Akron-based InfoCision founder Gary Taylor has died at the age of 59. He passed away Saturday, just over three years after he suffered a heart attack.

Taylor, a University of Akron graduate and life-long Akron resident, founded InfoCision in 1982 with his wife Karen.

In 2004, the couple opened the Gary L. and Karen S. Taylor Institute for Direct Marketing at the University of Akron and sponsored the on-campus football stadium in 2009, which is now known as InfoCision Stadium.

A celebration of Gary Taylor's life will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Billow Fairlawn Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd. Friends may call at the funeral home Wednesday, from 5 to 8 p.m. and one hour before services on Thursday.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Taylor's life can be made to the Gary L. and Karen S. Taylor Family Foundation at 325 Springside Drive, Akron, Ohio 44333. Attn: Lori Feist, Foundation Secretary.

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(Obituary: Billow Funeral Home) Gary L. Taylor, founder of Akron-based InfoCision Management Corporation and philanthropist, passed away Saturday, March 2nd, just over three years since he initially fell ill after a heart attack suffered in 2009. He was 59 years old.

Gary was born and raised in Akron by mother Betty and father Robert. He and his brother Bob spent countless hours outside with neighbors playing sports and enjoying the outdoors. He always had a passion for the game of golf, fishing, and a good party.

Gary spent his entire life in the same community. He graduated from the University of Akron with a Bachelor's degree in Marketing in 1975. He continued on to earn his MBA, while serving as a graduate assistant, in 1977. It was at the University of Akron he met his wife of 34 years, Karen, and shaped his career path.

Gary began his career working for Rex Humbard Ministries as their Director of Marketing. He traveled the world negotiating TV contracts, and developed a love for marketing, the psychology of business as he called it. He also made many lifelong friendships with the Humbard family and entire ministry team.

In 1982 he started InfoCision Management Corporation in the breezeway of his home, with Karen as his first employee and newborn baby Lindsay by their side in her swing. After a reaching ask to file away his fishing maps, Karen was soon replaced by Vickie Creekmore who after thirty years is still a dedicated employee and friend. They were later joined by son Craig in 1985, the same year the company began making their first outbound fundraising telephone calls with internal "Communicators" who could best relate with donors.

Gary's goal was never to run the largest telemarketing company, just the best. Through an incredible drive and passion, and with the help of countless loyal partners, InfoCision is now the second largest privately held teleservices company in the world, employing over 4,000 people. They raise more money for Nonprofit organizations than any other teleservices company in the world. They are also a leading call center partner with some of the largest Fortune 100 companies, winning countless awards in quality, growth, creativity and employee treatment.

Gary was always known as a man of his word, honoring every deal he ever made on a handshake. He always treated his employees with the utmost respect and was well known for his appreciation of others and generosity. Because of his friendly personality, he was always "Gary" and never "Mr. Taylor."

Gary had a passion for giving back to the industries and organizations that changed his life. In 2004 he and Karen opened the Gary L. and Karen S. Taylor Institute for Direct Marketing at the University of Akron. The Institute has the largest dedicated curriculum, facility and staff dedicated to teaching direct and interactive marketing at the college level.

As part of Akron's downtown renovation, he also made the lead donation to sponsor the University of Akron's on-campus football stadium in 2009. Standing in state of the art InfoCision Stadium, cutting the ribbon with Karen and many other loyal Akron supporters was one of the proudest days of his life.

Gary's passion for golf also became a business venture, as he became the principle owner of Granite Golf Properties (GGP). GGP owns and operates Medina Country Club, The Quarry in Canton and Shale Creek in Medina. More important than the business of golf, Gary loved all of the great people he was able to meet and play with over the years. His memories on the back porch, plane rides and golf trips, will always live with him forever.

Gary is survived by wife, Karen Sue; children, Lindsay Rose Tadsen (husband Thomas David) and Craig Scott (wife Mindi Michelle); and grandson, Thomas David Tadsen III (Tommy). Barry Creekmore also became a part of the Taylor family with his dedication and care of Gary and his tremendous support to the entire Taylor family.

A celebration of Gary's life will be held 11 a.m. THURSDAY at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd., with Rev. Barry Creekmore officiating. Private interment will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park. Friends may call at the funeral home WEDNESDAY, from 5 to 8 p.m. and one hour before services on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Gary's life can be made to the Gary L. and Karen S. Taylor Family Foundation at 325 Springside Drive, Akron, Ohio 44333. Attn: Lori Feist, Foundation Secretary.

Akron-based InfoCision and the Ohio Attorney General's Office coming to terms on a complaint over the company's work soliciting for charity groups.

Without admitting to any wrongdoing, InfoCision will pay $75,000 to the Attorney General's office and submit monthly audio recordings of their phone solicitations, as well as submit advance scripts.

(News release) Attorney General Mike DeWine announced today an Assurance of Discontinuance agreement with Akron-based InfoCision Management Corporation regarding its professional solicitation services on behalf of various charitable organizations.

"Charitable contributions are vital to our communities, and donors must be confident their funds are properly and honestly solicited," said Attorney General DeWine.

An investigation by the Attorney General's Charitable Law Section found reason to believe InfoCision violated several sections of the Ohio Charitable Organizations Act, including making misleading statements and failing to make required disclosures during the course of charitable solicitations, and failing to comply with statutory filing requirements. InfoCision denies the Attorney General's conclusions in the Assurance that it violated the law and these facts were never litigated. However, in order to resolve these matters, the settlement agreement was reached.

In the Assurance, InfoCision agrees to fully abide by the state's laws on soliciting charitable contributions from Ohioans and agrees to:

• Stop all misleading behavior and making misrepresentations as to the percentage of donations that a charity will receive
• For two years, submit a copy of a sample script and sample pledge form to the Attorney General before starting a solicitation campaign
• For one year, submit at least 15 audio recordings of its solicitation calls to the Attorney General on a monthly basis
• During solicitations, clearly and conspicuously disclose its status as a professional solicitor, its name, and the charity's name and address
• Pay stipulated penalties for any future violations of filing and disclosure requirements

In addition, InfoCision will pay $75,000 to the Attorney General's Office. This amount will be distributed by the Attorney General for charitable purposes.

Attorney General DeWine reminds potential donors that when they receive calls seeking a donation to ask questions about who is calling and what their connection is to the specific charity. Professional solicitors, who are paid by charities to solicit on their behalf, must provide basic information about the charity and its location, in addition to their own name, their status as a professional solicitor, and if requested, the percentage of gross revenue that will be retained by the charity.

Citizens are urged to ask for written information in advance of making a gift and to refrain from sharing bank or credit card information on unexpected telephone calls. Consumers should also not provide bank or credit card information over the phone. Warning signs include overly aggressive or pushy tactics, callers who are unable or unwilling to answer questions, callers who offer to come pick up contributions, or callers who suggest there are prizes awarded for contributions. At any point during a call, consumers are encouraged to hang up if they feel uncomfortable.

Consumers can get additional information about wise giving strategies or access lists of registered professional solicitors in Ohio by visiting the Attorney General's web page at www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov or are welcome to call 1-800-282-0515 for additional information.

Consumers are urged to contact the office with information about fraudulent or worrisome charitable solicitations by filing an online charitable complaint or calling the office.

InfoCision has officially become an international company adding a call center in Canada.

The Akron Beacon Journal reports the teleservices firm based in Bath Township will open in Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada.

A client in Canada was happy with InfoCision's work and asked them to open a new call center to serve Canadian clients.

InfoCision transferred three managers to Canada and hired 35 people. They plan to hire about 100 employees within the next six to 12 months.

The company has 35 call center in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

On the Web: www.ohio.com