When it comes to providing energy to the masses, Greg Hazle’s experience is deep. Before his retirement in 2017, his extensive corporate career spanned public service, independent energy, mining and construction materials industries. He has held roles in corporate finance and also put his training in engineering to work and helped design power projects throughout the United States and Latin America.
Outside of his high-powered career, Hazle always found ways to give back. And, sometimes, others plotted those ways for him. In 2014, a board member from Boca Helping Hands (BHH) , local nonprofit, saw Hazle sing at the church they both attended. He asked around about Hazle and thought he’d be a good addition to the nonprofit’s board of trustees.
“All of this was happening without me knowing,” Hazle smiled. But once Hazle learned about the nonprofit’s work, he was onboard. BHH is a community-based nonprofit in Boca Raton, Florida, which provides food, medical, financial, and job-training assistance to help people meet their basic needs and become self-sufficient.
Despite his success in corporate America, Hazle always remembered his days growing up in Jamaica, when he had seen the impact of poverty, homelessness, and hunger around him. While he lived in a place that had such a reputation for wealth and self-indulgence (放纵), he was sharply aware that there were people around him — even in a place like Boca Raton — who needed help. Over the next few years, Hazle became involved in many aspects of the organization.
Hazle’s preparing for his retirement at age 60 was co-occurrent with the managing director of BHH leaving around. Hazle agreed to step in and run the organization as a temporary leader with the condition that a search firm would be kept to find a new leader. “Obviously, that’s not how it turned out,” he said.
Since then, Hazle has accepted the role wholeheartedly. He feels a renewed sense of purpose in his role, which suits his personality and passions more than others he has held. “So, it just felt like a privilege that I was given this opportunity and late in my career to do what I consider to be more meaningful work than generating returns for shareholders.”
4. What do we know about Hazle from the first two paragraphs?
A.He is a natural musician. | B.He balances work and life well. |
C.He sponsors churches financially. | D.He is influential in many circles. |
5. Why does the author talk about Hazle’s life in Jamaica?
A.To recall his miserable days there. | B.To highlight his current superior life. |
C.To justify his joining the organization. | D.To introduce the motive for his success. |
6. What do Hazle’s words in paragraph 5 imply?
A.Take things as they are. | B.In the end things will mend. |
C.Good things never come easy. | D.Misfortune may be a blessing. |
7. Which of the following best describes Hazle?
A.Devoted and wise. | B.Optimistic and energetic. |
C.Tough and generous. | D.Sympathetic and responsible. |