Surely you know Scott Schulick as a successful businessman, a past president of Rotary Club of Youngstown, and past president of Rotary District 6650. It’s what you don’t know that may surprise you. How much does he love Youngstown? How did his first job prepare him for his career? And what is the story behind his iconic Rotary khakis?
Name: Scott Schulick
Preferred nickname: I don't have one, but I'm sure people have called me lots of names.
Years in Rotary: 25
Resident of: Youngstown
Hometown: Youngstown
How long have you lived here? My entire life.
What brought you here, or kept you here? First, I'm very content. Second, I love Youngstown. My parents were always big advocates of the city. I remember shopping with them downtown until Strouss' department store closed. It was a thrill to walk across the pedestrian bridge from the parking deck to the store as a kid. From the time I was 14 and entered Ursuline High School, then moving down Wick Ave to YSU, and then downtown to City Centre One until 2012, I spent 26 years of my life within a one-mile radius. I never have had any desire to live or work anywhere else. I never applied to any other school except YSU, much to the dismay of my guidance counselors and never looked for job outside of Youngstown. Perhaps there would have been exciting opportunities and experience, but for me, it all worked out. I would have missed out on so much if I had left. I'm excited by the possibilities of what is to come for Youngstown. In another city, a young person would never have been able to become involved at the levels I was able. Who would trade that?
Education: Ursuline High School, 1990; Youngstown State University, BS in Business Administration major in Accounting; 1994, MBA Youngstown State University concentration in Finance, 1996.
Occupation: Vice President/Investments, Portfolio Manager-Solutions Program, Accredited Investment Fiduciary (more simply, Financial Advisor).
Who is in your family circle? Extended family is my parents, Bob and Joanne; my grandmother Grace; and my sister Jill, brother-in-law Brian and nephew Henry. In an Italian-Slovak family, lots of other people are considered close in the family circle.
Do you have any pets? No. Growing up, we had a dog, fish, a hamster, and rabbits.
When you are not working, how do you like to spend your time? I suppose my service on various civic boards over the years is how I spend much of my free time outside of work. I'm also very involved in my church. Beyond that, I like to spend time on weekends with friends and family whether out for a meal or drinks. I love to travel both in the U.S. and abroad. In the U.S., I go to New York City a lot as my sister and family live there, but really will go anywhere! I love Italy and have been there six times. My first trip abroad was the longest --- to the Rotary International Convention in Brisbane, Australia when I was club president the first time in 2003. After you go to Australia, you'll go anywhere as it all seems short. I've played bocce on various leagues in the summer for over 20 years off and on. This year, I finally dedicated more time to golf -- a sport that has been eluded me for many years. I'm working hard on having a respectable game, and really enjoy the time with friends and being outdoors.
Why do you remain a Rotarian? Rotary is the best way to enjoy service directly to people in need. I attended Catholic grade school and high school and service was a significant component of my education and my home life. Rotary is an extension of all of that for me. I remain a Rotarian because of the friendships and experiences being a member has afforded to me. I love this club --- its members, history and projects. This year's theme, "Rotary Opens Opportunities" rings true for me. I joined the club as a newly minted financial advisor. From a vocational perspective, membership put me in front of people that it would have otherwise taken years to meet -- bank presidents, hospital CEOs and leaders in education, religion, and business in the Youngstown community. It allowed me to put my best foot forward. Much of my business was referred to me by these individuals and many became clients along the way. Keep in mind, business is not why we join Rotary, but the relationships created and trust developed leads to this unexpected by-product. Moreover, the individuals I met connected me to organizations where I could use my talents to serve the community. So much of my board experiences were the results of Rotarians asking me to become involved in a worthwhile organization or project. I've said time and again that Rotary is the highlight of my week, and it remains so to this day.
Which Rotary Project resonates with you and your understanding of our community's needs? There are so many projects that it is hard to choose. I suppose that "Put Kids First" was our club's greatest recent accomplishment, and garnered a Significant Achievement Award from Rotary International in 2014. I was honored to chair the committee at its inception in 1996 (sure, give the new guy an overwhelmingly hard project and see if it kills him!). Watching the program develop from trying to move the entire Youngstown City School system forward to focusing on Harding Elementary School, and seeing other Rotarians step up to leadership is very rewarding. Seeing the playground constructed, starting the Rockin' Race for the Cure, holiday parties, Operation Warm and purchasing items for teachers over the years are highlights.
What does Rotary's motto "Service Above Self" mean to you? It is how I try to live my life. It is a motto that both motivates and haunts me. It is way more rewarding than exhausting.
What would you be doing on Wednesdays if you didn't attend the weekly luncheon meeting? What I do on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays when there is not a global pandemic ... eat lunch out with clients, civic leaders and friends at one of my favorite restaurants -- V2, the MVR, or some other local establishment.
Which type of Rotary socials do you prefer - black tie affairs or casual attire? In my 25 years, there was only one black tie affair--the centennial of our club. So, I'd have to say that the casual events are what I prefer, especially the steak fry. However, it is fun to get dressed up now and then.
A Rotary tradition is to have sing-alongs during meetings. Would you ever lead us in a song? Sure, and I probably have. Henry Ruggles, the fifth member of Rotary instituted singing in 1906. Paul Harris believed in it because it clears the lungs and lifts the spirits. It's a shame that it gets a bad rap. I found that the clubs having the most fun were the singing clubs when I visited as District Governor. Boardman is probably the most robust! I would never have known the words to such classic American songs if it weren't for club singing. For so many years, the song leader would lead a song, and then all would sing "Smile" to close out that part of the meeting. Hearing Ruth Crawford at the piano as I walked into the meetings when I first joined surely made for a welcoming and fun atmosphere.
What do you think of Scott Schulick's Rotary pants, and would you wear a pair? Well, since I am Scott Schulick, of course I would wear them, as should everyone else! The story behind them is simple. When I was in Atlanta for the Rotary Convention in 2017, the Host Organizing Committee was showcasing Georgia businesses, one of which was Pennington and Bailes (Google them!). The HOC commissioned the pants -- they actually had shorts as well, and skirts for ladies. The shorts were sold out so I settled for the pants and the rest is history. They have accompanied me to conventions, the International Assembly, Zone Institute and district and club events. Since they are now one of a kind, I must keep my weight in check, so that I may continue to wear them for years to come. I know you all secretly want a pair!
What's a story of yours that you don't get to tell often enough? For 7 years from the time I was in junior high to my sophomore year of college, I delivered newspapers for The Youngstown Vindicator. I used my Sears wagon I had as a child until it literally fell apart. It was the best job I ever had. I met lots of people and learned to deal with difficult people along the way. It taught me much about work ethic. I worked over 2,500 days straight. The news doesn't take a day off --- not even Christmas morning! I had to collect payments door-to door for nearly 300 houses as well -- collecting on Halloween night always found everyone home and lots of candy, too. I used my profits saved to invest in the stock market per my dad's advice and it all led me to where I am today. Some of those old paper route customers are my clients today.