Spring 2012 - Lourdes College

alumni spotlightEstablished in 1889, The ToledoClub is a private, downtown cluboffering a setting for businessmeetings, dinners and parties,overnight accommodationsand athletic facilities in one ofthe most notable and beautifulbuildings in the region. Robinsecured this client throughher previous work in thedevelopment realm. As a UnitedWay Development Officer,she was brought into contactwith a strong network ofinfluential individuals includingJoseph Zerbey, President andGeneral Manager of The Bladeand President of the Board ofTrustees for The Toledo Club.After Robin shared the newsof her etiquette business, Mr.Zerbey suggested that shetrain and teach The ToledoClub’s servers. Robin adds,“it was very generous of Mr.Zerbey to provide me with thisopportunity and I am so gratefulthat he did!”Even though some of theservers have over 20 years ofexperience, the employeesfound it very beneficial. “Thistraining has definitely helpedme to best represent TheToledo Club while meeting thecustomers’ needs,” offers Jill, whoworks as a server. Joan, who isa hostess, adds, “it has been along time since I’ve been giventhis type of training. It was trulyrefreshing.”One of the many satisfiedcustomers is Kyle Grefe, ExecutiveDirector of Family OutreachCommunity United States(FOCUS), Toledo. A frequentvisitor to The Toledo Club, shesays she noticed the changeimmediately and attributes theenhanced quality of service tothe training Robin provided.Building upon yourstrengthsInstilled with a strong workethic and self worth from herparents Melvin and Iola Reeves,Robin is thankful for the loveand guidance they provided.“My parents were committedto working hard and providingfor their family. They were wellrespected in their organizations– he in the UAW and she in theToledo Public Schools system,”adds Robin. “You could say Dadworked until his illness andeventual death.”Blessed with a self-described“diverse professionalbackground,” it was a passionfor helping people that guidedRobin to pursue a degree inbusiness and health care. “I’vealways had a passion to helppeople through adversity,”she says. Her parents wereno strangers to adversities sothey urged her to stay focusedand receive a college degreedespite any obstacles she wouldface. However, Robin left TheUniversity of Toledo to work fulltimein the banking industry.“You could say I was sidetrackedbecause of my desire to makemoney and help loved onesfirst. Later, it dawned on methe significance of a collegeeducation so I returned toschool and never looked back.”Over the next several years,Robin worked full-time for theUAW and later the United Wayas a Loaned Executive andDevelopment Officer whilecontinuing her education ona part-time basis. “Lourdesopened up windows for methrough their business courses.”Even through tough personaltimes, she says the institutionremained steadfast in itssupport. “Their Franciscan valueswere definitely in the forefrontas I dealt with the passing ofmy pastor (Robert P. Wormley),my father and my advisor,Thomas Wolf (former Chair ofthe Business Department). Thefaculty and staff embraced meand had faith in me as a personand a professional, which werekeys to my success.”Coming full circleHer eventual path towardetiquette and image consultingcame through her work withthe United Way (UW). “As Iworked with potential donorsand friends of UW, I had toimprove upon my own diningand business etiquette skillsas well as develop a talent formaking small talk or dinnerconversation. My fear was that Iwould be a total klutz,” she jokes.In the spring of 2009, Robinchose to leave her position atUnited Way to pursue a career inhealth care. She recalls feelingno remorse at this drasticchange because God was “givingme another vision. My Dad wasin the last stages of illness andwanted to go home,” she says.40 ATLOURDES MAGAZINE | Spring 2012