Dan Michie, Jason Skeoch, Rob Nowacek (left to right), and Ryan
Ashburn (not pictured) are launching a nonprofit organization.
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An Active Charity
It’s not often that a bachelor party at the Lake Tahoe casinos
results in a major philanthropic enterprise. But for CSU, Chico
alums and former roommates Jason Skeoch, Dan Michie, Ryan Ashburn,
and Rob Nowacek, all the money dropped at the tables reminded them
of the money they could be giving to charity. So the four decided
to host a golf tournament and donate the proceeds to the Junior
Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).
The project raised $110,000 and led to the formation of Active
Philanthropy, which is in the process of obtaining nonprofit status. “Active
philanthropy,” says Nowacek (BS, Business Administration, ’94), “is
an important part of everyone’s mission in life: to make
a difference in someone’s life other than your own.” The
four are dedicated to that mission, maintaining full-time jobs
in addition to their work with Active Philanthropy.
This dedication was fostered at CSU, Chico, says Skeoch (BA, Information
and Communication Studies, ’94). The charitable work he and
Ashburn (BS, Business Administration, ’94) did in Chico as
members of the Delta Chi fraternity cemented his belief that “giving
back to the community is our responsibility, not something we should
take lightly.”
Michie (BS, Business Administration, ’94) laughs about how “Chico
folks gravitate toward each other no matter where they end up.” He
met his wife, Charity (Villano), another Chico State graduate (BA,
Sociology, ’93), in Boise, Idaho, and now finds himself in
the Bay Area working closely with his former roommates.
The group’s experiences living together in Chico foreshadowed
their future in business, says Nowacek: “It became obvious
from the beginning that Jason was the CEO of the house, always
organizing and cleaning; Ryan was the HR director, always trying
to be the mediator; Dan was the COO, always dividing bills and
scheduling payments; and there was me—the salesman. In essence
we have been working together for a long time.”
Active Philanthropy is hosting their second annual Drive for a
Cure golf tournament benefiting JDRF in Danville in August. For
more information, contact Skeoch at jason@trinetcom.net.
Anna Harris, Public Affairs and Publications
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