If Don had a soundtrack, for me it would be Johnny Cash’s “I’ve been everywhere man”. In his brief 37 years on the planet, Don has been everywhere social responsibility and business meet.

Whether it is running Comet Skateboards with Jason Salfi where they build sustainable skateboards or in his work to expand & finance The Business Alliance of Local Living Economies (B.A.L.L.E.) a network of over 15,000 businesses or in his new position at RSF Social Finance, Don Shaffer has his finger on the healthy economic pulse of the new US economy.

What new US economy? For Don it begins in the rapidly growing market of socially enterprise which represents dozens and dozens of industries including green building, alternative energy, Fair Trade, Organics, FSC certified products, and on and on. However, Don’s passion goes beyond just these social entrepreneurial ventures and tackles the issue of Local Economies.

Hanging out with Don it is only a matter of time before you’ll get a great book recommendation… but not in an annoying way… my father does the same thing… must be a Cornell thing. Among the impressive list of social and economic theorists, great historical leaders, and philosophical minds is a consistent reference to an old farmer who writes fictional novels and short essays. Surprising? Not when the 74 year old farmer is Wendell Berry.

For those who are unfamiliar, Mr. Berry uses his fictional stories to communicate the social and economic benefits of healthy LOCAL economies. My genius-Amish-farmer-looking younger brother turned me on to Wendell Berry years ago and his book JAYBER CROW was a transformative experience for me.

Like Wendell Berry, Don Shaffer believes there are great social and economic benefits from strong local economies and has dedicated the last several years to developing local business networks throughout North America… a whole lot of them.

Now Don is taking his solid judgment, wealth of connections, and much admired management skills to RSF Social Finance as their new CEO and President.

Don will be in a position to recommend investment in businesses and industries that he believes are economically sound and going to make a positive difference for people and the planet.

Can I get a “Hell Yeah”! This is one for the good guys. The Don’s do exist.

And it is good to know there are Don’s out there doing what Don’s do.

Much Respect,

Papa Ganda

On BALLE… my only criticism at this point is with their marketing, branding & technology. There may be 15,000 business who are part of BALLE but only BALLE members know what BALLE is AND can you possibly make your website any harder to find or any less GOOGLABLE. (GOOGLABLE is such a fun word to say… it’s almost Zoolander-ish when he tries to pronounce Eulogy, and it comes out ‘yoogoogly’, but better because people know what you mean when you say it.)