Award announcements

2008 Top Ten Women Business Owners of Northeast Ohio

Congratulations to this year's winners!

•Stephanie Aldrich – Akron Dental Concepts
• Rose Corrick – Art of Cloth
• Lori DeVore – DeVore Technologies, Inc
• Amy H Fulford – enlight
• Cindy Mustafa – Realty One Real Living
• Beth Paddock – PSawards
• Robin Penca – Penca Creative Services
• Kristen Putnam-Walkerly – Putnam Community Investment Consulting
• Carole Richards – North Coast Education Services
• Nicolette Scott – Broad View Eye Center

2008 Tower Award

NAWBO Cleveland is proud to announce the second annual Tower Award recipient Colleen Barrett, president of Southwest Airlines. The Tower Award was established to recognize a nationally prominent business woman who exemplifies excellence in business, initiative and creativity in meeting business challenges, and civic and community involvement.

For Southwest Airlines, Colleen has served as President from 2001 to present and Secretary of the Corporation since March 1978.  In the past, she has served as Vice President Administration from 1986 to 1990; Executive Vice President Customers from 1990 to 2001.
 
In her present capacity, she oversees management, leadership, and budget responsibilities over the following areas/groups: the Vice President Marketing (Marketing, Advertising, Promotions; Online Marketing; Revenue Management & Pricing); the Vice President Customer Relations & Rapid Rewards; the Senior Vice President Corporate Communications (Pass Bureau; Emergency Response; Public Relations; Community Relations & Charitable Giving; Employee Communications; Legislative Awareness); the Vice President People & Leadership Development (People [Human Resources]; Leadership Development & Training; Manager in Training programs; University for People; Performance Reviews; Onboarding Program; etc.); the Vice President Employee & Labor Relations (Labor & Employment Law; Employee Relations; FMLA/ADA; Labor Relations & Negotiations); the Vice President Reservations; the Director Corporate Security; and the Executive Office Staff. She is a member of the Company’s Board of Directors, as well as a member of the Company’s Executive Planning Committee, and she chairs numerous special Teams, task forces, and committees relating to Internal and External Southwest Customers.

The “secret” to keeping the Southwest thriving is Colleen’s belief in community service and her encouragement of Employees to volunteer in their communities.

For Colleen, Living the Southwest Way is truly a way of life. Colleen’s views on volunteering were shaped early in her career, and she credits her teachers for instilling in her a strong belief in many values.

When asked about the benefits from volunteering together as a Team, Colleen is passionate: “The results that come from Teamwork and Teambuilding are intangible and priceless. There is a sense of pride in the accomplishment that cannot be matched by simply working as individuals on any effort.”

She adds, “It is important to have an avocation that is also your vocation. You have to want to do it in order to be dedicated to the cause. As long as I feel I’m making a positive difference, I feel fulfilled in the work that I’m doing.”

“Volunteering is a perfect way for People to exercise the attributes that are essential to Living the Southwest Way. It takes a Warrior Spirit; a Servant’s Heart; and a Fun-LUVing Attitude to make a difference in our communities. I encourage each of our Employees to find a cause that he or she is passionate about, and reap the rewards of giving back.”

Source:
www.southwest.com