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NORTH's Person of the Year-2024, William J. Hybl
Bill Hybl’s Humanity Immortalizes his Legacy
By Pam Bales, Senior Writer for NORTH
Looking at the lengthy list of accomplishments, leadership roles and community service next to the name William J. Hybl, it’s hard to imagine one person could do so much in eight decades of a life. Yet, with a firm handshake and sincere smile, that sparkle in his eye gives the impression that humility and humor are in his formula for success.
Asked about the origins of his family and the unusual spelling of Hybl, he laughs, “My family were humble tailors from Prague…we couldn’t afford vowels!”
Far from Prague, Hybl grew up in Pueblo, Colo., after moving there with his parents as a very young child.
“My dad was in the Navy. After he got out of the service he became a Maytag salesman, eventually ending up as the regional manager of Southern Colorado into northern New Mexico,” says Hybl.
Proud of his hometown of Pueblo, Hybl describes the community as tight-knit — one where people helped each other. “After my parents had me, they adopted my brother who had Huntington’s Disease,” Hybl notes. “It was a joy and a challenge for all of us, but that’s who my parents were; and I believe that set the path for me in my life as well.”
“I graduated from Pueblo Central and ended up at Colorado College (CC),” says Hybl. “I give my mother a great deal of credit for my early life decisions — she knew her son well and what she said went.” Plus, Hybl says that running home for weekends to get his laundry done didn’t hurt.
Hybl always knew he wanted to contribute, to make a difference in the world. Before graduating with a political science degree from Colorado College, he was president of his fraternity and president of the college’s Interfraternity Council — he enjoyed the inner workings of those college organizations. Because he had ambitions to run for political office, he decided a law degree made the most sense.
After CC, Hybl headed to Boulder to study law at the University of Colorado (CU). “I still love the Socratic method of learning, and those analytical skills I achieved in law school have helped me in all of my major career and personal decisions.”
“CU helped shape my life in many ways especially since I met the love of my life, Kathy [Hybl] at law school. We were married for 56 years, until she passed last year,” he says softly.
Hybl speaks almost reverentially of his wife: “She was the glue that held our family together, especially in the early days. Our parents were beside themselves when we told them she was flying over to Ethiopia where I was stationed with the Army Security Agency and she was six months pregnant with our first son. But we wanted to be together.”
B.J. Hybl (Bill's eldest son), was born in Ethiopia and, after Hybl’s 18-month stint, the young family came back to Colorado Springs. Bill was offered a job as a deputy district attorney, later becoming assistant DA at the youthful age of 27. “I was always good at pushing paper around,” he laughs.
But, as time went on, he realized how big the job was and how much he was learning. He decided he was ready to run for the Colorado Legislature in House District 18. He won and was on his way to achieving his dream of political office. But, as sometimes happens, Hybl was nudged in a different direction.
“It’s something I’ve often thought about — leaving my term after only one year of two,” admits Hybl. “But I knew, and still know, it was the right decision for my family. I was away too much and by now Kathy and I had two young sons. I believe my community benefited as much from that decision as my family.”
Hybl left the legislature to work for his mentor, Ben Wendelken, who was general counsel for The Broadmoor and El Pomar Foundation, and had served as personal attorney for Julie and Spencer Penrose, who established the foundation. And so began a lifetime of service to Colorado Springs, the state of Colorado and the country, through his work with El Pomar and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC).
Even though Hybl was then firmly entrenched in the community running El Pomar Foundation and working with The Broadmoor, he still was able to “dabble” in politics.
“It was an interesting time in the 1980s when I was named special counsel to President Ronald Reagan,” remembers Hybl. “Karl Eitel was running The Broadmoor and he told me we needed a voice for hotels in Reagan’s new administration. So, off I went to Washington, D.C. for just about four and a half months.”
While serving in this unique position, Hybl was asked to attend the first round of the French Presidential Election to represent President Reagan.
“It was quite an experience,” explains Hybl. “Specifically, because President Reagan was shot just prior to my leaving for Paris. The French politicians kept asking me how the President was doing. Since I had no direct information from D.C., I just kept reading the papers and reporting back the news reports!”
