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Metro United Way Honors Extraordinary Volunteers with National Presidential Service Award

photo of Presidential Service Award recipients
Pictured, L to R: Wes Beckner, Don Gossman, Kent Oyler, Joe Tolan- Metro United Way President and CEO, Marsha Biven and Joe Brown. Not pictured: Leon Mooneyhan and Bob McIntosh.

To bring a perfect ending to Volunteer Month, Metro United Way named seven outstanding community volunteers as winners of the 2010 Presidential Service Award. With passions including healthcare and education, each Presidential Service Award recipient has worked tirelessly to make people’s lives better. One exceptional individual was chosen from each of the counties served by Metro United Way.

“I am extremely excited to present these awards and to thank these incredibly giving volunteers, says Wes Beckner, Group/State President-Kentucky BB&T and Chairman of the Board of Metro United Way. “All of them exemplify what it means to Live United: a tireless dedication to Metro United Way, and a selfless commitment to improving lives and making our community stronger for us all,” adds Beckner.

In 2003, the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation was formed to recognize the valuable contributions of volunteers in local communities.  It created the Presidential Volunteer Service Award program as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service.  Each Metro United Way Presidential Service Award winner receives a letter of congratulations from President Barack Obama, an official Presidential Service Award lapel pin and a personalized certificate of achievement.

Two of the winners, entrepreneur Kent Oyler of Jefferson County, KY, and retired Marine Lieutenant Bob McIntosh of Clark County, IN, also received the Lifetime Presidential Achievement Award.

Use the links below to learn more about each of these seven remarkable volunteers.

Kent Oyler - Jefferson County, KY

Kent Oyler has been volunteering for Metro United Way for approximately 20 years. Kent and his wife Kathy have dedicated themselves to our community. Kent has described himself as a “serial entrepreneur;” a simple search on Google will result in numerous hits pairing his name with this phrase. Having started 18 business ventures—the first when he was in high school—this self-assessment has more than proven to be accurate. Even more noteworthy is the fact that Kent defies the stereotype of the self-serving businessman: for Kent, being an entrepreneur is not a job, it is a way to live. In addition to giving over $1 million dollars to United Way, he and wife Kathy were our first Million Dollar Roundtable Members. Kent has used his skills, leadership, creativity and time to find innovative ways to improve the quality of life in our community.  

First and foremost, Kent has been a loyal supporter of Metro United Way, donating his money, time, leadership, and creativity. In addition to chairing the steering committee that established the Success By 6 initiative, a program that is working to insure that all children are prepared for school by age six, he, along with Kathy, convinced three other Louisville couples to join them in creating a five-year New Business Challenge match to fuel new donors to support Metro United Way. The establishment of this match has resulted in the generation of over $20 million dollars for the metro Louisville area. With Kathy, Kent also began our Tocqueville Growth Initiative in 2001 and served as our first Chair. After setting up an entire staff team and volunteer group to support him, he committed his leadership to this new structure for an incredible three years. During his tenure he inspired over 120 families to join the Tocqueville Society as well as created a scorecard that was used nationally as a tracking document and is still used locally by our Metro United Way.

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Bob McIntosh - Clark County, IN

Bob McIntosh has been a volunteer with Metro United Way for over 30 years.  Bob has been involved in every facet of Metro United Way as part of the Marketing Committee, Campaign Cabinet, Allocations Team, Program Review Team, Clark County Advisory Board, Community Solutions Committee, Community Impact Cabinet, and the overall Board of Directors. Currently, he chairs the Clark County Community Solutions Committee and represents our United Way on the Indiana Association of United Way’s Public Policy Committee.

In addition to sharing the gift of his time, he is a remarkable visionary.  He sees things as they can be.  He sees potential where others do not.  Like many other truly committed volunteers, he volunteers not for the recognition, but for the personal satisfaction of helping others.  Bob has been a thoughtful and committed leader for the Indiana Association of United Ways as well as Metro United Way.  

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Susan Bradbury - Bullitt County, KY

Susan Bradbury serves on multiple community boards including CASA, The YMCA of Bullitt County and The Bullitt County Chamber; she also works closely on the Bullitt County Relay for Life Campaign.  She is currently working with The Center for Women and Families to bring a “Dress for Success” type program to Bullitt County.  Susan is truly a model of selflessness and volunteerism.  She inspires everyone she comes in contact with by her passion and devotion to her causes. 

