Walter W. Bettinger II, AHS class of 1979, was inducted in the Ada High School Alumni Association Hall of Honor on January 11 and honored at halftime of the boys basketball game. Bettinger served as CEO of Charles Schwab & Co. from 2008-2024 and is benefactor of school athletics. He provided the Icon with these reflections on his home town.
Q. What keeps you connected to Ada, Ohio?
A. Staying connected to my roots has always been important to me. No matter where the pathways of life take us, we all have a hometown and Ada is that hometown for me. I am a regular reader of the Ada Herald, Adaicon.com and news from Ohio Northern University. I find it an important way to stay informed of happenings in my hometown.
Q. How did growing up in Ada and going to the Ada Schools shape you?
A. Growing up in Ada with loving parents, a faith-filled church and caring teachers was particularly special because it combined the best attributes of a nurturing small town with the advantages of a world-class University. Attending a smaller school system allowed teachers and advisors to take a personal interest in the growth and development of students.
