About the mayor
Name: Don Plusquellic.
Party: Democrat.
Personal: 63. Divorced, with two children and six grandchildren.
Education: Law degree from the University of Akron. Bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bowling Green State University.
Political experience: Mayor since January 1987, finishing former Mayor Tom Sawyer’s term, then winning a full term. Re-elected in 2011 to a record seventh term, defeating Akron Councilman-at-large Mike Williams in the primary and Republican Jennifer Hensal in the General Election. Soundly defeated a recall attempt in 2009.
Awards include: Israeli-American Chamber of Commerce Award for enhancing trade relations, 2010; Urban Hero Award, Coalition of Urban Serving Universities, 2009; Mayer Global Citizenship Award, Tufts University in Medford, Mass., 2009; City Livability Award, U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2009 and 1999; All-America City Award, National Civic League, 2009 and 1995; Leadership Award for Public Service, International Economic Development Council, 2008; President, U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2004-05; Municipal Leader of the Year, American City & County Magazine, 2003.
About the award
The Greater Akron Chamber gives the H. Peter Burg Award annually to a business leader who has “demonstrated extraordinary leadership in promoting economic development in the Greater Akron region.” It is named for the late chairman and CEO of FirstEnergy Corp., who was the first honoree, though he received it posthumously. Other awards are given in Burg’s name, including one by the American Red Cross that this year went to Dave Lieberth, who retired last year after serving as Plusquellic’s deputy mayor for 10 years.
Past winners
2004: H. Peter Burg, chairman, CEO of FirstEnergy Corp.
2005: No award given.
2006: Robert P. Reffner, vice president/legal, FirstEnergy.
2007: William H. Considine, president, CEO of Akron Children’s Hospital.
2008: Thomas G. Knoll, principal, Stark & Knoll, Co., LPA.
2009: Frederick J. Krum, director, Akron-Canton Airport.
2010: Donald Misheff, managing partner, Ernst & Young.
2011: Joe Kanfer, chairman, CEO, GOJO Industries.
2012: Steve Marks, CEO, Main Street Gourmet.
Source: Beacon Journal archives, Greater Akron Chamber.