Excellence in Leadership Past Recipients
Excellence in Medina County Leadership
Current elected officials are not eligible for this award.
This is the only award which may be awarded posthumously.
An individual who meets one or more of the following:
- Makes significant and tangible leadership contributions to Medina County through extraordinary vision, innovation, inspiration and hard work.
- Demonstrates leadership qualities through career achievements or long-standing participation in community activities with full support of his/her organization, field, and community.
- Possesses a commitment to remain in Medina County and address the issues that face the county.
- Values leadership and fosters leadership in others.
- Contributes to improving the quality of life in Medina County.
Medina County Past Award Recipients
2004 - Cary Blair, Westfield Group Foundation
2006 - Don Simmons, Simmons Bros., Construction
2008 - David B. Jones, Old Phoenix/FirstMerit Bank
2010 - James Gerspacher, Gerspacher Real Estate Grp
2012 - George Paidas, Embros, LLC
2014 – Chuck Hawley
2016 - Ron Paydo, FirstMerit Bank
Excellence in Business Leadership
An individual who presently and actively meets one or more of the following:
- Works for (or owns) a business operated in Medina County that represents leadership in its field and is stable strategically and financially.
- Attracts, retains, expands, or creates business through capital investment or job creation for Medina County.
- Promotes entrepreneurship in Medina County through innovation, technology development, and creative business solutions.
- Promotes and coordinates business and financial opportunities in Medina County.
- Applies business leadership skills in civic activities, not-for-profit companies, or governmental affairs.
Business Past Award Recipients
2004 - Becky Shotwell, Stop N Go of Medina Inc.
2006 - John Root, A.I. Root Company
2008 - Jon Park, Westfield Bank
2010 - Denise (“Nisi”) Pozderac, Transitional Living Centers
2012 - Michael K. Baach, The Philpott Rubber Company
2014 – Bill Frantz, Frantz Companies, LLC
2016 – Larry Johns, McJak Candy Company, LLC
Excellence in Education Leadership
An individual who presently and actively meets one or more of the following:
- Advances and promotes the general principles of education in Medina County.
- Addresses the educational challenges that face education in Medina County.
- Engages in educational program development within Medina County.
- Promotes collaboration between education and local business, civic organizations, or the citizens of Medina County.
- Promotes career or job-oriented education within Medina County.
- Exhibits passion for the positive advancement of the children who live in Medina County.
- Educates, teaches to advance the principles of leadership to students.
Education Past Award Recipients
2004 - James Boyes, Medina County Schools’ ESC
2006 - Linda Bowers, Medina County Career Center
2008 - Dale Fortner, Wadsworth City Schools
2010 - Jim Hayas, Brunswick City Schools
2012 - William Koran, Medina Co Educational Service Center
2014 – Marcus Neiman, Kent State University
2016 - Dr. Elizabeth Watson Schnabel, Medina County Soil & Water Conservation District
Excellence in Health Care Leadership
An individual who presently and actively meets one or more of the following:
- Engages in supporting the mission of health, wellness, or safety within Medina County related to medical, behavioral, and/or environmental health services.
- Inspires others to collaborate in expanding resources and programming which will positively impact the array of health related services available within Medina County.
- Demonstrates a commitment to the advancement of health, wellness, and/or safety through direct services, or by inspiring others to take part in developing opportunities to improve the health and welfare of citizens in Medina County.
- Leads by example as he or she engages in his/her professional and personal commitments in the community.
- Shows commitment to the advancement of community education related to medical, behavioral, and/or environmental health issues facing citizens in Medina County.
- Serves the community with a selfless and sincere compassion for the betterment of the lives of others.
Health Care Past Award Recipients
2004 - Pat Stevens, Medina County Health Department
2006 - Joyce Giles, Medina General Hospital
2008 - Gail Houk, Alternative Paths, Inc.
2010 - Gary Hallman, Medina General Hospital
2012 - Dr. Kim Bowen, Medina Health Ministry
2014 – Bev Kreiner, Medina County Health Department
2016 - Mary Kennedy, Cleveland Clinic Medina Hospital
Excellence in Public Service Leadership
Current elected officials are not eligible for this award.
An individual who presently and actively meets one or more of the following:
- Works for a political sub-division, not-for-profit company, or other public agency in Medina County.
- Stimulates and fosters interest in ongoing public issues within Medina County.
- Provides an innovative benefit to the citizens of Medina County.
- Promotes and fosters collaboration within Medina County to address local needs and challenges.
- Pioneers programs to guide Medina County into the future.
- Serves the community with the objective of improving the quality of life within Medina County.
Public Service Past Award Recipients
2004 - William Lyren, City of Wadsworth
2006 - Jim Doutt, Medina County Economic Development Crp
2008 - Barbara J. Dzur, Gerspacher Real Estate Group
2010 - Charles Calvert, Calvert Promotions
2012 - Pamela Miller, Gramercy Gallery
2014 – Linda Hoffmann, Palecek, McIlvaine, Hoffmann & Morse Co. L.P.A.
2016 - Thomas James, Medina County Park District