Empowering Our Team To Build Up Our Community

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By Founder & CEO Scott J. Savage.

At SJS, one of our treasured values is Giving Back. When you have a great team (and we do!), it means you have the privilege of not only taking care of your clients, but also the communities where we all live, work, and play.

Time, talent, and treasure are the three ingredients, along with desire, that can drive tremendous change. Many companies choose one cause to support, and that’s great! At SJS, we have chosen one cause too: our local communities. That allows us to focus on a variety of organizations and projects that are near and dear to our team, our families, and our clients.

One such organization is Metroparks Toledo. Just last month on the east side of downtown Toledo along the shoreline of the Maumee River, we dedicated the 19th park in our diverse and award-winning park system, the Glass City Metropark. This dedication was the first major step in building the Glass City Riverwalk, a brand new 300-acre contiguous park that will connect five miles of trails and one-of-a-kind amenities on both sides of the Maumee River, connecting the east and west sides of the central city like never before and turning it into the best riverfront park in the country!

With the help of my fellow commissioners and neighborhood kids, I had the great privilege of "throwing the switch" on the transformational park in east Toledo (pictured below). In my 20 years of involvement as a volunteer for Metroparks Toledo, I can’t recall a more rewarding feeling! We are looking forward to the positive impact from this project on our local community for years to come.

Glass City Metropark Phase 2 Grand Opening. Photo: Metroparks Toledo.

SJS also has dozens of clients that are nonprofit organizations whose assets we manage. We advise them on topics of good governance and planning, guided by their clear Mission and inspired by their Vision that is grounded in their institutional Value system. In turn, these organizations can thrive and grow and be more effective and deliver bigger impact. We are proud and grateful for the relationships we’ve formed with these organizations over the years.

The SJS Mission is to empower you to build a better life. That extends to our teammates, clients, and community members. I have deep gratitude for my teammates at SJS who created the supportive culture that allows me and my fellow colleagues the opportunity to be part of improving our respective communities.

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Important Disclosure Information:

There is no guarantee investment strategies will be successful. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Diversification neither assures a profit nor guarantees against a loss in a declining market.

Advisory services are provided by SJS Investment Services, a registered investment advisor (RIA) with the SEC. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. SJS Investment Services does not provide legal or tax advice. Please consult your legal or tax professionals for specific advice.

Hyperlinks to third-party information are provided as a convenience.

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SJS Outlook: Q2 2023

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Metroparks Toledo: Redefining Our Region

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An interview with Scott Savage, who is Founder & CEO of SJS Investment Services as well as the President of the Board of Park Commissioners of Metroparks Toledo. This interview is part of our Stories of Giving & Achievement Series, highlighting organizations doing great work in the community.

Scott, how did you get involved with the Metroparks Toledo?

That answer will take us back over 20 years. That’s when the Metroparks Board asked me, along with former Toledo Fire Chief-turned-Mayor Mike Bell, to chair a very visionary 10-year land levy with one goal: fund the expansion of Metroparks Toledo. Built into that expansion was an acquisition of ecologically critical land. As a person who treasures and appreciates the ecological uniqueness of this part of the world, I was all in. The levy went through, and that land today is primarily part of what is known as the Oak Openings Corridor.

Source: “Oak Openings Preserve Metropark”. Metroparks Toledo, metroparkstoledo.com.

It must have been amazing to achieve that goal. What happened next?

It was, and I can tell you, after that, I was hooked on how this kind of work could make an impact on the people, the economy, and of course, wildlife. Most people don’t realize that this part of Northwest Ohio is unlike anywhere else in the world. After this one project, I felt called to help restore this vital ecology, and I realized it could happen while providing parks the community can enjoy. It didn’t have to be one or the other.

A few years later in 2007, Probate Judge Jack Puffenberger appointed me to join the three-person governing board responsible for overseeing Metroparks Toledo. I was both honored and very eager to do whatever I could to grow this park system. As part of that early work, we established the Mission of Metroparks Toledo, which fifteen years later is the same: to preserve and protect our natural resources for the benefit and enjoyment of all citizens in Lucas County and, I’ll add, the roughly seven million visitors we expect in 2022 alone.

