I am delighted to be a part of this gala evening, and especially pleased to have the opportunity to share some of my thoughts and observations about this evening's honoree -- and my good friend, Cliff Kendall.

   Leader of the year -- certainly the term fits Cliff like a glove. But look around the room. This place is filled with leaders. This is a "power lunch," moved to the evening and dressed up in black ties and cocktail dresses. So how, do you suppose, did the Board of Trade choose one from the many deserving of honor for this singular recognition? Why Cliff above all others?

    I'd like to think that I can shed some light on that choice. There are dimensions to Cliff that set him clearly apart from most people; facets that, like those of a diamond, aren't very visible until light strikes them. So let me cast some light on the many facets of Cliff Kendall.

   Cliff grew up not far from here, in northeast Washington, but the distance from that place to the Capital Hilton has to be measured in more than just miles. Cliff grew up a world apart from here, far from sumptuous, elegant dinners and accolades. Cliff grew up in a rented duplex with his parents and sister -- a family doing their best to eke out a full life with very limited resources.

   He was only 16 when his father left the family. Cliff had always been extremely close to his mother, but at this early point in his life, Cliff had to become more than just the older brother and devoted son. He also had to be a breadwinner, helping his mother keep the family together.

   The work was grueling. He cleaned offices in the morning, then attended class at Eastern High School in northeast Washington, then spent the end of day at a second job as a clerk typist. His mother prevailed on him to attend college, despite his reservations about the cost and the possible loss of his much-needed income, and so he enrolled at Wilson Teachers College, which is now a part of the University of the District of Columbia.

   It was at Wilson that Cliff met a lovely young woman named Camille Leaman, also a student at Wilson. The seating in classes at Wilson in those days was alphabetical, "Kendall" is close to "Leaman," and so it seems fate and alphabet conspired to bring Cliff and Camille together. He transferred to the University of Maryland, but couldn't stand leaving Camille behind, so they married the year before he graduated from Maryland. Next month the Kendalls will celebrate their 43rd wedding anniversary.

   After graduating from College Park, Cliff went into the Air Force and attended George Washington University at night where he received his master's degree.

   His career took him first to American University as assistant comptroller, then to Washington University in St. Louis in a similar position. Next he moved to Booz-Allen & Hamilton in Chicago, but by this time his family was growing. Cliff and Camille added four more "C"s to the family: Craig, Curt, Clark and Charlie. Throw in the family dog, Chipper, and you have seven "C"s -- that's how the family was known to friends and relatives for years.

   With four young sons, a heavy travel schedule and a commitment to being a full-time father to the boys, Cliff decided it was time to move toward a career that would allow him the kind of family life he had missed as a child -- and didn't want to deny to his own children. In 1968 he founded Computer Data Systems, Inc., the company you now know as CDSI, to provide information technology solutions to government and business.

   It was at CDSI in Rockville that Cliff developed and honed one of the qualities for which he's being honored tonight: an incredible business acumen. CDSI was a healthy baby at birth: beginning with only four employees in 1968, it quickly reached annual revenues of $2 million. But look at that baby now!

   Twenty-eight years later, CDSI employs 3,100 people. Its annual revenues have grown a hundred-fold to more than $220 million. This enterprise, that bears the indelible stamp of Cliff's nurture and leadership, is regularly recognized by Forbes magazine as one of the 200 best small companies in the nation. And just a couple weeks ago, the Washington Post listed CDSI as one of the 50 largest public companies in the greater Washington area, describing it as "the grand daddy of information technology services in the area." The baby, it seems, has grown up. Cliff continues to chart CDSI's future today, in his role as chairman of the board, and he continues to regard the people of CDSI as part of his extended family.

   More important than what Cliff has done at CDSI, though, is how he's done it.

   Few stereotypes are more pervasive today or -- certainly in Cliff's case -- more unfair than that of the corporate business leader as crass, heartless, adept at taking but incapable of giving.

   Cliff, in the life he has led and in the model he has established as head of a hugely successful company, gives lie to that stereotype. His approach to corporate leadership is founded on his innate humanity, his basic decency, his involvement with others on a human level. Cliff is living testimony to the thesis that one can do good while doing well.

   As one of Cliff's close associates puts it, "For a guy who's done as much as he has in business, it's refreshing to find that he always has time for others. He's a very special combination of businessman and 'people man.' He gives of himself to everybody."

   Cliff has given of himself not only to the enterprise and the people of CDSI, but in full measure as well to business development in the Washington region. One of the brightest spots in this region's economic growth in recent years has been the dramatic expansion of our technology base. Cliff has been at the very center of that success story.

