A continuing community commitment
Welcome to the 2016 Pillar Awards. Once again, we gather to honor greatness in the name of outstanding community service.
On behalf of everyone at Medical Mutual of Ohio and our Pillar Award co-founding partner, Smart Business, we present these annual awards for Community Service for the seventh consecutive year.
At Medical Mutual, we have long understood the commitment to improve Columbus and the communities we serve. We strive to live up to that responsibility in everything we do.
I personally want to congratulate this year’s recipients for their understanding of “commitment to community.” That is what the Pillar Awards are all about — leading by example and helping to improve the quality of life for Central Ohioans.
You will notice that one of the Pillar Awards is a special honor given to a company whose employees best exemplify the values of Medical Mutual’s volunteer employee SHARE Committee.
SHARE, which stands for serve, help, aid, reach and educate, is the heart and soul of Medical Mutual’s charitable giving effort. Each year, this committee helps coordinate more than two-dozen community events involving nearly half of the company’s 2,300 employees.
“Improving the communities we serve,” is a common theme for all of the Pillar Award recipients over the past seven years and, once again, Medical Mutual of Ohio is honored to be in such outstanding company.
Rick Chiricosta
Chairman, president and CEO
Medical Mutual of Ohio
QUICK LINKS:
PILLAR AWARD HONOREES Cardinal Health, George Barrett | Charleys Philly Steaks, Charley Shin | Crimson Design Group, Cheryl Beachy Stauffer | Delta Energy Services, Sheri Tackett | GBQ Partners LLC, Darci Congrove | Huntington National Bank, Steve Steinour | Motorists Insurance Group, Dave Kaufman and Anne King | RAMA Consulting Group, Mataryun “Mo” Wright | The Scotts Miracle-Gro Co., James Hagedorn
AXA ADVISORS NONPROFIT BOARD EXECUTIVES OF THE YEAR James V. Maniace, Board of Zoning Adjustment, City of Columbus | Sally Bloomfield, Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority
NONPROFIT EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF THE YEAR Mary Lynn Foster, Children’s Hunger Alliance | Alex R. Fischer, Columbus Partnership | Michelle Heritage, Community Shelter Board | Doug Ulman, Pelotonia
MEDICAL MUTUAL SHARE AWARD Cindy Monroe, Thirty-One Gifts
Pillar award honorees
Cardinal Health
George Barrett, chairman and CEO
Cardinal Health, lead by Chairman and CEO George Barrett, has been a dedicated partner to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s efforts in raising awareness, education and prevention for cardiovascular diseases and strokes.
Every February, Cardinal Health’s employees rally in support of American Heart Month to spread awareness about heart disease being the No. 1 health threat. From decorating the building red, to serving healthier food items, helping send out educational information and showing support in their best red outfits on National Wear Red Day, Cardinal Health’s employees are very generous with their time.
And not only has Cardinal Health stepped up around women’s health, including sharing personal stories of how heart disease and stroke have impacted them, but the company engages its employees in a year round culture of health.
Over the past six years, Cardinal Health has remained a platinum Fit-Friendly Worksite, providing healthy options and programs for employees at work.
The employees and families of Cardinal Health also participate in the annual American Heart Association’s Heart Walk. This past year, Cardinal Health successfully doubled the amount of employees walking to more than 1,000.
Throughout the campaign 56 teams of employees shared the mission of the American Heart Association, educating each other about Hands Only CPR, stroke awareness, heart health and challenging each other to become more physically active throughout their work days.
Over 10 years, Cardinal Health employees have collectively raised more than $1.8 million for the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.
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Charleys Philly Steaks
Charley Shin, founder and CEO
A sense of giving to those in need is woven into Charleys Philly Steaks’ corporate culture, and Charleys’ employees are dedicated to helping people in need in Central Ohio and around the world.
For example, Charleys Kids is a nonprofit organization born out of Founder and CEO Charley Shin’s passion for helping children in need. Shin had been on mission trips with other organizations in the past and saw firsthand the difference individuals could make.
The nonprofit provides basic necessities, educational materials, mentorship and counseling to children. And Charleys’ employees support this by participating the annual Mission Trip, raising funds in the store locations or donating their time to promote and raise funds for the organization.
