Life of Brian     Brian R. Campbell

                   I worked closely with Brian during my years as Cincinnati District President for Society Bank and then Key Bank.  The transaction that we structured together for the Crosset Company was one of the most complex deals I ever did.  Brian was exceptionally sharp and professional, and this really helped in getting it completed.  And he was always attentive to the priorities of all the parties involved in that financing.  I cannot overstate the truly unusual degree of integrity and honesty that Brian always displayed in his business dealings.  For us at the Bank, it gave increased confidence that he was on top of everything that was going on at his company, that he kept us regularly updated, that he told things exactly the way they were, and that he was always looking out for the Bank’s interests.  True character is most easily seen when the going gets rough, and when Crosset got into trouble, Brian’s honesty and integrity increased even more.

                 It was because of all of these positive attributes that I asked Brian if he would consider joining the Board of WGUC, Cincinnati’s classical radio station, as its Treasurer.  I had become Chairman of that Board in the early 1990’s, and at that time WGUC was just one of the University of Cincinnati’s many departments.  Many of us on the Board were convinced that WGUC needed to get some independence from UC if it was going to survive.  To prepare ourselves for this possibility, we needed to institute some very disciplined financial procedures and controls.  I knew Brian was the perfect person to make this happen, and he was gracious enough to take on this role.  And I realize that he probably did it as a favor to me, as he was not the most passionate fan of classical music!  We did finally win our independence from UC, and we then had to become a stand-alone corporation within a very short period of time.  Brian was instrumental in setting up the accounting and financial reporting systems, establishing new health and retirement plans, choosing a bank and accounting firm, and investing in the necessary technology and staff.  Maybe it would not have happened without him – but at least, it surely would not have gone as smoothly as it did.  The top financial people at UC were very impressed with our ability to take over control of the station and manage our financial responsibilities so successfully in such a short period of time.  This gave them the confidence necessary to finally transfer over to us full ownership of the broadcast license a few years later.  In 2005 Xavier University decided to sell WVXU’s license for $15,000,000.  If WGUC had not attained full independence by that time, UC would probably have sold WGUC’s license for an even greater amount – and then there would have been no classical music radio station in Cincinnati.  Because of the hard work of many people, and Brian in particular, the Greater Cincinnati community will be enjoying great classical music on into the distant future. 

              Marty Piazza

          Rett syndrome is a devastating childhood neurological disorder with no known cure and is the leading genetic cause of severe impairment in females.  It deprives them of speech, normal movement and hand use; it bends their spines and weakens their bones, bringing seizures, breathing and swallowing difficulties and blood pressure and heart rate instability.  Rett syndrome leaves its victims profoundly disabled and dependent on others for every basic need. 
Gordon Rich, president and owner of Reading Rock, has a daughter with Rett Syndrome and he along with 5 other parents formed the Rett Syndrome Foudnation. RSRF’s commitment was to the pursuit of treatments and a cure for Rett Syndrome through an aggressive research agenda. Brian acted as the “unofficial” CFO of the Rett Syndrome Research Foundation (RSRF) from it’s inception in 1999.  Through Brian’s work with other non-profits, he was able to offer a wealth of advice to Gordy and the RSRF board on fundraising and accounting procedures.  Brian was the official “check signer” of the Foundation and also poured over the annual audit and 990 to make sure that we were making the right decisions to maintain a Navigator Four Star Rating. 
 In July of 2007, RSRF merged with the International Rett Syndrome Association and formed the International Rett Syndrome Foundation. Brian was instrumental in the merging of the financial pieces of the two organizations and had recently helped develop a board friendly monthly financial report.
Between the two organizations, Gordy, Brian and I had been around the longest.  Brian was where I sought advice on allowable expenses and how to respond to in appropriate requests.  He was also my sounding board in dealing with the sometimes difficult issues related with merging to diverse organizations.  He is and will continue to be sorely missed, not just professionally but personally. 
 Mary Joyce
IRSF