Strategic and Thoughtful Community Builder
This is the second of our newest blog series: Board Member Profiles. We started with Lisa Rodman, current CFGV Board President, and now we want to introduce a former Board President and current board member, Bill Burke who contributes so much to CFGV and our shared community.
Meet Bill Burke
Bill and his wife Lenni split their time between Crested Butte and Houston and are deeply engaged with the community in both of their homes. He has experience working with several nonprofits in both Houston and CB and was President of Tokio Marine HCC before retiring in April of 2019. Bill combines a penchant for analysis with a passion for family and community and we appreciate the thoughtfullness and care he brings to board decisions.
What is your role on the board?
Board Member
What do you love most about the Gunnison Valley?
I love the breathtaking views, outdoor activities and small-town vibe. I also love the people here – both the full time and part time residents who love being in the Gunnison Valley and are always willing to help others.
Bill and Lenni enjoying the recreation opportunities in Crested Butte.
Why did you join the CFGV Board?
I joined the CFGV Board to help the community. CFGV is uniquely positioned in the Valley to address all community segments and needs.
What would you like the community to know about CFGV?
Our personal philanthropy is more effective due to CFGV. Our CFGV Donor Advised Fund increases the amount we can donate due to tax savings and tax-free investment growth. The Gunnison Valley is blessed with over 80 nonprofits. CFGV helps the nonprofits improve their performance through training, mentoring, collaboration and financial donations. CFGV also provides community leadership by providing an unbiased Valley-wide perspective.
Crested Butte and the Gunnison Valley are loved by all members of Bill and Lenni’s family.
What are your hopes for the future of CFGV?
I hope the Gunnison Valley community will continue to support and utilize CFGV in these uncertain times so CFGV can, in turn, continue to expand its support of the nonprofits across the Valley.
Where are folks most likely to run into you in the Gunnison Valley?
I can be found at the golf course, on the bike trails, enjoying the great restaurants or attending community events.
Is there anything else you want our newsletter readers to know about your charitable interests in the Gunnison Valley?
While we support many specific nonprofits across the Gunnison Valley ranging from basic needs to the arts, we also reach many more nonprofits through our support of CFGV.
Simplified Summary
Bill Burke is a board member at CFGV (Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley). He and his wife Lenni live part of the time in Crested Butte and part of the time in Houston, Texas. Before he retired in 2019, Bill worked as the president of a big company. Now he uses his business skills to help make good decisions for CFGV and the community.
Bill loves living in the Gunnison Valley because of the beautiful mountain views, outdoor activities like biking and golf, and the friendly small-town feeling. He joined the CFGV board because he wanted to help his community. He thinks CFGV is in a special position to help everyone in the valley. The organization helps more than 80 local nonprofits (groups that help people) by giving them money, training, and advice.
Bill hopes that people in the Gunnison Valley will keep supporting CFGV so it can continue helping local nonprofits grow stronger. When he’s not working on board business, you might see him playing golf, riding bikes on the trails, eating at local restaurants, or attending community events. He believes that supporting CFGV is a great way to help many different charities all at once.
