Michael D. Roberts North Alabama Excellence Award

Chairman Stanley Menefee and Mayor Ronnie Marks Honored with Michael D. Roberts North Alabama Excellence Award

Limestone County Commission Chairman Stanley Menefee and Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks were awarded the Michael D. Roberts North Alabama Excellence Award on
Tuesday, August 27, 2013. The award was presented by the North Alabama Industrial Development Association at their annual conference in Huntsville. The award is symbolized by an original blown glass “Flame of Excellence” by artist Hans Godo Frabel of the Frabel Studio in Atlanta, Georgia.

Chairman Menefee and Mayor Marks were chosen for their contributions to economic development in Alabama, North Alabama and to Limestone County. Chairman Menefee and
Mayor Marks were instrumental in the process of locating the new $500 million Carpenter Technology specialty alloy plant to Limestone County in 2012. NAIDA President CEO Tate Godfrey said, “Both of these gentlemen have exhibited tremendous leadership in moving Limestone County and Athens forward. They are to be credited for making their communities a better place to live and work.”

The award which they received, The Michael D. Roberts North Alabama Excellence Awardwas created in 2003 to publicly recognize special groups, people, projects or activities that have positively impacted the North Alabama region both economically and socially over the past year. The first award was presented to both Congressman Bud Cramer and Congressman Robert Aderholt for their contributions and support of Economic Development in North Alabama.

Michael D. Roberts served as the assistant director of NAIDA from 1988 until 1994 and as the executive director from 1995 until 2003. Mr. Roberts lost a year long battle with cancer on August 21, 2003. Due to Mr. Roberts’ dedication to the area and his zeal in assisting in the creation of jobs for the people of North Alabama, the NAIDA Board of Directors deemed it appropriate to memorialize him in some way.

Therefore, the NAIDA Board of Directors unanimously voted in October, 2003 to formally rename the North Alabama Excellence Award to the Michael D. Roberts North Alabama Excellence Award.
By: Cindy Burns