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Leaders in Action
The Parke Wright, III Award
The prestigious Parke Wright, III Award is presented annually to a member of Leadership Tampa Alumni who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and made a significant difference in the Tampa Bay community. The person awarded must have demonstrated leadership in any form of community service that benefited the greater Tampa community as well as demonstrate the following attributes:
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Vision
Courage
Example |
Initiative
Motivation
Selflessness |
Commitment
Dependability
Accomplishment |
It was these qualities that Park Wright, III himself exemplified when in 1970 he gathered the members of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce’s Executive Committee along the shoreline. As chairman that year, he had tasked the group to help solve a major water problem in the bay. The director of the Environmental Protection Commission was to take them by boat to the source of the problem – The City of Tampa’s sewage discharge point.
This group of Tampa’s elite – a dozen or more – stood in disbelief, as Roger Stuart pulled up in what looked like a 12-foot boat. In order to fit, everyone stood precariously as they motored slowly over to where the sewage was being dumped into the bay. At one point, somebody nervously joked about who would be left to run the city if the boat capsized. Parke Wright III chuckled, until a sinking feeling set in. There was no one under 50 in this elite group. Where was the next generation of civic leaders? Convinced that training tomorrow’s leaders was critical for Tampa’s success, he worked quickly to develop a program. Within a matter of months, Leadership Tampa was up and running.
The 1972 Charter LT Class makes ours the third oldest leadership program in the nation. Atlanta established the first and St. Petersburg’s is only a few months older than LT. Cities from around the country modeled their program after Leadership Tampa. The first years’ programs were a stark contrast to what LT is today. Programs of the early years were weekday evening seminars in the Chamber Briefing Room. Class size ranged from 20-24 people. Programs lasted three to four hours, with few or no field trips. There were no applications either. Major companies were personally solicited to send “up-and-coming executives.”
Despite the privilege of being involved, and the many good friendships forged in those early classes, the program suffered from waning interest. In 1979, Leadership Tampa started touring schools, jails and learning firsthand about other community resources. Word spread quickly, and more than 100 applicants vied for 50 positions in the 1980 class. Applications for subsequent classes have soared over the years.
More than 30 years ago, those senior executives, standing stern-to-stern aboard that little boat crossing the bay, must have looked rather peculiar. Their leadership, however, spurred efforts toward a major cleanup of Tampa Bay. Thanks to Mr. Wright’s vision and determination, we now have one of the most prestigious leadership programs in the country. Each year brings a new wave of talented recruits armed with the camaraderie and mission to meet new community challenges.
2010 Nominations
Each year LTA members nominate and select a leader who goes beyond the duties of their job and has demonstrated the leadership example of Parke Wright, III making a significant difference in our community. Through the generosity of Lykes Brothers, Inc., the award recipient will be given an honorarium to be contributed to the charity of his/her choice. The award presentation will be held at the Leadership Tampa Alumni Annual Meeting in January.
Please find below the nomination form for the 2010 Parke Wright, III Leadership Award. Please take some time to review them and to consider nominating someone whom you feel meets these criteria. Please remember, nominations must be received by Friday, November 19, 2010. Please send nominations via email to: kbokor@tampachamber.com or you may fax them to (813) 228-0368.
Critical Dates:
Application Documents:
The 2008 Recipient of the Parke Wright, III Award Winner
Deanne D. Roberts (LT ‘92)
2008
Deanne Roberts has proven time and time again that she is an exceptional leader. Since graduating from the University of South Florida in 1974, she has risen repeatedly not only into the ranks of leadership positions within organization and the community but has often been the one who initiated the movements that led the way in grooming others to become leaders. Thirty years ago, Deanne founded Roberts Communications, today known as ChappellRoberts, which has grown into one of the market’s top full-service advertising agencies. Deanne’s willingness to serve in key leadership positions to advocate the development of business, the advancement of leadership, the education of future business owners and the promotion of equality and opportunities for women has immeasurably benefited the greater Tampa community.