In 2014, more than 80 percent of eligible stores participated in Charleys Kids, which is significant when you consider that more than 90 percent of the stores are franchised. For example, one franchisee who owns 30 units, took the initiative to sell chocolate bars at the restaurants, which raised more than $21,000.
In addition to Charleys Kids, the company encourages employees — both at the corporate and store level — to give back to their communities any way they can. Charleys contributes to the Central Ohio community through initiatives such as the Fairfield County Department of Disabilities DiscoverU program, a unique opportunity for individuals with developmental disabilities to receive training and hands-on experience through classroom activities and internships; and Faith Mission, for which employees regularly donate their time and grill up fresh Charleys meals ($7,500 in food per year).
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Crimson Design Group
Cheryl Beachy Stauffer, principal and CEO
At Crimson Design Group, a percentage of its client fees are donated every month to a nonprofit organization of its clients’ choosing, or, if they prefer, one of the Crimson Design’s choosing.
The company’s philosophy comes down to three key essentials:
- To live among people, not apart from people.
- To be a small part in changing the world.
- To play a small part in empowering someone else to experience more.
By giving back, Crimson Design Group and its employees get to pass on some of what they’ve been given, while also creating beautiful and meaningful connections. It makes everyone’s lives better, and they are happy to do it.
“I’ve been given so much in my life, and every day I feel fortunate, lucky and blessed, and so I wanted to give back” says Cheryl Beachy Stauffer, principal and CEO of Crimson Design. “I do this by bringing greater awareness, and donating to issues we, and our clients, feel are important.”
In addition to the company’s donation program, which has been in place for three years, Stauffer and her husband both give a percentage of their own income. For example, after learning about a woman who wanted to start an orphanage in Africa — this hit home because Stauffer’s husband was adopted and they were in the middle of the adoption process themselves — they decided to donate $20,000 to The Valentine Project orphanage. That amount covered the cost of building a home for 20 children.
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Delta Energy Services
Sheri Tackett, founder and CEO
Delta Energy Services’ service-oriented culture does not stop with its suppliers, customers and associates — it extends to the communities in which the employees live and work, and to those less fortunate.
This past year, Delta Energy, led by Founder and CEO Sheri Tackett, and its employees supported a number of charities, including Dress for Success, Hawk’s Locks for Kids, Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, The Ronald McDonald House of Central Ohio, ErinoakKids Centre for Treatment and Development (Ontario, Canada), Pelotonia, Dublin Retirement Village, Dublin Food Pantry and Dublin Welcome Warehouse.
The company chooses causes that are close to the people who work there and finds creative ways to contribute time, talent and money. This is such an important initiative within Delta that there is an entire committee dedicated to its development.
Delta’s employee-run community involvement committee keeps co-workers informed of volunteering and fundraising needs within the community and makes it easy for them to continue to give back.
The community service team also coordinates the Jeans Day Fund. Employees are given the option to wear jeans on Fridays in exchange for a $2 donation. The funds are matched 100 percent by the company. Then, the funds are donated to a handful of charities nominated and voted upon by Delta employees and customers.
It also raised money through its soda fund, where associates can choose to have a beverage for a 25-cent donation.
Between sponsorships, company matching, fundraising efforts and the jeans and soda programs, Delta Energy raised more than $39,000.
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GBQ Partners LLC
Darci Congrove, managing director
Since its inception, one of GBQ Partners LLC’s core values has been giving back to the community. Company leaders, such as Managing Director Darci Congrove, strive to provide an environment that encourages cooperation, life balance and giving back.
Many of the nonprofits that GBQ associates volunteer at don’t have the extra funds to hire someone to help with many of the tasks that need to be completed. But instead of management dictating the three to five organizations GBQ will support each year, the company created a sponsorship/contribution request process.
Associates, regardless of level, submit a form requesting support for an organization they are involved with and feel passionate about. Requests vary and are reviewed and accepted accordingly. This approach allows GBQ the opportunity to impact numerous organizations its associates are involved with but wouldn’t necessarily donate to otherwise.
A request isn’t necessarily monetary; they range from the firm sponsoring a table at an event for which an associate volunteers, to an associate feeling the need to encourage co-workers to volunteer for something.
While GBQ volunteer hours and money donated varies from year to year depending on associate requests, the firm also has several programs it has been committed to for years.
