United Way head pens spy novel

Ricardo Lewis
Associate Editor

Ken Armstrong sat on his couch watching the movies “Sniper” and “Sniper 2.” What was supposed to be a lazy day of relaxation would eventually turn into the inspiration for his first book.

“After watching the movies I began thinking, what if the President had a secret assassin that was his last line of defense, someone that not even the Secret Service knew about,” said Armstrong. “I told my wife about the idea, and every day I would add some new twist I had thought of to the original thought, so one day I decided to write all of the ideas down.”

The product of Armstrong’s idea is “Saving the President,” a fictional novel that details the life of the president’s very own personal protector. Armstrong has led the United Way of the Big Bend for 15 years, and co-workers believe that some of the characteristics that aided him in writing “Saving the President,” are responsible for his success as president of the United Way of the Big Bend.

“He is a visionary,” said Heather Mitchell, vice president of resource development for the United Way of the Big Bend. “He looks at things from the 30,000- foot level rather than from the ten foot level.”

Before moving to Tallahassee, Armstrong was introduced to the United Way organization by a friend in Dallas, Texas. He had worked in administration at several colleges across the United States, having received his doctorate in higher education administration. Armstrong liked the community aspects of the organization, noting that while working as a college administrator he was not given the chance to be very involved in the community. He informed the friend of his interest in making a career of working with the organization. A short time later, his boss at the United Way in Dallas told him of an opportunity to head the United Way of the Big Bend in Tallahassee.

“I moved here in 1996, and I have absolutely fallen in love with the place,” said Armstrong of his stay here in Tallahassee. “I had worked in college administration, so some of the attraction came from having the three colleges here.” The work of Armstrong and the United Way of the Big Bend is reflected throughout the Tallahassee community. The organization is different from other non-profit organizations because it does not focus on just one community need, but instead assists those in need in a variety of areas, from utility bill assistance to the “Meals on Wheels” program.

“Chances are there is a United Way agency that focuses on exactly what you need. I am very proud that we are there for everybody, not for the few or for the select, but for all,” Armstrong said. The United Way of the Big Bend operates strictly on donations. Many people believe that the United Way operates under a parent organization, which Armstrong noted was not the case.

“Everywhere anybody lives, there is a United Way of something. We do not have chapters that have to answer to a national body. We are a community organization, and we get to reflect the values of our own community. United Way of the Big Bend belongs to this community,” Armstrong said. In the years that Armstrong has led the United Way of the Big Bend, the organization has enjoyed some of its most successful campaigns. Much of this success is attributed to the leadership of Armstrong.

“He is great to work with,” said Ayesha Townsend, vice president of operations for United Way of the Big Bend. “He has a great sense of humor and pleasing personality. People love him and they enjoy him. I think that is why he has done so well with the United Way.”