Leadership's Annual Awards 2007

Each year, Leadership Howard County (LHC) recognizes the hard work and dedication of our graduates in making Howard County an even better place to live and work. The annual awards for 2007 were:



The Distinguished Alumni Awar:Dick Story (LHC 1995)

The Distinguished Alumni Award, sponsored by the Community Leadership Association (CLA), provides an opportunity each year to recognize and reward one graduate who has made a significant and notable contribution for the betterment of our community. Graduates who exemplify the spirit and goals for civic involvement and trusteeship that Leadership Howard County seeks to encourage are eligible for nomination. In addition to local recognition at LHC's Annual Dinner and Commencement, the Distinguished Alumnus or Alumna attends Community Leadership Association's Annual Leadership Conference, where s/he takes part in a national awards ceremony.

Dick Story came to Howard County to be the "voice" of Howard County business. His original mission was to help local businesses stay here and grow and to spread the Howard County message to businesses looking to relocate. But Story has gone above and beyond this charge.

For 14 years, he has served as the CEO of the Howard County Economic Development Authority. During his tenure, he has actively worked to improve residents' quality of life, brought many new businesses to the area and received numerous honors for his service, including the 2006 Corridor Inc. Magazine Person of the Year.

One of the boards Story currently sits on is the board of directors for the Baltimore Area Council of Boy Scouts of America. In 2000, the local council honored him as the Good Scout of the Year, the highest recognition an adult leader can receive from Boy Scouts.

Story is a past chair of Leadership Howard County and has been its true champion. Nearly single-handedly, he raised the Leadership U Endowment of $300,000. Most recently, he and Ed Ely visited numerous business leaders to raise more than $200,000 in startup funds for the soon-to-be-launched Leadership Essentials program.

According to Mary Ann Scully, president of Howard Bank, "Dick has made indelible marks on our county and its businesses."



The Child Advocate Award: Carole R. MacPhee (LHC 1998)

The Child Advocate Award goes annually to a graduate who has worked tirelessly to improve the lives and well being of Howard County's young people. LHC understands the importance of protecting and fostering the growth of children in our community and recognizes the special challenges that face those who serve as leaders in this area. This award honors the commitment and hard work of a true child advocate.

Carole MacPhee has been involved in the subsidized housing industry for 35 years. Her career is built on the recognition that professionally run affordable housing involves understanding that low-income people are entitled to a high level of services. Connected to this belief is her conviction that the residents of these communities will grow and prosper beyond all expectations if they are given the resources and opportunities to do so.

In 1988, MacPhee joined Columbia Housing Corporation (CHC). In 1996 she was named CHC executive director, a position she currently holds.

For more than 10 years, CHC has partnered with the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) to create an award-winning After School Enrichment Program. From its original two sites, the Learning Center program has expanded and additional enrichment services are now being provided to students from a number of locations.

MacPhee's awards include a Distinguished Service Award from the Howard County School System's Black Student Achievement Program, Maryland Youth Partners in Change, the IOTA Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the Columbia Chapter of Continental Societies Inc.



The Unsung Hero Award: Judy Pittman (LHC 1990)

The Unsung Hero Award recognizes a graduate whose efforts have not made headlines but have made a difference. The Unsung Hero works behind the scenes to serve the community, recognizing that service is its own reward. This award provides him or her with some well-deserved appreciation.

Judy Pittman is one of our community's "quiet leaders." Andrea Ingram, executive director at Grassroots, remarked that, "Judy is a capable and formidable presence in Howard County. She took on the huge job of leading URTA through challenging times and has been a champion for transportation solutions for many, many years. She was the 'driver' behind the launching of Neighbor Ride. When Judy sets her mind to something, you'd better not be standing in her way."

Pittman started her career as a pre-school and elementary school teacher. And after 35 years, she's still a teacher today. According to Jean Moon, "Judy is always thinking. She is the person you want to have around the table when you are trying to solve a problem. Her clarity and her humor make a great combination."

Over the years, Pittman has been active in numerous community activities. Professionally, she is the education and training coordinator at the Association of Community Services. That's just her job. Her current volunteer activities include president of the board at Neighbor Ride, member of the Grants Committee of the Women's Giving Circle, member of the Revitalization Committee in Oakland Mills and member of the board of the Owen Brown Interfaith Center.

Judy Pittman seeks a better community, not recognition.



The Leadership Legacy Award: Vic Broccolino

The Leadership Legacy Award exists to celebrate a Leadership Howard County graduate/friend whose sustained service to Howard County has added enduring value to our community. Individuals honored with this award have a long-standing commitment to civic involvement and have proven instrumental in creating real and continuing positive change for our citizens. Because this award reßects lifelong achievements, LHC does not confer it annually, but only from time to time when our Awards Selection Committee identiÞes an appropriate recipient.

Over the years, Vic Broccolino has contributed countless gifts to our community - his spirit, his charisma, his efforts, his leadership, but most of all his style. Among his most extraordinary accomplishments is the county's expanded, recognized hospital that is more than a vital member of our community. Our hospital is the heart and Broccolino is its soul.

During his years in Howard County, Broccolino engineered the merger with Johns Hopkins Medicine and spearheaded the hospital's phenomenal growth and expansion while turning a profit every year. He expects all managers at Howard County General Hospital to participate in community activities. For him, it's a performance requirement. He believes that by serving the community, you get to know your patients better.

Broccolino's beginnings in Baltimore were humble. His parents, Italian immigrants, spoke their native language and, until grade school, so did he, the oldest of their three boys. Broccolino attended St. Elizabeth's School in Highlandtown and then went to Calvert Hall College as part of the last class to graduate from its downtown Baltimore location. He graduated from the University of Baltimore and received an MBA from Loyola College.

Senator Jim Robey remarked, "I don't believe I have ever met anyone in my life who was more giving and caring."

Vic Broccolino's legacy will be felt in our community for many years to come.