2013 Maytag Dependable Leader Awards – America’s Vote - Finalists

2013 Maytag Dependable Leader Awards - America's Vote Competition - Finalists

The 2013 America’s Vote finalists are:

• Nate Ford, Citywide Athletics Director - Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco, Calif. – Nate singlehandedly oversees the athletics programs at all nine San Francisco Clubhouses. His programs help Club members achieve their academic potential and show good character and sportsmanship, and include Girls Sports Day, and citywide sport events like Pitch, Hit and Run and Junior Olympics.

• Ricky Gallon, Community Relations Director - Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay, Fla. – Ricky, a former Club member himself, works tirelessly finding innovative ways to ensure youth are being touched by culturally diverse opportunities. He helps kids apply for college scholarships, engages companies to conduct school supply drives, and personally drives kids to special events.

• Ethan Harris, Club Member - Boys & Girls Club of Bryant, Ark. – Ethan is a 10-year old boy who works determinedly to do what he can to help the Club.  From assisting staff members, to speaking to the Board of Community Directors about his Club, he constantly seeks to pitch in and make improvements. Through the “It Just Takes One Kid’s Campaign,” Ethan raised over $1,000 for his Club through an event he organized on his own.

• Albert Hernandez, Technology Director - Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena, Calif.  – Albert works to enrich the Club experience by implementing innovative programs.  His accomplishments to date include a national photography program, initiating an Internet Safety Workshop around issues such as bullying and privacy, as well as implementing the RoboTech program. He also created a program where his Club joined forces with Yahoo! to create the Yahoo! E-Mentoring Club.

• Steve “Papaw Steve” Hixson, Former Board of Directors President - Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland, Tenn. – Steve has headed a majority of fundraising events since 2005. In 2011 he was instrumental in reaching $100,000 in fundraising dollars. He also works to mentor Club members individually and through his work growing the focus and prioritizing the “Youth of the Year” competition.