Annually Leadership Georgia recognizes alums and significant contributors who exhibit strength in leadership and provide selfless contributions in their everyday actions that make Georgia better. As a result, those Georgians have been permanently memorialized in the history of the organization as recipients of the following awards:
J.W. Fanning Award – awarded in memory of J.W. Fanning and in recognition of contributions in progressive leadership and service.
E. Dale Threadgill Community Service Award – awarded in honor of E. Dale Threadgill and in recognition of the application of Leadership Georgia principles in community service.
Fredrick B. Kerr Award – awarded in memory of Frederick B. Kerr and in recognition of ongoing and enthusiastic support for Leadership Georgia.
H. G. Pat Patillo Honorary Membership Award – awarded in memory of H. G. Pat Patillo and in recognition of non-graduates and their consistent contributions to Leadership Georgia.
Judge Horace J. Johnson, Jr. and Michelle Bryant-Johnson Distinguished Public Service Award – An award presented in memory of Horace J. Johnson and in honor of Michelle Johnson. This award will be presented to an alum for overachievement through participation and contributions to Leadership Georgia while managing commitments of public service and non-profit careers. Its recipients embody the leadership principles of unity, innovation and mentorship.
J.W. FANNING AWARD
Presented in honor of J.W. Fanning to a Georgian whose state-wide contributions through progressive leadership and service have been broad in scope and rich in achievement.
- 2024 – Dan Cathy
- 2023 – Egbert Perry
- 2022 – Chief Justice Michael Boggs
- 2020/2021 – Justice Harold Melton
- 2019 – Chancellor Steve Wrigley
- 2018 – Julie Ewing Hunt
- 2017 – R. Charles Loudermilk, Sr.
- 2016 – Philip A. Wilheit, Sr.
- 2015 – Henry M. Huckaby
- 2014 – Robert Scott Jepson, Jr.
- 2013 – Dan Amos
- 2012 – Alana Shepherd
- 2011 – Henry Louis “Hank” Aaron
- 2010 – Tom Cousins
- 2009 – Bernie Marcus
- 2008 – U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss
- 2007 – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson
- 2006 – Dr. Louis W. Sullivan, M.D.
- 2005 – Justice Robert Benham
- 2004 – Honorable Clarence Thomas
- 2003 – Secretary of State Cathy Cox
- 2002 – President Jimmy Carter
- 2001 – Congressman John Lewis
- 2000 – James H. Blanchard
- 1999 – Governor Roy Barnes
- 1998 – Lindsay Thomas
- 1997 – Governor Zell & First Lady Shirley Miller
- 1996 – Andrew Young
- 1995 – U.S. Senator Paul D. Coverdell
- 1994 – William P. Payne
- 1993 – Fred C. Davison, Ph.D.
- 1992 – Joseph D. Tanner
- 1991 – S. Truett Cathy
- 1990 – Millard Fuller
- 1989 – Honorable Griffin Bell
- 1988 – Deen Day Smith
- 1987 – George Busbee
- 1986 – Ivan Allen, Jr.
- 1985 – Glenn Burton
- 1984 – Professor Dean Rusk
- 1983 – J. Pollard Turman
- 1982 – Harley Langdale, Jr.
- 1981 – William R. Bowdoin
- 1980 – Jasper Dorsey
- 1979 – H.G. Pattillo
- 1978 – U.S. Senator Sam Nunn
FREDERICK B. KERR SERVICE AWARD
Presented in memory of Frederick B. Kerr to Leadership Georgia members who have demonstrated enthusiastic and active support of Leadership Georgia on a continuing and consistent basis.
- 2024 – Katie & Lynn Dempsey
- 2023 – Gretchen & David Corbin
- 2022 – Fran and Russell Smith
- 2020/2021 – April and Brian Crow
- 2019 – Stephanie and Jeb Stewart
- 2018 – Honorable Horace J. Johnson
- 2017 – C. Jones Hooks
- 2016 – William H. Gross
- 2015 – Chris W. Riley
- 2014 – Ben J. Tarbutton III
- 2013 – Barbara Hampton
- 2012 – Frederick L. Daniels, Jr.
- 2011 – Doug Carter
- 2010 – Bruce & Vicki Williamson
- 2009 – W. Daniel Sisson, Jr.
- 2008 – J. Andy Davis
- 2007 – Alston P. Watt, Joseph W. Montgomery
- 2006 – Tom Fitzgerald
- 2005 – Tavia McCuean
- 2004 – Dr. Spurgeon William Clark, III
- 2003 – Ted E. Lawrence & Warren A. Ragsdale
- 2002 – Rogers & Marcia Wade
- 2001 – E. Dale Threadgill
- 2000 – James L. Allgood
- 1999 – Woody Woodside, Duane & Carol Harris
- 1998 – Lynwood Hall
- 1997 – Sam R. Hunter, Jr.
- 1996 – Mimi & Allen Gudenrath
- 1995 – Alfred W. Jones, III
- 1994 – Mary Louise Hill
- 1993 – William H. Cribbs, Ph. D.
- 1992 – Philip & Mary Hart Wilheit
- 1991 – John L. Gornall
- 1990 – Calvin & DeAnn Hopkins
- 1989 – W.H. and Pam NeSmith
- 1988 – Marilyn Marks
- 1987 – David C. Garrett
- 1986 – John B. Hardman
- 1985 – William R. Bowdom, Jr.
- 1984 – Henrietta McArthur Singletary
- 1983 – Joseph A. Buck, III
- 1982 – Robert F. Hatcher
- 1981 – Donnie H. Morris
E. DALE THREADGILL COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
Presented in honor of E. Dale Threadgill to Leadership Georgia members who have taken the principles learned in Leadership Georgia and put them to work in their communities. This award was first presented in Thomasville on November 12, 2004.