Source: “Providence River Bluff Trail”. Metroparks Toledo, metroparkstoledo.com.

That vision must have been inspiring to the Metroparks team.

It was. And lofty. The park system is nothing like it is today. I’d say in 2007, Metroparks Toledo was an excellent park system, but it was mostly a suburban park system with only one of the handful of parks in operation in the actual City of Toledo. That would be Swan Creek Preserve Metropark which is a park in the district today.

So did you aim to bring more parks to the City of Toledo?

The short answer to that is, yes. But the Park Commissioners and the Team at Metroparks Toledo decided to do something even more ambitious. We decided a worthy vision would be to make sure every citizen in Lucas County would live within five miles of a Metropark.

That was lofty. At that time I bet most of the city’s residents were a long drive from a Metropark.

You’re right. But I am happy to report that our vision is a reality. Today, every citizen of Lucas County lives within five miles of a Metropark, making it easier for all people to access the physical and mental health benefits parks provide. In the process, we have brought the limelight to our region by winning the 2020 National Gold Medal Award in the large district category for excellence in parks and recreation management, the most prestigious honor in the parks and recreation industry.[1] I believe we can honestly say Toledo has the best parks in America.

That is impressive, and I’m sure getting to #1 in America was no easy feat.

Well, there are a lot of steps between any vision and its achievement, and plenty of stories. Maybe in future blogs, we can talk about some of them. I will say here that it has been gratifying to help transform the place we call home and help it gain the attention it deserves as a renaissance city, an ecologically important region, and a place for diverse people and families to live and thrive.

I have a feeling from your enthusiasm, you’re not done.

You’re right, and I’ll go even further to say, the best is yet to come! Yes, you may have read about it in the paper or online or seen it on the news. It’s the most ambitious project-to-date - The Glass City Riverwalk - and it is already redefining our region even more in the eyes of the world. Phase one is open and operating with more phases in construction now. The $200 million dollar project will create 300 new acres of connected green space on the East and West sides of the Maumee River, Downtown Toledo, and the Glass City Riverwalk. It will restore ecologically-sensitive habitats, and provide recreation for everyone. Studies have shown this project will drive more than $2 billion in economic impact.[2] For a $200 million price tag to return $2 billion, I’d say that’s a very good financial investment, not to mention we get a beautiful park to enjoy!

Source: “The Glass City Riverwalk”. Metroparks Toledo, metroparkstoledo.com.

At the core of it, all this work has been an investment, hasn’t it?

Yes, it has. And we aren’t done. Already in the works is an increased expansion and more connections between parks, further elevating our reputation as a premier place to live and work. The investment of time, knowledge, funds, and more from all who are involved is how this is happening. And in my experience, we are all thrilled to give because, quite simply, we all love this place or we wouldn’t be here. Why not do everything we can to make our region even better for the people here today and for the generations of the future? I’m humbled and feel so blessed to have been a part of this thing we call Metroparks Toledo for the last fifteen-plus years.

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Important Disclosure Information & Sources:

[1] “Metroparks Receives National Gold Medal Award“. Metroparks Toledo, 28-Oct-2020, metroparkstoledo.com.

[2] “Glass City Riverwalk”. Metroparks Toledo, glasscityriverwalk.com.

Hyperlinks to third-party information are provided as a convenience.

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Paying It Forward

By SJS Investment Services Founder & CEO Scott Savage.

Inspired by many clients throughout the years, SJS Team Members are encouraged to “pay it forward“ with their time, talents, and resources to advance the missions of worthy non-profit organizations.

For the last 13 years, I have had the good fortune of being appointed by Probate Judge Jack Puffenberger to the Board of Park Commissioners responsible for the governance of Metroparks Toledo. The five-member Board meets monthly in a public forum, as the majority of funding for this 90-year-old conservation and preservation agency comes from property owners in Lucas County.

Source: “Cannaley Treehouse Village”. Metroparks Toledo, metroparkstoledo.com.

Similar to SJS' story over the last 26 years, Metroparks Toledo has been guided with a big Vision, an unwavering Mission, Core Values, and a Team of people who Exceptionally Execute on a daily basis to make the Vision real.

