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July 21, 2010
Finalists and Select Winners Announced for 2010 Distinguished Leadership Awards
Leadership Tallahassee and the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce have announced the 2010 finalists of the Distinguished Leadership Awards, as well as the winners of this year’s Lifetime Leadership Award and Godfrey Smith Past Chairmen’s Award.
The awards ceremony, now in its 16th year, will take place on September 16 at 6 p.m., at the University Center Club, and will honor deserving leaders in five categories. Nominations were solicited from the community at large in the spring and a selection committee reviewed the nominations. The following winners and finalists have been chosen in each of the categories:
Lifetime Leadership Award: Recognizes an individual who has made significant, tangible leadership contributions to the Tallahassee community for more than 25 years.
Honoree: John M. Hogan, Capital Health Plan
Godfrey Smith Past Chairmen’s Award: Honors an individual who has provided significant contributions to the business community before, during, and after their tenure as Chairman of the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce. The award was named after William Godfrey Smith, the first recipient; an individual who epitomized the ideals of honor, dedication and commitment in our community.
Honoree: John Perry Thomas, Thomas Howell Ferguson
Leadership Pacesetter: Given to an individual who is blazing a trail for others to follow by quickly engaging in community leadership activities – and achieving tangible results – as a relative newcomer to Tallahassee or at a relatively young age.
Finalists:
R. Jai Gillum, Florida Department of Financial Services
Dean Inserra, The Well
Theresa “Cissy” Proctor, Bryant Miller and Olive
Julius J. Wiggins, Bethel Community Development Corporation
Opal McKinney-Williams, Ausley Law Firm
Leader of the Year: Awarded to an individual whose ideas, vision and hard work have achieved significant, tangible benefits to the community within the past year.
Finalists:
William G. “Geri” Eaton, The Land Group Real Estate Services
Jane Barron, Terrie Brooks and Marvin Mayer, Red Hills International Horse Trials
Chris L. Jensen, Jr., Prime Meridian Bank
Liz Joyner, The Village Square
Kelly T. Otte, Oasis Center for Women and Girls
Servant Leadership: This individual has demonstrated consistent community leadership and begun to achieve results beyond a single field of endeavor, combining efforts in business and non-profit organizations.
Finalists:
Kristine E. Knab, Legal Services of North Florida
Sean A. Pittman, Pittman Law Group, P.L.
Dr. Carolyn Ryals, KopyKat Copy Center
Mark Schlackman, FSU Center for the Advancement of Human Rights
Dr. Joseph l. Webster, Sr. Institute for African American Health, Inc.
The event is presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, and acts as Leadership Tallahassee’s major community fundraiser, with proceeds benefitting the Youth Leadership Tallahassee program.
Sponsored tables are available for $1,000 and individual reservations for $100. To secure your spot at this year’s event, please contact Barbara Boone at (850) 521-3112 or bboone@talchamber.com.