Note: To view video coverage of the ceremony by Bath City Beat, click here: http://youtu.be/4DyraU_2fjQ.

The Macomb Foundation recently presented the 2014 ATHENA Award to Leslie Wilson-Smith, senior logistics manager at U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command.  The international ATHENA award recognizes individuals who are well accomplished professionally, give back to their community and actively assist women in realizing their full leadership potential.

In a career that spans more than 30 years, Wilson-Smith has worked diligently to provide equal access and opportunity for women and minorities through training, mentoring, professional development and exposure to various life skills and opportunities.

As the external face of the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command’s Competition Management Program, Wilson-Smith is charged with helping companies and organizations both large and small understand how to do business with not only the U.S. Army TACOM and the U.S. Army but also the federal government.

She also serves as president of Federally Employed Women’s Great Lakes Chapter, an organization with a mission to improve the status of women employed by the federal government.

“Leslie Wilson-Smith embodies the ideals of ATHENA,” said Grace Shore, Macomb Foundation CEO. “Her leadership and dedication are an inspiration.”

Sixteen other local nominees were also recognized at the award luncheon:

  • Kathy M. Bartz, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Presbyterian Villages of Michigan
  • Karan Bates-Gasior, Vice President of Operations, Macomb Habitat for Humanity
  • Julie Crorey, Vice President, Fox Broadcasting
  • Honorable Linda Davis, 41-B District Court
  • Kathy Devlin, Head Instructor, IBEW-NECA Electrical Industry Training Center
  • Denise Dorsz, Executive Director, Leaps and Bounds Family Services
  • Dawn Dyer Magretta, Director, Macomb Community College Foundation
  • Angela Freeman, Community Relations Director, First State Bank
  • Felisicia Holifield, Educational Outreach and College Futures Coordinator, New Haven Community Schools
  • Patricia A. Keigher, Director, Diagnostic Imaging and Cancer Services, McLaren Macomb
  • Anne Lilla, Executive Director, Anton Art Center
  • Maryanne MacLeod, Director, Macomb Regional Media Lab, Macomb Daily
  • Maria Martinez, Executive Director, St. Clair Shores Youth Council for Diversity & Inclusion
  • Carrie Mead, Chief of Plans, Analysis & Integration, U.S. Army Garrison-Detroit Arsenal
  • Paula M. Roman, Senior Vice President, Detroit Northeast Regional Manager , PNC Bank
  • Honorable Kathy Viviano, Macomb County Circuit Court
  • Leslie Wilson-Smith,  Senior Logistics Manager, U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command

Previous ATHENA honorees made up the selection committee.

Event sponsors were HAP, Axalta Coating Systems, Davenport University, DTE Energy Foundation, First State Bank, Flagstar Bank, General Dynamics Land Systems, General Motors, Henry Ford Macomb Hospitals, the Macomb Daily, and St. John Providence Health System.

The Macomb Foundation has presented the ATHENA Award in Macomb County exclusively since 1999.