What Goes Around Comes Around: My Brief Experiences With Dan and Truitt Cathy

Chick Fil-A CEO Dan Cathy was at the opening of the companies new Northlake store Thursday. (He must attend every store opening!)  I had almost left the ribbon cutting event when I realized I needed to thank the CEO for something he did for me 17 years ago--when his dad was at the helm. At the time, I was tasked to find a speaker for the annual Hugh O'brien Youth Foundation (HOBY) leadership weekend. HOBY is a remarkable organization founded by the famed actoe in 1958 -- involves 10th graders in leadership training from schools across the US and internationally. Look it up--http://www.hoby.org/  

I can't remember who suggested that I contact Chick Fil-A, but this is the way I remember it.  Called and I was directed straight to the top to Dan, then Exec VP. With no hesitation he told me to come to the corporate offices in a week and he'd arrange for me to speak with the Founder.  Within 15 minutes of meeting legendary Truett Cathy, he agreed to speak to 150 or so very special youth leaders (one is selected from each high school that is involved--then one is picked from each city to attend the World Congress). He inspired the kids for over a half-hour. I still have the autographed copy of his book that he gave me--"It's Easier to Succeed than to fail".

Northlake coincidence Part 1--I mentioned this to Tom Balsamedes, one of several Lakeside grads in the Chick Fil-A heirarchy that "came home" to the opening of the store today and he told me that HE spoke to the congress in 1999.  Apparently Chick Fil-A and HOBY Atlanta have had a relationship since Mr. Cathy spoke.

Northlake Part II--I also told the story to Deonne Spratte today, wife of Brad Spratte Lakeside '83)--now operator of the Northlake store (see my previous article in The Patch). Deonne was flabbergasted. She told me that her daughter was the St. Pius HOBY representative in her sophomore year--and her son was followed later.

BTW--the connection between Lakeside High (probably Henderson and Tucker too)  and Chick Fil-A is interesting--more later.