Vistage Announces Winners of 2011 Member Leadership Awards

SAN DIEGO, November 10, 2011 – Vistage International, the world’s leading CEO peer advisory membership organization, announced the winners of its 2011 Member Leadership Awards.  In its second year, the Vistage Member Leadership Awards honor the inspiring business and community achievements of Vistage members who best exemplify the organization’s values and its six cultural imperatives of Collaboration, Courage, Impact, Innovation, Judgment, and Passion.

The following is a list of the winners and finalists by category:

Hannah Kain, award winner for Collaboration, is President & CEO of ALOM Technologies in Fremont, CA.  Ms. Kain has successfully established ALOM, a supply chain management company, as a global shipping company through strategic partnerships. Currently shipping out of 15 locations worldwide and managing 16 new global programs, revenues are predicted to increase by 60% year over year for 2011.  Finalists in the Collaboration category included Kelly Clenet, President of Ergomotion, Inc. in Goleta, CA and Peter Trowbridge, CEO of Stellar US in Irving, TX.

Milton Magnus III, award winner for Courage, is president of M&B Metal Products Company, Inc. in Leeds, AL. Started by his grandfather in 1943, the dry-cleaning hanger manufacturer and distribution organization recently faced major pressure from China where hangers were made at below cost or market value. When the federal government refused to sign a tariff that would make hanger “dumping” illegal, protecting companies like M&B, Mr. Magnus filed his own case to fight unfair pricing competition from abroad.  Finalists in the Courage category included Tom Gildred, CEO of FMT Consultants/Emerald Textiles in Carlsbad, CA and Patrick Muldoon, President & CEO of Forward Foods, LLC in Fremont, CA.

Don Blanchon, award winner for Impact, is Chief Executive Director of Whitman-Walker Health in Washington, D.C.  Mr. Blanchon is responsible for revitalizing the Whitman-Walker Clinic through staff restructuring, financial reform and improved relations with the community and government.  He transformed an organization on the verge of collapse into a thriving HIV/AIDS treatment facility regarded by the community and media.  Finalists in the Impact category included Laura Archuleta, President of Jamboree Housing Corporation in Irvine, CA and Miki Jordan, President & CEO of Junior Blind of America in Los Angeles, CA.  

J. Lyell Clarke III, award winner for Innovation, is President & CEO of Clarke Company in Roselle, IL. Mr. Clarke’s vision propelled the once regional environment products and services company to the premier leader in mosquito control.  The company’s organic larvacide product, Natular, won the U.S. EPA 2010 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award and his innovative products have stemmed outbreaks of devastating diseases both in the U.S. and worldwide. Finalists in the Innovation category included Melanie Dulbecco, CEO of Torani Syrups & Flavors in South San Francisco, CA and Chris Groves, President & CEO of Centric Software in Campbell, CA. 

Dennis Lee, award winner for Judgment, is President & CEO of Methodist Hospital in Southern California, Arcadia, CA. In his 460-bed nonprofit acute care facility, Mr. Lee has established inspiring collaboration among staff, volunteers and community members to achieve operational, financial and strategic goals for the hospital. As a result, the hospital has operated at a profit for the past 12 years and has an excellent reputation in the community.  Finalists in the Judgment category included Clifford Kersker, President of Graphel Corp. in West Chester, OH and Dick Kreidel, VP of Strategic Initiatives of Assa Abloy in Pomona, CA.

Kurt Chilcott, award winner for Passion, is President & CEO of CDC Small Business Finance in San Diego, CA.  To counter-act poor morale from recession-induced downsizing at his large lending institution, Mr. Chilcott spent time learning about corporate culture and meeting with each employee.  From his observations, the company refocused its mission to deliver more product lines with fewer personnel and restored company morale to pre-2008 levels.  Finalists in the Passion category included Ellen Katz, President & CEO of The Children’s Home of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, OH and Gunnar Larson, President & CEO of NetworkGlobal Companies in New York, NY. 

about Vistage International

Founded in 1957, Vistage International, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, California, is the world’s leading chief executive organization, serving nearly 15,000 members in 15 countries.  Vistage member CEOs participate in Chair-led advisory board peer groups, receive executive coaching, learn from expert speakers, and interact among a global network of CEOs from a broad range of industries. 

media contact

Leo Bottary Vistage International, Inc.
858.509.5854  leo.bottary@vistage.com