Feature Stories
Uri Ormsby, '04
Sometimes, when you’re building a house, you’re also building a career; at least that’s what happened for Uri Ormsby, ’04. Feeling a call to do something more, Ormsby landed a job that has allowed him the opportunity to advance his career while breaking the cycle of poverty.
Ormsby enrolled at Grand Valley to receive a business degree and compete in track & field. He received a bachelor in business administration with an emphasis in human resources and finance in 2004. He spent much of his free time as a varsity athlete on the track & field team, where he helped the men’s team win their first of many GLIAC Championships. Additionally, organizations such as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Athletes Who Care, and Finance Club kept him busy outside the classroom.
The business program at Grand Valley gave Ormsby the foundation he needed to give him a stand out career. After receiving his degree, Ormsby immediately began his journey in the field of business. In 2004 he landed a position in the human resources call center at Domino’s headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan. However, his family decided to relocate to Naples, Florida, where he now resides with his wife, Shalyn and their sons Oliver and Zachary. He became a loan processor for Fifth Third Bank in 2005, after the move.
Eventually, Ormsby felt a call to do something more. While he was working for Fifth Third Bank, he started volunteering at Habitat for Humanity. One Saturday while volunteering on a jobsite, he ended up working on a house with the President and CEO of the Habitat for Humanity of Collier County.
“He [the CEO of Habitat] was impressed with my willingness to work hard and offered me a position in the accounting department as the controller,” Ormsby said.
In 2013 Ormsby earned the title of chief financial officer. On a day-to-day basis, Ormsby has the opportunity to help end sub-standard housing. His company was recently rated the greatest non-profit in the country in affordable housing by Charity Navigator.
In his free time, Ormsby is highly involved at his church, where he volunteers on the multimedia team and on the leadership council. He also plays in an adult soccer league and recently graduated from North Carolina State University’s ACCES Leadership Program.
Empowering families who are struck by poverty is something Ormsby aspires to achieve each day with Habitat for Humanity.
“My work with Habitat inspires me to help people break the cycle of poverty” said Ormsby.
In the future, he would like to help his company become self-sustained through the funding of endowments.
When it comes to finding a calling, Ormsby had first-hand advice.
“Try many things. No job is beneath you,” Ormsby explained. “Sometimes the job you least expect might be the most fulfilling,” he said. “Someone may recognize your willingness to do what it takes to be successful.”
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