In addition, GBQ has a summer volunteer initiative, which is implemented by a committee of 10 people who determine the organizations that associates visit and donate time to. Each Friday, from June through August, 10 to 15 associates leave work at noon to volunteer at these select nonprofits.
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Huntington National Bank
Steve Steinour, chairman, president and CEO
Huntington National Bank has a rich history of philanthropy, engagement and commitment to Columbus. Since hiring Steve Steinour as chairman, president and CEO in 2009, Huntington has elevated its philanthropic efforts, particularly in housing.
The bank understands that safe, affordable housing is critical to strong communities, and that strong communities are critical to regional prosperity. Therefore, investing in effective housing efforts is beneficial to Central Ohio at large.
Huntington also believes in offering a hand to those in need, especially those experiencing homelessness.
Since 2009, Huntington has invested or committed more than $317 million in Ohio nonprofit organizations, including the Community Shelter Board, Homeport, the Columbus Urban League and the Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing. Its goal: to provide safe, affordable housing and end homelessness.
Steinour is chair of the CSB’s current capital campaign, and Huntington executives also are active in the leadership of Goodwill Columbus, Homeless Families Foundation, Lutheran Social Services, National Church Residences, The Salvation Army, Volunteers of America, YMCA of Central Ohio and YWCA Columbus.
Beyond housing, Huntington has other philanthropic passions driven by its foundation, values and culture, such as Pelotonia. Since 2008, Huntington has raised $14 million for cancer research by The Ohio State University’s Comprehensive Cancer Center.
And Huntington’s relationship with OSU doesn’t stop there. It has committed $25 million for academic scholarships and educational programming, and $100 million to community lending and investments to support the economic development of Columbus’ University District and Near East Side.
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Motorists Insurance Group
Dave Kaufman, CEO
Anne King, CHRO
At the Motorists Insurance Group, under the direction of CEO Dave Kaufman and CHRO Anne King, the associates support the community with time and treasure. Approximately 180 associates volunteered for nonprofit work through organized company programs or board service in 2014 — and that number projects to be even higher for 2015.
The company is a leader in United Way of Columbus donations. In 2014, 97 percent of its associates made a personal financial contribution to the fundraising campaign. This dedication is why Motorists is one of only 12 United Way Leading Edge companies.
Motorists also has made the fight against hunger a priority, as the company and its associates are part of Operation Feed — a communitywide effort to provide food to needy Franklin County residents. For example, in its May 2015 campaign the company raised nearly $27,000, and that figure was added to throughout the year with special events and food drives.
The group also supports Future Possibilities, which was founded by Kaufman. The organization delivers life skills coaching programs to empower children.
Other philanthropic initiatives supported the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio, Christo Rey Columbus High School’s Professional Work Study program, The Topiary Garden Park; Columbus Public Library and the Columbus Museum of Art.
Giving back is such a part of the Motorist’s culture that the company is implementing a strategy to formalize all philanthropic activity to effectively integrate corporate support with associate interests and local community needs.
The program is expected to be in place later this year.
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RAMA Consulting Group
Mataryun “Mo” Wright, president and CEO
RAMA Consulting Group, led by President and CEO Mataryun “Mo” Wright, believes that it can “do well, while doing good.”
One of the many ways it helps is through in-kind management services to the Revival Development Corp. This Columbus-based community development corporation provides sustainable economic, educational, health care and housing alternatives for low to moderate citizens through projects, programs and services. RAMA has provided chief executive management, accounting and fiscal management, marketing and website support, and board development services.
The team provides direct services, technical assistance and board and committee memberships to a number of organizations. Additionally, RAMA gives pro bono services in some of its consulting areas, such as meeting facilitation, strategic planning, marketing and communications and grant writing support.
In 2014, Wright established the RAMA Fund at the Columbus Foundation, which allows for employee matching and associates to be engaged in annual decisions about where to allocate resources.
During fiscal year 2014, RAMA contributed more than $25,000 to nonprofits and more than $15,000 of in-kind support. The company expects to exceed that goal this fiscal year.
