Thanks for joining us Monday, December 3, 5:30 at the 2012 Goodmon Awards
presented by the Carolina Hurricanes and Compuware
See the pictures on LT Facebook page!

WINNERS FOR 2012 GOODMON AWARDS

Goodmon Fellow: Pilar Rocha-Goldberg, ED of El Centro Hispano

Pilar Rocha-Goldberg's passion for her work was instantly recognized by her classmates in the 2012 Regional Leadership class. As a Colombian-born woman who recently became a U.S. citizen, Rocha-Goldberg loves to bridge cultures. After spending four years as an active volunteer and as a member and President of the El Centro Hispano (ECH) Board of Directors, she became President/CEO of the organization 3.5 years ago. She has been the driving force promoting Latin American culture and Spanish language classes for Latino children as part of ECH's Language Institute. Rocha-Goldberg is also owner and lead instructor of her own dance academy, Takiri, where she teaches Latin American folkloric dance to all ages.

Rocha-Goldberg is a great advocate for the Latino community and has been described as one of the most charismatic and approachable Latino leaders in North Carolina. Her collaborative leadership style has helped to establish ECH as the go-to organization for Latino issues in North Carolina. She has hosted numerous community forums to address specific community concerns such as immigration and education. Under her guidance, ECH expanded from Durham into Orange County with its Carrboro/Chapel Hill branch office. ECH is also a member of Durham CAN (Durham CAN (Congregations, Associations and Neighborhoods) and Orange County Justice United, that are working as coalitions to improve the lives of Durham & Orange County residents on a variety of topics such as living wages, affordable housing, day laborer working conditions and foreclosures.

Economic Development: Triangle Greenways Council

The Triangle Greenways Council (TGC) has improved the quality of life for all Triangle residents and helped make this region very attractive to companies and people moving to this area. When Raleigh began its greenways program in the mid-1970s, the concept itself was innovative and generally unknown. Over the past three decades, the greenway program has been adopted in Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, Pittsboro, Wake Forest, Rolesville and Research Triangle Park. TGC has been involved in many projects including being the regional task force for planning, design and construction of the 24-mile south shore trail at Falls Lake that became the first Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) designation in the region.

More recently, the Council worked with the Triangle Rails Trails Conservancy to facilitate construction of access facilities on a TGC property adjoining the American Tobacco Trail before its transfer to the City of Durham. In 2008 and 2010, the Council helped the Town of Clayton to apply for grant funds to secure land and construct facilities for the MST and its local greenways. Within next year, local governments will fill the missing links to create continuous greenway network from Clayton to Durham with connections through Raleigh and Cary and interconnections to Morrisville, Wake Forest and Knightdale.

Greenway programs now exist in most local governments across the region. The sustainable development patterns translate into individual and economic benefits for all. There are ample opportunities for tourism and growth within related business sectors as a result of this great asset that the TGC has created.

Community Service: Danny Rosin, Brand Fuel

Danny Rosin—entrepreneur, philanthropist, adventure junkie, music lover, master networker, husband, dad, son, brother and friend to many—has been actively contributing to the Triangle’s nonprofit pulse for the past two decades. He spent his earlier volunteer days serving Operation Smile, Special Olympics, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle and Stop Hunger Now. However, Danny’s true philanthropic calling was not realized until that fateful day when the Twin Towers came crumbling down. In a moment of pure chaos and clarity, Danny and four friends decided to be the change they wanted to see in the world. They co-founded Band Together, what has become to date a philanthropic machine in the Triangle.
 
Band Together uses live music as a platform for social change. Every year, after a rigorous vetting process, Band Together chooses a different Triangle nonprofit in need. Since September 11, 2001, under the leadership of Danny as its president, Band Together has donated more than $2.1 million to 13 Triangle nonprofits—Disaster Relief, Special Olympics, Operation Smile, Music Maker’s Relief, Stop Hunger Now, Food Bank of Eastern NC, Boys and Girls Club of Wake County, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle, SAFEchild, The Lucy Daniels Center for Early Childhood, StepUp Ministry, Alliance Medical Ministry and Urban Ministries of Wake County. Band Together is currently working on its 2013 partnership with Tammy Lynn Center. 

While hard to quantify, Danny’s heavy involvement each year as president and board member has directly and positively impacted 5,000+ community residents by addressing the regional issues of disaster relief, disabilities, hunger, child mentorship, education, child abuse, unemployment and healthcare. Danny has mastered the art of networking for the greater good. Whether connecting causes with people, job opportunities with job seekers or singles with singles, the separation of seven shrinks down to two when it comes to Danny and the Triangle. Danny’s passion to develop the Triangle’s future leaders and help to keep the pipeline full is a form of leadership that will have tremendous impact in our community for years to come.

