Latest news with #DistinguishedCitizenAward
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
NAMI MN Sue Abderholden to retire as executive director after 24 years
After 24 years in her role, National Alliance on Mental Illness Minnesota's executive director Sue Abderholden is retiring. Abderholden will remain in her role until Oct. 15, according to a release from the organization. The NAMI Minnesota of Directors will begin a leadership transition process in the next several months. It has formed a succession committee and retained the executive search firm Ballinger Leafblad, Inc. When Abderholden began with the organization in 2001, it had two and half staff members and a $160,000 budget. Since that time, it has grown to 37 staffers and is a $3 million organization. 'Sue Abderholden's leadership has been nothing short of transformational,' said Jessica Gourneau, president of the NAMI Minnesota Board of Directors, in a statement. 'She has led NAMI Minnesota with vision, heart, and an unwavering commitment to those living with mental illnesses and their families. Because of Sue, our organization has grown in reach, reputation, and impact. Her fierce advocacy at the legislature, her strategic partnerships across sectors, and her tireless work to create culturally responsive, person-centered care have set the gold standard for mental health advocacy.' Abderholden's advocacy has helped pass more than two dozen laws affecting education, healthcare, housing and criminal justice for people with mental illnesses, according to the organization. This has included advocating for laws requiring mental health training for teachers, getting mental health screenings for those entering jails, reforming the state's commitment laws to promote voluntary engagement in treatment, expanding crisis and early interventions services, the diversity of the workforce and strengthening mental health parity protections. She also worked to restrict the use of solitary confinement in prisons for people with mental illness. Abderholden's work has been recognized with multiple awards, including the Minneapolis Health Department's Health Equity Award, Macalester College's Distinguished Citizen Award, the National NAMI Rona and Ken Purdy Award to End Discrimination, and multiple recognitions as one of Minnesota Physicians' '100 Most Influential Health Care Leaders.' In addition to her work with NAMI Minnesota, Abderholden also has taught about health and mental health policy at the University of Minnesota's School of Social Work and served on several state advisory committees and task forces, according to the University. 'It has been the honor of a lifetime to be part of this movement,' Abderholden said in a statement. 'The people who courageously shared their stories, the families who organized for change, and the advocates who never gave up — they are the reason for our success. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside so many incredible individuals to help build a better, more compassionate mental health system for Minnesota.' Wilder East Clinic opens on St. Paul's East Side Woman killed in St. Paul home, her 2-year-old found unharmed State fines Regions Hospital for improper medical waste disposal St. Paul police: 2nd grader said he brought gun to school to show friends Metro State University lockdown prompted by man firing shots at his mother
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Boy Scouts name Ashley Furniture founder their Distinguished Citizen of the Year
TUPELO – A man who took his Minnesota farm boy's work ethic and built it into furniture manufacturing and retail leader was recognized Tuesday night as the local Boy Scouts chapter's Distinguished Citizen of the Year. The Natchez Trace Council of the Boy Scouts of America bestowed its top honor on Ron Wanek, the founder and chairman of Ashley Furniture Industries, the world's largest furniture manufacturer and the largest retail furniture store brand in North America. 'We didn't have a Boy Scout group in the area where I grew up,' Wanek said during the ceremony at the Cadence Bank Conference Center in Tupelo, 'but my son and grandsons were in the Scouts. One grandson made it all the way to Eagle Scout. We have supported it ever since Todd was a little kid.' Besides being involved with Scouting as a parent and grandparent, as he succeeded in business, Wanek also supported the Boys Scouts financially. 'Scouting does do much. It is a great mentoring program,' Wanek said. 