Ballard selected as Al Mills Citizen of the Year
Each year the Chamber of Commerce announces the “Al Mills Citizen of the Year.”
Al Mills was president of the Chamber of Commerce back in the early 2000s, and with his leadership skills he revived the organization promoting its growth and starting the path to where we are today (of course, with lots of bumps along the road but all leaders that followed need to have a challenge!!)
There are many wonderful people who step up in our community making the selection of the recipient of the award more difficult each year.
Leadership makes all the difference. This year Robert Ballard received the award.
Past president of the Calusa Land Trust and current Chief Land Steward of the new preserve, Chipley SandPatch Chicken Farm, Robert is a Bokeelia native, fifth generation Floridian, brought up in a family of commercial fisherman as well as working an 11,000-acre ranch, which is now where the Burnt Store Publix is.
Robert has a wealth of knowledge and history of Pine Island as-well as being a key negotiator for the development, preservation and ongoing maintenance of CLT’s preserves.
He is a sought-after speaker, giving many presentations regionally. Leading by example these days, he can often be found at the Chipley SandPatch Chicken farm operating a wood chipper, identifying species of native plants and leading the development of this new preserve.
Thank you, Robert Ballard, for all you do for our community.
Cynthia Welch is a member of the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce Board