For McCormick & Co. Chairman and CEO Robert J. Lawless, a company?s willingness to give is as important as its bottom line.
“Philanthropy is the right thing to do,” Lawless said to a room full of Baltimore business leaders Wednesday. “It?s gotta start at the top. Philanthropy, giving and willing to make a difference in people?s lives has to start at the top.”
Lawless stressed the importance of corporate giving to the United Way of Central Maryland?s Tocqueville Society. Lawless and his wife, Catherine, donated more than $100,000 to the society in 2006, but Lawless said he and his wife at first didn?t want public recognition for their gift.
“The conundrum we?re in is wanting to help others without having the publicity,” Lawless said. “That was hard on us and is still very hard on us today.”
Today?s business leaders, though, need to take an active approach to philanthropy and set an example for the younger generation, he said. “The needs are greater every day.”
Since 1941, a majority of McCormick employees participate in an annual companywide Charity Day. Employees donate one day?s earnings to community charities, and those earnings are matched by the company, Lawless said.
“There?s no immediate gratification in philanthropy, but there?s a longer-term payback,” Lawless said. “It?s a competitive advantage to have a philosophy that says we?re willing to give back.”
L. John Pearson, a member of the United Way Board of Directors and president and CEO of Baltimore Life Insurance Co., said he?s known Lawless and his business beliefs for 10 years.
“McCormick is a huge supporter of the United Way,” Pearson said. “[Lawless?] passion is very,very real.”
The United Way of Central Maryland received $39.45 million in public donations during fiscal 2007, up slightly from $39.16 million the previous year, according to Chuck Tildon, vice president of marketing for the organization.
Lawless, 60, recently announced he will retire from McCormick, a Sparks-based spice maker, on Jan. 1, 2008. Alan D. Wilson, McCormick?s president and chief operating officer, will succeed Lawless. Lawless will remain chairman of McCormick?s board.
