HONORS INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE PROVIDED OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY
The Distinguished Citizen, Good Turn, & Lifetime Achievement Awards are presented to individual community leaders who provide outstanding civic service to the adult and/or youth in the community. Their actions inspire youth and adult leaders in and out of Scouting to higher levels of service and volunteerism.
Those who receive the award are not necessarily Boy Scout volunteers, but rather individuals who personify what the Boy Scouts stand for – good citizenship, outstanding moral fiber with a dedication to others, and for living their lives by the Scout Oath and Law.
The distinction of the award levels are as follows:
Distinguished Citizen – Their personal actions have inspired the community as a whole through various levels of civic engagement, leading larger projects and undertaking challenging tasks for the betterment of all.
Good Turn – Inspired by the Scout Slogan, to “Do a Good Turn daily”, the award recognizes personal engagement and advocacy for additional program experiences to help youth members learn qualities of good citizenship and gain a sense of belonging to and being needed in their communities. This award is not presented every year, but rather when an individual rises to the level of recognition.
Lifetime Achievement – The qualities of a candidate that may have received a prior award and continues to live a life with Scouting values and helping others.
The recipients are honored at a reception or via a video presentation shared with the community.
2023 CLASS OF HONOREES
The South Florida Council is pleased to present:
Distinguished Citizen Awards
Sergio Abreu, Director, Regional Manager External Affairs, TECO Energy
David A. Armstrong, J.D., President, St. Thomas University
Kenneth A. Jessell, Ph.D., President, Florida International University
Good Turn Award
Representative Vicki L. Lopez, Florida House of Representatives, District 113
Lifetime Achievement Awards
Alligator Ron Bergeron, Gladesman & Conservationist
Velma L. Christian, President & Trustee, Edward B. and Joan T. Knight Foundation
George L. Hanbury, II, President & CEO, Nova Southeastern University
Rachel A. Sapoznik, Founder and President, Sapoznik Insurance
WHO ATTENDS?
Friends and business partners of the honoree purchase corporate sponsorship packages and logos and special thank you’s are noted during the presentation.
HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
The event is run by a volunteer organizing committee, comprised of friends and business partners of the honoree.
Recipients of the South Florida Council Distinguished Citizen Award include:
- 2022 Gen. Laura Richardson, Commander, US Southern Command
- 2022 Carlos Fernandez-Guzman, President & CEO, Pacific National Bank
- 2022 Daniella Levine Cava, Mayor, Miami-Dade County
- 2022 W. Allen Morris, Chairman & CEO, Allen Morris Company – Lifetime Achievement Award
- 2021 Alfred Sanchez, President and CEO, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce
- 2021 Carlos Migoya, President and CEO, Jackson Health System
- 2021 Alberto Carvalho, Superintendent, Miami-Dade County Public Schools
- 2021 Alejandro Mendieta, President, Private Client Group, Coastal Wealth, a MassMutual Firm
- 2020 Jeff Jackson, Chief Operating Officer, Regional Banking, First Horizon Bank
- 2019 Archbishop Thomas Wenski, Archbishop, Archdiocese of Miami
- 2019 Cesar Alvarez, Senior Chairman, GreenbergTraurig
- 2019 Michael Corcelli, Managing Member, Alexander Alternative Capital, LLC
- 2019 Roberto R. Muñoz, Market President, Capital Bank
- 2018 Dwight Hill, Market President, IBERIABANK
- 2018 Joseph Milton, President and CEO, J. Milton and Associates
- 2017 Tony Argiz, Chairman, MBAF, LLC
- 2017 Jose Mas, CEO, MasTec, Inc.
- 2017 Brian Mormile, Managing Director, U.S. Trust
- 2016 Mike Fernandez, Chairman, MBF Healthcare Partners, L.P.
- 2016 Allen Morris, Chairman & CEO, Allen Morris Company
- 2015 Tibor Hollo, Chairman & President, Florida East Coast Realty
- 2015 Steve Mariano, Chairman & CEO, Patriot National Insurance Group
- 2013 Governor Bob Graham, State of Florida
- 2013 Chancellor Ray Ferrero, Jr. , Nova Southeastern University
A full listing of Distinguished Citizen’s and Good Turn Awards