The Start of Results 1st
Results 1st had its start in the work of its Creator, Hal Williams, while president for many years of The Rensselaerville Institute (TRI). Beginning in 1972, TRI (first called “The think tank with muddy boots” by the Wall Street Journal) created a series of self-help projects as part of its program on community vitality. Projects included the revitalization of Appalachian small towns and a 17-mile water line installed by Cherokees in one of the lowest income counties in the nation. That project was feature on Sunday Morning with Charles Kuralt and was a cover story in Parade Magazine.
Hal and his colleagues created a national program that helped residents with water and wastewater systems in 18 states. Hal then guided TRI to focus on foundations and governments and the value of supporting work that had such strong results. He wrote a book, Outcome Funding…a New Approach to Targeted Grantmaking. In its initial year it sold 800 copies. Five years later in sold that number in a single day.
Hal resigned as CEO of TRI in 2008 and has consulted with many groups on result themes. In 2019 he began looking to find a way to keep his legacy moving forward while he shifted to doing writing much more than projects. He wanted an heir—and found one.
His words:
I was looking for a succession path for myself and knew that the key was not a plan or design but a person. And not just one that would dutifully carry on with my ideas and products but who could add new ones and multiply my impact. I needed someone exceedingly bright and energetic—and with a proven ability and the credibility to help groups achieve stronger results. And I needed a colleague with whom I would greatly enjoy working.
Robyn Faucy was my choice and it turned out to be the smartest business decision I have ever made. Robyn was first a client. She headed Neuro Challenge, the group providing service to families with Parkinson’s in a multi-county area around Sarasota, Florida. It was just the right time in her life for an entrepreneurial plunge.
Together we decided to form a new organization whose name would say what we do and achieve -Results 1st.
Results 1st was incorporated in 2020 with Hal as Creator and Robyn as CEO.