For years, the Vision focused on access to parks and trails. Research tells us that the closer one lives to a park or trail, the more likely they will enjoy the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of a Metropark![1] Our North Star was for every citizen of Lucas County to live within five miles of a Metropark. Aggressive expansion and increased connectivity between parks ensued. In 2020, we dedicated Manhattan Marsh Metropark in North Toledo, thus achieving the Vision.

Source: “Manhattan Marsh Preserve Metropark”. Metroparks Toledo, metroparkstoledo.com.

What did this mean? Time for a new Vision!

With incredible input from fellow Board Members and the Team at Metroparks, the new Vision was adopted:

Metroparks Toledo will be, in its culture and community engagements, the beacon for conservation of natural resources; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and the activation and promotion of spaces that enhance physical and mental health. The communal pursuit of these aspirations will elevate our region and transform its identity.

I believe that Metroparks Toledo has always been on the short list of community assets that help distinguish the Northwest Ohio region in a positive way. In fact, Metroparks Toledo was the recipient of the 2020 National Gold Medal Award for excellence in parks and recreation management, the most prestigious honor in the parks and recreation industry.[2]

Bold Vision combined with Exceptional Execution has created a culture of excellence as we strive to preserve and protect some of the world’s most precious resources. Making sure each contribution is “Metroparks-worthy“ drives the actions of all associated, from employees to volunteers. All agree, the future of Metroparks Toledo is clear and bright. Guided by our Vision, the best is yet to come!

My hope is this story inspires you to engage your passion and make the world a little better place for our children and grandchildren.

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Important Disclosure Information & Sources:

[1] “The Value Of Metroparks“. Metroparks Toledo, metroparkstoledo.com.

[2] “Metroparks Receives National Gold Medal Award“. Metroparks Toledo, 28-Oct-2020, metroparkstoledo.com.

Hyperlinks to third-party information are provided as a convenience and we disclaim any responsibility for information, services or products found on websites or other information linked hereto.

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SJS And Your Metroparks – How Are They Alike?

By SJS Founder & CEO Scott Savage

Metroparks Toledo – a place where people choose to spend their time to the tune of four million visits each year – is an organization built on three tenets: 1. Restoring, 2. Preserving, and 3. Protecting.[1] The parks system is widely admired for restoring ecosystems across thousands of acres of land. In early 2018, Howard Marsh Metropark was dedicated, restoring 1,000 acres that had been used as farmland to a functioning wetland near the Lake Erie shore.[2] As a marsh, the land filters runoff water before it reaches the Lake and provides an important spawning habitat for fish, as well as a stopover habitat for a variety of birds.

Metroparks Toledo is appreciated for preserving rare and important habitats. And, it’s applauded for protecting the land by developing beautiful, natural parks that are true gifts for generations to come. The work takes planning, agility, collaboration, and perseverance. Metroparks Toledo possesses all of these qualities plus an ambitious vision: a park located within five miles of every resident – a regional centerpiece for why many people decide to live and work in northwest Ohio. With 16 parks now open for people to go out and enjoy, that vision is becoming a reality.

Restoring, preserving, and protecting. The same words describe our mission at SJS Investment Services. SJS works to restore calm to our clients who are in the midst of life’s most challenging transitions. We strive to preserve people’s wealth, hard-earned through the decades of their careers. And, we endeavor to protect family and organizational legacies well into the future so our clients can care for the people and the causes that matter the most to them.  These endeavors, too, take planning, agility, collaboration, and perseverance. Plus, we help each client articulate their vision for the future. People count on SJS Investment Services to be there and to help them make their vision a reality.

As a leader of both SJS – the company I founded – and the Metroparks Board of Commissioners, restoring, preserving, and protecting are values that I was raised with and believe in. It’s no coincidence that the same tenets that I believe make for good environmental strategy also may make for a good financial strategy. (After all, couldn’t we consider the environment a form of wealth, too?) I view both as vital to today’s quality of life. And as a legacy we leave to future generations.

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Sources:

[1] “The Value of Metroparks,” metroparkstoledo.com.

[2] “Howard Marsh Metropark to Open April 28 Near Lake Erie,” metroparkstoledo.com.

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