Reflections on a Mentor

As I consider how to close out a career (hopefully a decade or so from now), I take measure of the past several decades. Without question, having mentors has been a crucial part of my development. I have been so lucky to have great ones. Bart Peterson in Governor Evan Bayh's office. Fred Nation at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Paul Pfanner , when I started CHARGE .

Today, I will attend the calling for Jack Snyder , the first mentor of my career. My heart sank when I heard the news of his passing last week. In the early 1990s, I worked for Jack at Ice Miller LLP . At the time, he was a senior partner in the business law group and consigliere to the Hulman-George family. When I think of Jack, I think of everything a great mentor should be.

• He had the patience of Job. He always listened to the whiney young associates (like me) and simultaneously laid down some wisdom.
• He was always honest and candid. I always knew where I stood with Jack.
• He was an outstanding leader. There was always something to learn just watching him.
• He readily shared his subject matter expertise, which helped mold me into a fairly decent problem-solver.

I also learned what "who luck" meant from Jack. Because Jack introduced me to a young racing executive, Tony George , for whom I handled a piece of business litigation. That introduction (and Jack vouching for me) launched my career in motorsports business, sports marketing, and sponsorship, which has spanned the rest of my career.

I am so grateful to Jack and all the incredible mentors who helped guide me. I plan to spend the rest of my career paying forward what Jack taught me. Godspeed, Jack.