This year’s recipients are:
A leader who models the way finds his voice while building and affirming shared values. He aligns his actions with his values and leads by example.
Throughout a long and successful career working for Allstate Insurance Company, Mr. Joseph Long set an example for leaders in his community, through his involvement on the boards of various community organizations including the Bluefield, WV, Chamber of Commerce. He also served as the mayor of Bluefield, WV. He is currently the president of Mountain State University’s Alumni Association. He has also modeled the way for his family, including his wife, two adult sons, and five grandchildren.
Gary Bowling of Bluefield, West Virginia: Inspire a Shared Vision
A leader who inspires a shared vision imagines exciting and ennobling possibilities for the future and enlists others in the vision by appealing to shared aspirations.
Mr. Gary Bowling, a successful artist who has exhibited his art across the country, started House of Art in Bluefield, WV, as a place to showcase local artists including sculptors, painters, writers, musicians, and dancers. In his creation of this venue, he is inspiring others to pursue artistic endeavors. He also encourages others by speaking at schools, colleges, and prisons as well as for service organizations and on talk radio and television programs.
Frank Wood of Daniels, West Virginia: Challenge the Process
A leader who challenges the process seeks opportunities and innovative ways to change, grow and improve. He experiments, takes risks, and learns from mistakes.
Mr. Frank Wood is the publisher of Beckley Newspapers and Vice President of Community Newspaper Holding Incorporated. He oversees the publication of 19 newspapers in West Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusets. In his more than 40 years of working in the newspaper business in various capacities— from sales and management to publisher and executive —he has adapted and innovated practices and services to keep pace with this changing field.
Wayne Richmond of Beaver, West Virginia: Enable Others to Act
A leader who enables others to act fosters collaboration by promoting cooperative goals and building trust. He strengthens others by sharing power and discretion.
Mr. Wayne Richmond has been developing other leaders through his volunteer efforts with the Boy Scouts of America for many years. He has served as the chairman of the Advancement and Eagle Board of the Seneca District of the Buckskin Council for the past twelve years.
He is the manager of information technology systems and networks for Princeton Community Hospital, where he is developing a campus wide wireless network.
Richard Jarrell of Beckley, West Virginia: Encourage the Heart
A leader who encourages the heart recognizes contributions of others by showing appreciation for excellence. He creates a spirit of community and celebrates values and victories.
In returning to his hometown to open a Chick-Fil-A franchise, Mr. Richard Jarrell has encouraged the hearts of many individuals. His restaurant encourages customer service excellence in his employees. In addition to his work as an entrepreneur and franchise owner, Jarrell is involved in leadership in many community organizations: he is a member of the Board of Directors for the Beckley-Raleigh Chamber of Commerce where he serves as the chairman of the Ambassadors Committee and works with the Make it Shine and education committees; he is on the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee for the Beckley-Raleigh Convention Center.
