Mitch Glaeser and the MEGAbook
MUCH LIKE the fabled King Midas, Mitch Glaeser seems to have a magic touch when it comes to turning the ordinary into gold. However, the similarities end there. Unlike the greedy King Midas, Mitch Glaeser is a benevolent community activist who challenges others to step up to the plate and do their part.
This king of the yellow pages launched his MEGAbook directory business and, within a couple of years, it grew to cover multiple cities in two states. But it’s not solely his successful business that fuels Glaeser, it’s his passion to give back to the community that sustains him and keeps him going. His drive to support the community stems not only from his desire to make Gainesville a better place to live; but a family that stressed altruism and family values.
Glaeser grew up in Gainesville, but his childhood was anything but typical. He grew up with 80 brothers and sisters, 76 of them foster siblings. Because of that, he knows first-hand how important it is for kids to get a fair shake. He has witnessed the importance of having a helping hand to pull you up and get you back on your feet. The impression has been long lasting. Glaeser feels so strongly about the connection between corporate success and community involvement, he actually left a previous job because of it.
“I was working successfully with the Sourcebook five years ago when it was owned by the New York Times Company, but when they sold it, the new owners openly asked me to stop my involvement in the community. By making that request, I knew they were a company I didn’t want to be a part of. I’m a man of principal; I had to leave and did so immediately.” explains Glaeser.
Even without another job in hand; it turns out that was one of the best decisions he ever made. Not just for him but for the Gainesville area. Mitch is involved in a list of organizations, activities and fund raisers that has made him one of Alachua County’s most familiar faces.
He offers his support as both an individual and a business owner. Personally, he’s long been a supporter of Guardian ad Litem; in the past, he served 4 years as president, and is currently on the Board of Directors. Mitch has been involved and served on the boards of the American Red Cross, Crime Stoppers and the Santa Fe Community College Minority Scholarship Fund. He’s also a long time supporter of Junior Achievement and serves on the board of the leadership Gainesville Alumni Association, an arm of the Gainesville Chamber of Commerce. He’s always willing to step up to the plate in an effort to make life better for others.
Mitch understands that supporting his community isn’t simply giving handouts. By building a healthy community, everyone thrives, private individuals and businesses alike. That’s why Mitch plays such a role in the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce serving on its board and Executive Committee.
“I visited Romania a few years ago, and it was really a jolt to see people so eager to prosper,” explains Mitch. “It really brought home the idea that anyone with an entrepreneurial spirit has enormous opportunities here in Gainesville. I feel the chamber is there to make sure its citizens not only prosper financially; but also with respect to education, culture, housing, energy and its future health as a community. It’s all about a balance.”
Mitch’s philosophy is a threepronged approach for community success. First, the government’s role comes through; passing responsible public policy relating to public health, safety and a preservation of quality of life. Secondly, citizens need to take an active role and become involved through churches, volunteer groups or community boards. The third prong is businesses should take on “corporate citizenship” by putting back into the community. When everyone participates; it goes full circle. The success that goes around comes around, and Mitch sees the chamber as one of the venues for that achievement.
His long-running efforts and support of the community have not gone unnoticed. In 1988, Mitch was awarded the Key to the City, by then Mayor David Coffey, an honor he doesn’t take lightly, as he keeps the framed letter and key in his office. It serves as a reminder that he can and does make a difference in people’s lives.
When it comes to helping out, Mitch doesn’t believe that community is defined by city limits or county borders. In late 2004, Mitch was preparing for the annual Disney Marathon that’s run every January in Orlando. When he heard about the Indonesian Tsunami that devastated so many lives, Mitch knew he had to do something. He decided to not just run the marathon but do it as a means of raising money for the Tsunami victims. In a matter of weeks, Mitch used his Midas touch, along with his network of friends and fellow business owners, to raise thousands of dollars for relief aid. As an example, the employees of Koss-Olinger Financial Group were eager to help and immediately organized a pizza party to raise money to contribute to the cause.
As the owner of MEGAbook, Mitch has the luxury to choose with whom he works. He’s made the most of it by surrounding himself with truly generous people who aren’t afraid of hard work. He doesn’t have to ask his employees to help out, let alone require their assistance. If there’s work to be done, you can count on them. Freddie Wehbe, owner of Gator Domino’s Pizza, can attest to the selflessness of the MEGAbook team.
“We’re involved with MEGAbook on a lot of projects. Whenever we call Mitch and ask for some helping hands, the whole crew shows up. Not because Mitch, their boss, tells them to, but because they want to. As a group, they make the decision to support an organization and then they do it. We’ve had 25 people from MEGAbook there to help us with an event for the Boys and Girls Club. That’s impressive,” says Wehbe. “Gainesville is truly lucky to have a resource like Mitch Glaeser and the MEGAbook!”
The MEGAbook team even takes its commitment to the streets. As part of a Keep Alachua County Beautiful project, they have maintained half a dozen traffic islands in Gainesville; turning concrete and grass into gardens bursting with stunning flowers and handsome trees. Efforts like these add a touch of beauty, for drivers and passengers, to enjoy during their treks about town. MEGAbook, as a company, is involved in numerous organizations in and around Gainesville. One of their newest ventures has been the Danny Wuerffel and MEGAbook Gators for Kids golf tournament that benefits Guardian ad Litem, Wuerffel’s Desire Street Ministries and Newspapers in Education. Last year’s event raised tens of thousands of dollars and included a reunion of the 1996 National Championship Gator football team. This year’s event, held on April 22 and 23 at the University of Florida Golf Course, has raised triple that of last year and is returning some of UF’s favorite athletes.
Heisman trophy winner, Danny Wuerffel says, “I met Mitch a year ago as a title sponsor for the Gator for Kids tournament. My intention was just to help Gainesville and surrounding communities; however, I was so impressed with Mitch that I’ve joined the team to help make the tournament a lot bigger. Mitch is well respected by the community, not just because of his financial support, but his willingness to get his hands dirty and get involved.”
The MEGAbook team does get a little payback for all the good karma they create. In an effort to put his words of appreciation into action, Mitch paid for the entire company and their guests to kick back and relax on a five day trip to Cancun, Mexico. That’s the kind of company perk you just don’t hear about any more. “The Cancun trip was a lot of fun and a great way for the entire staff to bond and unwind. We work as a team and play as a team. That’s special!” says Faith Marion.
Mitch is driven to give back and show appreciation, and this includes letting his parents know just how highly he thinks of them. Mitch’s next project is to create a foundation that will offer grants to enhance the quality of life for people, especially children, here in Gainesville. While Mitch’s parents have heard him discuss his plans, they didn’t know it would be called the Glaeser Foundation in their honor. He is so enthusiastic about this project; he has motivated his family members and relatives to commit $50,000 a year for the next 10 years virtually unparalleled by any Gainesville family.
“My parents, especially my mother, always had a love with helping children. Together they started both the state and local foster parent associations. It’s one thing to do a lot of work, but they really inspired a lot of other people to get involved and take up the challenge,” explains Mitch. “This year marks the 50th anniversary of their move to Gainesville. It’s a landmark year.”
To Mitch, that’s what it’s all about, not just working to accomplish a goal, but challenging others to be the best they can be. “Together we can make a difference and make life better for everyone around us,” he said. “That’s the standard I try to live by and encourage others to do the same.” G