Organizations RAMA and its employees have helped include: Alpha Rho Lambda Education Foundation, American Red Cross, Central Ohio Diabetes Association, Columbus Metropolitan Club, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Columbus Recreation and Parks Commission, Huckleberry House, Huntington National Bank Business Advisory Committee, Increase CDC, St. Stephens Community House, The Columbus Foundation, The Columbus Urban League, United Way of Central Ohio, Winston Salem State University Foundation, Winston-Salem State University National Alumni Association and United Way of Central Ohio.
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The Scotts Miracle-Gro Co.
James Hagedorn, chairman and CEO
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Co., led by Chairman and CEO James Hagedorn, implemented a philanthropic strategy plan in 2008. Here’s a look at several key initiatives:
- GRO1000 focuses on bringing gardens and green spaces to more cities, schools and communities. It sought to create more than 1,000 community gardens and green spaces across the U.S., Canada and parts of Europe by 2018 — the company’s 150th anniversary. Plans are now underway to also support community projects in Mexico in 2016.Already, Scotts Miracle-Gro has funded 670 green spaces and planted more than 5,500 garden plots, including 33 in Ohio. More than 1.3 million square feet of green space has been restored and revitalized and more than 5,000 youth have been impacted.
- In order to encourage community gardens in Central Ohio, the company established a Community Garden Academy Fund 12 years ago to provide community gardens with financial support and product donations.
- Partnering with Trevitt Elementary and COSI, the Miracle-Gro Capital Scholars Program has supported more than 100 students. Designed to help underserved students make it through college, the company starts working with third graders, mentors them through high school, provides internships and pays for their college educations. So far, 37 students will graduate from college.
- Scotts Miracle-Gro also participates in wellness initiatives and fundraising for the American Heart Association, Central Ohio Heart Walk and Pelotonia.
- And starting in 2013, associates are allowed two paid days out of the office to volunteer with a nonprofit, which has resulted in more than 500 associates donating more than 4,500 hours.
AXA Advisors Nonprofit Board Executive of the Year Award
James V. Maniace
Chairman, Board of Zoning Adjustment, City of Columbus
James V. Maniace has served as chairman of the Board of Zoning Adjustment for the city of Columbus for more than 20 years.
He has been appointed to that post by mayors of different political parties and confirmed for three-year terms by Columbus City Council on six occasions.
Among the most difficult of all city boards, the BZA is a five-member decision-making body granting or denying variances of legal development standards and special use permits in real estate development. It regularly hears matters of controversy, as land use decisions may be hotly contested.
It meets at least once per month and it’s not unusual that a meeting may last until midnight because of heavy public interest.
“A chairman has to keep the passions in check and make sure everyone gets a fair hearing,” says former Mayor Michael B. Coleman. “He has done a wonderful job at this. Beyond running a fair and efficient meeting, the chairman’s role can involve the application of some complex legal rules in certain cases.”
The courts have been very supportive of BZA’s approach to controversial cases when parties do appeal, which is a testament to Maniace’s legal skills, Coleman says. He is a partner at Taft, Stettinius & Hollister LLP.
BZA service can be thankless, as it doesn’t receive the same recognition as those who work to feed the hungry or clothe the poor. Yet, it is extremely important to the strength of the city, as it makes decisions that affect literally every neighborhood in Columbus.
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Sally Bloomfield
Board chair, Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority
Created by the Franklin County Commissioners in 1988, the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority’s original mission was to finance the construction and operation of a new Columbus convention center. Over the years, however, it has grown to become much more than that.
At every step of the way, FCCFA Board Chair Sally Bloomfield has provided a guiding light.
She is the only board member who has served continually since the FCCFA was formed.
Fiercely passionate about the city of Columbus and its ability to attract both visitors and new residents, Bloomfield has made the FCCFA her primary volunteer focus. She believes that travel and tourism is one of Columbus’ most important economic drivers and quality-of-life determinants.
The FCCFA today owns and operates the Greater Columbus Convention Center, the Hilton Columbus Downtown Hotel and Nationwide Arena, as well as four parking facilities. The FCCFA also owns land used to develop the Hyatt Regency, the Drury Inn and Suites and various parking facilities.
The FCCFA is empowered to issue tax and lease revenue bonds backed by the hotel tax receipts. A great source of pride for Bloomfield is the fact that those tax rates have remained unchanged since being instituted in 1988, while the FCCFA has remained self-sustaining and deficit-free.
