2024 Alumni Awards

 

 

Following his formative years at Indian Hill High School,  Doug continued his educational pursuits at the University of Cincinnati where he followed his childhood passion for Architecture. After obtaining his Bachelor of Science, Doug joined KZF Design, a multi-disciplinary Architecture & Engineering firm. Throughout his career at KZF, he worked his way up from architect co-op to his current position of President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board.

Taking the helm in 2020, Doug represents the fourth generation of firm leadership which has ushered in a time of significant growth. Since its founding in 1956, KZF Design has grown to an 80-person, $30-million-dollar firm. The KZF team has created regional landmarks across the country and around the world with a reputation built on thoughtful, award-winning designs and technical expertise. In collaboration with his trusted colleagues, Doug has applied his design and management expertise to local landmarks including the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business, University of Cincinnati’s Clifton Court Hall and Cincinnati’s Smale Riverfront Park, along with other projects such as Stearley Heights Elementary School in Okinawa, Japan and a new multi building complex for the USAF’s CV-22 at Yokota AB, Japan.

Doug credits his success to those who have helped him along the way. Early sources of inspiration were his parents, Fran and Bob. A close confidant, his father was a successful businessperson who often imparted wisdom and advice to Doug throughout his career. Learning from a number of mentors and colleagues, Doug came to understand the key to success was developing relationships and friendships, both in the architectural industry and within the local community. Doug’s experience in the Indian Hill School District was punctuated with the coaching and guidance of mentor Denny Dupps who gave him the opportunity to become a leader and encouraged him to follow his dream of architecture.

Doug stays connected to his professional community as an associate with the American Institute of Architects. Additionally, he actively engages his community as a Board Member for local organizations including Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, University of Cincinnati Economics Center, Kenwood Country Club, Indian Hill Shooting Club, and the Midwest Rugby Development Foundation. 

Most importantly, his family provides the bedrock on which Doug has been able to prosper. He has been married to his wife Carol for 33 years and together they have two sons, Stuart (wife Jackie) and Ian. 

Looking back at how his time at IHHS informed the trajectory of his life, Doug reflects, “Indian Hill High School provided me the scholastic challenges, social interaction and the encouragement that allowed me to establish a foundation from which to build a successful career in architecture and the opportunity to give back to our community”. 

       

Rob’s decades of service began as a student at Indian Hill Schools. He credits his parents, Carole and Ed, for being his examples of service leadership. He earned his Eagle Scout award in 1986, and upon graduating, received the class Humanitarian Award. He received his BA, cum laude, from Butler University in 1992 and his JD from Ohio Northern College of Law in 1995.  He practiced law for almost 3 years before entering the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 1997.  

During his over twenty-two-year tenure with the FBI, he embraced a career of service spanning a variety of domestic and international assignments.  Returning to Cincinnati in 2012, he fulfilled a promise to his wife Arianna, also an IHHS graduate, to finish his Federal career in their hometown for the benefit of their family of three boys, Will, Harrison and Charlie.  Since that time, his volunteerism for Indian Hill Schools has encompassed regular career events for the Foundation, countless hours to major events for both PTO and Boosters and years of behind-the-scenes work for the theatre, arts and music programs.  

Rob may be best known for his leadership with the Scouts locally, regionally and nationally. He has grown and expanded the Indian Hill Cub Scout program into an inclusive and dynamic youth focused program in coordination with the IH PTO.  He continues to bring many other families into the program by leading countless weeks at summer camp and regular weekend camp-outs with other trained adult leaders and youth.  His impact has expanded to regional support for the Dan Beard Council annual fundraising campaign, supporting security operations for the last two National Jamborees, and a seat on the Dan Beard Council Risk Management Board. 

In addition to Scouting activities, Rob has coached recreational fall, spring and indoor soccer leagues since 2012.  He is also active in the Village of Indian Hill regularly supporting the annual Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Veterans’ Day ceremonies by integrating the participation of the Indian Hill Scouting program for service to the village of Indian Hill for the last 12 years.            

When Rob retired from the FBI in March of 2019, he began a new role as Xavier University’s Director of Public Safety/Chief of Police. In this role, he is able to combine his commitment to public safety with his personal mission to eradicate hate and build inclusive communities. His work was recently recognized by the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati when he was nominated to participate in the 2023-34 Cohen Family Leaders in Light Institute cohort. Rob recently developed a threat assessment training program for 6th grade – 12th grade faculty and staff which was accredited by the Ohio Attorney General’s office.  He has provided this training over the last two and a half years for members of the Indian Hill faculty and staff and many other districts throughout the state.  His professional experience, perspectives, and input helped format Indian Hill School district’s threat assessment response plan.

Recently, Rob was elected to his first term on the Indian Hill Board of Education where he will continue serving the entire District beginning in January 2024 for a four-year term. 

Rob reflects, “The foundation I received from my Indian Hill education instilled a motivation and life purpose on which I continue to build.  None of my accomplishments would ever have occurred without the tremendous support and love of my parents, my wife and family. I am grateful to be in a position to give back to a district and community which fosters so many opportunities. Thank you for this unique honor. I hope my continuing efforts will instill a similar motivation for service in future Indian Hill graduates.”  

Billy Strunk is a 2008 graduate of Indian Hill High School and member of the 13-Year Club (K-12).  Only 15 years out of IHHS,  Billy now serves as President, Operations Support & Integration for Flynn Group, the largest franchise operator in the world. Operating over 2,600 locations across seven well-recognized brands (Applebee's, Pizza Hut, Arby's, Wendy's, Panera Bread, Taco Bell and Planet Fitness), Flynn Group employs over 75,000 team members across 44 states and two countries (U.S and Australia). 

Prior to joining Flynn Group, Billy served as the Chief Revenue Officer for US Acute Care Solutions, where he was responsible for all revenue cycle, strategy and business analytics operations. USACS provides emergency and hospitalist care to over 9 million patients annually at more than 500 clinician programs across 28 states.

Before USACS, Billy served as an Engagement Manager with McKinsey & Company, with a focus on corporate strategy, front-line operations and strategic transformation. Previously, he worked for the National Football League in New York City and London as well as for the Cincinnati Bengals. 

While at IHHS, he served as the Sports Editor for The Chieftain, was Captain of the state-champion Varsity Tennis team, and was one of the original founders of the short-lived, but incredibly popular Indian Hill Ping Pong Club. 

Billy received his B.A. from Dartmouth College, where he played varsity tennis and graduated cum laude, and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. He currently lives outside Cleveland in Chagrin Falls, Ohio with his wife, Claire; two sons, Harry and Weston, an Australian miniature labradoodle, Shiner, and an ever-growing collection of Reds, Bengals and Skyline Chili memorabilia. 

He concludes, "Indian Hill will always be my home. From my friends and teachers to the staff and coaches, IH schools shaped me into the man I am today and prepared me to take on life's personal and professional challenges with confidence, determination, self-awareness, and a sense of humor. I appreciate the recognition of the Indian Hill Foundation for this great honor."