The 1980s and ‘90s brought a lot of work for Hybl in the sports arena — specifically the Olympics. He was the president of the USOPC from 1991-92, the last year the summer and winter Olympic games were hosted in the same year (Barcelona, Spain and Albertville, France).
“After I filled in for that year, I was later elected president of the USOPC from 1996 to 2000,” says Hybl.
“My entire family loved going to Nagano, Japan. Then, Sydney was a magical experience for our family...We won the medal count in Sydney, and the weather and the wins never got old,” he smiles.
“In the realm of my time with the USOPC, I think the 1998 Seoul Olympics helped with one of my biggest contributions to my community,” he notes.
“Unfortunately, I had a stroke during the Games and had to be medi-vacked out of the country. I had a doctor and two attendants with me trying to keep me alive until I got to San Francisco. Luckily, I survived, but it turned my thinking to others who didn’t even have basic care.”
Providing people healthcare with dignity.
After his recovery, Hybl contacted his friend and colleague Catholic Bishop Richard Hanifen and his own doctor, Jim Smith, to ask what El Pomar could do to assist the underserved in healthcare. This inquiry led to significant support that allowed Peak Vista Community Health Centers grow exponentially.
A small, but mighty clinic on Wasatch Street that served 4,000 to 5,000 people a year grew to 22 locations managing nearly 300,000 visits per year, and Hybl says, “providing people healthcare with dignity.”
This is just one example Hybl cites of what the institution he ran for more than 30 years has done for the Colorado Springs community. “I’m proud of how much we grew El Pomar from 1973 to today,” he says. “We went from about $75 million in assets to nearly $700 million — with over $737 million in grants and program contributions.”
That translates to $1.4 billion in total impact for the people of Colorado. And with that growth came a misconception that Hybl feels people have about his career.
“People on the outside of El Pomar Foundation think I have this easy job — I just give away money all day to nonprofits,” explains Hybl. “But I’ve agonized many times over the years about making the right decisions — being fiscally responsible with these dollars and not just doing what I think is the right thing.”
Hybl says that, to that end, he surrounded himself early on with associates who were smart and not afraid to speak their minds — even if it countered what the boss said. “I think good leaders know how to hire to their weaknesses. Then you must listen, and be willing to accept those suggestions,” he says.
He has seen many changes over the years in the community he calls home, and Hybl has some advice for community leaders as the city continues to grow and change.
“Be respectful of all viewpoints,” he says. “But pull the wagon in the same direction. Controversy will go up and down, but reaching common ground for the good of the community is the goal. I believe former Mayor [John] Suthers did this wonderfully for eight years and I see the same type of spirit in Mayor Yemi [Mobolade].”
At 81, Hybl keeps his hand in the community of Colorado Springs, and the world community as well. He is chair emeritus and charter member of the board of Trustees of El Pomar Foundation, after serving 46 years as executive director and 34 of those as chair and, later, CEO.
Hybl is humble about his awards, accolades and accomplishments, but immensely proud of his family. And he credits his wife, Kathy, for the success of their family.
“I was working a lot and I believe Kathy had more of the formula than I did for raising two wonderful sons, who are both successful in their own rights. Plus, we were blessed with two amazing daughters-in-law who serve their community as well — Sally and Kristel,” notes Hybl. “I do believe Kathy and I passed on our philosophy to our children and our six grandchildren — Logan, Jack, Mallory, Emma, Liam, and Aiden — when you are successful, it is truly your obligation to help others.”
Bill's youngest son, Kyle Hybl, JD is now the Chief Executive Officer of the El Pomar Foundation.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EL POMAR FOUNDATION HERE
A snapshot of some of Bill Hybl’s accolades & accomplishments:
+ Current chair of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Endowment and president emeritus of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee
+ U.S. Commission on Public Diplomacy, appointed by President George W. Bush and reappointed by President Barack Obama, 2008 – 2016 [Hybl currently serves as vice chair]
+ U.S Representative to the United Nations
+ Air Force Academy Foundation
+ The Hundred Club of Colorado Springs
+ Colorado College Board of Trustees
+ Junior Achievement National Board of Directors
+ Colorado Business Hall of Fame inductee
+ Colorado Springs Lifetime Achievement Award 2020
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