This is somewhat of an anomaly among its industry counterparts. It speaks both to Bloomfield’s leadership and the board and staff’s devotion to the community, as they run a multimillion-dollar enterprise with only a few staff positions.
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Nonprofit Executive Director of the Year Award
Mary Lynn Foster
President and CEO, Children’s Hunger Alliance
Mary Lynn Foster has been the president and CEO of the Children’s Hunger Alliance since September 2013, but she’s already had an impact on the organization that works to ensure children are fed regular and nutritious meals and develop lifelong healthy eating habits in all of Ohio’s 88 counties.
After getting to know the organization and its stakeholders, one of her first acts was to start on a strategic plan to help the 40-plus year old CHA prepare for the future.
Foster learned that the 60 statewide team members often felt disconnected, so she instituted regular team huddles not only for staff in the Columbus office but also a “virtual” huddle by conference call for team members in other parts of the state. She’s held leadership retreats, summer cookouts and instituted a new office floor plan.
Additionally, the nonprofit’s five regions focused on board development in fiscal year 2014, in order to expand the regional boards and establish full board participation.
A few of the many programming highlights include an average of more than 416,000 children participating in school breakfast programs in 2014, an increase of over 4,000; and publishing the first Ohio Summer Nutrition and Ohio School Breakfast scoreboards, which highlighted top-scoring school districts and counties and increases in participation.
CHA also recently launched Hunger Hub, a virtual resource that serves a source for data and news for all things hunger-related in Columbus and throughout Franklin County. It creates a collective voice around hunger relief as area nonprofits align their resources.
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Alex R. Fischer
President and CEO, Columbus Partnership
The Columbus Partnership was founded in 2002, and what began as eight CEOs in the early years has evolved into a current membership base of 52 that includes 15 Fortune 1000 CEOs, as well as the leaders of the nation’s largest university and world’s largest research and development organization.
As the president and CEO, Alex R. Fischer helps guide the civic organization as it strategically considers how to position the Central Ohio community for the future.
In order to accomplish this, the Partnership convenes leaders from its member organizations, and other community sectors, to thoughtfully discuss the economic issues facing Columbus and the needs that will positively impact the entire region.
It seeks to be a thought leader, catalyst for civic improvement, help develop future leadership for the community, champion regional solutions to regional problems, partner with the public sector, support collaboration in the nonprofit sector and focus on economic development.
The organization also helps lead the Columbus 2020 economic development effort, a collaboration of regional economic development organizations.
The Partnership is actively engaged in civic projects related to downtown development, education, leadership development, philanthropy and arts and culture.
Fischer is on numerous for-profit boards and community organizations such as the Nationwide Children’s Hospital, The Ohio State University and Advanced Drainage Systems.
He previously worked for Battelle and UT-Battelle at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and also served as the deputy governor and chief of staff to Tennessee Gov. Don Sundquist.
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Michelle Heritage
Executive director, Community Shelter Board
Michelle Heritage has dedicated her career to human services and improving the lives of others, spending more than 20 years in leadership roles in the homeless system, mental health, child welfare and the alcohol and drug system.
In her role as executive director at the Community Shelter Board, Heritage facilitates and leads the community plan to end homelessness in Central Ohio. She collaborates to bring together diverse organizations to work together as an efficient system, rather than as a fragmented set of resources. She uses an outcome-based funding model that measures performance, monitors providers’ success and assures the system’s effectiveness.
Heritage also combines innovative solutions and best practices with time-tested strategies to implement programs that quickly and stably house people in crisis.
But not only is Heritage a national and regional leader within the homeless service industry, she also serves the United Way of Central Ohio as the chair of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee; as an active member of the Women’s Leadership Council and on the board of trustees; as well as co-chairing the creation of the PRIDE Council, the first United Way LGBT giving group in the country.
Heritage leads her staff at CSB to give back to the community through various service and philanthropy activities. CSB has hosted an employee giving campaign for United Way for the past 17 years. Heritage and her colleagues also participate in communitywide service activities organized by United Way.
And under her leadership, CSB staff contributed nearly 5,000 meals through Operation Feed for the Mid-Ohio FoodBank.
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Doug Ulman
President and CEO, Pelotonia
In his first year as president and CEO of Pelotonia, Doug Ulman has already made a meaningful impact.
