Lenawee Leadership Award

2022 Lenawee Leadership Award Recipient – Jackson L. Baker

Jackson L. Baker was selected to receive the 2022 Lenawee Leadership Award. Baker is a lifelong resident and active in many areas of advocacy throughout Lenawee County. He is a Tecumseh High School graduate, and co-owned and operated Baker Brothers, from 1986 to 2015. Baker and his wife Betty have been married for 34 years and together they have raised two children. Baker brings a wealth of experience to his council position and served as Mayor of Tecumseh for six years prior to his current term. Baker currently serves on the following boards and committees, City Council Study Session, Closed Meeting, Tecumseh Downtown Development Authority, the Employees Retirement Board, Chair of the Local Development Finance Authority, and City Council. Tecumseh City Government has been a model of consistency for a long time and Jack Baker’s leadership is primarily responsible. Baker is highly visible and easily accessible to every resident and understands the pulse of the city.

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.