Annette Bowling of Albany awarded 2010 Pathfinder Award for Outstanding Service

The Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission has awarded the 2010 Pathfinder Award for Outstanding Service to Annette Bowling of Albany, GA. The Pathfinder Award recognizes Georgians who have performed exemplary service to the Commission and to the disability community in Georgia.

Ms. Bowling was appointed and served on the Commission from 1999 to 2010, where she was a Commission officer in addition to many committee appointments. Currently the Executive Director of the Albany Resource Center, Ms Bowling serves on the board of the Southwest Georgia Cancer Coalition, Southwest Georgia Area Health Education Center, Southwest Georgia Easter Seals and the Georgia Budget Policy Committee. A principled, strong advocate for Georgians with disabilities, Ms. Bowling has served as chairperson of the Division of Rehabilitation Services Council and co-chaired the Governor's Blue Ribbon Taskforce on Community Based Services. Annette was named one of the '100 Most Influential Georgians' by Georgia Trend Magazine in 2008.

The Pathfinder Award ceremony was held July 22nd at the Commission's annual meeting where the award was presented to Ms. Bowling by Commission Chairman Joseph Frazier and Commission Executive Director Craig Young.

Also receiving recognition for service to the Commission during the annual meeting held in Stone Mountain, GA at the Side by Side Clubhouse were:

• Cindi Johnson, Executive Director of the Side by Side Clubhouse. Ms. Johnson received the Larry Huggins Memorial Award for her long service and as outstanding committee member for 2010.
• Waring Jackson of Woodstock and Pat Underwood of Peachtree City were recognized for completing two years of service in the Commission's Leadership Development Program.
• Steven Leibel, Esq., of Dahlonega and retiring Commission member was recognized for his many contributions and service to the Commission.