2017 Mayor & Vice Mayor's Award Recipients

	Susan Ackley is a career certified public accountant who has used her skills to assist a variety of non-profits. She is also no stranger to City government as she has served on the Economic Development Authority for 14 years. Susan is a member and former president of the Lynchburg Estate Planning Council and was a founding member and past treasurer of the E.C. Glass Foundation. In addition she has served on the Children’s Assistive Technology Service board. Known as CATS, the organization’s mission is to improve the lives of children with disabilities through assistive technology re-use.
	Born and raised in Charlottesville, Chip Berry came to Lynchburg as a freshman at Lynchburg College. Chip Berry played basketball all four years and made captain his senior year. His team won more games than any other team in LC basketball history. After graduating, Chip became Coach Berry as he started on what would be a 38-year career as a teacher and coach at E.C. Glass High School. His love of coaching and young people led him to volunteer for 36 years with the Virginia High School Coaches Association. Through the years, he served the organization in a number of capacities including the Legislative Council, boys’ soccer chairman, commissioner of Lynchburg Indoor Soccer, and summer league soccer commissioner. In summary, Coach Berry has coached 59 high school sports teams and retired twice. There is no doubt that his fortitude and commitment to our local youth has made a lasting and positive impression on thousands of students.
	Dr. James Camm, a Lynchburg native, served the United States in the U.S. Army, retiring as a First Sergeant. After his retirement, he pursued his education and received a BS degree in Personal Financing, a Master’s degree in Organizational Management, and a PhD in Divinity. Each of these life changing steps has led Dr. Camm to the inspirational work he loves - helping people. After spending a number of years in Alaska, in 2001, he returned to his hometown and founded Living Word Ministries. His ministry led him to launch Word Ministries International which now oversees ministries in Alaska, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia. Dr. Camm participates with the Big Brothers, Big Sisters Lunch Buddy Program at RS Payne Elementary School. He also provides outreach to local homeless men by providing meals, housing, personal grooming facilities and laundry services. He also is an active partner with the Lynchburg Police Department in youth community outreach.
	Carla Garrett has found a way to combine her two passions, sports and young people, in her service to this community. Carla was the founder of the Dunbar Middle School’s Athletic Booster Program the non-profit program, Central Virginia Athletic Association. She currently serves as the Acting Director of Operations for the non-profit organization Hill City Youth Football and Cheerleading, and has helped strengthen the relationship with the City of Lynchburg and athletic programs at Liberty University and Randolph College, as well as the Jubilee Family Development Center. Over the last five years through her work with Hill City Youth, Carla has organized free football and cheer camps, purchased new athletic equipment, and even garnered support to provide 100 turkeys to needy families.
	James Hornsby is an organizer. He’s organized school drives, awareness walks and charitable fundraisers just to name a few. James day job is manager for one of our local Walmart stores. If you don’t see him at Walmart, you might see James during the Lynchburg Epilepsy Awareness Walk where he and his team have helped raise more than $75,000. You can also find James collecting food for the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. In the last three years, his store has collected more than 30,000 pounds of food which was distributed via the Food Bank to a variety of local non-profit organizations. He also works Partners in Education with the annual “Fill the Bus” program. Sometimes you’ll find him with our police department working with a local basketball league or a variety of other charitable police functions. James’s organization skills make things happen, and he also inspires many to join him in his endeavors which helps make Lynchburg a great place to live!
	Lynchburg native, James (Jim) Webster, returned to Lynchburg to be close to family after living in Boston. Though retired, you wouldn’t know it by the schedule he keeps… some say he’s a “professional volunteer.” In 2007, Jim seized the opportunity to participate in the City’s Dialogue on Race and Racism as a facilitator, trainer, board member and participant. He also served on the Interfaith Outreach Association Board, the Adult Care Center Board and currently serves on the Salvation Army Board and Park View Community Mission Board and participated in the Bridges Out of Poverty Committee. Jim’s volunteerism is seen in his direct service to others. He’s given out free bread with the Tree of Life Bread Ministry, provided groceries and personal care products to local families through a variety of programs and is ready to lend a hand to anyone when the need arises. Jim is the type of volunteer everyone wants for their program.
	After college, Nick George, a self-acknowledged real life geek, poet, husband and father, got involved with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Virginia. As a mentor to youth, Nick realized that so often young people just need someone to listen to them, and he also realized that many adults felt the same way. In response, he founded The Listening, Inc., a non-profit program that provides a platform for people to share their words, their art, their music, and their hearts, while others really listen. The Listening asks, “If you had a room full of people willing to listen to you, what would you say?” Well Nick, we do have a room full of people here and this is what we have to say: Thank you for creating a positive experience for both youth and adults alike where they can share and inspire the rest of us. Your creativity is a gift, and we’re so glad you’re sharing it here in the City of Lynchburg.
	Kate Sigler's skills have been successfully put to work in community service over the past 17 years. During her young career, Kate has done everything from arranging events for the President of the United States to preparing budgets for the Virginia Legal Aid Society. These skills, among myriad of others, provide a great resource to several local organizations for which she volunteers. Kate is very active in Miriam’s House. She has served as a board member since 2012, the luncheon chair for three years, and she currently serves as the vice president. She is an active member of St. John’s Episcopal Church where she serves as a vestry member, Sunday School teacher, flower guild member and Parish Picnic chair. As a recipient of the Vice Mayor’s Award of Excellence, we have no doubt that Kate will continue her community service work for years to come.