ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In announcing the first-of-its-kind convening, John R. Dallas, Jr., CEO of ENCLAVE Foundation for Entrepreneurs, Inc., said, “As we work to extend the motivational and standard-setting value of outstanding achievements of the five ENCLAVE Luminary Leaders 2018, the Selection Committee was unanimous in deciding to name Mayor Craig B. Johnson, ENCLAVE Luminary Leader of the Year 2018. For tireless effort to shine light on the region’s unlimited potential to grow and prosper — one individual, one venture, and one community at a time; in that order of priority — Mayor Johnson personifies ENCLAVE’s mission-driven functions as an (1) illuminator, a (2) simulator, and a (3) collider.”
Following the presentation of colors, pledge of allegiance, and opening remarks by Elk Grove Police Chief Charles G. Walsh, Mayor Johnson commended for their outstanding achievements the evening’s honorees: David R. Schuler, Ph.D., of Township High School District 214, Superintendent of the Year for the United States, Paul W. Kelly, Principal of the Year for Illinois, from Elk Grove High School, Ricardo (Ricky) Castro, Teacher of the Year (2017) for Illinois, from Elk Grove High School, Richard J. Mikel, Fire Chief of the Year for Illinois, from Elk Grove Village Fire Department, and Eric R. Broughton, ENCLAVE Entrepreneur of the Year 2018, of Naperville, IL, who recently sold to Expedia (EXPE, NASDAQ) his startup venture, Apartment Jet, Inc.
This was the first time all of these ENCLAVE Luminary Leaders appeared on one stage, in Founders Hall in the ENCLAVE Building — filled to capacity with top leaders in various fields. The excitement and expectation in the Hall were palpable.
Before learning of his surprise award, Mayor Johnson graciously congratulated Commissioner Morrison — an Elk Grove native — for his recent win to represent the 15th District on the Cook County Board of Commissioners. The Mayor did not yet know he was the primary reason the Commissioner was in attendance. Shortly, the Commissioner would congratulate the Mayor.
With the Selection Committee on stage, Foundation CEO Dallas read a long list of Mayor Johnson’s achievements, and then — to the mayor’s obvious surprise and delight — announced Craig B. Johnson as ENCLAVE Luminary Leader of the Year 2018.
ENCLAVE co-founders, psychiatrists David E. Morrison, Jr., M.D. and David E. Morrison III, M.D., offered instructive reality checks about the psychological and emotional significance and risks of winning awards. Moderator Dallas kept the focus on the upside societal relevance of awards as indicators of a community of leaders working together. Dallas invited the evening’s honorees to periodically regroup for innovative discussion — as the first cohort of ENCLAVE’s Luminary Leaders League.
With one more stellar accomplishment to his good name, in a few days Mayor Johnson will head-off to ESPN’s Makers Wanted™ Bahamas Bowl on December 21; this year featuring Florida International University (FIU) and University of Toledo. Elk Grove Village, IL is the first non-tourist-destination city to be a title sponsor for a college football bowl game.