Our Board of Directors is comprised of a group of committed volunteers from the community who lead our fundraising efforts. We’re pleased to welcome Dan Schrider, President and CEO of Sandy Spring Bank, to our board. A resident of western Howard County, Dan has been married to his wife Dedi for 33 years, and is a proud father of three and grandfather to two, soon to be three, grandchildren. For the past 31 years, he has worked for Sandy Spring Bank, serving as CEO for the past 12 years. In his free time, Dan enjoys golfing, hunting, playing basketball and traveling. We caught up with Dan recently to learn more about what brought him to become involved with First Tee.
Q: Thinking back to your youth, were there any programs or mentors that helped shape you as a leader?
A: When I was 14, I began working at a local butcher shop where I remained for 7 years. The other employees happened to be men who were much older and had served in WWII. Listening to their stories of commitment and sacrifice coupled with the way in which they served the many weekly customers of the shop demonstrated, by example, how to treat people with humility. Those examples stuck with me.
Q: In your role leading Sandy Spring Bank, what one or two characteristics do you notice consistently in your most successful entry-level employees?
A: There are many characteristics that I would look for, but I really notice when a new employee brings the combination of a strong work ethic and willingness to be a part of a team player. Those tend to be the employees who have the great potential to advance in their career, whether that is in banking or in other areas where they are lead to pursue.
Q: What aspects of First Tee’s mission do you believe make it stand out among the many youth development programs in our region?
I really believe that the focus on the 9 core values and life skills set the First Tee apart from many other programs targeting young people and the results speak for themselves. For many years and throughout many chapters, the lives of young people have been impacted positively while enjoying the fun offered through the game of golf. Additionally, the care offered by the First Tee’s coaches can make a lasting impact in a young person.
Thank you, Dan, for sharing your experience and commitment with us!
Our coaches empower kids so they feel excited to grow, safe to fail, and better equipped for whatever comes their way next. Through fun and meaningful programs, our coaches introduce participants to a four step decision-making approach we call STAR:
