Ann Debock Leadership Award

The Ann DeBock Leadership Award was commissioned and started by Class XIX in memory of Ann DeBock, the executive director of Leadership Grand Strand from its inception in 1979 until her death in 1998.

This is the only award presented by Leadership Grand Strand and it is set up to recognize an LGS graduate who best exemplifies our ideals of leadership and service. As you will see from the list below, the past winners of this award are a “Who’s Who” of the Grand Strand’s finest community leaders.

Criteria for Award Nominees

• Must be a graduate of Leadership Grand Strand
• Must have a record of serving the Grand Strand community with specific emphasis on service and leadership that may include but is not limited to:
  • Volunteering in service or civic clubs
  • Serving on appointed board or commissions
  • Overall demonstration of effective leadership skills in their professional and personal (community-oriented) life

Selection Procedures

All nominations are presented to the current class. The LGS class will be divided into four groups. Each group will select a nominee and provide a written and verbal presentation (which will be taped) on the said nominee to the class and the LGS Board of Regents members of the Ann DeBock Leadership Award Selection Committee where the overall winner will be decided.

The selection committee will be comprised of four volunteers: (1) Executive Director and (3) Board of Regents members. A majority vote is required for a winner to be selected.

Presentation of the Award

During the Ann DeBock Leadership Award Social in March, the recipient and their family will be invited to attend and the presentation of this prestigious award will be made. The recipient also is recognized at the chamber’s annual meeting in April, an article will be published about them on MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com, and they will be highlighted on the Leadership Grand Strand website. Additionally, each award winner will be provided with a copy of the written award nomination that was presented on their behalf.

For more information, please email LGS@VisitMyrtleBeach.com.

Past Winners

2000 Vernie Dove
2001 Warren Gall
2002 Lance Thompson
2003 Bill Alford
2004 Susan Grissom Means
2005 Richard Hair
2006 Nick Sherfessee
2007 Dennis Wade
2008 David Brittain
2009 Greg Everett
2010 Bill Pritchard
2011 Barbara Blain-Olds
2012 Dr. Debbie Conner
2013 Danny Isaac Jr.
2014 Greg Hembree
2015 John Bertang
2016 Marjorie Thompson
2017 Carla Schuessler
2018 Howard Barnard III
2019 Ian D. Maguire
2020 Mary Jo Rogers
2021 Ozell J. Newman
2022 Tracy S. Bailey, Ph. D.
2023 Billy Nichols
2024 Shannon Detzler
2025 Vicki Blair