade and a half ago, John actually got Volunteer of the Year Award. And here he is still building on that legacy. And uh not that it was his goal, but boy, here in this one, it's it's it's a punch list.

SPEAKER_03 12:30

I think that is why it means so much to me that John received it also, is that he is so humble, right? He he he leads and he um does so much not for recognition, yeah, because he believes in it.

SPEAKER_00 12:42

Are you gonna get that when they hear his interview here in a moment uh with Constantine because it really did come across how how humble he was. But that's inspiring. And it's inspiring to the people who were there that night, and hopefully to our listeners, that the the next generation gets involved and more people continue to stay with us. And honestly, internally in the office, like when people get us, it's really inspiring. Yeah, it's magic.

SPEAKER_03 13:04

It really is magic.

SPEAKER_04 13:05

Yeah, so when we all heard here that John was receiving this award, it was a moment of glee for everyone. They couldn't be happier.

SPEAKER_03 13:13

And the first thing he said to me when we called him was, I not me. Like, I don't I don't deserve it. It's like, oh John, you deserve that unanimously.

SPEAKER_00 13:21

And so the the public uh may not know, but this is a community award that people nominate people every year. Uh and you know, yes, internally we can nominate people, and but the community nominates, and then the board has a subcommittee, they review the nominations against the rubric, and then they they select it. So this is not pulled out of a hat or saying, oh, we want our favorite person to get it. It the people who are recognized with the Frederick and Lucy Kellogg Award are are really outstanding people that the community says yes.

SPEAKER_03 13:48

Yeah, and the pool of individuals are is also extraordinary. Extraordinary.

SPEAKER_00 13:52

Yeah, so um I think people are gonna enjoy the interview coming up with Constantine.

SPEAKER_03 13:57

So can I say one thing about John also? Don't forget when um it was time to pass the baton to John when he was campaign chair, the chair's prior convinced him to go on the beach of Kwassi Amusement Park and do a video where they were running around the beach passing batons. And so talk about a good sport. We have that video somewhere.

SPEAKER_00 14:20

We'll have to dig that up in the world of viral video, so it might just uh go go viral. Um, but we also don't want John to see the video surfacing and go change his number and not get calls or anything like that. Um now let's turn things over to Constantine Pappas, recorded live on stage as he continues the conversation with our Frederick and Lucy Kellogg Award honoree, John Zinno Jr. Then we're gonna come back for a few closing comments.

SPEAKER_02 14:47

And without further ado, please welcome the CPA from CLA receiving the Frederick and Lucy Kellogg Award, John Zinno. Yeah, we're gonna get this going. Oh, I know. I was about to give everyone the score update, but that's okay. We have some time. Welcome, John. Congratulations, by the way. Look, okay, so something that I had on a previous thing, and I just want to shout this out campaign chair, finance committee, Leavenworth Task Force, Boys Light Out co-chair. It feels like you've done everything with United Will. So how did it feel to find out you were selected for this war?

SPEAKER_01 15:48

You know, when Kristen called you know notify me that I was winning the Kellogg Award War, um, I was really taken back. I mean, uh the Kellogg name just means so much to the city of Waterbury for all that they've given over the years. And um, I was just truly humbled. Um we're very fortunate over the years to both run into uh Chuck and Molly cross paths with them, and to see how they've carried out the legacy of both Fred and Lucy.

SPEAKER_02 16:15

That's incredible. So again, folks read the bios because I reference it a lot. You know, it's clear from your bio that you have a passion for the people of Waterbury, and for more than 25 years, you've remained committed to United World War. Why United World War?

SPEAKER_01 16:31

Uh first let's talk about Waterbury. I mean, Waterbury is truly a special place. Um, the people from Waterbury just know it's for it. Um everybody wants about people always step up for one another. Um, I've been very fortunate to be in this community for many years, and I've received so much from this community, but I've always felt that I would talk about and um you know being involved with the United World uh for so many years it's it's really my powerful because for many reasons. Number one, um they not only give financial support to people uh that are in need, uh, but they give support to help them become self-sufficient, and that's what's truly important. Number two, and this is the accountant uh the accountant, uh, but approximately 85% of every donor dollar uh goes directly back to the community. And before those dollars are deployed, there was a very um sophisticated uh voting process, which I've been part of over the years, and that's very important to me. Uh there's a lot of credibility behind it. And then lastly, uh just a shout-out to the whole United Way club who come in every day and just are very talking about uh making their lives better for those uh innocent.

SPEAKER_02 17:46

Incredible. Uh something I don't think is talked nearly enough is skill-based volunteerism. And I mean you fall squarely into that category. You know, United Way and the other nonprofits rely on experts like you to serve on committees, boards. Tell me more of your thoughts on the importance of re on rewards of stepping up, and maybe why those considering should do so.

SPEAKER_01 18:08

Um, well, naturally, uh I always get asked whether we on the finance committee or or the audit committee, which uh I'm happy to do so because I truly believe it's important for people um, you know, to bring their talent to the table. Um when you put on our meetings and see first one or you know, people making a difference uh people's lives uh by living out the mission of those organizations uh what's it's just so moving. Um you know, when people bring their talents to a table, to the table of an organization, you know what makes that organization stronger so that they can provide better services for the people who are in need for it or I want to know a little bit more about your core philosophy.

SPEAKER_02 18:50

I asked why United Way, but I want to know your why. And of course, if there's anything else you'd like to add more.

SPEAKER_01 18:55

Sure. I you know, I think we all have an obligation um to give back to. Um you know, uh all of us are very fortunate to be here tonight. Um I believe we all need to show up, go back, and personally give our talents to make organizations better. Um, you know, being involved in United Will in a volunteer capacity for so many years, or um, you know, I wasn't the one part that I've made along with other volunteers, and to be honest with you, it's probably you know the best gratification that I've gotten in my life.

SPEAKER_02 19:27

Absolutely. Ladies and gentlemen, John Zeno, thank you again, and congratulations.

SPEAKER_00 19:40

Thank you, John and Constantine. And honestly, volunteers like John are so valuable to United Way, and they, as I mentioned earlier, they keep us inspired to keep doing what we're doing. And hopefully, to you listening or watching, John serves as an inspiration as well. We always need volunteers for the reading and the food pantries and things like that, but we also need those skill-based volunteers to bring their institutional novel knowledge and skills to our board and our councils. Uh, you guys really do you know make the work happen here. Is there anything uh you'd like to add, Kristen or Susan, about uh John and what we just heard?

SPEAKER_04 20:13

We were just talking, there truly is no one more deserving of this than John. Absolutely, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 20:19

And he's look he's a brilliant individual that's kind and caring. I feel blessed to call him my friend, and I feel blessed that he is part of this organization and will be for a very long period of time. So thank you, John.

SPEAKER_00 20:33

Yeah, we're looking forward to a uh long and uh fruitful relationship with many more years, John. So you're not off the hook uh if you're listening or watching.

SPEAKER_03 20:41

And get ready, Jake. Get ready, Jake. John striving for something that's gonna be.

SPEAKER_00 20:48

Yes, you're on, yeah, you're on, you're on deck, Jake. So thank you both for joining me on this episode of The Way Forward, and thank you once again to our Platinum corporate sponsor, Thomas Savings Bank, for making today's episode possible. And thank you for taking the time to listen or watch on YouTube and for your support. So we will see you next time on The Way Forward.