'It teaches kids how to be good citizens.' Wanek was instilled with a strong work ethic and ambition to succeed while growing up on a sharecropper's farm in Utica, Minnesota. He entered the furniture business in 1961 working for a newly formed enterprise. Less than a decade later, he took the knowledge he had gained in the furniture industry and formed Arcadia Furniture. He and his 35 employees began making occasional tables in 1970 in Arcadia, Wisconsin. To ensure he could get his product to the retailers and get raw materials delivered to factories, Wanek started his own transportation division in 1974. That has since grown into the largest private freight carrier of all manufacturing companies and the largest importer of furniture in North America. As part of a restructuring, Arcadia merged with Ashley Furniture in 1982. He and his wife started the Ronald & Joyce Wanek Foundation in 1998, donating more than $10 million over the years to a multitude of their favorite causes, including the furniture industry, helping children in need, medical research, education and the arts, and honoring the armed forces. The foundation has developed a number of partnerships with K-12 schools, as well as post-secondary schools over the past five years, investing in STEM-based learning opportunities and scholarships, to provide students with exposure to technical trades and career opportunities, instructor training, and robotics programs. Wanek has also taken a hands-on approach with the Soldiers Walk at Memorial Park in Arcadia, Wisconsin. Not only did he establish the half-kilometer walk saluting veterans from all U.S. wars in 1990, Wanek personally designed and sculpted more than 20 monuments that stand along the way. Since 2000, the Natchez Trace Council of the Boy Scouts of America has given the Distinguished Citizen Award to Mississippians from various walks of life for their contributions to the communities in which they live. Award recipients are selected annually by past recipients and board members of the Natchez Trace Council. Past awards have recognized past governors and U.S. Senators, entertainers like Marty Stuart, Mac McAnally and Morgan Freeman. The dinner and awards program is the culmination of the council's largest fundraiser, the Friends of Scouting campaign, which provides more than 44% of its funding for the year. More than 80% of the council's income goes toward program activities. Natchez Trace Council was formed in the spring of 2023l when the Pushmataha Area Council 691 and Yocona Area Council 748 merged. The council serves about 1,500 scouts in 22 counties.
Globe and Mail
04-03-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
O'Connor Company Honors Former CEO Chris Jordan as Recipient of the Distinguished Citizen Award
Celebrating Chris Jordan's Lasting Impact on O'Connor Company and the Community Pinehurst, NC - O'Connor Company, a leading name in commercial construction specializing in delivering high-quality projects across diverse sectors, proudly recognizes former CEO Chris Jordan for receiving the Distinguished Citizen Award, honoring his lifelong commitment to leadership, business excellence, and community service. Chris Jordan's leadership played a pivotal role in shaping O'Connor Company's success. His commitment to building a strong workplace culture and fostering long-term client relationships continues to define the company today. Under his leadership, O'Connor maintained and grew a 40+ year partnership with Estes Express Lines, expanded its market presence, and strengthened its reputation for integrity and excellence in commercial construction. "Chris's leadership has left an undeniable mark on O'Connor Company," said Clark Lowe, President and CEO. "His ability to lead with compassion, courage, and confidence has set a standard we strive to uphold every day. He built this company with a deep sense of responsibility to both our employees and the communities we serve, and that impact continues to guide us forward." Beyond his contributions to O'Connor, Chris has been a dedicated force in the Pinehurst, Aberdeen, and Southern Pines communities. His work with organizations such as Vision 4 Moore, the Boy Scouts of America, and his local church exemplifies his commitment to service. Recently, Chris used his skills as a pilot to fly humanitarian aid missions to hurricane-impacted regions in Western North Carolina, further demonstrating his dedication to helping others in times of need. "Chris's leadership laid the foundation for O'Connor Company's long-term success. His ability to cultivate lasting client relationships and uphold the highest standards of quality continues to influence how we do business today. His impact is evident in the way we approach projects, build partnerships, and uphold the company's reputation for excellence," said Zach Froio, Vice President of Preconstruction Chris's legacy at O'Connor Company lives on through the relationships he built, the values he instilled, and the unwavering standard of leadership he demonstrated. His philosophy of leading through service and keeping people at the center of every decision remains a guiding principle for the company today. O'Connor Company congratulates Chris Jordan on this well-earned recognition and extends its deepest gratitude for his years of service, leadership, and dedication to both the business and the community. For more information about O'Connor Company, visit About O'Connor Company O'Connor Company is a leading commercial construction firm specializing in high-quality projects across diverse sectors. With a reputation for excellence, efficiency, and innovation, O'Connor continues to redefine industry standards by delivering impactful projects that align with client needs and market trends. Media Contact Company Name: Otter PR Contact Person: Mark Hashem Email: Send Email Phone: 7274339069 Address: 100 E Pine St Suite 110 City: Orlando State: Florida Country: United States Website:
