With little to no business training, Stephen successfully helped save a local steel company from bankruptcy and became the thriving company's new Chief of Operations. After being forced to resign a few years later from an internal takeover, Stephen suddenly found himself questioning his earlier decisions and career moves. With help from his wife, Esther, he became involved with the charity, Ronald McDonald House. RMDH is a support system for parents of children with serious medical conditions. He was offered a seat on the board of RMDH and found that his contributions with this charity fulfilled him in ways he never thought possible. When time came to elect a new Chairman of the Board, Stephen was unanimously voted in.
It is Stephen's hope that his decisions as Chairman will positively effect the future leaders of the charity with long reaching results. In short, the answer to our earlier question is, yes. It is OK to expect something in return for your efforts in helping others, even if the only thing you get in return is the joy you feel in your heart.
Stephen is always welcome at Reynolds and has been a loyal customer for over 10 years. He is one of those rare individuals who understands the importance an edge in fashion can make, even in your choice of eyewear.
If you could devote your life to helping others would you want or expect anything in return? If by giving of yourself for the health or happiness of those in your community should there be a price asked for the services rendered? Is it OK to ask for anything in return? Our latest subject, Mr. Stephen Abouaf has gone thorough life altering changes with these questions in mind.
Stephen was born and raised in the California Bay Area where he attended high school. He came to Oregon where he graduated from the University of Oregon and then back to the Bay Area to finish up a law degree. A feat made all the more successful after being diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (or A.D.D.). After a brief stint working in a law office in San Francisco Stephen tried unsuccessfully to pass the California State Bar Exam. Looking back his failure to pass the exam led him to question his own motivations to becoming a practicing lawyer although his then misunderstood A.D.D. probably played a significant factor in not acquiring his certification. Stephen's questions led him back to Oregon where, in the mid 1970's, he relocated to Portland.