- 2024 – Cedric King and Ralph Staffins
- 2023 – Katie & Scott Chastain
- 2022 – Calvin Smyre
- 2020/2021 – John D. Borrow
- 2019 – Rodney Bullard
- 2018 – Eddie Staub
- 2017 – Dixie Truelove
- 2016 – James M. Jeter
- 2015 – Stacey Y. Abrams
- 2014 – James Paul Ferguson M.D.
- 2013 – Andrea Shelton
- 2012 – Drew Ferguson, III
- 2011 – Steve Car Michael Jones
- 2010 – Gwen Keyes Fleming
- 2009 – Michelle Nunn
- 2008 – Lisa M. Borders
- 2007 – H. Lee Perdue
- 2006 – June O‘Neal
- 2005 – Louise Hill
- 2004 – Amy Alexander Carter
CORA LEE FANNING AWARD
Presented in memory of Cora Lee Fanning to the spouse of a current class member for outstanding participation and enthusiasm. This award was established at St. Simons Island on Saturday, May 15 1993.
- 2023 – Martez Favis
- 2022 – Sarah Hawkins Warren
- 2019 – Alison Reese
- 2018 – Sugar Yadav
- 2017 – Mack Vinton
- 2016 – Michael Harrison
- 2015 – Brian Crow
- 2014 – Lowery May
- 2013 – Peter Doig
- 2012 – Aimee Yrlas Simpson
- 2011 – Ralph Donaldson
- 2010 – Stephanie Austin
- 2009 – Tim Durden
- 2008 – Karen Cohilas
- 2007 – William Michael Morris
- 2006 – Roderick “Rocky” Sams
- 2005 – Eric Main
- 2004 – Julia Singletary
- 2003 – Kim Jinks
- 2002 – Ron Smith
- 2001 – Kim Chavez
- 2000 – Ned Blumenthal
- 1999 – Donnie Chapman
- 1998 – Celia Walker
- 1997 – Emily Hjort
- 1996 – Nancy McDougal
- 1995 – Anna Burns
- 1994 – Laura A. Dunwoody
- 1993 – Charles Williams
- 1992 – Kay Parker
H.G. "PAT" PATTILLO HONORARY MEMBERSHIP AWARD
Presented to an individual who has never participated in a Leadership Georgia class in appreciation for the support demonstrated during outreach to Leadership Georgia. This award was first presented in Dalton on September 18, 2008
- 2024 – Christopher Womack
- 2023 – Governor Brian Kemp
- 2020/2021 – Anne Threadgill
- 2019 – Gary Black
- 2016 – Michael L. Thurmond
- 2015 – W. Paul Bowers
- 2013 – Gov. Nathan Deal
- 2012 – Frank Barron
- 2009 – Geil Browning, Ph.D.
- 2008 – Mr. H.G. “Pat” Pattillo
JUDGE HORACE J. JOHNSON, JR. AND MICHELLE BRYANT-JOHNSON DISTINGUISHED PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD
An award presented in memory of Horace J. Johnson and in honor of Michelle Johnson. This award will be presented to an alum for overachievement through participation and contributions to Leadership Georgia while managing commitments of public service and non-profit careers. Its recipients embody the leadership principles of unity, innovation and mentorship.
- 2024 – Steve C. Jones
- 2023 – Joy Lampley-Fortson
- 2022 – T. Rogers Wade
PAST PRESIDENTS
- 2023 – Jerald Mitchell
- 2022 – Teresa MacCartney
- 2020-2021 – Charles Bush May Jr, M.D.
- 2019 – Jennifer Evans
- 2018 – Matthew L. Bishop, Ph.D.
- 2017 – William Alan NeSmith (Alan)
- 2016 – Joy Lampley-Fortson
- 2015 – Vann K. Parrott
- 2014 – Gretchen Kuglar Corbin
- 2013 – Alexander Anthony Wayne
- 2012 – David A. Danzie, Jr.
- 2011 – Ben J. Tarbutton, III
- 2010 – Barbara Hampton
- 2009 – Horace J. Johnson, Jr.
- 2008 – Timothy E. Moses
- 2007 – Robert A. Ellis
- 2006 – Bryant Victor Beadles
- 2005 – Audrey D. Hollingsworth
- 2004 – Hugh B. Williamson, III
- 2003 – W. Daniel Sisson, Jr.
- 2002 – Tavia C. McCuean
- 2001 – J. Anderson Davis
- 2000 – Charles K. Tarbutton
- 1999 – Edward J. Tarver
- 1998 – Douglas A. Carter
- 1997 – Ted E. Lawrence
- 1996 – James L. Allgood, Jr.
1995 – Warren A. Ragsdale - 1994 – MiMi D. Gudenrath
- 1993 – Charles W. Whitney
- 1992 – Thomas E. Fitzgerald, III, M.D.
- 1991 – James E. Buntin, Ph. D.
- 1990 – Larry E. Landers, D.D.S.
- 1989 – Philip A. Wilheit
- 1988 – William C. Rice
- 1987 – Calvin S. Hopkins, III
- 1986 – Lynn Dempsey
- 1985 – Dink NeSmith, Jr.
- 1984 – David C. Garrett, III
- 1983 – Samuel R. Dunlap, Jr.
- 1982 – Alfred R. Roach, Jr.
- 1981 – Michael S. Barron
- 1980 – John B. Hardman, M.D.
- 1979 – Ann Estes Klamon
- 1978 – William T. Greer, Jr.
- 1977 – Robert L. Rearden, Jr.
- 1976 – H. Inman Allen
- 1975 – James R. Newman
- 1974 – Robert F. Hatcher
- 1973 – J.W. Talley, Jr.
- 1972 – William J. VanLandingham