PALM BEACH, Fla. Northwood University will recognize eight nationally known business leaders at its 34th Annual Outstanding Business Leader (OBL) Awards on Feb. 1, 2014, at The Breakers, Palm Beach, Fla.
The eight honorees in the Class of 2014 are:
Lisa Copeland
Managing Partner, Fiat of Austin
Austin, Texas
Richard DeVos, Jr. (’81)
President, The Windquest Group/ Retired President, Alticor
Grand Rapids, Mich.
J Ferron
Chairman Emeritus, Northwood University Board of Trustees
Director, Crain Communications Inc./Automotive News
Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
Richard J. Garber (’78)
President, Garber Management Group
Saginaw, Mich.
David H. Gilmour
Founder, FIJI Water/The Wakaya Club and Spa
Palm Beach, Fla.
Jonathan Hage
President & CEO, Charter Schools, USA
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Daniel R. Langdon
President, East Penn Manufacturing
Lyon Station, Pa.
Thomas F. O’Hare
President & CEO (retired), WORLDPAC
Newark, Calif.
Northwood University annually recognizes a select group of men and women for their business achievements and for their support and exemplary leadership of the communities in which they live and work. These individuals serve as role models for Northwood University students, all of whom are engaged in the study of business management and who aspire to successful careers. In the 34 years since the program’s founding, more than 300 business leaders from more than 30 states and several countries, representing dozens of industries and fields of business expertise, have received the Outstanding Business Leader Award.
The gala is open to the public. Tickets are $375 per person. On Friday, Jan. 31, the day preceding the gala presentations, Northwood University students will ask questions of the OBL Class of 2014 at an afternoon forum held at Northwood University Florida from 2:30 to 4 p.m. The forum provides the opportunity for honorees to share anecdotes relating to the obstacles and challenges they encountered while on their personal road to business success, as well as remedies relating to how they overcame them.