Zuheir Sofia’s office is lined with three walls of windows and gives way to a bird’s-eye view of the Statehouse.
Surrounding the windows are photos of Sofia with dignitaries such as former President George Bush and proclamations expressing gratitude for his generous contributions of service.
The shelves in his office are adorned with esteemed awards and a prominently placed picture of Sofia with the Ohio State Board of Trustees, where he serves as chairman.
At a glance, Sofia’s office suggests that he is a man committed to service. His words prove his commitment undoubtedly.
“My wife, Susan, and I have always felt that we should truly give back to the community what it has given to us,” said Sofia, who spends 70 percent of his time on duties associated with being chairman of the Board of Trustees. “Even in the mid-1970s, when I wasn’t making much money, we still made it a priority to give generously.”
Sofia is chairman of Sofia & Company, Inc., a Columbus based private investment firm. He serves on the Ohio Banking Commission, served as chairman of the James Cancer Hospital, and was the past founder, president and chairman of the Columbus Council on World Affairs.
Sofia has a bachelor’s degree in economics and business administration from Western Kentucky University, a master’s degree in economics from Washington University, and is a graduate of the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University. Sofia said he has always believed in forward-thinking.
“I believe the test of a successful leader is to have the ability to take people from a place where they have been to a place where they have not been. Leaders must anticipate change and be bold,” Sofia said.
Sofia learned he had to be bold when he became the president of Huntington Bancshares, a $28 billion company, at 40 years old.
Bill Guy, CEO of Air Force One, met Sofia when they were members of the Young Presidents’ Organization.
“In addition to being one of the finest, most honorable men I know, he is caring and giving. He really knows how to be a friend,” Guy said.
Guy said boards of universities and companies seek out Sofia because of his knowledge base.
“My wife and I were actually traveling with Zuheir and Susan in Paris, and international heads of banks were searching him out because they heard he was in town,” Guy said.
“I heard people coming up to him in the hotel, wanting his advice on investments and business. He is just that brilliant,” he said.
In addition to his intellect, Sofia’s work ethic is one of the defining characteristics that sets him apart, Guy said.
“Zuheir is truly a self-made man. He came up through the ranks at the Huntington; he conquered challenges and ripped them apart,” Guy said.
Dero Downing, former president of Western Kentucky University, said it was evident that Sofia would be successful during his undergraduate years at WKU.
“Soon after Zuheir’s arrival, it became apparent that he was special,” Downing said.
“He had a sense of responsibility and was committed to getting an education. The faculty noticed his marvelous personality,” he said.
Downing said his friendship with Sofia has grown over the last 40 years. The extent of the friendship was demonstrated when Sofia contributed to converting the building that formerly housed the president of WKU into an international student center.
“Zuheir insisted that the building be named the Zuheir Sofia-Dero Downing International Center,” Downing said. “He was so gracious, and I’ll always be grateful to him for that.”
Downing said any university in the country would feel honored and favored to have Sofia on the board because of his knowledge, experience and class.
Randall Capps, president of Leadership Strategies Group, also knew Sofia as an undergraduate at WKU.
“Zuheir always stood out.We knew he would succeed in anything he attempted,”Capps said.
Capps said Sofia understands the importance of education.
“I wish every single student at Ohio State had a chance to spend some time with Zuheir, because I know he would inspire them,” Capps said.
Sofia was appointed to the Board of Trustees by then-Governor George Voinovich.
“Zuheir has been committed and dedicated to the university for many years,” said Voinovich, who is serving in the U.S. Senate.
“He has invested in the university and, because of that, he has a special interest in making sure that the school is as successful as it can be,” he said.
Voinovich also cited the experience Sofia brings to the board.
“It is wonderful at this time to have a chairman who is brilliant in terms of financing and financial management,” Voinovich said.
Sofia, who said he lives by Louis Pasteur’s quote, “Chance favors the prepared mind, and opportunity favors the bold,” attributes much of his success to his wife of 32 years, Susan Sofia.
“When I first heard of him, everyone said he was the smartest banker, so I knew I had to meet him,” Susan Sofia said. “I still think he is the smartest banker, and I’m amazed by his brilliant mind.”
Susan Sofia said her husband is very intense in whatever endeavors he pursues.
“He is 100 percent headstrong with whatever he does, so I try to make a balance for him. There’s no reason why you can’t work hard and have fun at the same time,” she said.
Susan Sofia said that although her husband has an amazing ability with complex numbers and finances, he is also passionate about creating a fun and safe educational experience for students.
Sofia said his advice for students is similarly related to the business world.
“The best decisions I have made are the ones I didn’t make – knowing when to stay out,” Sofia said. “Stick with the things you know, and know the downside. The upside always takes care of itself.”