In addition to almost doubling the size of the Pelotonia team to increase efficiency and capacity, he has led significant strategic planning to chart the future course of the organization. Plans are under development that will likely increase fundraising dollars through an enhanced virtual participant program, new stewardship strategies and a greater focus on the impact of Pelotonia-raised funds.
Ulman maintains an intense focus on the mission of the organization and ties all strategies and initiatives directly to the vision and mission of Pelotonia.
Under Ulman’s leadership, the organization enjoyed its most successful event yet, breaking both participation and fundraising records. Through unwavering optimism, a culture of collaboration, empowerment and a fierce work ethic, he inspires his team to achieve excellence.
And at the same time, Ulman has already established himself as an active member of the Columbus community, all while demonstrating a commitment to collaboration and inclusion.
He previously led the internationally known Livestrong Foundation. Ulman is a three-time cancer survivor and global advocate, ambassador and well-respected voice in the cancer community.
Ulman has been named twice to The NonProfit Times’ Power & Influence Top 50 and has more than 1 million followers on Twitter.
In addition to his role at Pelotonia, Ulman works on behalf of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute to build awareness and support nationally for its work in research, education and prevention.
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Medical Mutual SHARE Award
Cindy Monroe
Founder, president and CEO, Thirty-One Gifts
In order to manage its charitable giving, Thirty-One Gifts and Cindy Monroe, founder, president and CEO, established Thirty-One Gives in 2012. Since then, more than $80 million in products and cash has been donated to nonprofit organizations committed to girls, women and families.
With more than 100,000 sales consultants, Thirty-One provides national volunteer and support opportunities, including helping at Ronald McDonald houses nationwide. Locally, Thirty-One Gives funded, designed and installed a full-service spa for families.
Thirty-One Gifts also created space through Junior Achievement of Central Ohio’s BizTown that mimics an independent sales consultant’s home and the corporate headquarters, while donating cash and products. The company may potentially roll out the program nationwide.
Thirty-One Gifts has a partnership with Girl Talk, an international peer-to-peer mentoring program, where it provides investment, in-kind support and encourages involvement. In just two years, its sales consultants and employees have added 137 chapters across the U.S.
In addition, donations are raised at Thirty-One parties, and the company has about 400 active employee volunteers.
Thirty-One’s round-up program allows customers to designate a portion of their bill to nonprofits, and several products designate 31 cents from each sale to charitable giving.
At the 2014 and 2015 national sales conferences in Columbus and Denver, the company encouraged attendees to perform and share random acts of kindness on social media using #Share31. For every post, 31 cents was donated to the area’s Ronald McDonald House and food bank for a total of $10,000 in each city.
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Pillar Award Alumni
Class of 2015 Accel Inc. | American Electric Power (AEP) | Champion Real Estate Services | Columbus Crew/Crew Soccer Foundation | Delta Energy Services LLC | Diamond Hill Capital Management Inc. | Fifth Third Bank (Central Ohio affiliate) | Ice Miller LLP | Worthington Industries 2015 Rea & Associates Nonprofit Executive Directors of the Year: Linda S. Danter, New Directions Career Center | Michelle Heritage, Community Shelter Board | Ellen Moss Williams, Godman Guild Association 2015 Nonprofit Board Executives of the Year: Jeffrey E. Hastings, Children’s Hunger Alliance | Drew McCartt, American Heart Association | Carole Watkins, Flying Horse Farms 2015 Medical Mutual SHARE Award: Ice Miller LLP 2015 Kent Clapp CEO Leadership Award: John P. McConnell, Worthington Industries Class of 2014 Crane Group | Diamond Hill Investments | Fifth Third Bank, Central Ohio | Franklin International | Molina Healthcare of Ohio Inc. | OhioHealth | Sequent | White Castle 