Leadership Grand Strand Memorial Fund and Leadership Award
Dennis Wade receives Ann DeBock Award
 Financial service and real estate veteran Dennis Wade was named Leadership Grand Strand’s 2007 Ann DeBock Leadership Award winner during the LGS Class XXVII graduation ceremony on May 23 at The Dunes Golf and Beach Club. The award was presented by Vicki Blair, chairwoman of the LGS board of regents.
“Dennis Wade is without a doubt an asset to our community. He represents the heart of Leadership Grand Strand–exceptional leadership skills and unselfish volunteerism,” Blair said.
Wade is a native of Lancaster, S.C., and a 1984 magna cum laude graduate of the University of South Carolina where he obtained a bachelor’s in accounting. He is a certified public accountant and a certified internal auditor.
Wade’s career has spanned a variety of industries and responsibilities. He began his career in public accounting with a national accounting firm and then went on to become a founding partner in a local CPA firm based in Columbia. Wade has held various management level positions with companies in the insurance, financial services and public utilities industries and now focuses his attention to the real estate development, tourism and hospitality fields.
Wade located to Myrtle Beach in 1997 and joined The Jackson Companies as chief financial officer and corporate secretary. The Jackson Companies is a diversified real estate business owning and operating Ocean Lakes Family Campground, Prestwick Country Club and Crystal Lake Mobile Home Village.
In 2001, Dennis was elected president and chief executive officer at The Jackson Companies. He also serves as a member of their board of directors.
A graduate of Leadership Grand Strand Class of XVIV, Wade is active in the Grand Strand community. He has served on the Coastal Educational Foundation board of directors, the Board of Visitors for the Wall College of Business at Coastal Carolina University, Business Partnership Foundation board of advisors for the University of South Carolina-Moore School of Business and Horry County United Way board of directors.
He has served the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce as board member, treasurer, Finance Review Committee chairman, 2002-2003 chairman of the board and chairman of the CEO Search Committee. Wade also served on the board of directors for the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce. He was chairman for the Horry County March of Dimes 2004 and 2005 WalkAmerica. And to top it all off, Wade was a student mentor and tutor for Socastee Elementary School.
In 2005, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce named Wade its Citizen of the Year.
Wade, his wife Marie, and their two children Erica and Taylor live in Prestwick.
The Ann DeBock Leadership Award was commissioned and started by the LGS XIX in memory of Ann DeBock, who was the executive director of LGS from its inception in 1979 until her death in 1998. Each year, LGS honors an alum who has exhibited outstanding leadership and service with the Ann DeBock Leadership award. To receive this award, the recipient must volunteer in service or civic roles, serve on appointed boards or commissions, and show an overall demonstration of effective leadership skills.
Leadership Award Winners
2001 - Myrtle Beach Chief of Police Warren S. Gall
2002 - Lance Thompson
2003 - Billy Alford
2004 - Susan Grissom
2005 - Richard Hair
2006 - Nick Sherfesee
2007 - Dennis Wade
Ann DeBock Leadership Award
The Ann DeBock Leadership Award was a special project, commissioned and paid for by LGS XIX, in memory of Ann DeBock, the Executive Director of Leadership Grand Strand since its inception in 1979 and until her death in 1998.
Objective:
Each year the current Leadership Grand Strand class will honor and recognize an LGS Alumni who has exhibited outstanding leadership and service.
Nominee Criteria:
- Graduate of Leadership Grand Strand
- Record of serving the Grand Strand Community, with specific emphasis on service within the last two years that may include but not be limited to:
- Volunteering in service or civic roles
- Serving on appointed boards or commissions
- Overall demonstration of effective leadership skills
How is the Award Winner Selected:
A selection committee of seven will be comprised of (1) Executive Director, (3) Board of Regents members, and (3) current Leadership Grand Strand class members. Each working group within the current class will be responsible for submitting a one-page nomination for the award by the April meeting. The selection committee will review the four nominations and make their recommendation to the Board of Regents for final approval.
Presentation of Award:
At the graduation dinner for the current LGS class, in May of each years, the recipient and family will be invited to attend and receive the award.
The Ann DeBock Memorial Scholarship Fund
 The Leadership Grand Strand Board of Regents established the "Ann Debock Memorial Scholarship Fund" in memory or the LGS's longtime Executive Director. The fund is used to assist individuals pursuing leadership development, training, and educational opportunities.
For more information regarding these scholarships or to make a donation, contact the Diana Greene, Executive Director by email or call 916-7222.
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