Leaving Federation

Exec Mark Davidoff hailed as "calm, thoughtful and a great implementer"

HARRY KIRS BAUM

StatrWriter

A

fter serving 12 years with the Jewish

Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, Mark
Davidoff, its executive director and chief
operating officer, will depart to pursue a new oppor-
tunity.
On Feb. 21, Davidoff will become a director in the
Detroit office of Deloitte & Touche LLP, an interna-
tional accounting and professional services firm.
"It's a tough decision for me because I love what I
do here," Davidoff said. "I'm a Detroiter — born,
bred and committed. I just didn't imagine there'd be
anything out there attractive enough in Detroit to
dissuade me from my path here."
An accountant and manager, Davidoff worked
closely at Federation with its chief executive officer,
Robert Aronson.
"I had my hands on the wheel of the day-to-day
operations, which has allowed Bob to spend his
time in the area most critical for us — long-term
strategic donor development and strategic vision-
ing," Davidoff said.
Aronson called Davidoff "a wonderful manager, a
great supervisor of the staff, and part and parcel of
- -
every decision we made at Federation.
Peter Alter, Mark Davidoff and past president Lawrencetackier on Federation's Michigan Miracle
"He was calm and thoughtful and a great imple-
Mission 4 last year.
menter," Aronson said. "He was so good at what he
did that we have a Federation that works and we'll
And Aronson was right, Davidoff said.
to discuss the entrepreneurial program that Deloitte
be able to create a transition plan to fill the gaps.
"I spent the last 12 years, in addition to the job
&
Touche
sponsors
with
Federation.
We'll continue stronger than ever.
part
of my Federation life, rediscovering my personal
Dekar
said
he
has
known
Naftaly
for
years,
but
it
"The transition will be fine," Aronson added. "He
roots," Davidoff said.
just was a great partner for me, and I was -delighted - -w-as-his_first time meeting Davidoff. "Frankly, I'm
- Those personal roots include Israel. Until 1995
always looking for talent," Dekar said. "Over time, I
to have him as long as I did."
Davidoff's only trip to Israel was on his honeymoon
talked to Mark and he expressed interest."
Davidoff holds a bachelor's of science degree in
in 1981. While in Federation, he took two-dozen
Davidoff will work with clients. "He's got operat-
accounting from Wayne State University in Detroit
trips to Israel, including Federation's Michigan
ing experience and financial experience that will be
and a master's degree in management from the
Miracle
Missions 3 and 4 in 1999 and 2004.
valuable to our clients," Dekar said. "He can help us
Kellogg Graduate School of Management at
"Every
mission to Israel has been a life-changing
drive
our
business."
Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.
experience for me and my family," he said. "The
Speaking on Federation's behalf, Naftaly called
He was vice president for finance at Farmington
understanding of the Jewish world outside of
Davidoff "a great asset to us."
Hills-based Mercy Health Services, when Robert
Detroit has been a real eye-opener for me."
"I think he's done a great job," Naftaly said. "He's
Naftaly, then chief financial officer of Blue Cross Blue
Davidoff was promoted to Federation's chief oper-
also helped us through a number of crises and
Shield of Michigan and former Federation president,
ating officer in 1996 and executive director in 2001.
always is so high in integrity. He's going to be a
contacted him for advice on Federation-related prob-
He oversaw a budget last year of $43.8 million, the
great loss to the community, but I wish him well."
lems with the Borman Hall and Prentis Manor nurs-
daily operations of financial resource development,
ing homes. He asked Davidoff to sit on a committee.
Federation
Life
Federation's Annual Campaign, endowment funds,
"He said, 'You don't know me, but I heard you
finance, property management, information systems
Davidoff, 45, who lives in West Bloomfield with his
were a Jewish guy and you know something about
nursing homes and we got a little problem here in the wife, Margie, and sons Avi, 18, and Kale, 14, said he and business practices. His responsibilities included
the United Jewish Foundation, Federation's banking
originally had the "five year and out" plan when he
Jewish community,"' Davidoff said. "Sometime after
and real estate arm.
joined Federation in 1992 as chief financial officer.
that, the Federation decided to look for a chief finan-
Davidoff counts as highlights of his tenure the
"I thought I would come here, hone my next level
cial officer and Naftaly brought my name up, and
transition
of Federation's eldercare system from an
of skills and look for another finance opportunity,"
that's how it started."
ownership
operating arrangement to a facilitation
he
said.
"But
Bob
Aronson
saw
something
in
me
Naftaly also had a hand in connecting Davidoff
arrangement;
the trips to Israel and St. Petersburg,
from
the
beginning
that
I
hadn't
seen.
When
he
with Deloitte & Touche. Tom Dekar, Deloitte &
Russia, Ukraine and Cuba; and meeting "12 life-
Touche vice chairman and managing principal of the made the offer to come to Federation, he said, 'I
times of people in 12 years."
don't think you're just an accountant, I think there's
Great Lakes region, had a breakfast meeting four
more to this than you see.'"
months ago with a colleague, Naftaly and Davidoff
LEAVING FEDERATION on page 18

2/ 3

2005

17