Meet W. Gaines Bagby: Service Is the Gravity That Pulls Us Towards Greatness

By Melissa Orsak

WGaines Bagby believes service is a force as strong and sure as gravity, pulling us towards greatness. He encourages us to keep giving, even when it may not be enjoyable or immediately gratifying, as the service we give to others will always come back to us in ways beyond our imagination and will leave a lasting impact. Bagby’s conviction in this philosophy grew after earning a Marketing and Media degree from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. He has worked with many organizations, including the Rotary Club of Austin, Toastmasters, and the Austin Jaycees, which laid the groundwork for his philanthropic endeavors and became the foundation of his pursuits.

After several respected colleagues invited him to join, Bagby became interested in the Rotary Club. The Rotary Club is a renowned community service organization that seeks to unify individuals and communities in their shared pursuit of self-improvement, community development, and global progress. By embracing their motto, “Service Above Self,” and dedicating oneself to helping others, one can change the world and transform oneself, becoming an even more significant asset to society. Bagby implements the Rotary Club’s Four-Way Test daily, which allows him to consider whether something is true, fair, builds goodwill and better friendships, and is beneficial to all. Since 2003, Bagby has served in leadership and teaching the Business Plan at the Rotary Camp Enterprise each year. In 2006, he led a 5-week Rotary Group Study Exchange (GSE) to Australia and served as district 5870 Outbound GSE Chair. Bagby has remained in the club for over two decades with a goal to help people around the world by means he could not accomplish through other organizations and because of his strong desire to eliminate Polio. His favorite projects are the hospital his club built in South Sudan and his impact on all the high schoolers he has taught over the years. He has been awarded the Rotary Hall of Fame in District 5870 and the Service to Austin Award by the Rotary Club of Austin for his tireless efforts.

With each step forward, Bagby grew into the inspiring leader he is today. In 1983, fresh out of college, Bagby began a successful career in commercial real estate. To enhance his market game, he joined Toastmasters, an educational program that teaches how to improve communication, leadership, and confidence. After acquiring these powerful skills, Bagby became the President of Toastmasters, enabling him to assist others in benefitting from this incredible program.

Bagby was an active member of the Austin Jaycees, earning the “most personally dynamic Texas Jaycee” award. The Austin Jaycees was a civic, non-profit organization that focused on six beliefs: God, Brotherhood, Economic Justice, Judicial Government, Individualized Personalities, and Serving Humanity. The Jaycees taught the younger generation these guiding principles while providing them with scholarships and enabling them to make a difference locally and globally. Bagby started serving on the Board of Directors at the young age of 23. He helped with marketing the Austin Classic Golf Tour- nament, working alongside service-driven legends such as Earl Campbell, Larry Gatlin, Moe Bandy, and Doug English. These tournaments now serve Lone Star Paralysis. For Bagby, seeing the effects of service as it touches people’s lives, especially unexpectedly, is genuinely fulfilling.

Throughout his journey, he worked with many additional organizations in different capacities to better the community. These included being a PR director and Speakers Chairman for the Young Men’s Business League, La Dolce Vita Chairman for the Laguna Gloria Art Museum, Community Advisory Board for Caritas, building four homes for CommunityFirst!, serving as an Elder, Trustee and Youth Committee and Discipleship Committee Chair Disciple Group Leader and Grace Notes Ensemble Singer at the Covenant Presbyterian Church, Scoutmaster for Troop 454 with the Boy Scouts of America, Advantage Austin Team Member, and serving on the US Green Building Council and Clean Energy Council for the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, he was the Rotary Club of Austin’s first PR Vice President, Membership Chairman on the Board and Centennial President of the Rotary Club. He currently serves on the Community Advisory Boards of Caritas and Helping Hand Home.

Serving his community had a positive impact not only on him but also on his home and work life. Bagby never let his desire to serve or his busy schedule hold him back from raising a family with his wife and their three children. He is also the global leader in commercial real estate and investments for CBRE, where he has worked for 36 years. Bagby holds the position of LEED AP and First Vice President, is a top-producing professional, and has served as an advisory member in Austin, Texas.

After years of service, W. Gaines Bagby realizes that his service helps him become the best version of himself while improving the world. Witnessing the smiles on the faces of those in need brings him long-lasting joy and fulfillment. Bagby desires to inspire others to keep serving and experience the transformational power of philanthropy, which can positively change their lives. As Bagby has experienced, reaching out to your local Rotary Club or another charitable organization can transform your life and the lives of others.