Photo courtesy of The Daily Progress

Immediate past chamber chairman Michael Gaffney (left) presents the Paul Goodloe McIntire Citizenship Award to Leonard W. Sandridge.

November 21, 2003 -- The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce presented its most prestigious award, the Paul Goodloe McIntire Citizenship Award, to Leonard Sandridge before an audience of more than 425 business and community leaders attending the 2003 Annual Chamber of Commerce Dinner held Wednesday at the Charlottesville Omni Hotel.

Sandridge, a native of the Charlottesville-Albemarle community, is executive vice president and chief operating officer of the University of Virginia. He attended Albemarle County Schools, graduating from Albemarle High School. He graduated from the University of Richmond with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. He holds a Masters degree in Accounting from the University of Virginia. Sandridge and his wife Jerry live in Crozet. They have two sons, Richard and Michael, and two grandchildren.

"Leonard Sandridge is a gentleman who simply goes about his job day-in / day-out, without any fan-fare, defining the notion of “24/7” – with skill, purpose and grace,” said Michael Gaffney, Past Chairman of the Chamber Board of Directors and Chairman of the Chamber Paul Goodloe McIntire Citizenship Award Committee.

“Despite the Herculean demands of his job, he has shared his time, attention and energy as surely as he shares himself, widely throughout our community. While he is not a professor at U.Va., Leonard is as good a teacher – by intellect, manner and example – as Mr. Jefferson ever could have imagined walking the ‘Grounds.’ ”

Sandridge's community involvement through his position at U.Va. and his personal inclination is extensive. He is active in virtually every university and community initiative and still finds time for such personal interests as the Lions Club, the Claudius Crozet Park and Crozet Baptist Church. Mr. Sandridge has been a longtime, active Chamber volunteer serving on its Board of Directors.

“This is a brilliant selection,” added Charlottesville Mayor Maurice Cox, a member of the Award Committee and a U.Va. professor. “Leonard’s personal and professional commitment embodies and demonstrates the best of our University and our community.”

The Chamber of Commerce established its prestigious Paul Goodloe McIntire Citizenship Award in 1975 to recognize outstanding citizen contributions to the greater Charlottesville area. The Chamber award is named in honor of Paul Goodloe McIntire, whose good will set a standard of service that others through the years have reached for while helping to weave a fabric of selflessness that continues to provide for our community and its citizens. A list of previous recipients is attached.

The 2003 Chamber Paul Goodloe McIntire Citizenship Award Selection Committee included: Mr. Gaffney as Chairman; Gary Taylor, Regional Executive of Northwestern Mutual Financial Network who serves as 2003 Chamber Chairman of the Board; Ivo Romenesko, President of The Appraisal Group and Chamber Board Chairman - Elect; Grace Carpenter, First Vice President of Davenport & Company; Charlottesville Mayor Maurice Cox; Bill Howard, Real Estate III Commercial Properties, the 2002 Chamber’s McIntire Award; James Kennan, U.Va. Health Systems and 2001 Chamber McIntire Award recipient; Suzanne Staton, Vice President of Pepsi Cola Bottling Company of Central Virginia, a 1994 Chamber McIntire Award recipient; and, Chamber President Timothy Hulbert.

More than 425 people attended the Annual Chamber Dinner co-sponsored this year by State Farm Insurance Companies, Hantzmon Wiebel & Company and SPRINT. Just prior to the award presentation, Judge John Charles Thomas, Justice Emeritus of the Virginia Supreme Court delivered the dinner’s keynote address.

The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to representing private enterprise, promoting business and enhancing the quality of life in our greater Charlottesville communities. The Chamber ‘s 1,200 member businesses and civic organizations employ more than 45,000 people in our community, representing an estimated total payroll of more than $1.3 billion a year.

Remarks by Michael Gaffney in presenting award to Leonard Sandridge.