18 | SEPTEMBER 12 • 2019 

T

alk to Norm Pappas.” 
For young people seeking 
career advice, for new-
comers to the community seek-
ing connections, for families on 
the path of wealth management 
for future generations, for chari-
table organizations seeking com-
munity support, talking to Norm 
Pappas is not just a suggestion: 
It’
s the thing to do. 
“What I do is connect people,” 
he said. “It’
s not just a matter of 
good business here in Detroit. 
I think everyone who is strong 
enough should be rowing the 
boat. We’
re here to help one 
another and we’
re stronger when 
we work together.”

Pappas has led Pappas 
Financial in Farmington Hills 
since founding the firm more 
than 40 years ago. He has lever-
aged his influence and business 
expertise to benefit the Jewish 
Federation of Metropolitan 
Detroit, its partner agencies, as 
well as dozens of charitable and 
educational organizations in both 
Detroit and Israel. 
He has been described as a 
true friend and mentor, a trusted 
adviser and compassionate listen-
er; a fund raiser, inspiring others 
to follow his lead in philanthro-
py; a creative thinker, problem 
solver and ready volunteer 
through more than four decades 

of service to the community. 
A recognized leader early 
in his career, Pappas received 
the Frank A. Wetzman Young 
Leadership Award in 1987. 
He was Federation Campaign 
Chair (1992-1993), president of 
the United Jewish Foundation 
(2006-2009) and a Federation 
board member. He currently 
serves on the boards of the 
Detroit Jewish News Foundation 
and Kids Kicking Cancer. 
Additionally, he has served 
as the founder and first chair of 
the Detroit Friends of the Israel 
Defense Forces (FIDF) and as 
chair of Detroit Friends of Bar-
Ilan University and the Detroit 
Chapter of the Weitzmann 
Institute.
On T
uesday, Sept. 17, at 
Federation’
s Annual Meeting, 
Pappas will receive the Fred 
M. Butzel Memorial Award, 
Federation’
s highest honor given 
to an outstanding communal 
leader.
“Norm always wants to help 
fix a situation. He’
s been my 
mentor in leading the way,” says 
Susie Pappas, his wife of 48 years. 

And Pappas says she has been 
his partner in every way, par-
ticularly working in tandem on 
Federation’
s Annual Campaign 
and Women’
s Philanthropy 
Campaign efforts.
They are the parents of Leslie, 
married to Nathaniel Ungar, 
residents of Southfield; Daniel, 
in Portland, Oregon; and Amy, 
in Chicago. Leslie and Nat are 
the parents of the Pappas’
 five 
grandchildren.

What five words describe you?
Norm: Persistent, competitive, 
determined, loyal … 
 Susie: And compassionate. 
Norm a is a great connector. 
No matter how busy, he always 
makes time to meet new people 
coming into the community. 
 
How did you and Susie meet?
N: I was born in Midland and 
spent my formative years in 
Marquette. After college at the 
University of Michigan and 
my master’
s at Michigan State 
University, I moved to Detroit. 
Susie (from Chicago) was a 
senior at U-M and a roommate 
of my brother’
s girlfriend, Laurie. 
They fixed us up. My brother 
and I ended up marrying room-
mates. 
S: Norm and I met on Sept. 
12, and we were married Aug. 
14. We dated only 11 months, 
but we took the best and luckiest 
leap of faith together. And we 
never looked back.

Norm, what drew you to 
estate planning?
N: After about a year working 
in Detroit at Armour/Dial, a 
friend told me about the work 
he was doing, and it sounded 
interesting. He was working with 
corporate presidents and entre-
preneurs on their estate and busi-
ness succession plans. I thought 
here was something that would 

Connected and 
Wired to Help

Butzel Award goes to Norm Pappas for 
his dedication, vision and leadership. 

VIVIAN HENOCH SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

Jews in the D

PHOTOS BY JOHN HARDWICK/JEWISH FEDERATION

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