Meeting

Rotary Wheel

Report

November 9, 1999
By TOM HUNTER
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     On November 9, 1999, Harry Brace, the late and highly respected president of the YMCA of Greater Charlotte was honored with the 1999 Excellence in Management Award in recognition of his 16 year leadership of the local Y system. Under Harry’s leadership, membership grew from 46,000 in 1983 to 106,000 in 1999. The annual budget grew to $40 million up from $5 million and the professional staff increased to 200 from 28. Total system wide employment approximated 2,000.The local YMCA is the tenth largest in North America and consistently recognized as one of the best. During the 1990’s, the local Y raised more than $42 million to support capital and program needs.

     The Rotary Club of Charlotte, Chamber of Commerce, and The Business Journal sponsor the Excellence in Management Award, now in its twelfth year. The award recognizes exceptional skill based on a variety of criteria including fairness in working with employees, visionary leadership, knowledge of company operations and perceptiveness of employee and customer needs. Past recipients include Hugh McColl, Ed Crutchfield, John Belk, Jim Woodward, Leroy Robinson, Bill Lee, Byron Bullard, and Freda Nicholson, among others. Harry won this year’s award based on the strength of over 70 nominations submitted to the selection committee prior to his death. In presenting the award to Graeme Keith on behalf of the YMCA and Harry’s family, Tom Meckley said "Harry would always do things right but not at the expense of doing the right thing. He is not just a great choice but the obvious choice."

     George Shinhoster of the YMCA staff talked about Harry’s vision, wisdom, and integrity. He cited Harry’s "can do" spirit, leadership, humility and concern for others.

     Andy Calhoun, acting president of the YMCA, talked about the great importance of the YMCA in Charlotte now in its 125th year. There have been many leaders over many years but Harry had perfected the development of leaders as one of his true strengths. His ability to raise up leaders resulted in the incredible growth and impact of the local YMCA under Harry’s direction.

     Graeme Keith said Harry Brace was one of a very few people who had made an indelible impression on his life. All who knew Harry were better for having known him. Harry did a great deal of work in furthering the mission of the YMCA but always gave the credit to others. Harry was one who emphasized Christianity from the YMCA name. He was inclusive to all but always remembered that the YMCA is a Christian organization.

     The head table included George Shinhoster, Andy Calhoun, Tom Meckley, Graeme Keith, President Worth, Byron Bullard, Leroy Robinson, and Jeannie Faulkner of The Business Journal. Ric Killian recognized guests and visiting Rotarians and John Rogers delivered the Health and Happiness report.

     President Worth closed the meeting with a final salute to Harry Brace and recognized his wife, Jean and other family members who were in attendance. On a truly beautiful November day, this program was a great tribute to Harry Brace and gave us an opportunity to recognize and thank one of our great leaders who had the love and respect of all.

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1999 Excellence in
Management Award
Winner

HARRY BRACE

HARRY   BRACE

YMCA OF GREATER CHARLOTTE

     The 1999 winner of the Excellence in Management Award was announced at Tuesday's meeting: the late Harry H. Brace, Rotarian and chief executive of the Charlotte-area YMCA, to whom the award was presented posthumously. Harry died September 17.

     Harry Brace became the twelfth winner. The award recognizes extraordinary management achievements and how they reflect on the organization the individual managed. The following qualities are considered:

  • fairness in working with all employees
  • visionary leadership
  • consistency in judgment and decisions
  • flexibility to apply policy in an appropriate manner
  • knowledge of work skills and company operations
  • perceptiveness of employee and customer needs
  • sharing of values and knowledge
  • fostering relationships among employees and departments
  • communicating goals effectively
  • commitment to excellence

     The eleven other notable Charlotteans who have won the award — which is sponsored by the Charlotte Rotary Club, The Business Journal and the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce — include:

  • 1988 Pete Sloan, Lance, Inc.
  • 1989 Leroy Robinson, Belk Stores Services, Inc.
  • 1990 Bill Lee, Duke Power Company
  • 1991 Byron L. Bullard, Presbyterian Hospital
  • 1992 F. Kenneth Iverson, Nucor Corporation
  • 1993 Edward Crutchfield, First Union Corporation
  • 1994 Johnnie Jones, J. A. Jones Construction Company
  • 1995 James Woodward, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
  • 1996 Freda Nicholson, Discovery Place
  • 1997 Hugh McColl, Bank of America
  • 1998 John M. Belk, Belk Stores Services, Inc.

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     Charlotte Rescue Mission, headed by Tony Marciano, has a 43% completion rate for its 90-day Rebound program in comparison to the national average of 18%. The Business Journal reports that in 1998 nearly $1 million was spent on program sessions with fund raising under 20%.

     Rex Welton was a leader in raising $1.4 million for the Buddy Kemp Caring House — a new home in Charlotte for people with cancer. Rex is a cancer survivor.

     Chuck Lineberry is the chief of the Scottish Clan Moffat, an international organization which will celebrate its 1000th anniversary in the year 2000 in Moffat, Scotland.

     Sadler Barnliardt is president-elect of Friendship Trays. Marilyn Bowler is a board member.

     Julian Aldridge received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Davidson College.

     The Williamson Center for Performing Arts at Peace College in Raleigh was established in 1998 with a gift from Worth and Sarah Williamson in memory of his mother Jewel Edgerton Williamson.

     Freda Nicholson needs our help in her quest for an aquarium for uptown Charlotte. The "Observer" in an editorial does not support the project at this time.

     George Robinette, deputy aviation director at the airport, will retire in December 1999. George was the Eastern Airlines man in Charlotte before he took his present position.

     Mary Penson, wife of former Rotarian Bill Penson, died recently.

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POWELL'S
OBSERVATIONS

POWELL MAJORS

POWELL MAJORS
     John Stedman, involved in a "Kids Wish for America," a Rotary event at Elizabeth Elementary School, learned that third graders are both bright and serious. He called it eye opening.

     John Belk was honored for two decades of support of Johnson C. Smith University.

     Rick Jackson likes the fall ratings over summer ratings. Seems that radio listening habits change with the season.

     Jerry Orr hopes growing a beard will improve his intelligence image.

     Don Haack and wife Jan were pictured with Olympic skier Picabo Street at the Omnimax theatre for the opening of the film "Olympic Glory." The picture appeared on the Seen and Heard page of the "Observer."

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