Inspiration from a Voice Past

by Melissa Crawford

I was given a gift.  A gift of a voice from the past, but not just any voice.  Jim Scheinfeld's voice, whose vision I  attempt to implement as the Director of the Scheinfeld Center. A vision of a man who passed in 2007, whom I never had the pleasure to meet. I crave to meet him, to have a conversation with him, to hear his vision in his own words.  I struggle to put the pieces together of his concept and viewpoints.  I often hear his voice through others:  the deans, faculty and administrators at the college who had the privilege of meeting and interacting with him, Jim's colleagues and friends, his wife, his accountant, and his past emails.  I try my best to put myself in his shoes, and wonder often, "What would Jim want?"  "How would Jim handle this?"

The other day, a colleague and friend of the Scheinfeld Center donated several copies of Jim Scheinfeld's book, "A History of Manpower, Inc." This is the company his father (Aaron Scheinfeld) and his colleague (Elmer Winter) founded in 1948, and was acquired in 1970 by the Parker Pen Company.  Jim was one of the first employees, who eventually became head of development of Manpower's international operations. During those intervening years, prior to acquisition, Manpower grew to generate a billion dollars in global sales under Jim's direction.  Jim's success with this company afforded him the opportunity to invest in the Scheinfeld Center at Santa Barbara City College, gifting a permanent endowment for the implementation of an entrepreneurship center, available to our diverse community.  Reading this book takes me one step closer to seeing Jim and hearing his voice. (Thank you Christopher Morales and the Montecito Bank & Trust.)

So you can imagine the weight that sits on my shoulders, to ensure his vision is ultimately achieved, and his goals of serving the community are met.  I am humbled by this job, and am inspired every day by Jim's voice and ever-present spirit.