Deanne’s leadership and accomplishments have previously been recognized by several professional organizations. Her service to LTA and its affiliates, including the Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Florida, is also deserving of recognition. Many will undoubtedly and rightfully attest to Deanne’s distinctive energy and unrelenting enthusiasm for successful project after successful project. The most important achievement that sets Deanne apart from so many others, however, is her long-practiced ability and ongoing willingness to identify and encourage others to take a lead role in making a difference to change their small part of the world for the betterment of all. Deanne serves not only as a courageous role model, but as a motivator, grooming others to take the lead. This is a selfless commitment to the future that few attempt and even fewer achieve.
Previous Parke Wright, III Award Winners
Chase Stockon (LT'99)
2007
Chase founded and operates Panther International, LLC, one of the leading on-line technology and application development companies in the region. Through his focused vision and clear direction, Panther International, LLC has grown to three offices nationally and strongly supports corporate, non-profit and government organizations in and around the Tampa Bay area since 1994.
Chase is an extremely dependable leader and makes a tremendous difference in our community. He has been recognized for his leadership, not only in our community but also in the many other communities he serves. Chase has consistently contributed his time, expertise, leadership, knowledge and wisdom to numerous organizations including The Spring of Tampa Bay, The Florida Aquarium, the Florida Chamber of Commerce and many more. His strong character, forceful will and good natured demeanor have served a variety of boards and committees exceptionally.
Paul Catoe (LT'92)
2006
As president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau, Paul Catoe has been instrumental in everything from hosting a Super Bowl to moving Tampa/Hillsborough County’s position to a top-tier convention and vacation destination. Along with those very worthy accomplishments, in the “early days,” Paul was instrumental in building WFLA/News Channel 8 into a powerhouse station in this 13th largest media market in the United States.
Paul is not shy about contributing his considerable talents to the nonprofit and philanthropic communities either. He actively serves on a broad base of Boards, setting strategy and direction for important organizations, including The Outback Bowl, the Tampa Bay Sports Commission, Lowry Park Zoo, and the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce. Of course, he is an esteemed past chair of Leadership Tampa Alumni. One of Paul’s favorite sayings is “Extraordinary events require extraordinary effort.” He works tirelessly for this community, inviting each staff member, board member, peer and friend to join him along the way. After all, one cannot be a leader if unable to motivate followers.
Dottie Berger-MacKinnon (LT'87)
2005
In 2005, Dottie Berger MacKinnon was recognized as the Parke Wright III Leadership Award Recipient. Retirement has provided a golden opportunity for Dottie to use past experiences and wisdom toward building a stronger future in our community. Her love and dedication to Joshua House as Founder and Director of Development illustrate her efforts to child advocacy. Dottie’s achievements are continuous with her involvement on the Board of Tampa General Hospital Foundation, Florida Health Sciences Center, Environmental Protection Commission and Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners.
Gregory C. Yadley (LT'88)
2004
In 2004, Greg Yadley, a managing partner at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP, was honored with the Parke Wright III Leadership Award. Greg exercises his leadership capabilities to continuously challenge employees of his firm to become more active in their community. Greg has led by example over the past 23 years, working tirelessly in support of the arts in Tampa Bay. He was named to the Board of Directors of the Florida Orchestra and is a founding member of Friends of Tampa Public Art Foundation Inc.
Major Elaine White (LT'00)
2003
In 2003, Major Elaine White, division commander, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, was honored with the Parke Wright III Leadership Award. In addition to her service to the community working in the sheriff’s office, Elaine spearheads two special projects each year to benefit at-risk students. Both of her special projects have helped form stronger partnerships between the sheriff’s office, businesses and children in the community.
 Rhea Law (LT'91)
2002
Rhea Law, President and CEO of Fowler White Boggs Banker PA, won the first inaugural Parke Wright III Leadership award in 2002. In addition to being part of a small group of women leading a law firm, she is an active member of the board of directors of the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center. Rhea is also a member of numerous associations in Tampa, including but not limited to the American Heart Association, Tampa Bay Partnership and the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce.
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”
John Quincy Adams
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