Carl Conner and Damond KendallCarl Conner approaches his philanthropy like everything else in his life-start with a solid mission, follow a well-designed plan and end with a well-crafted legacy for his family and community. What else would you expect from a successful engineer?
Born in Toledo, Ohio, Carl attended the University of Toledo where he earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. For 45 years he worked for SSOE Engineers & Architects, Inc., a Toledo-based firm. In 1980, Carl and his wife Joyce moved to Swartz Creek after Carl was relocated to the Flint satellite office.
Giving through service is just one way Carl has given back to the causes he cares about most. When considering his philanthropy, Carl says, "It gives me a chance to give back the rent you pay for the space you occupy on this earth."
Carl joined the Legacy Society and established the Carl M. Conner Fund at the Community Foundation to benefit his favorite charities: the Flint Rotary Charitable Foundation, Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, Salvation Army, Friends of International Academy of Flint, and Swart Creek United Methodist Church.
"I'm at a point in my life where I can't spend it all, my kids don't need it all, and I wanted to create a legacy to help give back to some of the children in Flint," Carl added.