2007 Recipients
Jack Bourne- Jack Bourne, who had a
23 year trade show industry career, was one of the longest
reigning employees of Avalon Exhibits, as a warehouse manager,
and most recently the manager of Portable Exhibits
Logistics. Jack suffered a heart attack and died recently
while doing the work he loved most. Jack was adored by
his fellow employees and clients alike, and leaves behind his
wife of more than 35 years, Darlene.
Karin Brennan- Karin Brennan is a
ling time industry veteran who held positions at Folio,
Innovations and Design Know How in New England. Karin, a
single mom raising two college-aged boys, is struggling with
the financial hardships resulting from her ongoing dialysis
treatments. She is badly in need of a kidney transplant,
which only adds to her financial and emotional burdens.
Don Kendrick- Don Kendrick is an
I&D worker who has been setting up trade show displays for
more than 15 years, first with Paramount Tradeshow Group, and
currently with Coastal International. Last fall, Don was
stricken with complications of pneumonia that could only be
treated with surgery. He had a thoracotomy, a chest
decortication, and a fiber optic bronchoscopy. The
surgeries caused damage to his heart, further complicating his
illness. Don has been unable to work as a result of his
illness and did not have adequate medical insurance to pay for
his hospital stays and surgeries - causing him financial
hardship so great that he struggles to pay his dat to day
living expenses.
Kelly Privette- Kelly Privette is a
Customer Service Representative for Zenith LaborNet in the
Washington DC / Baltimore area, and Administrative Assistant to
husband Sean Privette, who is City Manager. Kelly is
suffering from kidney disease and started dialysis in November
2006. Kelly has been battling polycystic kidney disease
fo more than 20 years and recently had to file for disability
because it has become difficult for her to work, and take care
of her two children. She is currently on the list for a
transplant, but because of her rare blood type it might take up
to 3 years to find a match.
Craig Rogers- Craig's industry life
began in Las Vegas where he worked for several trade show
suppliers, Somers Furniture being one of the most
notable. Craig was then hired as a Senior Account
Executive for Encore Productions at Mandalat Bay where he
worked for many years until he moved back to his home town of
Valley Grove, WV with his fiance (Anah Corley) where they both
went to work for Stetson Convention Services. Craig is
suffering with an inoperable brain tumor which affects his
speech and memory. He is currently undergoing
chemotherapy to shrink the tumor in hopes that it can be
removed one day. Craig has been unable to work since last
year, and struggles to pay his bills and take care of his young
son.
Cleo Spoon- Cleo Spoon is the
father of Jeff Spoon and Father-In-Law of Christina Spoon who
both work for Freeman in Orlando. Cleo is suffering from
liver disease and badly needs a transplant. But in the
process of fighting his disease, Cleo has gone through his life
savings and does not have adequate funds to pay for his
transplant. Without assistance to pay out-of-pocket
expenses for surgery, travel expenses (to Miami and back), and
medication expenses, the surgery cannot be done.
Charlie Stewart- Charlie Stewart
has been in graphics production management for more than 8
years with Shepard, GES, and currently with MC2. Charlie
had quadruple bypass surgery this past February which was
followed by an embolism that caused complete kidney
failure. He is currently on dialysis. Meanwhile,
Charlie's wife Judy had been battling ovarian cancer for the
past five years, and had undergone numerous operationsand
chemotherapy. On June 27th of this year, Judy lost her
battle with cancer. In addition to losing his wife,
Charlie's mental, emotional and physical well being are further
hampered by ever increasing medical expenses.
Wayne Veal- Wayne Veal, an industry
and 24+ year Nth degree veteran, died unexpectedly Friday May
25, 2007. Wayne was an integral part of Nth Degree's
growth, success and family culture. In addition to his
commitment to serving many of Nth's logest term clients, he
served as a mentor to many on the Nth Degree sales team.
He touched every area of Nth Degree with his generous spirit
and caring nature.
Jeff Yero- Jeff began his career in
the exhibit industry in the 1970s, supplying graphic solutions
to all major exhibit and advertising corporations in the
Atlanta metropolitan area. In 1998 Jeff moved to
Laarhoven Design an an Exhibit Consultant where he remained
until 2003. Shortly after leaving Laarhoven Design, Jeff
teamed up with Marc Mousseau to help with the launch of Moose
Displays and Logistics in Atlanta. In the summer of 2006,
Jeff was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer which spread
into his bones and other parts of his body. Jeff is
currently participating as part of a blind study for a new
treatment for stage 4 Prostate Cancer. According to Jeff,
he hopes this will be the answer and plans to be the first
person cured at this level. He is a believer in miracles!
