"Hardship makes people more successful." Gene Megyesy tells us. It's hard to disagree. When one overcomes a setback, or survives an unlikely experience, they grow to appreciate what they have all the more. A grateful heart can achieve great things. Gene is a fine example of those words. As accomplished as he is, a lawyer with experience in the Colorado Attorney General's Office and the Environmental Protection Agency, he also served as Honorary Consul General of Hungary for Colorado and Wyoming.

His work has taken him all over the world, which sounds terribly glamorous. That life of travel began as a refugee in 1956, fleeing Hungary with his parents when his father was at risk of imprisonment for participating in the uprising against Russian occupation. After successful escape, his family lived in Vienna before moving on to the United States, which brought him to Colorado.

Once in Denver, he went to law school at Denver University, raised a family and was appointed Honorary Consul General to Hungary. Keeping connections between Denver and Hungary, Gene innovated programs to provide for the poor in his homeland - acquiring computers for the schools in Hungary and organizing the delivery of thousands of coats from Colorado ski areas - to Budapest and beyond.

Yet, he does not seek adulation for any of these endeavors, "I do get the satisfaction, ", Gene says "not day goes by in Budapest during the winter time when I don't see somebody in one of these Colorado jackets. So that's a good feeling."

We at ICOSA feel Gene is the example of a true leader. Not one to dwell on the hardships of his own life, he works to make life better for others. He's an example of hard work, humility and great kindness. He's a man we want to learn from, and we hope our conversation with him inspires you too.

Listen Saturday at 10:00 AM on KNUS 710 – Please let us know what you think of our program, either by commenting here or on Facebook at Connect & Collaborate with ICOSA or join the discussion on Twitter @ICOSAMagazine.