Our most prestigious YMCA recognition is the Pioneer Preeminent Award. This award is given to an individual who has provided continuous service over the years to our organization and who has proven commitment and dedication to the YMCA’s mission. This year’s recipient is Joel Whittenhall. Joel serves on the YMCA Board of Trustees and Finance Committee. He is the Past Chairman of the YMCA Endowment Board and Chairs the Annual YMCA/Dan Conley Memorial Golf Tournament. He has had a successful business career and is currently the President, Senior Lending Officer and Organizing Director for CNLBank in Southwest Florida. In addition to his many years of commitment to our YMCA, Joel is the Transportation Committee Chairman of the Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce and an Advisory Board Member for Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida. Joel and his wife, Zondra, have been married for 27 years and have two daughters, Alyson and Taryn.

Bradley Clark graduated from Bowling Green State University and received his master’s degree from The Ohio State University. He is a 20-year veteran of the finance business and a Senior Vice President for UBS Financial Services, Inc. where he is a partner in the Clark/Steiner Personal Wealth Management Team. Brad is an active member of the Bonita Springs Community and is Chair of the Board of Trustees for the YMCA of the Palms which serves Collier County and Bonita Springs. He is a graduate of Leadership Bonita, Leadership Collier, and a Rotary International member having served as a past President. Being an avid student of history, Brad has been involved since inception with the FGCU Annual WW II Symposium. He and his wife, Karen, live in Estero and have two daughters.

Bill Burke serves on the Greater Naples YMCA Board and has been instrumental in fundraising efforts at the Y. Bill is a partner with Naples law firm Goodlette, Coleman, Johnson, Yovanovich & Koester, P.A.. He grew up in Syracuse, NY, is a graduate of Dartmouth College in Georgetown University and moved to Naples 12 years ago with his wife, Laura, and their three children. He has been named to the last 5 editions of The Best Lawyers in America and was a 2006 & 2007 Florida “Super Lawyer” by Law & Politics Magazine. Bill is the former President of the Youth Haven, Inc. Trustees Board and also serves as Secretary of the Naples Historical Society Board.

David Zimmermann and his wife, Sarah, own Royal Scoop Ice Cream in Bonita Springs. Having moved to Bonita Springs from Virginia with their two children, the Zimmermanns annually host an Easter Egg Hunt, Safety Day and a Halloween Party for community children at Royal Scoop. David serves on the Bonita Springs YMCA Branch Board and also is a youth soccer coach. The Zimmermanns recently received the 2008 “Love of Bonita” award for their outstanding contributions to the community and the Y is proud to have David so supportive of our mission. David is also active at the First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs.