If you read the profile of Ron Doggett recently printed in the News & Observer, you know what we at WakeMed have known for years: Ron Doggett has a big heart. Not only is he a great business and community leader, he is a devoted husband, father, and grandfather to a large and growing family with his 11th grandchild on the way. He keeps in close contact with numerous people with whom he has worked over the years – and not just at the executive level. And he and his wife Jeanette are generous community benefactors.
Ron and Jeanette’s contributions to WakeMed over the years cannot be understated. In particular, Ron’s leadership has contributed to the Foundation raising millions of dollars for WakeMed initiatives and programs, and he has lent his expertise on countless WakeMed boards and committees. He also has been personally responsible for bringing many other influential community members to the table to support and raise money for WakeMed. Through their involvement and tireless devotion to WakeMed’s mission, the Doggett’s have been instrumental in shaping the future of health care in our community.
Ron is probably best known for his life-long love of the product his company GoodMark Foods Inc. produced: the Slim Jim and it’s become his trademark to carry an ample supply to share with those he meets.
At WakeMed, we know him as a very active member of the WakeMed Board of Directors and as part of the WakeMed Foundation family – so active that it’s not uncommon for staff and committee members to receive calls from Ron by 7:00 a.m. to discuss the WakeMed Children’s Hospital capital campaign, which he leads.
Spend 5 minutes with Ron and you can’t help but become inspired by his energy and passion for making our community a better place to live. And Ron shares a life lesson with us all. That is, it’s not so much about you reaching the top in business – it’s what you do with the success once you get there. For Ron, the top was just the beginning… the beginning of a legacy of sharing, building and shaping a community. A legacy of giving back that he has passed on to his children and grandchildren.
All of us at WakeMed are indeed fortunate to have him and his wife as part of our family.
Jack Radford is the executive director of the WakeMed Foundation.
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