Arts: Chasta Hamilton Calhoun, Stage Door Dance Productions (award for her not the organization)

Chasta Hamilton Calhoun’s passion for dance is expansive, and she has worked tirelessly for the past several years to improve the dance industry within the Triangle region.  At only 27 years old, Chasta has taken the dance world by storm.  She is the Owner/Artistic Director at Stage Door Dance Productions in Raleigh, which opened in June 2009 and is now in its 4th season.  The studio is committed to the community, regularly performing at events and parades, donating to charitable events and organizations, and supporting local entities like the Durham Performing Art’s Suntrust Broadway Series, Theatre in the Park’s A Christmas Carol, Raleigh Little Theatre’s Cinderella, the Junior League of Raleigh’s A Shopping SPREE!, and countless school organizations.  Chasta has also expanded the studio’s reach through satellite programs at the Carolina Country Club and North Hills Club. 

Aside from her main studio work, Chasta founded and directed the Sightless Rhythm Tap Project at the Governor Morehead School for the Blind. Chasta also authored a dance patch program for the Girl Scouts of the Coastal Pines. Chasta is certified in ballet, tap, jazz and acrobatics and serves as a member of the Carolina Dance Masters and as a National Board Member of Dance Masters of America.  Chasta is also on the Board of the North Carolina Dance Alliance and is a member of Dance Educators of America.  Chasta is increasing the standard of dance within the area.  She regularly guest teaches at area studios and approaches her work with excitement, enthusiasm, and passion. Through her dance work, students are passionate, open to learning and being inspired to be great citizens and leaders. Through her example, students see time management in action, realize the value of organization and gain an appreciation for her hard-work and commitment. Chasta’s energy is magnetic, and she’ll continue being a tour de force in the region. 

Partnership: Coach Al Buehler and Dr. LeRoy Walker

Pioneers, teachers, coaches, fathers, husbands, and sons. Coach Al Buehler and the late Dr. LeRoy Walker never were defined by one role. Their individual authenticity paved the way for a legendary partnership that proved a powerful force for good in the Triangle, the State and the World. For over fifty years, they maintained an unyielding commitment to and leadership on regional issues. They partnered to host record-setting, world-class track and field meets promoting racial harmony during the height of segregation in the South. Together, they effectively used the track as a place to create equality among races, nations and gender. They worked side-by-side in a grass roots effort to set an example of leadership, equality, compassion, and commitment.

Not many communities can boast having two Olympic coaches.  They may have been leaders on the world stage, but always made time to give back to their community, volunteering their time to speak with Kiwanis clubs, veterans clubs, walking clubs, church groups, chambers of commerce, non-profits, retirement communities, garden clubs, running clubs, church clubs, visitors bureaus, charity runs, community centers, campus clubs, and educational seminars. 

Buehler and Walker also devoted nearly five decades to supporting education in the Triangle.  They thought of themselves as teachers first, coaches second.  Dr. Walker went on to become Chancellor of NC Central University and Coach Buehler held numerous leadership positions including Duke’s Assistant Athletic Director and Chairman of the Physical Education Department.  They were a unique pair in that they earned the respect of their colleagues and bridged the gap between athletics and academics.

And thanks to our table and annual sponsors

Nominations are open for the 2012 Goodmon Awards - deadline 11/13

Monday, December 3, 2012 - Bay 7, American Tobacco, Durham

Click here for nomination form.  Deadline to return the form, November 13, 2012

Click here for the 2012 Goodmon Award Gala Invitation

As communities across the Triangle join to understand the importance of working together, regional thinking and cooperation become more essential to our individual and collective well being. Yet, we have few mechanisms in place for rewarding such regional foresight and action. As a result, in 2002, Leadership Triangle established the annual Goodmon Awards in honor of James F. Goodmon, Chair Emeritus, Leadership Triangle and President and CEO, Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. 

These awards recognize leaders in our community who are regionally minded - and who exhibit that frame of mind in their personal and professional lives. The categories of winner include individuals, public/governmental officials, organizations, partnerships and Leadership Triangle Alumni (Goodmon Fellows).

As communities across the Triangle come to understand the importance of working together, regional thinking and regional cooperation become more essential to our individual and collective well being. Yet, we have few mechanisms in place for rewarding such regional foresight and action. As a result, Leadership Triangle in 2002 established the annual Goodmon Awards in honor of James F. Goodmon, chair emeritus, Leadership Triangle, and president/CEO, Capitol Broadcasting Company.

These awards recognize leaders in our community who are regionally minded - and who exhibit that frame of mind in their personal and professional lives. The categories of winners include individuals, public officials/governmental, organizations, partnerships and Leadership Triangle Alumni (Goodmon Fellows)