State of the Region - MORPC

The State of the Region is one of Central Ohio’s most significant events of the year. During the State of the Region, we highlight community accomplishments and showcase upcoming plans for leading our region into the future. It is attended by the region’s top political, business, and civic leaders as the year’s premier event.

The 2022 State of the Region was held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center on March 16.

Find the 2022 Business First Supplement here.

If your organization is interested in sponsoring the 2023 State of the Region, contact Amanda McEldowney at amceldowney@morpc.org.

State Of The Region Awards

William H. Anderson Award

The William H. Anderson Award recognizes a current or past board member who exemplifies outstanding leadership, a vision for the community and the region, and commitment to MORPC. William H. Anderson, a longtime MORPC board member, was the epitome of a civic volunteer who is remembered for his zeal with which he championed MORPC’S mission and goals.

2022 Joe Stefanov
2021 Kim Maggard
2020 (none given)
2019 Steve Stolte
2018 James R. Schimmer
2017 Karen Angelou
2016 Richard “Ike” Stage
2015 Marsha Grigsby
2014 Eric Phillips
2013 Dean Ringle
2012 Derrick R. Clay
2011 R. Thomas Homan
2010 William (Bill) C. Yaple
2009 Marilyn Brown
2008 Herb Asher
2007 Virginia Barney and Mark Barbash

Regional Leadership Award

First introduced in 1997, the Regional Leadership Award recognizes individuals in a 15-county region (Franklin, Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Hocking, Knox, Licking, Logan, Madison, Marion, Morrow, Perry, Pickaway, Ross and Union counties) who make extraordinary efforts to ensure the future viability of the region’s communities. The Regional Leadership Award is derived from MORPC’s continuing dedication to addressing issues that transcend community boundaries and to stimulating visionary thinking. Past award winners include:

2022 Jennifer Gallagher
2021 Trudy Bartley
2020 (none given)
2019 Jean Carter Ryan
2018 Curtis Stitt
2017 Patrick Losinski
2016 Marilee Chinnici-Zuercher
2015 Michael Coleman
2014 Marjory Pizzuti
2013 Kenny McDonald
2012 Ron Pizzuti
2011 William Lhota
2010 Val Moeller
2009 Elaine Roberts
2008 Ty Marsh
2007 Mike Long
2006 Bill Habig
2005 Jack Lucks
2004 Debbie Martin
2003 Art Wallace
2002 Don Wuertz
2001 Rich King
2000 Dave Lieser
1999 (none given)
1998 Jim Caldwell
1997 Ginny Barney

William C. Habig Collaborative Achievement Award

The William C. Habig Collaborative Achievement Award was created in 2006 in honor of William C. Habig, who served MORPC for 39 years, 34 years as executive director. The William C. Habig Collaborative Achievement award is annually presented to an individual and/or organizations who have achieved an effective effort or innovative collaborative in central Ohio. The honoree(s) will have demonstrated success in developing a specific initiative or entity that supports broad inclusion, diverse thoughts in the process and delivers tangible results addressing key challenges facing the region. Past award winners include:

2022 Downtown Bellefontaine Redevelopment & Small Nation
2021 Central Ohio’s Public Health Districts
2020 (none given)
2019 MECC Regional Council of Governments
2018 Delaware Community YMCA/Ohio Army National Guard Readiness Center
2017 Smart Columbus
2016 Sustaining Scioto
2015 Yaromir Steiner
2014 Economic Development 411 (ED 411)
2013 Union County Council of Governments
2012 Capital Crossroads and Discovery Special Improvements Districts
2011 Columbus Region Logistics Council
2010 Central Ohio Trauma System
2009 Central Ohio Public Information Network (COPIN)
2008 Signers of the Central Ohio Green Pact
2007 Mid Ohio Development Exchange (MODE)