Photo by Wes Kroninger
Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch
Empathy and work ethic are driving forces for Buckeye Ranch leader
During a drive to a grocery store, where a 16-year old Nick Rees would begin his first job bagging groceries, his father gave him a piece of advice Rees would carry with him for the rest of his career.
“He said, ‘You’ll always be successful if you treat everyone you meet as someone you could one day work for in the future,’” Rees says.
Rees took that to heart. Now 57, the Westerville resident serves as president and CEO of the Buckeye Ranch.
The Buckeye Ranch is known as one of Ohio’s top providers of mental health services for children, young adults and families. The Ranch operates from seven locations that serve central and southwestern Ohio.
Rees was born in Gallipolis, a small village on the banks of the Ohio River. His father was in the Air Force, so Rees moved around a lot. His family would stay in one area for about eight or nine months. They lived mainly in Ohio, Massachusetts and Maine.
Rees attended 11 schools before he reached high school.
“Living like that, you learn how to make friends quickly,” Rees says.
After high school, Rees attended the University of Rio Grande before transferring to Ohio Dominican. He also took summer classes at The Ohio State University. In 1980, he graduated from Ohio Dominican College (now Ohio Dominican University) with a degree in economics and business administration, and accounting.
“In 1980, it was hard to find jobs due to the recession,” Rees says.
Photo by Wes Kroninger
Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch
But, as fate would have it, Rees interviewed with Kroger and landed a job in the company’s accounting department. He stayed at Kroger for 24 years – the most formative years of his career. It’s also where he met Lynne Hartman, his wife of 20 years.
During his time at Kroger, Rees worked in a variety of departments. He did some work for human resources, but spent most of his career in advertising and marketing. He did the company’s sports marketing and was also a spokesman for Kroger.
Through his work with nonprofits and philanthropic endeavors, Rees got to know the Buckeye Ranch.
In 2002, the Buckeye Ranch reached out to Rees and asked him for some help with finding a suitable person to fill an open position.
“We looked around, and eventually we found me,” Rees says.
In 2003, Rees joined the Buckeye Ranch as its vice president of development. However, leaving Kroger wasn’t the easiest decision.
“I basically grew up there,” Rees says. “I didn’t want to leave.”
Still, after some reflection, Rees says moving on to work for the Buckeye Ranch was more in line with his career goals.
“I never really felt like I was making much of a difference (with Kroger),” he says. “I always thought I was lacking something, and I never thought I was doing anything for the greater good.”
Rees left Kroger, he says, for the “chance to touch a lot of lives.” Through the Buckeye Ranch, more than 3,400 families are assisted each year by the 500 staff members.
Rees still has a great relationship with Kroger, he says. In fact, much of what he learned throughout his career at Kroger has carried over into his role at the Buckeye Ranch.
“No matter what people ask, I say ‘OK.’ Not, ‘I can’t do that,’” Rees says. “When people ask me to do something, I always try.”
He attributes that attitude to Kroger, but also his mother and father.
“Mom and Dad were hard-working people,” he says. “Dad worked 60 hours a week, but he was always optimistic and friendly.”
Rees’ mother stayed at home for the most part, but during her time at home, she always strove to educate Rees and his brother.
“She took really good care of us,” Rees says. “We read a lot of history; she helped build our imaginations. She continues to drive and motivate us, and she never let us feel like we had failed at anything. Everything I learned prepared me for this job.”
In November 2009, Rees was named president and CEO of the Buckeye Ranch. This made him only the third leader in the Ranch’s history.
When the Buckeye Ranch originated in 1961, it was exclusively for young men. Now, it reaches all genders. The business also changes as knowledge of mental health evolves.
“The business has changed dramatically from when we first started,” Rees says. “Now, we do more work with children who are diagnosed with mental health disorders. And every year, there are more and more issues (with abuse and drugs).”
But, overall, Rees says the organization’s mission has remained intact. Every day, he says, he strives to keep the tradition alive.
“It’s about doing a great job for kids in need,” he says.
Hannah Bealer is an assistant editor. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
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