Pictured left to right is Dave Kring presenting Rezzie DeVet the 2010 Athena Award and 2009 winner Tina DeMoore.

There are numerous ways in which one can be a champion for a community and for the past 19 years Dave Kring Chevrolet-Cadillac has recognized a special individual who has demonstrated their work in the Petoskey area by awarding the highly acclaimed Athena Award.

The Athena Award is one of the highest-Profile accolades that can be given to someone who has demonstrated excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession, provides valuable service by devoting time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community and assists women in achieving their full leadership potential.
On Tuesday, December 7, 2010 during the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce “Breakfast for Champions” Dave Kring awarded the Athena Award to Rezzie DeVet.
Rezzie is the chief executive officer of Northern Michigan Regional Health System. In introducing DeVet, 2009 Athena winner Tina DeMoore shared an observation from 16th century author and aristocrat Marguerite de Valois: "A woman of honor should not expect of others things she would not do herself."

"This quote well describes this year's Athena Award recipient," DeMoore said. "She believes that a strong leader is someone who would never ask someone to do what they would not do themselves; she takes a personal interest in people as human beings and believes in the importance of communication both in listening and sharing information. Others in leadership positions and those interested in leadership development look to her as a mentor and role model. Many attest that she is the consummate servant leader. She believes in taking risks and getting out of your comfort zone in order to grow in your profession. She is a leader that instills those attitudes in others."

DeMoore also noted that DeVet "gracefully and artfully" assumed leadership of Emmet County's largest employer "under the most challenging circumstances" -- following the unexpected death of previous health system chief executive Tom Mroczkowski in 2009 and in a time of transition for the health care field.

Since the program inception in 1982 more than 5000 awards have been presented in over 500 communities in the United States, Canada, China, Russia, the United Arab Emirates and most recently the United Kingdom. By honoring exceptional leaders, The Athena Award program seeks to inspire others to achieve excellence in their professional and personal lives.
Past Athena Award Winners are:

2009 Tina DeMoore
2008 Jackie Burrell
2007 Chris Etienne
2006 Denise Simon
2005  Jane Bailey
2004 Jane Millar
2003 Margaret Ruemenapp
2002 Lisa Lemans Jessick
2001  Maureen Nicholson
2000 Cameron Brunet Koch
1999 Linda Hume
 1998  Judy Mainland
1997  Ann Smith
1996  Lynn Jenks
1995  Julie Norcross
1994 Jan Mancinelli
1993  Jan Smolinski
1992  Lynn Duse’