This award was established to honor a board member or volunteer who demonstrates exceptional service, dedication, and commitment to the Poe Center. The first distinguished service award was presented to founding patron Faye L. Miller. Following that presentation, the award was renamed in her honor.

Since establishment, the Poe Center has been fortunate to have a member of the Poe family to serve on the Board of Directors. Adrianne Poe has volunteered to serve in that capacity for the past six years. She is committed to our mission and has provided our organization with legal expertise and a passion for health and wellness. Adrianne has also helped with our statewide presence in the Triad region. During her time on the Board of Directors, Adrianne chaired the Fundraising Committee for four out of her six years of service.

Max Ammons was first introduced to the Poe Center when working on the construction of the CookWELL Kitchen project. Max was a great fit for the Board of Directors and became Board President soon after joining. He helped to shed light on an underrepresented topic, how buildings and structures can help to support the health and well-being of those that live, work, and play in them. The Poe Center greatly appreciates Max’s leadership and innovative work with the Board of Directors.

Travis Sissler joined the Board of Directors and brought years of experience regarding finances and strategic planning for the long-term sustainability of the Poe Center. Travis served on the Finance Committee for many years and spearheaded the movement to outsource accounting firms to ensure financial sustainability for the first time in Poe Center’s history. He brought valuable perspectives and expertise to his time on the Board of Directors.

In May of 1992, Shirley Lucey and Virginia Scanlan, co-chairs of the “Our Health… Our Future Campaign” created the Gordon Smith Jr. Award to commemorate the crucial role that the late Gordon Smith Jr. played in the development of the Poe Center during his last months of life.

The award is presented annually to an individual or organization whose outstanding support and leadership help secure the financial security of the Poe Center and perpetuates the Gordon Smith Jr. legacy.

The work of promoting good health in North Carolina is aided by the support and dedication of many community partners. Each year, the Poe Center presents the President’s Award to honor the achievements of an individual or organization whose work over the past year shows a strong commitment to prevention and health education in our state.

Michelle is a Wake County leader and expert in tobacco-free laws and use in the county and schools. Additionally, she co-chairs the Wake County School Health Advisory Council that provides feedback and recommendations to the Wake County Board of Education on health curricula and health issues school-aged students are dealing with now. We are proud to honor Michelle with this year’s President’s Award.

This award honors a champion of physical education or health education in the schools. This teacher is someone who has worked closely with the Poe Center and others to implement, enhance or institute programs and policies that are supportive of healthy behaviors.