Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/1538101
36 WAC Magazine | wac.net rnie Willig began his term as Washington Athletic Club Chair- man on August 1. He joined the Club 23 years ago and, beyond tennis, stays fit with regular workouts in Men's and Coed Fitness. In the two-plus decades he's been a WAC member, he's also been active in the Club social scene, volunteered on various committees and the Board of Governors, and found love and family. For Arnie, belonging to the WAC means giving back. "I believe deeply in community and service work," he says. "I try to lead by example by leaving everything I come across, be it people, businesses, community, better than when I found it." Arnie has been a longtime support- er of the WAC and also of Tessera, a nonprofit that creates job opportunities for people with disabilities. He's been actively involved with the group since 1992, first as counsel, then as a volun- teer, and now as Chairman of Tessera's board of directors. Tessera is now the seventh-largest nonprofit in the state, employing 1,700 people. "I'm incredibly proud to back their cause," Arnie said recently over breakfast in downtown Seattle. As his food arrives—potatoes, toast, and eggs—Arnie tucks a cloth napkin into the collar of his crisp white shirt and adds sugar to his Americano, joking that he likes to make it "extra." Arnie grew up in North Bend, the only boy among five siblings. "We all kind of raised each other, and a lot of good came out of that," he says. When it came time for college, he again turned to family, moving in with his grandmother in West Seattle while attending Seattle University. Although he studied busi- ness, a law class changed his trajectory. "I loved the hard-problem parts of it," he says about the law. "Planning and thinking about how to solve something and then executing it drew me in." His passion for problem-solving led Arnie to Pepperdine Caruso School of Law in Malibu, California, where he completed his law degree in 1990. But the Pacific Northwest was where he wanted to be. "I missed the greenery and the landscape," he says. "It's a different vibe down there." Finding a win It was during his days at Seattle Uni- versity that Arnie found his passion for service. "Jesuit education teaches the importance of caring for others," he says. "At Seattle University, there was an emphasis on ethics." Tessera President & CEO Jeff Dolven has known Arnie for more than 20 years. "He's a very thoughtful man," Dolven says. "He's been instrumental in guid- ing us. With Arnie, you're going to get a visionary with the absolute highest integrity." Arnie also has served on the board of directors for Mt. Baker Housing. "Arnie really cares about the Seattle community and about people in need," WAC Pres- ident & CEO Suzana Sakay says. "His commitment to helping others is truly impressive." Post-Pepperdine, Arnie quickly landed his first role as an attorney in downtown Seattle. "e partners needed someone to go to court so I said sure," he recalls. "at's how I ended up where I am now." Arnie and a few co-workers eventu- ally moved to another firm, which Arnie now runs as senior partner. His work at Hacker & Willig centers on complex commercial litigation. "I love the mo- ment when I can see the crack where I'll put my wedge and make a win happen," he says. "Working toward that is exciting. I've never been bored—that's for sure." A " I try to lead by example by leaving everything I come across, be it people, businesses, community, better than when I found it." Continued on page 39