   His leadership on technology issues for Board of Trade is well known to all of us. But there is so much more. He is considered by many to be the Godfather of the Suburban Maryland High Technology Council, serving as its chairman for three years, and continuing to serve on its board and executive committee. When the Montgomery County/Prince Georges County CEO Forum was created a few years ago, who did the business community turn to as the initial leader? Cliff Kendall, of course. And who was Governor Glendeningıs first appointment to the board of the Maryland Economic Development Commission? Cliff Kendall, naturally. Just a year ago, to no oneıs surprise and everyoneıs agreement, Cliff was chosen to receive the Suburban Maryland High Technology Council's Leadership in Technology award in recognition of his notable contributions to the growth and development of the technology business community in the region and throughout the State of Maryland.

   Those of us in higher education know Cliff as one of our best corporate sector friends. I'm immensely proud that he has chosen to support his alma mater through his wise counsel to us as a member of the University of Marylandıs Board of Visitors. On the 25th anniversary of CDSI just a few years ago, the company honored him by creating a University of Maryland scholarship in his name, awarded annually to a computer science major. This recognition says something about both Cliff's priorities and the esteem in which he is held by his colleagues at CDSI.

   As much as we might like to, the University of Maryland can't -- and shouldn't -- claim him all to ourselves. Cliff also has a deep and continuing commitment to his other alma mater, George Washington University, and to Johns Hopkins University where he teaches in its graduate program.

   If Cliff has worked to improve this area's business and education, he devotes just as much time and energy to making life in this region better for all its citizens. Near and dear to his heart is the Greater Washington Salvation Army. He was instrumental in relocating their alcoholic rehabilitation program to improved facilities in the Maryland suburbs, for example, and presently serves as vice president of their advisory board. He is also a director of The Lighthouse for the Blind, and helps to manage that group's investments.

   The list goes on and on, evidence of an extraordinary level of service to business, educational and public service organizations throughout the area. I've given you no more than a smattering of the ways in which he has shaped, supported and enriched institutions and individuals alike.

   But lists, as impressive as they might be, can't begin to define this extraordinary man. To find some hint of the essence of Cliff Kendall, peek in on the center of his life -- his home in Potomac, filled with those closest to him: Camille, his sons and daughters-in-law, and -- at last count -- five grandchildren. It's a house that echoes with the busy, joyful chaos of a family.

   There is basketball in the back yard, friends dropping by, and yard work to be done. I know from Camille that he is less into that aspect of home life, but she says maybe that's why God gives sons to people like Cliff. It's a home the Kendalls gladly share with those whose lives they touch. Parties abound, with people from CDSI, the Potomac Presbyterian Church, various organizations, and just friends filling the rooms with animated conversation. The record, I understand, was about 125 people from the Salvation Army in what Camille describes as "One of the best parties I've ever seen, and not a drop of liquor was served."

   The only flaw Iıve seen in the remarkable character of this man occurs when he steps on the tennis court. Gone is that warm smile, those friendly words of encouragement. In their place is a downright surly demeanor and a scowl that would strike fear in the heart of Mike Tyson. And talk about a competitor. We all know Cliff probably canıt run a forty-yard dash in forty-seconds. But try a deft drop shot when heıs at the base line and youıll see world class speed as this blur comes dashing across the court to return the ball. Or try to lob over this man, saddled with knee braces and ace bandages, and youıll see Michael Jordan-like hang time and the ball blazing back at your feet.

   Besides competitor, however, there's another "C" word that helps describe the essence of Cliff Kendall: commitment. Commitment to the company that has occupied much of his life. Commitment to the community he has shared and helped build over most of his life. And commitment to his family that from his earliest days has been -- and always will be -- at the very center of his life. In closing, let me recount one very personal story that perhaps captures what I feel is Cliffıs most outstanding quality: compassion.

   I mentioned earlier that Cliff's father had left the family when Cliff was 16. For 42 years, father and son had not been in contact. Then, one day, a call came from his father's new family in Colorado Springs. His father was dying of cancer.

   Without recrimination, without reservation, without hesitation, Cliff and Camille rushed off to be with him, brushing aside years of estrangement. Many have said that -- they -- wouldn't have gone. But theyıre not Cliff Kendall. Father and son had a warm reunion. Amends were made. Peace and forgiveness were found. Within three weeks, Cliffıs father died, but not before years of separation and remorse were put to rest through a singular, selfless, loving gesture of compassion. That act captures for me the quintessence of Cliff Kendall. Yes, heıs a phenomenally successfully businessman. Yes, heıs a remarkable community leader. But above all else, Cliff Kendall is simply one wonderful human being.

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