The YMCA of Greater Charlotte recognized volunteer leaders who have given their time and energy to help build strong kids, strong families and strong communities at the 2008 Annual Meeting on Thursday, March 6th.
The YMCA’s most prestigious award -- the John R. Mott Award -- is named after the Nobel Peace Prize 
winner whose aim was to cultivate Christian leaders. This year’s recipient is Frank Harrison. Like John R. Mott, Frank is widely respected as a faith-based leader who has a heart for servant leadership. Frank has served as Chairman and CEO of Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, the second largest Coke bottler in the United States, since 1996. He has volunteered on the boards of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Cities In Schools, Davidson College, Johnson C. Smith University, United Way of Central Carolinas and countless others. He has had a lifelong affiliation with the YMCA and joined the YMCA of Greater Charlotte Metropolitan Board of Directors in 1992, served as its chair in 2000 and 2001 and was elected a Trustee in 2004.
This year’s Willie J. Stratford, Sr. Diversity Award goes to Dianne Ward English. Dianne serves as Executive
Director of the Community Building Initiative, a non-profit organization whose mission is to achieve racial and ethnic inclusion and equity. The Community Building Initiative manages Crossroads Charlotte, a special initiative of Foundation for the Carolinas and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation that encourages organizations to evaluate what course Charlotte-Mecklenburg will chart for its residents over the next ten years as we deal with issues of access, equity, inclusion and trust in the social, political, economic and cultural life of the community. The YMCA of Greater Charlotte has been part of the project since 2004. Dianne has received numerous awards for her advocacy efforts, including Charlotte’s Woman of the Year (2000).
Each YMCA branch recognizes one outstanding volunteer annually with the George Williams Award. George Williams founded the first YMCA in 1844 in London. This year’s winners are:
| Marley Carrol |
Architect, Odell Associates |
| Scott Wilson |
Leasing Agent, Childress Klein Properties |
| Patricia Murphey |
Mom, YMCA Community Development board member |
| Pete Lash |
President and Managing Partner, Beacon Partners |
| Maureen Smith |
Office Manager, Advisor Technology Services |
| Michael Ham |
Domestic Engineer |
| Suzy Johnson |
Marketing Director, Jesse Brown’s Outdoors |
| Bill Tome |
President, Mark Oil Co. |
| Blanche Parker |
Long Distance Operator- Southern Bell
Office Manager- Dr. James B. Woods, Jr. |
| Linda Harrill-Rudisill |
Retired Health Educator, Gaston County Schools |
| Mark W. Brodsky |
President and CEO, Ulysses Learning Center |
| Deb Hanna |
Retired Senior Vice President, Bank of America |
| Terry Knotts |
Real Estate Developer, Knotts Development Resources, Inc. |
| Reginald T. Pincham |
Director of Student Affairs, CPCC |
| Jeff Sherman |
CFO, Harris Teeter |
| Robert L. McMillan, Jr. |
Member-Manager, Sageworth Properties |
| Josephine Washington |
President, Growth Resources International |