2014 Rea & Associates Nonprofit Executive Directors of the Year: Elfi Di Bella, YWCA Columbus | Mimi Dane, Flying Horse Farms | D. Nicholas Rees, The Buckeye Ranch 2014 Nonprofit Board Executives of the Year Award: Laura Yaroma, YWCA Columbus | Mark A. Pizzi, The Buckeye Ranch | Thomas H. Welch, LifeCare Alliance 2014 Medical Mutual SHARE Award: Sheri Tackett, Delta Energy Services LLC 2014 Kent Clapp CEO Leadership Award: Tom Feeney, Safelite AutoGlass Class of 2013 Cardinal Health | Columbus Crew | Donatos Pizza | Fifth Third Bank | Mettler Toledo | RockBridge Capital LLC | Safex 2013 Nonprofit Board Executives of the Year: Brooke Billmaier, St. Stephen’s Community House | Michael J. Fiorile, Columbus College of Art and Design | Laura Warren, Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland Council 2013 Rea & Associates Nonprofit Executive Directors of the Year: Jay Jordan, OCLC | Tammy H. Wharton, Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland Council 2013 Medical Mutual SHARE Award: Safelite AutoGlass 2013 Kent Clapp CEO Leadership Award: Jane Grote Abell, Donatos Pizza | Mark Swepston, Atlas Butler Heating & Cooling Class of 2012 Battelle | Blytheco, LLC | Delta Energy | Elford, Inc. | Mettler Toledo | Ohio Christian University | Roush Honda | Safelite AutoGlass | ViaQuest, Inc. 2012 Charles Penzone Salons Nonprofit Board Executives of the Year: R. Gabe Reitter II, Columbus Big Brothers Big Sisters Foundation, Inc. | Colleen Buzza, Community Shelter Board 2012 Rea & Associates Nonprofit Executive Directors of the Year: Denise M. Robinson, Alvis, Inc., d.b.a. Alvis House | Virginia (Ginny) O’Keeffe, Amethyst, Inc. | Edward N. Cohn, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio, Inc. | Jane Scott, Columbus Metropolitan Club 2012 Medical Mutual SHARE Award: Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co., L.P.A. 2012 CVG Samaritan Award: Columbus Crew 2012 Kent Clapp CEO Leadership Award: Stephen P. Blythe, Blytheco LLC Class of 2011 Battelle | Capitol Square Review & Advisory Board | GREENCREST | Halcyon Solutions, Inc. | The Longaberger Company | Safelite AutoGlass® | Thomas-Fenner-Woods Agency, Inc. 2011 Charles Penzone Nonprofit Board Executives of the Year: J. Richard Emens, Conway Center for Family Business | Maryann Ingram Kelley, LifeCare Alliance | Bradley Smith, Kids ‘n Kamp 2011 Rea & Associates Nonprofit Executive Directors of the Year: Gerald Borin, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium | Dr. David Chesebrough, COSI | Beverly Circone, Kids ‘n Kamp | Marjory Pizzuti, Goodwill Columbus 2011 Medical Mutual SHARE Award: Safelite AutoGlass® 2011 CVS Samaritan Award: Battelle 2011 Kent Clapp CEO Leadership Award: Kelly Borth, president, GREENCREST Class of 2010 Berger Health System | Charles Penzone Family of Salons | Circone & Associates | Commercial Vehicle Group Inc. | Delta Energy | Expesite | E-Wynn Inc. dba Columbus Window Cleaning Co. 2010 Nonprofit Board Executives of the Year: Hon. John A. Connor, Alvis Inc. | DeeDee Glimcher, Greater Columbus Arts Council | N. Suzanne Swanson, Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland Inc. 2010 Rea & Associates Nonprofit Executive Directors of the Year: John C. “Jack” Fisher, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation Inc. | Michelle Mills, St. Stephen’s Community House | Charles Gehring, LifeCare Alliance | John Hrusovsky, GroundWork Group 2010 Medical Mutual SHARE Award: Continental Office Environments 2010 CVS Samaritan Award: Michelle Abreu, Oxford Consulting Group Inc. 2010 Kent Clapp CEO Leadership Award: Debra Penzone, Charles Penzone Family of Salons
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From the hearts of our sponsors
The sponsors of the 2016 Medical Mutual Pillar Award for Community Service support
the program because they believe in its mission — to recognize the critical tie between the for-profit and nonprofit communities. Here is a little bit about each of this year’s sponsors.
AXA Advisors
AXA Advisors strives to play a positive role in society by building a culture that promotes employee volunteering to support the communities in which we operate. As a company whose business is to protect people over the long term, AXA has the responsibility to leverage its skills, resources and risk expertise to help build a stronger and safer society.
