Spirit of the Prairie Awards Dinner Celebrating America’s Trailblazers
The annual Spirit of the Prairie Awards Dinner is Conner Prairie's opportunity to acknowledge those who have created a distinctly American story with their vision, passion, dedication and courage. The honorees exemplify the spirit of endeavor that created the rich and ever-changing tapestry of the United States.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Conner Prairie
5:45 pm: Cocktail Reception with Honorees
7:00 pm: Dinner & Award Presentations
Cocktail attire
You may make your reservation online for the 2010 Spirit of the Prairie dinner: Reservation form
2010 Spirit of the Prairie Nominees
Julie A. Davis
Civic Leader & Community Volunteer
Julie A. Davis, civic leader and community volunteer, has worked with more than 30 nonprofit organizations and numerous Indianapolis business leaders for the past 20 years. In 2000, Davis co-founded the Presidents Roundtable, bringing together the presidents of 11 (now 20) women's organizations to share ideas, identify issues and leverage the strengths of the various organizations representing 5,850 women volunteers. She is a 2008 Mayor's Community Service Award recipient and currently serves on the board of six nonprofits, while volunteering for nearly 15 others. Davis is a graduate of Indiana University Kelley School of Business.
John S. Pistole
Administrator, Transportation Security Administration
John S. Pistole, recently confirmed administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), is a graduate of Anderson University and Indiana University School of Law. As TSA Administrator, he oversees the security operations of more than 450 federalized airports throughout the U.S., the Federal Marshal Service and the security for highways, railroads, ports, mass-transit systems and pipelines. Pistole is also a 26-year veteran of the FBI with extensive national security and counterterrorism experience. Pistole is a recipient of the Department of Justice Edward H. Levy Award and the Presidential Rank Award for Distinguished Executives.
Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso
Rabbi, Author and Civic Leader
Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso has been rabbi of Congregation Beth-El Zedeck in Indianapolis since 1977. She was the first woman ordained from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and the first to serve a conservative congregation together with her husband, Rabbi Dennis Sasso. She is active in the arts, civic and interfaith communities and is the author of many articles and award-winning children's books, including God's Paintbrush. Sasso also lectures at Butler University and writes a monthly column for the Indianapolis Star.
Max L. Siegel
Entertainment Executive, Attorney & Television Film Producer
Max L. Siegel is the CEO of The 909 Group LLC, a sports, entertainment and lifestyle marketing firm representing such clients as NASCAR, Dale Earnhardt, Inc., BET Networks and the Minnesota Vikings. Siegel also leads the sports and entertainment industry team with the law firm Baker & Daniels in Indianapolis. He formerly served as president of global operations at Dale Earnhardt, Inc. and recently made history as the highest-ranking African-American executive in NASCAR. Siegel is a graduate of Notre Dame Law School.
Spirit of the Prairie Planning Committee
Event Chair
Gay Dwyer
Corporate Chairs
Nancy Huber, President and CEO, Central Indiana
Fifth Third Bank
Jay & Nancy Ricker, Founders
Ricker Oil Company, Inc.
Dinner Committee
Terry & Carolyn Anker
Nancy Ayres
J. Christopher & Elizabeth Cooke
Terry Dwyer
Murvin S. & Linda Enders
Nancy Fyffe
Lynette & Tony Hanes
Stan & Sandy Hurt
Mary Anne & Charles Koehler
Peggy & Squier Neal
Thomas & Nikki O'Brien
Pat Garrett Rooney
Jan & Al Webber
Tracy Williams
Sponsors
Dow AgroSciences
Fifth Third Bank
Monarch Beverage Company
Olinger Distributing Company
Printing Partners
U.S. Foodservice
Conner Prairie Museum Board of Directors
J. Christopher Cooke, Chair
Timothy Hassinger, Vice-Chair
Mary E. Busch, Secretary
David Fronek, Treasurer
John Ackerman
Terry Anker
Nancy Ayres
Roy A. Cage
Douglas D. Church
Christopher Clapp
Susan O. Conner
William E. Corley
Berkley W. Duck III
Gay Dwyer
Murvin S. Enders
Nancy Fyffe
Lynnette K. Hanes
Karen Hill
Bruce Hetrick
Steven Holt
Nancy Huber
Stan C. Hurt
Walter F. Kelly
Marjorie Meyer
Anthony Najem
William Neale
Jane Niederberger
Gary Reynolds
Pat Garrett Rooney
Philip Scarpino
Jerry Semler
Eugene R. Tempel
Julie Viellieu-Thompson
John G. Young
Ex-Officio
Ellen M. Rosenthal, President & CEO, Conner Prairie Museum, Inc.
Jan Webber, President, Conner Prairie Alliance
Leslie Morgan, Vice President, Conner Prairie Alliance
Conner Prairie Foundation Board of Directors
Berkley W. Duck III, Chair
Morris Mills, Vice-Chair
Douglas D. Church, Secretary
J. Christopher Cooke, Treasurer
John Ackerman
Thomas Fisher
Stan C. Hurt