Barry Stephenson to receive 2023 ADFAC award
Previous Bow Tie recipients Cande Seay (2015), Pat Postma (2022), Jim Dodson (2021), and Ray Smith (2013) recently surprised Barry Stephenson, second from left, with the news he would receive the 2023 Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Award.
He will be honored at the 11th Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Fundraiser & Celebration Nov. 4.
Stephenson, president & CEO of Materials and Chemistry Laboratory, Inc, is active in Rotary, Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation, and the East Tennessee Economic Council, and lends his support to numerous local nonprofits, including ADFAC.
“Barry is a wonderful example of values similar to Bill Wilcox,” said Annie Cacheiro, ADFAC executive director.
“His significant commitment to ADFAC and numerous other local organizations as well as his leadership in the corporate community is exemplary and is to be commended through this award.”
The Bow Tie Award was established in 2013 to honor the late Bill Wilcox’s commitment to the community by honoring someone who has similar values and who has or is living a meaningful life working to do good for others in unique selfless ways, has been or is currently active in our community, and whose actions have created positive local impact throughout East Tennessee. Proceeds from the Bow Tie event support the short- and long-term stability of ADFAC and its charitable programs.
ADFAC began in the mid-1980s as a local ecumenical effort to provide assistance to impoverished families. Over the years, ADFAC has honored its roots by developing a broad variety of programs designed to meet unfilled needs in the community and currently answers over 6,000 requests for assistance each year. (adfac.org)