About 1,000 business professionals, community and regional leaders, and elected officials gathered at the 2020 Commerce Lexington Inc. Annual Dinner, presented by Fifth Third Bank, in downtown Lexington on Thursday, January 30. The event provides an annual opportunity to look back at the previous year's work, highlight the organization's key goals and recognize the group's most involved members, volunteers, and community leaders.
“This year’s Annual Dinner theme of 'Be Bold' was meant to encourage people to think about how they can make a difference for our community," said Commerce Lexington’s 2020 Board Chair Ray Daniels, president of Equity Solutions Group. "There are so many people throughout Lexington and Central Kentucky, who are being bold each day as they work to solve our most challenging issues, improve our region, mentor young people, champion diversity and inclusion, educate our children, help charitable organizations, start or expand a business, lift up the less fortunate, create jobs, protect our city, and more.”
The following award winners were honored during this year's event:
Gary J. Barragan
Headshots by Gary Barragan Photography / www.garybarragan.com
Volunteer of the Year Award
Abby Vaughn, Unified Trust Co.
The Volunteer of the Year Award is presented annually to the person who best demonstrates the volunteer spirit, in both their participation and the effectiveness and outcome of their effort. Abby Vaughn has been one of Commerce Lexington’s most accomplished membership and fundraising campaign volunteers and the top individual producer in each of the past five campaigns.
Amy Wallot LFUCG/Amy Wallot
Councilmember James Brown Jan. 15, 2019. Photo by Amy Wallot
Public Policy Advocate of the Year Award
Lexington’s Task Force on Neighborhoods-in-Transition, represented by Councilmember James Brown, Task Force Chair
The Public Policy Advocate of the Year Award honors individuals and organizations that have made a lasting impact on public policy in a priority area for the business community. Lexington’s Task Force on Neighborhoods-in-Transition is working to address some of the serious issues affecting our city’s most vulnerable residents from neighborhood redevelopment and transformation. Councilmember James Brown is chairing this task force.
Leadership Lexington Distinguished Leader Award
Miranda Scully, Fayette County Public Schools
Miranda Scully used her experience as the Fayette County Public Schools’ District Coordinator for Family & Community Engagement to develop and lead a Leadership Lexington class project focused on the need for mentors in our community. The Say Yes Lex Summit was created to help connect potential mentors with organizations in need of positive role models for children.
Leadership Lexington Youth Program Distinguished Leader Award
Drew Rodriguez, Frederick Douglass High School
The Leadership Lexington Youth Distinguished Leader Award recognizes the class member who demonstrates strong principles and dedication to the concept of community service. Now a senior at Frederick Douglass High School, Drew Rodriguez is already making a difference for our community. He recently organized the Markey DineAround, during which several local restaurants donated a portion of their sales to benefit the UK Markey Cancer Foundation.
W.T. Young Lifetime Achievement Award
Doug Dean, Dean Dorton Allen Ford
In 1979, Doug Dean founded the accounting firm now known as Dean Dorton Allen Ford. What started with just Dean and an assistant has become one of the largest CPA firms based in Kentucky, with more than 250 employees and locations in Lexington, Louisville and Raleigh, North Carolina. His servant leadership extends both here locally and around the world through Worldwide Hearts & Hands, which provides education, medical and food support to children in Kenya.
Ambassador of the Year Award
Crystal Newton, Bates Security
Commerce Lexington’s Ambassador Committee is a key connection between the staff and the member businesses, ensuring that they are getting the most out their membership. The Ambassador of the Year is selected based on their effectiveness and contributions to the committee.