There is an air of sophistication about the Strong Funds headquarters, the trimmed lawns and neatly designed gardens, the plush office décor and furnishings, and of course well-dressed corporate executives running about.

But Strong is really a world apart from its "big-city" counterparts. Despite the formal appearance, there is almost a family-like mentality among the employees. Dick Strong, the company's founder and namesake, is known for throwing lavish parties for his employees and treating them with the respect and dignity that one would expect would be reserved only for clients.

Strong, along with his wife Donna, are also renowned for treating our community with the respect that is often not seen by corporate citizens. Dick Strong simply is not the stereotypical greedy corporate executive that some have tried to make him out to be.

Sure, Strong has made a name for himself, and a few hundred million dollars during his career. The recent allegations and subsequent settlement that put an end to the reign of Strong Funds, however, paints a picture of a man and a company that simply does not fit with the things I've seen.

Dick Strong, to people that know him well, is extremely driven, pointed and compassionate. He's determined and doesn't back down easily, but he isn't ruthless or cold. He may calculate, but he never forgets to factor in the personal component of any equation.

Dick and Donna Strong epitomize the kind of corporate citizen that any community wants to have and keep. The Strong family didn't merely support local charitable and civic endeavors with their money, as is often expected of those in the corporate world. They dove head first into a vast array of projects, working hands-on to help make our community a better place.

They operate on a rarely held opinion that by giving back some of what they have built with the assistance of the community, they can, in fact, build an even better community from which others can grow and prosper as well.

And what an impact they made. Countless nonprofit, civic and local private organizations and foundations counted Strong as dependable and generous benefactors.

Despite the obvious political motivations of New York state Attorney General Elliot Spitzer, we cannot simply ignore the charges or the settlement. I will neither pretend to understand the investment industry, nor defend the actions of Strong.

In the end, Spitzer did what he thought was right, even if his judgment was clouded by his desire to build political capital for his eventual bid for New York's governorship. And, in the end, Strong did what was best for him. In doing so, however, Strong also did what he believed was best for the business, the employees and the community.

Dick Strong could have fought the charges in court and in the media for years. It doesn't take a law degree to figure out that the Strong defense team could have allowed its client to remain in control of the company and its fortunes for years before any resolution became final.

Instead, Dick Strong put the best interest of everyone ahead of his own parochial interests.

In settling the case and stepping down from his beloved company, Dick Strong attempted to contain the criticism against the hundreds of employees who worked to build Strong Funds into one of the most respected companies in the industry. Strong knew that the survival of the business, and ultimately the family-supporting jobs that he had helped to create, were dependent on eliminating long, negative exposure and publicity.

While Strong will profit from selling his company, he'll do so in a way to save what had been built; Dick Strong hasn't forgotten those that had helped him do it. Strong announced that he would use some of the proceeds of the sale to give bonuses to employees that stick it out with the new owner, Wells Fargo Bank. That is an incentive generally provided by the purchasing company, not the seller.

Wells Fargo has a unique opportunity to step in and carry on the Wisconsin tradition that Strong has started. The institution and its leaders already have a presence in southeastern Wisconsin and are respected for being a contributor to the community. The manner in which they now make decisions regarding the jobs at Strong -- as well as the level to which they continue, and increase community support -- will be watched carefully. A delicate balancing job could give Wells Fargo a leg up over other financial giants that have gobbled up local banks.

In the end, it's true, Strong will still do quite well for himself financially in the transaction. I won't begrudge him his money. He didn't build his company on questionable trades or compromised practices as Spitzer would have you believe. He built his company on solid advice and performance, as well as unsurpassed customer service. He deserves his reward and is to be commended for sharing in the profit with those that have been a part of the success.

In a letter printed recently in the Journal Sentinel, Frank Sabella of Wauwatosa says, "A company like Strong is not easily replaced, and a businessman like Dick Strong is a once-in-a-generation innovator who will be missed by all."

Way to go Frank. I couldn't have said it better.

Jim Villa is a principal of The Markesan Group, a grassroots organization firm in Milwaukee. Villa has worked for Gov. Tommy Thompson, Sen. Alberta Darling and engineered Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker's election victories. (Editor's Note: In addition to having no personal relationship with Strong, Villa says "neither I nor my company have any financial interest tied to Strong or Strong Funds.")

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