A gentleman and a gentle giant.

• Author: Rock, Robert H.
• Position: LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN - In memoriam

This past winter my partner Charles E. Fiero passed away. Chuck was my mentor for over three decades, first as a summer intern at Chase Bank, then as a management consultant at the Hay Group, and finally as a partner at MLR Holdings, publisher of Directors & Boards magazine. After a 25-year career at Chase where he rose to executive vice president reporting directly to Chairman David Rockefeller, Chuck joined my father at Hay and later at MLR, becoming his most trusted, loyal, and wise partner. They had a wonderful 30-year partnership.

With great wisdom, empathy, and patience, Chuck helped guide me throughout my career, for which I will be forever grateful. Motivated by principles beyond self-interest, Chuck was always willing and able to help others achieve their potential, and as our teacher, coach, or mentor, I and many others took advantage of his great intellect, caring nature, and kind heart. Chuck was a gentleman who was a gentle giant. He stood out because of his intellect, hard work, and wisdom, yet he did not choose to stand out. Instead, he readily shared his accomplishments, allowing others to share in them. Thus he brought out the best in all of us.

Beneath his quiet nature and gentle demeanor was a deep reservoir of internal strength and personal resolve. Willing and able to find middle ground, he built his decision making on the bedrock of facts, analysis, and reasoning. With careful deliberation and...