Pontiac, MI, September 16, 2008 Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson will honor a former Olympic Gold Medalist, a University president and a well-known real estate developer at his annual Quality People, Quality County (Q2) awards breakfast to be held at the Centerpoint Marriot in Pontiac on Thursday, September 18, 2008.
Hayes Jones, who won the gold medal in the 110 meter hurdle event at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, is manager of the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART). After winning the gold medal, Jones donated it to the City of Pontiac to inspire young people to reach for their dreams. Jones is involved with the Baldwin Center which works with at-risk youngsters and hes active in the Pontiac Alumni Foundation which helps students achieve scholastic improvement. Jones also started the Hayes Jones Foundation to provide an opportunity for third and fourth grade students to experience a world outside their day-to-day environment.
Ted Fuller, a product of Culver Military Academy and the United States Marine Corps, has compiled a successful 35 year record of bringing economic development to Birmingham and Oakland County. His Fuller Central Park Properties has dramatically enhanced the business landscape and environment locally while in the process created new jobs. Fullers company rehabilitated the old Jacobson's property and leased it to the McCann Erickson Advertising Agency. After purchasing the National City Bank building, Central Park Properties transformed the property into a new home for Wells-Fargo Bank which will also house AOL, CBS, Payroll One and Therma-Scan. Outside of his business interests, Fuller is involved in Birmingham's Concerts in the Park, the annual fireworks display and a variety of local charities.
Dr. Gary Russi has served as president of Oakland University since 1996. During his tenure, student population has increased from 11,000 to 18,000; nine new building have been constructed; 53 academic programs have been added and research has quadrupled. One of his biggest achievements to date is the partnership between O.U. and Beaumont Hospitals to build a new medical school on campus. It's estimated that the new school, in addition to addressing the severe doctor shortage expected over the next few years, will create 11,000 new jobs and pump about $1 billion into the local economy.
"These three outstanding citizens represent the very best Oakland County has to offer," Patterson said. "Each one in his own way has contributed greatly to making Oakland County a premiere location in which to live, work, play and raise a family."
The awards breakfast at Centerpoint Marriot begins at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 18th.
For media inquiries only, please contact Bob Dustman, Media and Communications Officer, at (248) 858-1048.
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