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| PHILANTHROPY > ABOUT US |
| l Philanthropic Relationships l Governance l |
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We help service organizations develop |
![]() Yucaipa Elementary Playground 2006 |
| Who We Are . . . What We Do . . . |
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DODGE PAINTING BUILDING at Kansas City Art Institute American Sterling’s philanthropy philosophy begins with helping service organizations recognize the importance of developing a self-sustaining revenue source outside the typical fundraiser concepts. We don’t refer to “non-profits” by that term as it gives the illusion of not generating revenue. We will refer to them as service organizations. In fact, American Sterling believes that service organizations should look, feel and operate even more effectively than “for-profit” organizations. American Sterling’s philanthropy division’s main objective is to break the conventional operational paradigm in which organization’s survival depends on donations and traditional fundraising methods. A paradigm that creates a cycle of perpetual financial starvation in which the organization is never able to reach full potential in serving its community or carrying out its mission of service. Adding to the problem is the fact that most service organizations’ management lacks the financial and business acumen necessary to be successful. They are generally leaders developed within the service environment and they lack the business experience and the ability to effectively apply rigorous business principles. American Sterling’s philanthropy division is willing to work with the senior management of organizations to develop viable business plans, which include as a major component, innovative initiatives for generating new sources of long term revenue.
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| Philanthropic Relationships |
| The following are organizations with which American Sterling and the Dodge family have developed opportunities and provided philanthropic support over the past few years. The links provided will take you to their websites. |
| Dodge College | Dodge College of Film & Media Arts at Chapman University, Orange CA |
| KC Art Institute | Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO |
| St. Margaret’s School | St. Margaret’s Episcopal School, San Juan Capistrano, CA |
| Hope House | Hope House, Independence, MO |
| Boys & Girls Clubs | Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Kansas City, MO and San Juan Capistrano, CA |
| Ocean Institute | Ocean Institute, Dana Point, CA |
| Redlands Unified School District | Redlands Unified School District, Redlands, CA |
| A Heart for Sports | A Heart for Sports, Orange County, CA |
| Rainbow Center | Rainbow Center, Blue Springs, MO |
| Sunshine Center School | Sunshine Center School, Independence, MO |
| University of California | University of California, Irvine, Irvine CA |
| Orange County Performing Arts | Orange County Performing Arts Center, Costa Mesa, CA |
| Hearst Castle | Hearst Castle Preservation Foundation, San Simeon, CA |
| Corporate Governance |
| Board of Directors |
| Michael D. Thompson | Chairman |
| Lawrence K. Dodge | Founding Chairman/Director |
| John W. Meara | Director |
| Executive Management |
| Lawrence K. Dodge | Chief Executive Officer |
| Michael D. Thompson | President and COO |
| Ron Dearden | CFO, SVP, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary |
| Janice K. Thrower | Corporate Secretary |
| Backgrounds |
Lawrence K. Dodge founded American Sterling in 1977. He is the Founding Chairman, CEO, Director and Majority Stockholder of American Sterling Corporation and its subsidiaries. At 27 years of age he acquired a national insurance group making him the youngest CEO of a national insurance group, a benchmark that still exists to this day. In 1971, he acquired a controlling interest in a national bank and became the youngest national bank chairman, another benchmark that still survives today.
Michael D. Thompson was involved with the formation of American Sterling and has worked in various positions throughout American Sterling Corporation. He is Chairman, President and COO of American Sterling Corporation and most of it subsidiaries. He has over thirty years experience in insurance and banking. Thompson earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Kansas State University.
Ron Dearden was originally Vice President of Finance for American Sterling Corporation and became Chief Financial Officer in 1985. He earned a Bachelors degree in Accounting from California State University, Long Beach.
John W. Meara is an outside director on the board of American Sterling Corporation and each of the boards of its subsidiaries. He is owner and CEO of Meara & Associates a public accounting firm located in Kansas City, Missouri. The firm specializes in forensic accounting and business valuations. Mr. Meara is a CPA with extensive public accounting background.
Janice K. Thrower is the Senior Executive Assistant for the CEO and President of American Sterling. She was appointed Corporate Secretary in 1998.