Five Charlotte Business Leaders Named Dads “Extraordinaire” as Charlotte’s 2009 Fathers of the Year

Five exemplary Charlotte-area dads today were named Charlotte’s 2009 Fathers of the Year. But this isn’t news to their admiring children – they’ve always known that each of these high-powered business leaders and dedicated community servants was “father of the year” in their lives.

The well-known Charlotte/Metrolina Area businessmen announced today were selected by the National Father’s Day Council, which honors fathers for their outstanding commitment to their children and the values of fatherhood. They will be honored at one of the city’s most prestigious events, Charlotte’s 9th Annual National Father of the Year Awards fundraiser on June 19, 2009, benefiting the American Diabetes Association. The honorees are:

• Sam Bernsetin, vice president, general merchandise manager, Family Dollar
• Don Canterna, president, SPX Flow Technology
• Scott Clark, owner, Scott Clark Toyota
• Jeff Conway, franchise owner, Ruth’s Chris Steak House
• Stoney Sellers, president, Technology Project Management

“We are proud to honor these exceptional fathers who have so admirably balanced their personal lives with such successful careers and community service records,” said Harry Jones, Mecklenburg County Manager and co-chairman of the Charlotte Father’s Day Council, which has raised more than $1.7 million for diabetes research and education.

The black-tie-optional gala, sponsored by SPX Corporation, the Chris and Susan Kearney Foundation, Power Partners, WBTV (CBS), Charlotte Magazine, Carolina Weekly Newspaper Group, La Noticia and Southern Spirits, will be held at 6:30 p.m., Friday, June 19, at the Westin Hotel, 601 S. College St., Charlotte. Tickets are available for $175; call the ADA at 704-373-9111, x3271.

The American Diabetes Association continues to search for a cure for diabetes, the body’s inability to produce or respond to insulin, causing high blood sugar levels that often lead to blindness, kidney failure, amputation, heart attack and stroke, according to Dianne Roth, ADA executive director, central Carolinas. “Without the $200,000 we hope to raise this year from the gala, the ADA’s local outreach programs – which serve more than 165,000 people in the Charlotte Metrolina area who have diabetes, including nearly 25 percent who are unaware they have it – would be impossible.”

“All of our dads have seen the devastation that people with diabetes and their families, friends or colleagues face each day,” added Phil Walton, 2009 Father of the Year co-chair. “So they understand how important the resources and information available from the ADA are to help diabetics lead healthier, more productive lives.”

This year’s honorees join previous Charlotte area luminary dads, including: SPX Corporation President and CEO Christopher J. Kearney; Bank of America Senior Vice President Ron Newth; Wall Street Capitol Founder Richard C. Siskey; former Carolina Panther Mike Minter; Vice President-Sales - US Financial Services-Hewlett Packard Corporation Phil Walton; K&L Gates Administrative Partner Gene Pridgen; McGuireWoods Partner John Fennebresque; GMAC CEO Alvaro G. de Molina; La Noticia President Alvaro Gurdian; Mercedes of South Charlotte owner and entrepreneur Felix Sabates; UNC Charlotte Basketball Head Coach Bobby Lutz; former Charlotte Mayor Richard Vinroot; and Forest Hill Church Senior Pastor Dr. David Chadwick.

National Heritage Past Recipients have included some of the country’s best-known dads: Gen. Douglas MacArthur, President John F. Kennedy, singer Harry Belafonte, former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, American Bandstand’s Dick Clark, actors Yul Brynner and Andy Garcia, National Football League great Terry Bradshaw and many others.

About the American Diabetes Association

The American Diabetes Association is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization concerned with diabetes and its complications. Founded in 1940, the association provides services in communities nationwide. The mission of the American Diabetes Association is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information, call the ADA in Charlotte at 704-373-9111 or visit www.diabetes.org. The National Father’s Day Council has raised more than $22 million in 22 years to search for a cure for diabetes.

Editor’s note: Honorees and their families are available for interviews by contacting Pat Higgins, ADA/ Charlotte public relations, 704-614-1414 or patnews@carolina.rr.com. An honoree group shot and individual head shots and bios also are available.