225BatonRouge.com

Howard Taylor

President and CEO, Capital Area United Way (CAUW)

It’s a one-two switcheroo. Longtime CAUW head Ken Hinrichs left Baton Rouge last month to take over the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut, and Howard Taylor left his position as managing director of Abacus Capital Partners, also in Connecticut, to replace Hinrich.

Was taking this position daunting so soon after the storms?

It’s absolutely something I wanted to do. It fits into my long-term goal. I saw a need, an area that had really been devastated, and I saw where I could help in making a contribution.

You have experience leading Fortune 500s as well as startups. What strengths do you bring to CAUW?

Fund-raising, sales, marketing, business management, growth. I have a lifetime of experience in business, and no matter what, this is a business. And any business needs to understand how it presents itself, how it markets itself, and that it truly emphasizes the customer and the needs of the customer.

What will be your focus?

Trying to understand the current needs of our partner agencies, but also looking at some of the unmet needs elsewhere. We are also seeing major issues from a mental health standpoint—substance abuse and alcoholism and people experiencing hopelessness. My challenge is being able to communicate to the community what must be done to have a thriving Baton Rouge. It’s not just about funds. A thermometer isn’t going to tell us if needs are being met.

How long will Baton Rouge feel the storms’ aftershocks?

Are we prepared for another storm? No. Have we met the needs of the last storm? No. If another Katrina came this August, where would we be? Right now all we can do is concentrate on the immediate needs of our constituents.