Dink NeSmith, chairman emeritus of The Oglethorpe Echo Legacy, Inc., is this year’s winner of Leadership Georgia’s J.W. Fanning Award.
NeSmith, who lives in Smithonia, is also the co-owner of Community Newspapers Inc.
Leadership Georgia announced five recipients of statewide awards last month.
The J.W. Fanning Award recognizes “a Georgian whose statewide contributions through leadership and service have been broad in scope and transformative in impact.”
“A respected business leader and philanthropist, NeSmith has demonstrated an enduring commitment to strengthening Georgia communities through civic engagement, economic leadership and charitable giving,” Leadership Georgia said in its announcement.
The organization also said, ”His leadership reflects the legacy of J.W. Fanning, one of Leadership Georgia’s founders and a champion for statewide collaboration and progress.”
The award will be presented during the 2026 Leadership Georgia Alumni Gala on Nov. 14.
“To be mentioned in the same sentence with Dr. J.W. Fanning is an honor in itself,” NeSmith said. “I am humbled. Leadership Georgia was a life-changing experience.
“I had no real relationship with either of my grandfathers. Dr. Fanning — with great love and wisdom — filled that void. He was one of my heroes. Dr. Fanning exerted the type of influence that made you want to do better than you thought you could.”
NeSmith and his wife, Pam, were in the Leadership Georgia class of 1983, and he served as president in 1985 and chairman in 1986. In 1989, the NeSmiths were the first couple, as alumni, to receive the Fredrick B. Kerr Award.
Their older son, Alan, and his wife, Heather, were in the class of 2010, and Alan served as the first second-generation president in 2017.
The NeSmiths’ younger son, Eric, and his wife, Connell, were in the class of 2015.
This year’s other award recipients are Vann Parrott, chief operating officer of Big Top Manufacturing in Thomasville (the Frederick B. Kerr Service Award); Jay Bailey, president and CEO of Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs in Atlanta (the E. Dale Threadgill Community Service Award); Kathryn Dennis, president of the Community Foundation of Central Georgia in Macon (the Judge Horace J. Johnson, Jr. and Michelle Bryant Johnson Distinguished Public Service Award); and Jere Morehead, president of the University of Georgia in Athens (the H.G. “Pat” Patillo Honorary Membership Award).
“Each of these nominees represents the best of Leadership Georgia,” said Camila Knowles, Leadership Georgia Board of Trustees chairman. “Their influence extends far beyond their individual professions or communities. Through service, innovation, mentorship and a deep commitment to Georgia, they have created lasting impact across our state and inspired others to lead with purpose.”