William Johnston Named “Trustee of the Year” by LeadingAge Florida
[Sarasota, FL – August 11, 2014] William (Bill) Johnston, member of The Plymouth Harbor Board of Trustees and Chairperson of the Plymouth Harbor Foundation Board, was recognized as LeadingAge Florida’s 2014 Trustee of the Year at their annual conference earlier this month at the Hyatt Regency Orlando.
This very distinguished honor is presented annually to an exceptional LeadingAge Florida member Trustee. LeadingAge is a professional association composed of over 6,000 not-for-profit organizations (over 400 Florida communities) dedicated to making America a better place to grow old. At both the national and state level, the organization advocates, educates, and serves its members admirably.
At the July 30th luncheon ceremony with several hundred in attendance, Johnston spoke passionately about Plymouth Harbor and its mission toward older adults. He also thanked all of those in attendance for the efforts they put forth in their respective organizations.
Bill Johnston is Past President of the New York Stock Exchange and is currently retired. However, he has transitioned to a new calling as a community leader and volunteer. As a highly effective trustee he leads by example and is a founding member of The Plymouth Harbor Foundation.
His parents were residents at Plymouth Harbor, as were two aunts and an uncle. With hopes of someday moving with his wife Betsy to Plymouth Harbor, Johnston serves as a strong advocate of continuing care retirement communities (CCRC).
Summing up the reasons why Johnston deserved the award, Plymouth Harbor CEO Harry Hobson stated, “Plymouth Harbor is a better CCRC today than it was prior to Bill Johnston becoming a Trustee. His leadership and passion for services to older adults is obvious in all aspects of his life. He had a reputation for being an ideal son to his parents regardless of his busy schedule on Wall Street. He never forgot his parents. He looks at this aspect of his life as paying back.”
PHOTO CAPTION: Those pictured at the awards presentation are: (l to r) Joe Devore, Vice President of Health Services, Harry Hobston, President and CEO, Liz Clark, Director of Assisted Living and Home Care, Karen Novak, Director of Health Services, Bill Johnston, Becky Pazkowski, Vice President of Philanthropy, and Gordon Okawa, Vice President of Marketing and Community Affairs.
About Plymouth Harbor:
Plymouth Harbor on Sarasota Bay, founded in 1966, operates as a not-for-profit continuing care retirement community (CCRC) for 300 residents and is centrally located on the Bay between Bird Key and St. Armand’s Circle with vistas of the Gulf, Bay and the City of Sarasota. Plymouth Harbor offers customized independent living residences, home care, assisted living, and skilled nursing and rehabilitation therapy services in the Smith Care Center.
About The Plymouth Harbor Foundation:
The Plymouth Harbor Foundation was established in 2012 to further ensure the appropriate stewardship of contributed funds, develop fundraising strategies that support the most positive aging experience possible, and provide funding for innovative programs and services in the region.
About LeadingAge Florida:
LeadingAge Florida was established in 1963 as a Florida not-for-profit corporation, as the only statewide association representing the full continuum of care for seniors. The organization serves over 400 mission-driven communities trusted with providing quality care and services. LeadingAge Florida promotes practices that support, enable, and empower people to live fully as they age. This year’s conference marked the 50th anniversary of the organization.