At AXA, our company philosophy is to consider the impact of today’s actions on tomorrow’s results. Taking small steps today in our local community leads to improved lives tomorrow. We offer many opportunities for our employees throughout the year to participate in the service of their choice. They can choose to participate in the events that touch their hearts and are personally meaningful to them.
On a global and local level, we evaluate organizations that we can have the greatest impact on. We believe AXA can have a greater social impact if our community activities are connected to our skills and expertise.
Giving back to the community ensures that we can move forward with confidence in this changing world by thinking long term to improve the local communities and increasing opportunity, safety and strength.
Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board
At the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board, philanthropy is part of our DNA. Philanthropy and giving back to the community is part of what CSRAB does day-in and day-out.
The employees of CSRAB support a number of organizations through the State of Ohio Combined Charitable Campaign, Operation Feed and Toys for Tots. CSRAB also ensures the Ohio Statehouse is a place where all Ohioans feel welcome to come and participate in the governance of our republic.
As a state agency, CSRAB’s philanthropic philosophy is different than a privately held corporation’s giving priorities. As an agency, our philosophy is aligned with the historical tradition of philanthropic institutions of higher learning.
CSRAB houses state government and facilitates the function of the legislative branch of state government. At the same time, we strive to educate citizens on the workings of state government and hope to inspire future leaders of Ohio. We inspire civic and student leaders through participation at the Ohio Statehouse.
At CSRAB, employees are encouraged through the actions of Executive Director William E. Carleton. There is no better way to lead and inspire an organization than through active leadership from the top down. Carleton’s leadership and passion for giving is why CSRAB’s 2015 Ohio Combined Charitable Campaign had a participation rate of 90 percent and set an agency record for funds raised.
CSRAB takes the long view as we look to engage and give back to the community. The agency feels that the best way to give back to all citizens of Ohio is to educate and inspire the future leaders of Ohio about state government and the important role the Ohio Statehouse has played in the history of this great state for more than 158 years.
CSRAB will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the competition of the Ohio Statehouse restoration this year with special events and exhibits. This celebration is a thank you to the citizens of Ohio who have supported the Ohio Statehouse the past two decades — so come celebrate “20 Years of Preservation” at the Ohio Statehouse in 2016.
GREENCREST
GREENCREST exists to make a difference in the businesses we serve, the people we touch along the way and the communities in which we live and work. At our core, we are here to make a positive impact with all we do.
We have a strong culture and history of giving our time, our talent and our treasure. GREENCREST is a past Pillar Award recipient and its founder and CEO, Kelly Borth is a Kent Clapp Award honoree. As an organization we are committed to supporting the community that has so richly supported us.
In 2007, GREENCREST established the GREENCREST Living Hope Foundation administered by the Columbus Foundation. As a group, we defined that our foundation would support women and children and any individuals who may not be able to live to their fullest potential without some level of support. This has been a strong focus for us. As a small company, it is also important for our team to know what impact it has made, so we seek out opportunities that provide us with the ability to get close to the cause.
We all benefit from a thriving, healthy community and we all need to do our part to leave the world a better place — whatever that looks like to each of us.
GREENCREST has always worked with wonderful Central Ohio businesses with leaders who have been great role models and passionate ambassadors for community causes. We all have the opportunity to be great role models for our employees and other business leaders.
Digizoom Media
We are visual storytellers who believe that creativity should arise and flourish without boundaries. Whether it’s bringing your brand, your value proposition or your organization’s culture to life, we accompany our award-winning visuals with carefully crafted scripts that support your messaging objectives, engage your audiences and inspire action. Telling your story, engaging your audience and driving results is what we do best. Your vision is our passion.
We amplify your presence by providing high quality, cutting-edge video content. We are dedicated to warm, professional standards of service, and guarantee satisfaction with our products and your experience. Our primary focus is to serve the business community through producing content engineered to expand your reach.
Hughie’s Event Production Services
Hughie’s Event Production Services has been the choice for live-event design and production resource since 1953. Hughie’s is a full-service event production company specializing in audio, video, lighting, décor, staging and rigging. We are a worldwide supplier of high-definition video projection equipment, concert quality audio systems, intelligent moving lights, staging systems, decor and more to satisfy all your presentation and special event needs.
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