The Cobb Chamber of Commerce, along with Georgia Supreme Court Justice Robert Benham, presented the first Winston Strickland Servant Leadership Award to former Governor Roy Barnes at the Chamber’s September 9 First Monday Breakfast at the Cobb Galleria Centre.
The Winston Strickland Servant Leadership was established to recognize an individual who, just like Winston Strickland, has lived a life of service to their family and community. Strickland was a true servant leader who modeled this in every aspect of his life before passing in November of 2012. For more than 40 years, Strickland ran a barber shop off the Marietta square that was not only a business landmark in town, but a place of refuge for many. In 1994, he was elected the first black president of the National Association of Barbers. He was appointed to the Georgia Board of Barbers in 1983 by former Gov. Joe Frank Harris, for whom he’d campaigned, and had been chairman of the six-member state board since 1986.
Former Governor Roy Barnes was presented with the first Winston Strickland Servant Leadership award for his continued dedication to his community as a humble servant, tirelessly working to make Cobb County better, just as Strickland had during his life. Barnes has been known as a bridge builder, not focused on differences or recognition, but solely on the bettering of his community. A graduate of South Cobb High School and the son of a general store owner, Barnes has had many accomplishments through his positions in the Georgia Senate, Georgia House of Representatives and as Governor of Georgia, including education reform and much more. Just as the servant attitude of Winston Strickland shaped Cobb County, the community and entire state of Georgia are now better places to live, work and play because of the work ethic and servant leadership of Roy Barnes. Pictured above with David Connell (left) and Roy Barnes (right) are Winston Strickland’s wife Rosetta Strickland and his two daughters, Michele Strickland and Monique Strickland Hall.