Bob Massie
About this Executive:
Name:
Bob Massie
Company:
Chemical Abstracts Service
Interview Topics:
Chemical Information
Region:
Region 1 - Central Ohio
Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS), a division of the American Chemical Society and the global leader in chemical information, provides the most comprehensive databases of publicly disclosed research in chemistry and related sciences. In 2007, CAS celebrated its 100th year of serving scientists and other researchers around the world. CAS is located on a 54-acre campus in Columbus, Ohio. President Bob Massie has overseen a number of significant changes at CAS since he took charge 15 years ago. CAS products have shifted to web-enabled services; 50 percent of CAS' revenues were print-based in 1993. Today, 96 percent are electronic. CAS employees come from around the world, speaking more than 50 languages. Bob also has seen improvements in Ohio over that time period that have reinforced his love of the Buckeye State.
Q: No company survives 100 years without doing something right. What makes CAS a special place to work?
A: CAS information services have been the best in class throughout every era in those hundred years. To compete on a world stage, we have depended on great people; and CAS scientists and technical staff love living in Columbus. Our campus is pretty special. It is located 10 minutes from downtown and the state capital. There is a beautiful river flowing beside it and we have a view of Ohio State University's famous horseshoe stadium. Our associates can walk our grounds year-round, picnic by the river, and park on-site, while creating superb research tools for the world's scientists. CAS employees enjoy a work:life balance that allows them to be their best at both work and in the community. This is very important to me and to our associates.
Q: CAS has a very diverse group of associates. They could move anywhere and be successful professionally. Has retaining top talent been an issue in Ohio?
A: CAS scientists and technology workers come from all parts of the world. Scientists speaking dozens of languages have made Ohio their home. Through their dedication and outstanding skills, they have helped CAS build the world's largest and most comprehensive, chemistry-related information resources. In addition, they have added immensely to the diversity and culture of Columbus.
I must admit though, one of our scientists did leave CAS to follow his personal passion and start a successful, local Vietnamese restaurant. He is doing very well. Good restaurants are part of the fabric of Ohio that help deliver a fulfilling quality of life.
Q: Fifteen years ago, you chose to move to Ohio. What is it about the state and the Columbus area attracted you and continues to keep you here today?
A: I came to Columbus and CAS for the work:life balance, no doubt. It is simply unbeatable to live and work here. The airport is fifteen minutes from any number of communities as well as our office; so we can easily catch planes to meet customers and partners around the world. With 60 percent of our revenues coming from outside the United States, our management group is constantly in the air to Europe, Japan, China, India or wherever serious sci-tech research is conducted. But the beauty of Ohio and the Columbus region is that when you are home, you are home. You don't have to plan your trip to the airport as if it were a major campaign.
I live 10 minutes from the airport, and most of my colleagues are no more than 20 minutes away. Our offices, the downtown area and Ohio State University are even a bit closer. In today's travel climate, with business travel increasingly stressful and delay-ridden, it is invaluable to know that access to the airport is hassle free.
Q: One thing I hear from executives is that the financial component of the capital investment decision is pretty straightforward, but being able to meet the needs of employees and their families is the harder part of the equation. What would you tell an executive who is considering Ohio about the advantages in choosing Ohio as the location for capital investment?
A: CAS celebrated its 100th anniversary last year, with 98 of those years in Columbus. In fact, CAS, a global business with 1,400 employees, is based in Columbus because its second "editor" decided to move to here in 1909. I suppose that demonstrates that even at the turn of the last century, the advantages of Ohio for work and a full life were already known!
One further personal observation: I've worked and lived in Europe, the Middle East, Canada and a number of East Coast cities. In Ohio and the Columbus area, I've found it unique how newcomers are welcomed, and I appreciate the open social and networking climate. Those who wish to do so can participate in the charitable, social and recreational world here without any apparent limits. Charitable giving and community involvement are second nature in central Ohio. And with the short commutes I mentioned, we have more time for those endeavors, which make life outside of work better rounded.