For a paparazzi, this is the closest distance I ever had thus far with a president from any country. So you would imagine how thrilled I was to be this close to two former U.S. Presidents in Byham Theater at the same time during an invitation-only private function on October 18, 2012. (Jackie was the person to thank to! Thanks Jackie!) (Although photography was technically prohibited and I actually got a warning from a staff for taking this picture, still very grateful that I got to keep this photo.)
Simply put, it’s a big stage for big people. I was fortunate to be in the crowd. There was a small incidence prior to the event that was big enough to prevent me from getting into the theater at all--I forgot to bring government ID with me. Thanks to +Marisa Pereira Tully for getting me in the door by proving to the register that she knew me as a schoolmate at Heinz College. (Thank you Marisa!) Also thank goodness, by then my English hearing had greatly improved. Although the presidential conversation on Revitalizing America was intellectually fierce, I seemed to understand their conversation, at least some of it. So I was in the crowd but not in the cloud. (“In the cloud, in the fog” is a Chinese saying that means somebody doesn’t understand or puzzled.)
I am still thrilled even today writing down this special Pittsburgh Experience. By checking notes on my notebook, I have recorded some words from the presidents:
President Bush, oil and gas industry supporter, said, “America is a nation of givers and healers and helpers, which is an unbelievably strong foundation for the future...I completely dismiss the notion our best days are behind us.”
President Clinton, social entrepreneur advocate on education and healthcare, said, “It never pays to bet against America. We need to organize our debate around a strategy to win everywhere we need to. And if we do that, we are going to be great.”
The effect of this experience and encounter in distance seem to have no immediate impact on my daily life. However, the experience itself brought me the impression that a lot of interesting things are going on here in Pittsburgh. You’d better watch out what you are getting yourself into. Always be prepared.
Coincidentally, De was in the audience and seated much closer to the front stage of the Theater. He later told me in the email that the leadership presented during the conversation was truly leadership that can bring changes. It’s always good to see Democratic and Republican politicians sitting together and have such a juicy and constructive conversation with no competition but only a common ground, namely to make this nation a strong one as it’s supposed to be. Maybe the Job description for the President should be revised to be less attractive to competition, much less.
Beer winning trivia @ Byham Theater
1. Built in 1903 and opened Halloween night 1904, the then-named Gayety Theater was stage and vaudeville house. It was renamed The Fulton in the 1930s when it became a full-time movie theater. In 1990 the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust bought the theater and refurbished the Fulton as part of its plan for the Cultural District. The Byham family of Pittsburgh made a major naming gift for a 1995 renovation, and it has been the Byham Theater since.
2. Bill Byham (1936-present), co-founder (with Dr. Douglas Bray), chairman and CEO of Development Dimensions International (DDI) is an industrial organizational psychologist who has developed a number of human resource technologies over the course of his career. These innovations include the assessment center method, behavior-based interviewing, the use of behavior modeling in supervisor and management training, behavioral job analysis methodology as the basis for selection and training programs, and acceleration pools to rapidly prepare select people for high-level leadership positions. He started DDI in his basement in 1970s and now the human resources consulting firm has since grown into an international organization with 42 offices in 26 countries.
Byham family’s involvement in Pittsburgh’s arts community includes funding for bringing Pittsburgh’s classical music station to the heart of its downtown Cultural District through the Carolyn M. Byham WQED fm89.3 Studio. Byham and his wife Carolyn’s recent endowment to the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater Ballet School will be used to renovate a house to give ballet dancers a place to stay while they’re attending the school.
Your ID @ Byham Theater
Several Heinzers and I also had the opportunity to attend a dinner event prior to the presidential conversation in the Byham Theater to meet several UBS staff to hear their words of advice for life and career. Is Anita Sands the Heinz Alumna on the conversation panel, who also has a PHD in Atomic & Molecular Physics from Queen’s University before she earned her M.S in Public Policy and Management from Heinz College.?
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