Annual Awards Program 2021

Program Agenda: 
11:30AM-12:00PM - Featured Speaker
12:00PM-12:45PM - Award Recipient Recognition

Featuring Kenny McDonald, President & Chief Economic Officer, One Columbus, will lead a discussion on the outlook for the Central Ohio region and insights to the future workforce and business climate as we transition into the new year. 

Join us to celebrate and honor our 2020 Award Recipients: 
Young Professional of the Year, Khrista Achtermann, Director of Population Health Services – Central Ohio Primary Care
Business Person of the Year, Mark Smolik, VP and General Counsel – DHL Supply
Large Business of the Year – The Revolution Group
Small Business of the Year – Westerville Dental Associates
Veteran Champion – Charles Moore, President, The Middlefield Banking Company

We will also recognize our outgoing Board of Trustees members as well as the official changing of the gavel from Ashley Fellers, Trailhead Financial Partners to Dina Shultz, Civista Bank.

About Kenny: 

Kenny McDonald, CEcD, joined the One Columbus (formerly Columbus 2020) team in July 2010. As president and chief economic officer, Kenny serves as the primary leader of all economic development and business attraction efforts for the 11-county Columbus Region. Kenny has an extensive background in site selection, regional economic development, community marketing, business recruitment and international business development. Most recently, he served as executive vice president at the Charlotte Regional Partnership. He has also held positions at the Albuquerque Economic Development Corporation, Fluor Daniels Global Locations Strategies and Savannah Economic Development Authority. Kenny graduated with a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Dickinson State University and a Master of Public Administration from Georgia Southern University. In October 2019, Kenny was elected to serve as chair of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). He also serves on the boards of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, Columbus Collaboratory, Columbus Regional Airport Authority, Experience Columbus, SciTech and Transportation Research Center.