News Summary
The Leadership Tallahassee Distinguished Leadership awards ceremony honored outstanding community leaders at the Dunlap Champions Club. Awards were presented in several categories, including Leader of the Year to Ricardo Schneider, Servant Leadership to Paula DeBoles-Johnson, and others, showcasing the commitment of these individuals to the local community. The event also aimed to support Youth Leadership Tallahassee, emphasizing the importance of developing future leaders in the area.
TALLAHASSEE, Florida – The Leadership Tallahassee Distinguished Leadership awards ceremony recently took place at the Dunlap Champions Club, celebrating exemplary community leaders and their contributions to both their respective careers and the community. The event drew approximately 300 attendees, showcasing the impact of these leaders in the Tallahassee area.
Recognized for their outstanding achievements, awards were presented in three categories: Leader of the Year was awarded to Ricardo Schneider of Danfoss Turbocor; the Servant Leadership award went to Paula DeBoles-Johnson from Capital City Youth Development; and the Leadership Pacesetter award was given to Chirag Shah, associated with The Current Agency and Made Equal Clothing. Additionally, a lifetime achievement award was presented to Ed Moore, President of NAI TALCOR, in recognition of his long-standing commitment to the community.
Nine individuals were honored as finalists across these categories, underscoring the diverse talents contributing to the local community’s vitality. The awards serve an additional purpose; proceeds from the event support Youth Leadership Tallahassee, a program designed for high school juniors from various backgrounds who exhibit leadership potential and community engagement.
School Leadership Awards
As part of the event, two principals were honored with the Principal Leadership Award by Florida TaxWatch. Carmen Conner, Principal of Pineview Elementary, and former Principal Benny Bolden of Nims Middle School received accolades for their outstanding leadership. In 2024, Bolden led Nims to achieve its first-ever B grade, while Conner improved Pineview’s grade from a B to an A. The commendation reflects their commitment to enhancing educational standards in their respective schools.
In September 2024, both Nims Middle School and Pineview Elementary celebrated their academic success with a victory parade, further highlighting their achievements. School grades are indicative of student academic performance and hold significant weight, especially for Title I schools that serve students from low-income backgrounds. The Principal Leadership Award is derived from data-driven evaluations, not through applications or nominations.
Impact on Students
Each awarded principal will nominate a deserving student for an Academic A+ Challenge Match Scholarship, sponsored by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation. This initiative emphasizes the importance of supporting students in their academic pursuits, further reinforcing the positive impact of school leadership.
Best & Brightest Awards
In a related event, Ron Sachs was recognized with the Key to the City of Tallahassee during the 20th annual Best & Brightest Awards, a program he founded in 2005. This initiative acknowledges exemplary high school seniors based on their academic achievements and community service efforts. Over its 20-year history, the program has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships to over 3,500 students.
The significance of the Best & Brightest program was underscored by Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey, who praised Sachs for his unwavering contributions to the community. The program has notable ties to Florida’s political landscape, with Sachs having established a successful communications firm that significantly contributed to the state’s development.
In an effort to further honor the program, the city of Tallahassee will rename a street to Best and Brightest Way, acknowledging the transformative impact of the awards on the lives of students. Past winners from the program have gone on to achieve remarkable successes, including roles within the White House and military service, showcasing the lasting legacy of recognizing academic excellence and community service.
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Additional Resources
- WTXL: Community Leaders Honored
- Tallahassee.com: Florida TaxWatch Honors School Leaders
- Florida Politics: Ron Sachs Honored
- Google Search: Leadership Tallahassee
- Wikipedia: Service Leadership
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
