The THINK FIRST Foundation has chosen Frederick H. Grubbe to serve as the Foundation’s first Chief Executive Officer. In making the announcement, board chair Thomas G. Saul, MD, said, “I believe the fact that we have named our first CEO speaks to where the Foundation is in its evolution. We have reached a point where we need strong central leadership in our National Office to oversee the day-to-day business that is necessary to complement the work of our many volunteers. This is an important step toward the future.”
Of his appointment, Mr. Grubbe said, “I believe the Foundation’s mission is noble and important. I could not be more thrilled with the opportunity before me to further that mission.” Mr. Grubbe brings solid administrative and management skills to the post as well as a strong personal affinity for issues of safety and prevention. He recalls his first exposure to the aftermath of debilitating injury when, in high school, a family friend was injured playing hockey and remains paralyzed today. His profes sional experience further sensitized him to the tragedy of brain and spinal cord injury.
Early in his career, Mr. Grubbe served as assistant director of public services for the College of American Pathologists. In 1986, he organized a tour of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago for then-Vice President and Mrs. George Bush. Later, in 1988, he served as deputy regional political director for the Bush/Quayle campaign. In 1991, as deputy administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, he supervised an award-winning national public service program to encourage use of seat belts. In 1992, President Bush appointed Mr. Grubbe to serve as deputy director of the United States Office of Consumer Affairs.
Speaking on behalf of the five-member selection committee, Dr. Saul said, “Mr. Grubbe demonstrates a very good understanding and emotional feel for our mission and brings with him an excellent background in safety through his work with the United States Department of Transportation. It is also important to have someone in this position who feels strongly about the program and has the ability to lead others in a way that makes them believers in what we are doing. Mr. Grubbe was chosen by unanimous vote of the selection committee from among more than 200 high caliber applicants. I think we made an excellent choice.”
Serving with Dr. Saul on the selection committee were Foundation board members Michael J. Caron, MD, Charles N. Dunn, Jr., Fran Inman, and Jeffrey M. Lobosky, MD. A national executive search was conducted by Smith Beers Yunker and Company, an international consultancy with offices in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Merseyside, England.
Prior to accepting the position with THINK FIRST, Mr. Grubbe was Director of Special Projects for the Million Dollar Round Table in Park Ridge, Illinois. He assumed his duties at the Foundation on June 3rd. Mr. Grubbe and his wife, Mary Duke, live in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Their son, Will, is almost two years old, and a second child is expected in July.