Welcome Robert "Bob'' Ferriday II to The UWRA Board

Join us in welcoming one of our newest UWRA Board members Robert "Bob'' Ferriday II. Bob adds rich leadership experience to the UWRA Board as we embrace strategic initiatives and growth in 2021.

UWRA: Tell us about yourself.
Bob: I was born and raised in Indiana and earned a BS in Business from Purdue University. I completed my MBA from The Ohio State University while serving in the Air Force in Dayton, OH. In 1964, my late wife Sally, three young daughters, and I moved to Milwaukee. I spent the next 13 years of my career with Globe Union. The game-changer came in 1977 when I responded to a blind job posting that turned out to be a position with United Way of Greater Milwaukee (UWGM). 

Family has always been most important to me. My wife Barbara and I were long-term good friends and both widowed. We married in 2003 and continue to share in the joy of our big extended family, including our six children, 18 grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.

UWRA: Describe your history with United Way.
Bob: I retired from the Milwaukee United Way in 2003, after serving 25 years as CFO and Operations Director working with four CEOs. It was a remarkable journey. I enjoyed learning about this caring business and will always cherish the relationships built with volunteers and staff.

Significant highlights during my time with United Way include growing resources, introducing new technologies, and finalizing a new UWGM headquarters site in a vacated Schlitz brewery. Participating in a four-community collaborative technology initiative to build out an electronic campaign information system to expand our reach and streamline giving was significant, too. After retiring, I returned on a part-time basis to head up a planned giving initiative where we secured a million-dollar foundation honorarium gift. 

My years with United Way instilled a love for service and my community. I currently volunteer with several United Way funded agencies and other organizations close to my heart. 

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UWRA: How did you come to know UWRA, and how have you been involved?
Bob: Other senior staff at our United Way were members of UWRA, so it was natural for me to join the association. The benefits of membership are immeasurable. My wife and I have enjoyed five UWRA Gatherings over the years. I highly recommend that other members take advantage of these great social and educational meetings.
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UWRA: What are you looking forward to most about serving on the UWRA Board?
Bob: I look forward to learning from and collaborating with my fellow Board members through our formal meetings and committee assignments. It is nice to be working towards a mission with so many knowledgeable United Way professionals.