Excellence in Leadership Award

HISTORY

The program was instituted in 1988 by the sponsoring organizations, Rotary Club of Charlotte, Charlotte Business Journal and the Charlotte Chamber, as an approach to measuring management excellence in the Charlotte-area business community.

The Club’s Trade and Professional Relations Committee conceived this award as the perfect instrument to call attention to the second Object of Rotary:

High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying by each Rotarian of his occupation as an opportunity to serve society. The selection is made by a committee of Rotary and Chamber members who evaluate the nominees in the following areas: fairness, consistency, flexibility, knowledge, perceptiveness, sharing, fostering of relationships, communication goals and commitment.

QUALITIES OF EXCELLENCE

When nominating your choice, list extraordinary achievements citing examples of leadership and how they reflect credit to the manager and his/her organization. Consider the following:

• • • Success in the nominee’s profession and business or organization
    • Visionary leadership and execution
    • Significant contributions for the good of the Charlotte region
    • Civic mindedness and community involvement
    • Humble in their success
    • A reputation for character in keeping with the values of the Four-Way Test

2026 RECEPIENT

Excellence in Leadership Award

2026 Honoree: Richard A. Vinroot

The Rotary Club of Charlotte is proud to recognize Richard A. Vinroot as the 38th recipient of the Excellence in Leadership Award.

Best known for his service as Mayor of Charlotte from 1991 to 1995, Richard Vinroot’s career reflects a lifetime commitment to principled leadership, civic engagement, and public service. His mayoral tenure helped guide Charlotte through a period of significant growth and positioned the city for long-term economic and community development.

In addition to his public leadership, Mr. Vinroot is a distinguished commercial litigator and longtime partner at Robinson Bradshaw. For more than five decades, he has represented clients in complex matters involving land use and zoning, real estate development, construction, employment, and municipal law. His legal career includes lead trial counsel roles in state and federal courts, as well as precedent-setting cases involving public education funding, municipal contracts, and large-scale infrastructure projects.

A decorated U.S. Army veteran and Bronze Star Medal recipient, Mr. Vinroot’s service extends beyond government and the courtroom. His civic and community involvement has included leadership and advisory roles with Sugar Creek Charter School, the UNC Nutrition Research Institute, the Charlotte YMCA, and decades of service within his church community.

His many honors include the North Carolina Chief Justice’s Professionalism Award, UNC Law Alumni Association Lifetime Achievement Award, the William Richardson Davie Award from UNC-Chapel Hill, and multiple recognitions from The Best Lawyers in America.

Through a career defined by integrity, courage, and service, Richard Vinroot exemplifies the leadership ideals celebrated by the Rotary Club of Charlotte’s Excellence in Leadership Award.

PAST RECIPIENTS

2025 — Dena Diorio

2024 — Johnny Harris

2023 — Erskine Bowles

2022 — Harvey Gantt, Former Mayor and Charlotte City Council, Gantt Huberman Architects founder

2021 — Pat Rodgers, Rodgers

2020 — Anthony Marciano, II, Charlotte Rescue Mission

2019 — John W. Lassiter, Carolina Legal Staffing

2018 — David F. Furman, FAIA

2017 — Governor Patrick L. McCrory

2016 — Dr. Pamela Davies, Queens University of Charlotte

2015 — Michael Tarwater, Carolinas HealthCare

2014 — Jane McIntyre, United Way of the Central Carolinas

2013 — Wayland N. Cato, Jr., Cato Corporation

2011 — Frank Harrison, Coca-Cola Bottling & Co. Consolidated

2009 — Thomas (Tim) M. Belk, Jr. , Belk Stores Services Inc.

2008 — Peter S. Gilchrist, Mecklenburg County District Attorney

2007 — Allen Tate, Jr., Allen Tate Company

2006 — Luther L. Fincher, Jr., Charlotte Fire Department

2005 — Tom Nelson, National Gypsum

2004 — Krista Tillman, BellSouth

2003 — Dr. Michael Marsicano, Foundation for the Carolinas

2002 — Dr. Tony Zeiss, Central Piedmont Community College

2001 — Jerry Orr, Charlotte/Douglas International Airport

2000 — Dr. Billy Wireman, Queens College

1999 — Harry Brace, YMCA

1998 — John Belk, Belk Stores Services Inc.

1997 — Hugh McColl, Bank of America

1996 — Freda Nicholson, Discovery Place

1995 — James Woodward, UNC Charlotte

1994 — Johnie Jones, J. A. Jones Construction Co.

1993 — Edward E. Crutchfield, First Union Corporation

1992 — F. Kenneth Iverson, Nucor Corporation

1991 — Byron L. Bullard, Presbyterian Hospital

1990 — Bill Lee, Duke Power Company

1989 — Leroy Robinson, Belk Stores Services Inc.

1988 — A. F. “Pete” Sloan, Lance Inc.