Leesburg Partnership 2021-2022 Board of Directors

The Leesburg Partnership recently hosted its 2020-2021 27^th Annual Awards and Installation Dinner at the beautiful Venetian Gardens, where Leesburg citizens, organizations and businesses were recognized for all they’ve done for the community.

“Thank you all for being here tonight to support and celebrate some wonderful and well deserving people,” says Outgoing President Lena Williams before further explaining that the night was intended to celebrate people in the community doing a great job at giving back.

The Sept. 29 event was kicked off with an invocation by Tim Sullivan, who also led the Pledge of Allegiance. Guests then enjoyed cocktails, dinner by Gourmet Today, dessert by Mystic Ice Cream and music by Steel Away.

During the night, the Partnership announced the evening’s award recipients, introduced its incoming Board of Directors, and honored outgoing board members Rick Hankey, Jeannie Rutledge, and Sandy Stokes.

Guests also had the opportunity to bid on various items local businesses donated for a silent and live auction to raise money for the partnership’s future programs and events.

The awards and recipients are as follows:

• Merchant of the Year – Prominent Fox
• Outstanding Volunteer of the Year – Kim Higgins
• Outstanding Government Employee of the Year – Mike Thornton
• Outstanding Community Partner – Lake Front TV
• Outstanding Team Player – Tyler Brandeburg
• Outstanding Business of the Year – LassiterWare Insurance
• Outstanding Community Service – John Christian, Christian Worship Center
• Outstanding Community Spirit – Mystic Ice Cream
• Outstanding Organization – Lake 100
• Outstanding Revitalization Project – Beacon College

The night’s two most prestigious awards and honorees, saved for last during the presentation, are as follows:

• President’s Award – Maria Stefanovic
• Greg Padgett Citizen of the Year – Church of the Lakes Pastor and Leesburg PD Chaplain Mike Matheny

The 2021-2022 Board of Directors are:

Executive Committee:

• Bert Boliek, President
• Mandy Wettstein-Talmadge, Vice President
• Lynn Winker, Treasurer
• Cindi Falanga, Secretary
• Lena Williams, Past President

Board of Directors:

• Rosanne Brandeburg, Fundraising Chair
• Cindi Falanga, Membership Chair
• Jeanne Thorpe, Promotions Chair
• Lyndsi Johnson, Volunteer Chair
• Vicki Murphy, Volunteer Chair
• Tim Sullivan, Public Relations
• Maria Stefanovic, Economic Restructuring

Advisory Board:

• Wylie Hamilton
• Phil Braun
• Chris Wood