(Naples, FL) – Greater Naples Leadership (GNL) has named Thomas D. McCann as the 2018 recipient of its annual Distinguished Leadership Award in honor of his outstanding commitment to both the Naples nonprofit and civic communities over the years. A graduate of GNL Class IX, Mr. McCann’s contributions to GNL include serving on its Board of Directors as well as Vice President for Membership and member of the Governance and Distinguished Leadership Award committees.
“Throughout my experience in Naples, I have found that GNL people are at the center of many significant organizations that serve the community. To be honored by GNL for leadership makes this recognition all the more gratifying,” shares Mr. McCann.
As a past 12-year Board Member with the Naples Botanical Garden, Mr. McCann was named Chair of both the Board of Directors and the Nominating and Governance Committee. His leadership skills were instrumental in the strategic and planning process for the Garden as well.
Garden President and CEO, Donna McGinnis says, “In his three years as Chairman of the Board of Naples Botanical Garden, Tom McCann guided the organization through the opening of its new Chabraja Visitor Center, development of a new strategic plan and recruitment of a new President & CEO. Tom also led the organization through the significant challenges of recovery from Hurricane Irma, which destroyed one-third of the Garden. His leadership has had an incredible impact on this young, fast-growing organization.”
During his six-year tenure on the board of the Community Foundation of Collier County, he led its strategic planning initiative, strengthening how the Foundation serves the community and ensuring funds granted by the Foundation have the most impact with nonprofit organizations in Collier County. Mr. McCann continues to serve the Community Foundation as co-chair of the Trustees Emeriti Committee. “I can’t think of a more deserving person that Tom McCann for this award,” stated president and CEO, Eileen Connolly-Keesler. “He has done outstanding work for numerous nonprofits in this community and we are lucky to have him here in Naples.”
In his unwavering commitment to the Collier County community as well, Mr. McCann continues to serve on the Collier County Coastal Advisory Committee, the Naples Planning Advisory Board and Collier Citizen Council.
Prior to his retirement and subsequent move to Collier County, Mr. McCann’s law career often kept him at the forefront of newsworthy events and in the presence of notable characters. From a brush with famed Teamster Union leader Jimmy Hoffa in union negotiations to crisis control in a Tylenol-like pharmaceutical poisoning scare, Tom’s crisis management experience has most certainly helped to shape his board and community contributions here in Naples.
For more information on Mr. McCann’s nomination and Greater Naples Leadership, please email J.R. Philp, call 239.300.7055 or visit www.gnlwebsite.org.
ABOUT GREATER NAPLES LEADERSHIP
Greater Naples Leadership (GNL) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing proven leaders with a unique opportunity to learn firsthand about Collier County’s challenges and to encourage the use of their skills individually and collectively in addressing these needs and bettering the community. Now in its third decade, Greater Naples Leadership continues to provide exceptional opportunities for its members to improve the community and enrich their lives through first-hand learning experiences, rewarding relationships with accomplished, like-minded individuals and unparalleled access to meaningful board and volunteer roles.