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Leadership Grand Strand (LGS) is pleased to announce Vicki Blair, public health manager for Rabies Control and Prevention at the S.C. Dept. of Public Health, as the recipient of the 2025 Ann DeBock Leadership Award. Each year, the recognition is given to a LGS graduate who exhibits outstanding leadership and service to their community.
“While we had incredible nominees put forth for this award, Vicki truly stood out for the many contributions she has made to our Grand Strand community,” said LGS Executive Director Shannon Furtick.
Blair graduated LGS in 2004 and her professional accolades include the Roscoe S. Poovey Award for Outstanding Achievements in Environmental Health, the Certificate of Merit from the National Environmental Health Association, and the Environmentalist of the Year from the S.C. Public Health Association. Additionally, she’s held leadership roles in the S.C. Environmental Health Association and the S.C. Public Health Association.
A resident of Surfside Beach, Blair has served her community through numerous volunteer positions over the past four decades, including positions with Surfside Beach Planning and Zoning, Surfside Town Council, Grand Strand Ethics Commission, Horry County Higher Education Commission, Coastal Carolina University, Surfside United Methodist Church, Upward Basketball, South Strand Kiwanis, Grand Strand Miracle League, South Carolina Children’s Museum and the Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach.
“My desire to serve others began in my early years as a YMCA summer camp counselor, a role that brought me immense joy and fulfillment as I witnessed the YMCA’s mission in action and the transformative impact it had on individuals. My faith has carried me throughout my career and personal life,” Blair said.
The three other finalists are Mark Kiskunas, owner and president, Grand Strand Bojangles, Class 21; Bevelyn Mitchell, retired, former sexual assault services coordinator and outreach and awareness coordinator of Horry County Rape Crisis Center and former assistant director of interpersonal violence prevention at Coastal Carolina University, Class 28; and Pam Wright, business development sales manager, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Class 36.
The Ann DeBock Leadership Award began 27 years ago to honor Ann DeBock, LGS’s first executive director from 1979 to 1998. Blair was nominated for the award by current students of LGS Class 45 Alexis Barnhill, Trevor Bigham, Howard Bromberg, Wendy Evans, Joe Heyd, Kathryn Lane, Clare McLaurin, James Schlueter and Teresa Taylor.
For more information on LGS, visit LeadershipGrandStrand.com.
Alumni and members of the current LGS class are invited to attend the reception on March 21. Tickets are free for alumni and LGS Class XLV and cost $10 for their guests. Get your tickets today!