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Bean counter's generosity adds up

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Photo by Bill Olmsted

Frank Scott

JANESVILLE — Frank Scott is a bean counter.

But he refers to himself as an odd bean counter.

"I love the people aspect," Scott said.

That partially explains Scott's record of community service in the Janesville area.

Name a local organization, and Scott's probably been involved at one time or another.

The Boys & Girls Club, United Way, START, Janesville Performing Arts Center, Forward Janesville, the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, Rotary Club, UW-Rock County Foundation, Big Brothers Adams School breakfast club and his church have all benefited from Scott's service.

There are others, but Scott's not one to wear his community service résumé on his sleeve.

Spend time with him, and you'll quickly learn that his interest in helping others has roots in La Prairie Township and the farm where he was raised.

"When farmers were hurt or struggling, you'd help out with their harvest or whatever else needed to be done," Scott said. "It's just the way it was."

"Growing up on a farm helped me be part of a team, and that's where I'm most comfortable. Two heads are better than one; three are better than two, and a community working together is the best."

Chuck Elliott, a Janesville businessman, Rock County supervisor and friend of Scott, said Scott's passion is people.

"He truly cares, Elliott said. "Always has."

Scott retired in December as vice president of finance and chief financial officer at Hufcor, the Janesville manufacturer of operable wall systems.

His lengthy record of community service helped him network, but it didn't sell too many wall systems around the city. That wasn't the point.

"Giving back to the community is so important, and I've met so many wonderful people," he said. "It takes time, talent and financial resources, and I've been lucky and blessed with the combination of all three.."

Now that he's retired, Scott will still be around, serving as Hufcor's corporate secretary and helping to run Hufcor's Rock Valley Trucking.

He will remain involved in the community, too.

"But I'm getting a little better at saying 'no,'" he quipped. "I'll still say 'yes,' but when I do, I want to be able to give it my best and the time it deserves."

Scott's financial skills have made him a valuable community leader, Elliott said, adding that people skills made him stand out.

"In a community where we seem to go back to the same people time and again, Frank never disappoints," Elliott said. "He's a bean counter, but he has the communication skills to take numbers and make people understand what they mean.

"Ask most bean counters a question, and they die on the vine. Not Frank; he thrives on working with people."