#United States #Colorado Springs #Junior Achievement #JA Gold Award #Volunteer Recognition

Honoring Commitment: The JA Gold Leadership Award

Junior Achievement USA has proudly announced the selection of 12 volunteers from across the nation who will receive the esteemed JA Gold Leadership Award. This accolade, which honors volunteer excellence, is bestowed upon individuals who have significantly contributed to the organization's mission of fostering economic literacy and entrepreneurship among young people.

With an impressive pool of over 150,000 volunteers, the magnitude of this achievement is evident. The selected individuals have shown exceptional commitment and leadership in enhancing JA's impact during the 2023-24 school year. The winners will be celebrated at an awards ceremony scheduled for March next year.

Meet the Honorees

The 12 volunteers recognized for their extraordinary service are:

• - Arturo Pérez, Vice President at US Bank, representing JA of Arizona.
• - Bob Wall, a retired executive from Florida Blue with JA of North Florida (Jacksonville).
• - Ed Nekritz, Chief Legal Officer at Prologis, associated with JA-Rocky Mountain (Denver, CO).
• - Jack Rybicki, Principal at Clifton Larson Allen, honored via JA of Tampa Bay.
• - JC Huizenga, Chairperson of Westwater Group, connected with JA of the Michigan Great Lakes (Grand Rapids).
• - Jim Wittman, COO at Ershig Properties, recognized through JA of Southwestern Indiana (Evansville, IN).
• - Kelly King, Managing Partner at PwC's Nashville Office, representing JA of Middle Tennessee (Nashville).
• - Mark Mote, Partner in Risk Management at Ernst & Young LLP, associated with JA of Oklahoma.
• - Melissa Winter, Senior Vice President at GreenState Credit Union, honored with JA of Eastern Iowa.
• - Niloufar Molavi, Global Oil & Gas Leader at PwC, recognized through JA of Southeast Texas (Houston).
• - Tim Myers, Regional President (Retired) at United Community Bank, linked with JA of Central Florida (Orlando).
• - Tom McCarthy, Co-President and Co-Chief Investment Officer at McCarthy Cook & Co., associated with JA of Southern California (Los Angeles).

The Importance of Volunteers

As Tim Greinert, President of Junior Achievement USA, highlighted, volunteers are vital to the success of JA's programs. They play a crucial role in delivering learning experiences that profoundly impact students' lives. The dedication exhibited by these 12 volunteers has not only benefited countless young individuals but has also contributed to enhancing JA's operational effectiveness and sustainability.

Junior Achievement is committed to providing comprehensive education in financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. This educational model is realized through the passion and expertise of community and corporate volunteers who take on the role of mentors and teachers to inspire the youth of America.

The Reach of Junior Achievement

The scope of Junior Achievement is extensive, aiming to provide relevant educational experiences to students from kindergarten through high school. Currently, the organization impacts over 4.6 million students per year across 99 markets in the United States. Moreover, JA is expanding its efforts to reach young adults aged 18-25 and pre-K children, fostering essential life skills early on.

By recognizing and honoring the contributions of these dedicated volunteers, Junior Achievement not only acknowledges their significant efforts but also inspires others to engage and make a difference in their communities.

For more information on Junior Achievement and its programs, visit ja.org.