Ten years of anything will usually leave a mark.
Scott and Miles ham it up before KFAC VIII
Since the summer of 2001, KFAC has been led, cajoled, coaxed, commanded and served by Miles Spencer and his partner in crime, Scott Carlin. The result has been an organization with a unique DNA that emphasized entrepreneurial thinking, self reliance, creative problem solving, and wacky get-out-of-here fun. As Miles prepares to pass the operating baton (or paddle) to a new trio of operators, we took time out to ask about KFAC’s effect on him, and of course, what’s next in his world of wacky adventures.
1. When you hit the beach after completing KFAC I – could you have imagined that 1,500 others would willingly follow you guys?
In a word? Never. Scott and I spent most of our prep time making vague excuses as to why we would be gone most of a summer Saturday. Looking back at ten years of growth and continuous improvement in organization, safety, and common sense, it is still chilling to think what a pair of wingnuts we were. It is amazing what can be accomplished when you have two words stuck in your head: “I Wonder…”
2. Who does this stuff, and how did you rally so many people around you?
My childhood was full of crazy stunts: Evel Kneivel was a hero when I was young, so I had my share of falls from tree houses, jumps off roofs with para-sheets, bike crashes, rope-swing mishaps. I was also near the water so much I had mandatory out-of-pool hours enforced. The funny thing was, as kids, we spent an inordinate amount of time planning the means of our destruction, and the uniqueness of each stunt. Of course, the more outlandish the stunt, the more likely to get the attention of friends, parents, and neighbors. Risk of injury was considered, but usually dismissed- Dad was likely just hoping to passively kill us off. And so, the notoriety thing was well developed, long before my TV days.
As for turning that attention to rallying troops and focusing on the charities, that was a master stroke that we just stepped into. Back in the day (KFAC II) we would just choose our own charities and hope the other guys didn’t finish (more for ours!), but it took Ryan Moran to point out that, despite claiming victory over friends who couldn’t finish, we would actually be punishing charities for our friends weakness. The KFAC Charity Committee was immediately formed, Ryan immediately was Chairman. And so there’s your flair for the wacky paired with the spotlight for charity. But as for the “why does this touch people?” part, that to me is mostly KFAC was just a grown up’s way to bust out of the boring existence we all lead in front of computers, desks, traffic and the like. Add in the fact that it’s a great physical and mental challenge to be ready, and top it off with providing thousands of people the framework to support various causes and it’s a winner.
3. What is your best memory of ten years of KFAC?
Hands down, the best thing I ever heard at the end of a KFAC probably applies to thousands of others who didn’t vocalize as eloquently: “Thank you for helping me feel so good about myself”. I think people genuinely want to be better. In shape. Organized. Part of a team. Prepared. Networked enough to gather supporters. Tough enough to make it across. And kind enough to take hours out of their year, dollars out of their pockets, and generosity out of their souls to make a charitable gesture once in a while. But where do you turn? KFAC just happened to get a lot of people’s attention, and made it easier to do those things.
4. What have ten years of KFAC given you?
Easy answer: people. When I look at the most enjoyable part of building an enterprise this large, it’s the opportunity to work with talented people who take on enormous responsibility and challenge, and look for creative ways to solve them. At a certain point, providing the vision, resources, and encouragement for the group pales in comparison to the things these people do. And as volunteers, especially.
5. So what does your role look like going forward?
I’m going to do the Chairman thing, similar to my investing style. I have a great group of people committed to a new vision that I know they can achieve, so I can best serve the organization by providing advice on long term vision. Day to day operations are in my rear view.
6. And who is there to pick up the slack?
Steve Showalter and Shirleen Dubuque have been working alongside me for years now, and it is their turn to take the reigns and see what this thing can do from here. Scully will be their COO, Audrey and Capt’n Dave will add their unique kind of muscle. And at this point I better remember to mention Sikes, Cap’t Saam, Ms.Beaumont, Ms. Rule, Maulik, Ryan, Michael and Tad who will all be available when needed (but they can speak for themselves, I’m sure).
7. What structural changes are in store for XI?
I’ll leave that to the new gang to announce, but it is important to note that we did a lot of soul searching over the Winter on how to improve KFAC. There is a new website in the works with much more social media functionality, there is a paddler/charity structure that is much more aligned with those that raise the money, and there may be a format that can be replicated into other locations. But that’s not my adventure to lead.
8. Over the last decade, you’ve touched more than a dozen charities. I’m sure you have countless stories about how KFAC has touched each one of these amazing groups. What has gone into your selections and what have you seen make for the best partners?
They are all so unique and whether it was the people behind them or their mission, we have always looked for 1. mission, 2. leadership, 3. ability for our contribution to move their dial. A perfect example of a group that fits all three is Save the Sound. Leah and Don have done amazing things over there and we have seen first hand our contributions have helped protect an environment that we all love so dearly. We like to think that we had a small part to play in keeping that behemoth 13 story transfer station out of the middle of Long Island Sound. Can you imagine if we had to paddle around that? That’s just one example, if you have an hour, or a day, I can share many more…
9. What’s next for you?
I’ll be around KFAC, that’s for sure, supporting the team in taking KFAC to another level. I am excited about the changes the new team has in place and I will be there to support them as they continue to grow the enterprise and its effectiveness. But I have some new adventures in store, with family, friends, another mobile business and finally perhaps, a play based on our trek through the Middle East. Never boring.
10. Anything you would have done differently?
I would not have separated my shoulder six weeks before KFAC X, given the choice.
