FISHERS, Ind. (July 27, 2010) – Conner Prairie Interactive History Park, Indiana’s only Smithsonian affiliate, announces the 2010 Spirit of the Prairie award recipients. Honorees include newly appointed Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator John S. Pistole; entertainment executive, attorney & television/film producer Max L. Siegel; rabbi, author and civic leader Sandy Eisenberg Sasso; and civic leader and community volunteer Julie A. Davis.
The 2010 Spirit of the Prairie award recipients will be recognized at the eighth annual Spirit of the Prairie cocktail reception and dinner—Celebrating America’s Trailblazers, Sept. 11, 2010, at 5:45 p.m. The awards reception is Conner Prairie’s opportunity to acknowledge those who have created a distinctly American story. The honorees exemplify the spirit of endeavor that created the rich and ever-changing tapestry of the United States.
“We are honored to present Conner Prairie’s highest award to this year’s outstanding American trailblazers,“ says Ellen M. Rosenthal, president and CEO of Conner Prairie. “Each honoree exemplifies the values of Conner Prairie through their achievements, courage, innovation and vision, and we are proud to honor their excellence.”
Julie A. Davis, civic leader & community volunteer
Davis, a civic leader and community volunteer, has worked with more than 30 nonprofit organizations and numerous Indianapolis business leaders for the past 20 years. In 2000, Davis co-founded the Presidents Roundtable, bringing together the presidents of 11 (now 20) women’s organizations to share ideas, identify issues and leverage the strengths of the various organizations representing 5,850 women volunteers. Davis is a 2008 Mayor’s Community Service Award recipient and currently serves on the boards of six nonprofits, while volunteering for nearly 15 others.
John S. Pistole, TSA administrator
Pistole, recently confirmed administrator of the TSA, is a graduate of Anderson University and Indiana University School of Law. As TSA administrator, he oversees security operations of more than 450 federalized airports throughout the U.S., the Federal Air Marshal Service and the security for highways, railroads, ports, mass transit systems and pipelines. Pistole is also a 26 year veteran of the FBI with extensive national security and counterterrorism experience. Pistole is a recipient of the Department of Justice Edward H. Levy Award and the Presidential Rank Award for Distinguished Executives.
Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, author & civic leader
Sasso has been rabbi of Congregation Beth-El Zedeck in Indianapolis since 1977. She was the first woman ordained from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, and the first to serve a conservative congregation together with her husband, Rabbi Dennis Sasso. She is active in the arts, civic and interfaith communities and is the author of many articles and award winning children’s books, including God’s Paintbrush. Sasso also lectures at Butler University and writes a monthly column for the Indianapolis Star.
Max L. Siegel, entertainment executive, attorney & television/film Producer
Siegel is the CEO of The 909 Group LLC, a sports, entertainment and lifestyle marketing firm representing clients such as NASCAR, Dale Earnhardt, Inc., BET Networks and the Minnesota Vikings. Siegel also leads the sports and entertainment industry team with Baker & Daniels in Indianapolis. He formerly served as president of global operations at Dale Earnhardt Inc. and recently made history as the highest-ranking African American executive in NASCAR. Siegel is a graduate of Notre Dame Law School.
Past honorees include American puzzle creator and editor Will Shortz; entertainer Sandi Patty; international opera soprano Angela Brown; and United States Senator Richard G. Lugar, among many others.
This year’s Spirit of the Prairie corporate chairs are Nancy Huber, president & CEO of the central Indiana division of Fifth Third Bank, and Jay and Nancy Ricker of Ricker Oil Company. Conner Prairie board member and civic leader Gay Dwyer is serving as this year’s event chair.
Spirit of the Prairie reservations are being accepted now and can be made online at www.connerprairie.org/spirit.aspx or by calling 317.776.6000 x292. Tickets start at $150 and tables of 10 are available. Proceeds from this event support Conner Prairie’s mission to inspire curiosity and foster learning about Indiana’s past by providing engaging, individualized and unique experiences.
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Conner Prairie Interactive History Park, created by Eli Lilly in 1934, is Indiana’s only Smithsonian Affiliate. Families of today engage, explore and discover what it was like to live and play in Indiana’s past. Explore four themed historic areas on 200 beautiful, wooded acres including the newest exhibit, 1859 Balloon Voyage. This exhibit educates guests about Indiana’s aviation history and culminates with a voyage 350 feet above the prairie in a tethered helium balloon. Every visit is a unique adventure that provides an authentic look into the history that shapes us today. Visit connerprairie.org or call 317.776.6006 or 800.966.1836 for admission dates, times and ticket prices. Connect with Conner Prairie on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/connerprairie, Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/people/connerprairie/, YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/ConnerPrairie and Twitter at http://twitter.com/connerprairie/.
Media Contact: Angela Tuell, Public Relations Manager (office) 317.214.4732, (cell) 410.430.9518, Tuell@connerprairie.org