Lenawee Leadership Award

2023 Lenawee Leadership Award Recipient – Charles H. Gross

Charles H. Gross was selected to receive the 2023 Lenawee Leadership Award. Gross is a lifelong resident and active in many areas of advocacy throughout Lenawee County. He has shown exemplary community leadership and volunteerism through his participation in city government, nonprofit organizations, and as a longtime business owner. Gross and his wife Margaret have been married for 39 years and together they have raised 3 children. Gross has served on numerous boards and committees, such as the Tecumseh Chamber, Tecumseh DDA, Herrick & Bixby Hospital Boards, Stubnitz Foundation, Lenawee Chamber, and Hope Community Center. His roles as Chair of Committee to build the Canopy Walk at Hidden Lake Gardens and Chair of Community to Build the Center for the AJ Smith Recreation Center inspired others to make donations and bring these projects to reality. Gross has served on the Lenawee Community Foundations Board for 25 years, serving on the Executive Board for 24 of those years, and for 2 years as Chairman of the Board. Gross leads by example, wears his heart for our community on his sleeve, and inspires others to follow and act.

The Lenawee Leadership Award, presented by the Lenawee Community Foundation, honors individuals or couples, who exemplify the underlying principle that the future of our county will be determined by the quality of its leadership.

The award was formerly known as the Maple Leaf Award and presented by the Lenawee Economic Development Corporation (LEDC).  Because the award no longer fit the core business of the LEDC, the Lenawee Community Foundation agreed to accept responsibility for the award.  Former recipients of the Maple Leaf Award, established in 1953, continue to be recognized as recipients of the new award.

The prestigious award was renamed The Lenawee Leadership Award to acknowledge the county-wide focus, and encompass all aspects of the quality of life in Lenawee.  The award is a perfect fit with the Lenawee Community Foundation, its philanthropic leadership, and its mission to enhance the quality of life of the citizens of Lenawee in the areas of civic projects, culture, health, education, and social services.

“We are honored to be given the opportunity through The Lenawee Leadership Award to recognize outstanding community leaders, and the impact they have on our community and its future,” stated Dave Hickman, Chairman of the Lenawee Community Foundation Board of Directors.

The focus of the award on the future mirrors the Foundation purpose, as the only local nonprofit to focus primarily on the future of the community.  The Foundation is similar to a community savings account, permanently investing gifts and utilizing the earnings to make grants that benefit our community.

Nominations

Please download our form, complete and return it to nominate someone in our community.

Recipients of The Lenawee Leadership Award (Formerly the Maple Leaf Award)

For more information, contact Cynthia Heady.