Susan Bradbury has been volunteering with Metro United Way for 6 years.  She is the reason that Bullitt County is an active part of Metro United Way.  Five years ago First Federal Savings Bank was running a United Way campaign with all the funds going to Hardin County.  Susan raised the question of how to keep the money in Bullitt County to her superiors and they told her she would need to start a chapter so she reached out to Metro United Way and the rest is history.  She has served as Chair of the Advisory Board since its inception and has been instrumental in fundraising and community awareness. 

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Don Gossman - Harrison County, IN

Don Gossman has volunteered with Metro United Way for over 20 years.  He is an active member of the Southern Indiana Advisory Board, and serves on the executive board and board of directors for Metro United Way.  He was key in the success of the three Southern Indiana boards merging into the one board (SIAB).  He has been active in all aspects of Metro United Way work from chairing the Harrison County campaign efforts, to serving on the PRT and CSC committees.  He is also very active in Junior Achievement, serving on their board.

Don’s involvement inspires others to volunteer their time.  In fact, he was solely responsible for the article in the Corydon Democrat encouraging others in Harrison County to volunteer.  Don has been an incredibly valuable asset to our community.

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Joe Brown - Floyd County, IN

Joe Brown has been an active volunteer with Metro United Way for over 20 years.  Joe has served in a variety of roles including the Metro United Way Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and the Finance Committee.  Additionally, in Floyd County, Joe served on the Floyd County Advisory Board, and as a Division Chair for annual campaign efforts. 

Joe has encouraged those in the community to step up and give, advocate, and volunteer on behalf of Metro United Way and the agencies served.  He is passionate about his work, giving his treasured time and talents to move the mission forward.   Joe’s commitment is longstanding, and he is a dedicated volunteer that can be called upon to assist with any work necessary.

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Leon Mooneyhan - Shelby County, KY

Leon Mooneyhan has been an active member of the Program Review Team (PRT) in Shelby County for about 3 years, and was previously the superintendent of the Shelby County Public School System.  He is passionate, dedicated and committed to Metro United Way. Leon is always available to join special adhoc committees of the PRT to meet with agency representatives in Shelby County to address issue or concerns.  He thoroughly reviews the funding proposals and budgets for agencies and is active and engaged in annual PRT meetings.

Leon is truly committed to the mission and vision of Metro United Way and works closely with others in the community to improve the quality of life for individuals and families in that community.  He inspires others to volunteer through his own hard work on behalf of Metro United Way.      

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Marsha Biven - Oldham County, KY

Marsha Biven has been volunteering with Metro United Way for approximately 6 years.  Marsha has served is many different roles as a volunteer at MUW.  She has been a member of the Oldham County Community Solutions Committee (CSC) and even served as Chair of that committee for 2 years.  She is an active volunteer and leader on the Oldham County Smiles Task Force, is a member of the Community Impact Cabinet (Chair 2008-present), and currently serves on the Board of Directors, as well.  She has also been instrumental at leading community conversations about mental health services in our community.  Marsha is more than just a volunteer; she is a leader.  She has been instrumental in promoting health services and transportation in rural areas of our MUW-region, and has contributed significantly to MUW’s efforts to align our funding to our priority areas.

Marsha is incredibly knowledgeable about the needs of her community and is committed to finding solutions to meet these needs. She has been instrumental in starting the free health clinic in Oldham County, developing a transportation system in Oldham County, and meeting the dental needs of children in her area.  Marsha is a committed volunteer who makes herself available whenever she is needed- even if that means driving in to Louisville several times a month for meetings.

Marsha is passionate about recruiting other volunteers in the community to Metro United Way causes.  She has engaged her co-workers and friends in Metro United Way’s work.  Even after the free health clinic officially opened in Oldham Co., Marsha continues to work hard behind the scenes years later to make sure it will be sustainable.  “Commitment” is her mantra!   Marsha also inspires others by her willingness to step into leadership roles within different volunteer committees.  She doesn’t just serve, she leads.

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