Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile features Lee Woolley a Galesburg High School Class of 1981 graduate.
Everything Lee Woolley did a GHS, he did was excellence. He was an outstanding student. He was one of the leaders in an excellent band. And in cross country and track, he was one of Galesburg’s all-time best distance runners.
One of the joys for me is to use the blog as a way to “catch up” with former Silver Streaks athletes, and find out where life has taken them. Lee’s approach to life has remained consistent. Everything Lee does, he has done with excellence. He has continued to have a positive impact on the world.
What were some of your favorite teachers/classes?
My hardest and most enjoyable "class" was band, with Sally Rynott and Cynthia Leonard. The two of them pushed us very hard. They instilled a great sense of dedication, teamwork and accountability that continues to influence me today. We also enjoyed great success, so seeing our hard-work pay off was very satisfying. Calculus class, with Mr. Kessler, was pretty awesome as well, but as I recall, I intentionally failed his class since I was getting a "B" and retook the class to get an "A". Yeah... I was a bit of an idiot in high school!
What sports/activities were you involved in?
Band was truly my focus until my senior year. I played trombone and made great friends in band... including meeting my wife, Betsy (Strand) Woolley, class of 1982. In fact, Mr. Massey asked me to choose between band and cross country my junior year and I chose band and dropped out of cross country! Ugh. I suspect my senior year of cross country would have looked VERY different if it wasn't my first year of the sport. I believe I set every GHS cross country course record, except one, in my senior year.
I also ran track all three years at GHS, running the 800m, 1600m (4:33) and 3200m - setting the then GHS 3200m record of 9:34, until it was broken by my good friend, Keith Vandermeulen.
What are some of your favorite memories from your GHS years?
Most of my favorite memories are either band, track or cross country related, but THE standout memory occured at the Columbus Day Classic cross country meet in 1980. A flute player from the GHS band showed up at the meet (no one ever came to our meets except parents), so I immediately knew that she must like me. Her name... Betsy Strand. We celebrate our dating anniversary every year on October 10, 1980 (Columbus Day)!
What did you do after GHS, in terms of education/sports?
I began my college career at North Central College due to their powerhouse cross country program. Their legendary coach, Al Carius (who recently passed away), had a profound impact on my life. His philosophy of "Run for Fun and Personal Bests" transcended running and applied to all of life. I miss Al. I've never met a more upbeat, thoughtful, motivating human. My college running career was marred by injuries, though I came close to being a "Team" All-American my freshman year. Due to injuries, I transferred to, and graduated from, Knox College - I loved my education at Knox! Knox College was the catalyst for my interest in foreign affairs and allowed me to study the Russian language and travel to the Soviet Union.
I later received my Master's degree in finance from Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School of Management and attended the US Army's National Security Seminar at the US Army War College.
I also still compete (running) in Masters competitions, primarily in the mile/1500m, including representing Team USA in Sweden at the 2024 World Masters Championships (picture attached). I've consistently ranked in the top 5-15 in the country in my (aging) age-group. Running/racing definitely has gotten harder in the last 12 months. Aging sucks, but it's much better than the alternative. :-)
What have you done for your career and where did you locate?
I began my career at The Northern Trust Company in Chicago working in the wealth management business. While at The Northern, I served as President of Northern Trust in Boston. After 22 years with Northern Trust, I joined BNY Mellon and served as President of the Mid-Atlantic Region on the East Coast (Philadelphia to Washington, DC). Later, I helped a crypto company buy a bank and I'm currently President & CEO of the Treasury Department Federal Credit Union in Washington, DC.
Betsy and I have lived in over 20 locations as a result of various professional moves - including Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC (currently) and Montana (currently).
What are you up to these days?
Betsy and I have two grown children that we visit as often as possible - James (who runs with me frequently) in Baltimore and Sophie in Chicago.
In addition to serving as President of the Treasury Department Federal Credit Union, I serve on several non-profit boards (Army Heritage Center Foundation, Foreign Policy Research Institute, Independence Historical Park, North Central College) and I have the honor of serving as an US Army Reserve Ambassador (two star rank equivalent).
Any advice for present GHS athletes/students?
1. Deliver your best in all aspects of life.
2. Tell the truth.
3. Love others.
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