The presentation of the prestigious award was held at the beautiful home of Judy and Charles Burkett, who are also members of the Society. Charles was also the 2004 United Way of the Mid-South General Campaign Chairman and is President of Financial Services for First Tennessee.
Ron Belz, President of Belz enterprises and Chairman-Elect of the Board of Directors for United Way of the Mid-South, presented the award to Gary. Ron recognized Gary's amazing career and his extraordinary work for United Way and other local philanthropic causes through the years.
The Alexis deTocqueville Award is the highest individual honor United Way of the Mid-South bestows each year. Past recipients include Jack Belz, Robert E. Cannon, Dave Ferraro, J.R. "Pitt" Hyde III, Dr. E. Charles Leonard, Ira A. Lipman, Max Ostner, Sr., Jim and Carol Prentiss, Rudi E. Scheidt and Frederick W. Smith.
Mark Medford, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at FTN Financial is the Chairman of this year's Alexis de Tocqueville Society. Society members make a difference in the lives of Mid-Southerners and impact our community with annual contributors of $10,000 or more to United Way of the Mid-South. the Society was founded in 1984 by Mr. Ira A. Lipman.
From Ron Belz's speech about Gary Shorb:
"Gary’s impressive business accomplishments are matched only by the tasks he has undertaken to help our community. Gary was United Way’s general campaign chairman in 1993, and helped the organization raise a then-record $17.2 million. He has served as a member of the deTocqueville Society Recruitment Committee, and was Chairman of the United Way Board of Directors in 1996 and 1997."
"During Gary’s tenure as board chairman, United Way reached new heights in the areas of fundraising and community involvement. The organization also conducted strategic planning that created initiatives and programs that are still impacting people’s lives today. Gary has also helped lead Methodist -LeBonheur’s United Way campaign for many years."
"Gary is a member of the Executive Advisory Council at the University of Memphis’ Fogelman College of Business and Economics and has served on many statewide and national Hospital Association regional boards. He is currently chairman of the Memphis Shelby County Crime Commission and the Memphis Chamber of Commerce; he is on the Board of Visitors at the University of Memphis and is a member of the Leadership Advisory Board for Lambuth University; he serves on the board of the National Civil Rights Museum; Lifeblood Foundation; Memphis Biotech Foundation Board; LHS Foundation; and Memphis Tomorrow. Gary also serves on the boards of INROADS, the National Conference of Christians and Jews, the March of Dimes, Urban League, and Goals for Memphis."
"Gary is a member of St. John’s United Methodist Church and has served as vice chairman of the Metropolitan Missionary Society. Gary has a very loving family with his wife Glenda; daughter Jennifer, and son John. Each year the Alexis deTocqueville Society recognizes an individual who inspires people to help others and directly impacts his or her community. We can think of no one who better demonstrates these qualities than this year’s recipient of the Alexis deTocqueville Society Award, Mr. Gary Shorb."
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