Date: November 4, 2007
About: Judson Green - Class of 1970

Community Foundation Welcomes Native Son

Source: Quincy Herald-Whig
Author: Rodney Hart

Judson Green is proud of his hometown, especially when he sees what the Community Foundation of the Quincy Area has meant in the last decade.

Green, president and chief executive officer of Chicago-based NAVTEQ Corp., was the featured speaker Saturday at a Quincy Country Club dinner marking the 10th anniversary of the Community Foundation.

"I'm very excited to be back here because I think this is a wonderful concept for people to connect with each other, to care for each other," Green said. "This is one of the many strengths of the community."

Green served as chief financial officer and president of Walt Disney Co.'s theme park and resort division until the navigational software company recruited him in 2000. The company went public in 2004. NAVTEQ made news last month when Green announced it had been purchased by Nokia, the world's biggest mobile-phone company.

The Nokia connection is huge because NAVTEQ will be working on supplying personal navigation systems on cell phones, which Green says is the next big technological wave. NAVTEQ works with Internet portals, and vehicle and portable navigation systems.

"Today we're only penetrating 1 percent of all cell phones," Green said. "Ultimately personal navigation will probably be available on every cell phone in the world, and that's a big, big thing."

The former president of Walt Disney Attractions, Green grew up in Quincy and graduated from Quincy Senior High School in 1970. In 1974, he received his bachelor's degree in economics with a minor in music composition from DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind. He earned his master's in business administration from the University of Chicago in 1976.

He told the crowd of more than 200 people that coming back to Quincy, where his mother and sister still live, is something he enjoys.

"Whether we stay in Quincy or go elsewhere, you look back and it's the people you connected with; the values you developed; the experiences you had, the mentors, friends and teachers that made an impact on your life," he said. "This is a celebration of all those positive forces in people's lives. ... I'm confident this (the foundation) is going to grow and become stronger in the years ahead."

In the 10 years since area civic leaders founded the Community Foundation with preliminary donations of $1,050, more than 70 charitable funds have been established by individuals and businesses to benefit the Tri-State area.

More than 490 grants totaling in excess of $800,000 have been awarded to not-for-profit organizations that serve arts and culture, community betterment, education, health and human services.

Executive Director Jill Arnold Blickhan said she was thrilled with the large turnout and to have Green as the featured speaker.

"There was a little trepidation when we first started, but once people began to understand what we had to offer, they could see what a good thing it is," Blickhan said. "We are here to stay. We've had a tremendous impact in the last 10 years, and it will only increase."


Contact Staff Writer Rodney Hart
at rhart@whig.com or (217) 221-3370